Blazing Love

by Chantel Rhondeau

  It sucked having to go back to work, knowing Thayne didn’t return until tomorrow evening. Then what would she do? With the budget cuts came shift changes, and now Thayne worked twenty-four hours at a time, had one day off, then worked another twenty-four before getting a five-day break. She didn’t like him working such long hours. Fighting as many fires a day as the city had right now, fatigue must be a problem for all the crews. From what Thayne said, they were having a hard time getting enough volunteers to keep up with the demand.

  What if he and his other brothers went into a fire near the end of a shift? Would they be able to make good decisions about their safety, let alone the safety of the people they would try to rescue? That didn’t seem possible if it was their second or third fire of the day.

  Her hands started shaking, turning cold. Laura closed her eyes and forced herself to breathe deeply. It wouldn’t do to have a panic attack now. She could handle this. She had to. After spending all day yesterday in bed just talking and being together, she and Thayne had worked out a plan. Things would be fine. He would be fine.

  Thayne promised to text her every hour while he worked, even at night. If there was a fire, he would tell her on the way there, then text her again as soon as he was out of danger. If anything happened to him—and Laura prayed it never would—the guys knew to notify Laura immediately.

  It was the best she could ask for. She couldn’t beg him to give up a job he loved, just because she was afraid of the risks.

  Even though I want to. Why can’t he go back to riding in ambulances and working as a medic? He said he liked that. There wouldn’t be as much danger.

  It was all the mayor’s fault. He cut the department back so far that it forced Thayne’s captain to return him to active firefighting. Even that wouldn’t have been too bad. After all, firemen most often responded to emergency calls that weren’t fire related. But the arsonist problem changed everything.

  And from what I can tell, they’re no closer to finding the asshole doing this.

  The computer beeped alerting Laura that the reports were ready. Probably a good thing. If she thought any more about the arsonist, it would provoke a panic attack. She had felt calmer since talking with Thayne and solidifying their relationship, but she wasn’t cured. Her fear was still capable of incapacitating her.

  The door opened, and Vicky walked into the lab. “Is that blood work done? I think I’m going to have to admit that Doberman overnight and keep him on fluids, but I’d like to see his blood counts first.”

  Pushing the print button, Laura rose and walked to the printer. She looked quickly through the report and then handed it to Vicky. “Seems his white blood count is high, but I don’t see anything else alarming.”

  Vicky studied the page. “Maybe just an infection, but the antibiotics we put him on last week didn’t help.”

  So far, Vicky hadn’t spoken to her about anything other than work-related business today. However, she had given her a dirty look when she walked in this morning. Vicky loudly told the receptionist that it would be nice if, when an employee’s home burned down, they’d call to say they were safe. Because of that, Laura expected a lecture just as soon as their patient load lightened.

  Unfortunately, that was sooner than she had expected.

  “We have a few minutes free,” Vicky said a bit too casually. “Come check on Bear with me and let’s talk.”

  Here it comes. I don’t blame her for being pissed, but I didn’t exactly have my cell phone or any of my contact numbers. Thayne is picking me up a new phone today, but I couldn’t call... not that I even considered it.

  “Look, Vicky, I should have let you know I was okay,” Laura said, trying to stave off the pending guilt trip. “It was a crazy weekend and I just didn’t think about it. Plus, I lost everything in the fire, including your cell number.”

  Her boss headed for the door, waving her to follow. “I was angry about that at first, but it’s okay. I understand. The Red Cross must have put you up in a hotel? Dan and I have an extra room if you need it.”

  That was unexpected. “I appreciate it, but I’m actually staying with Thayne.”

  Vicky stopped so abruptly, Laura nearly ran into her.

  She whirled around. “At Thayne’s house? I thought we agreed you should be done with him. He called you a bitch, Laura. Drop him.”

  We agreed? No, not quite. You refused to eat the chicken, saying Tony’s flowers were better. But I never agreed to anything.

  That said, Vicky’s misgivings were the reason Laura hadn’t called Thayne that night before the fire broke out. She had still been mulling it over, trying to decide the right thing to do, when the alarm startled Snips.

  “Tony’s probably leaving Sayle anyway, no matter how much you want me to date him,” Laura said, trying to keep her voice reasonable sounding. “You said he’s only here a few weeks. Besides, Thayne pulled me out of a burning building, and his partner saved my cat. I think that makes up for the bitch comment.”

  And it’s a good thing Tony’s leaving. What a slimy creep that man is. I couldn’t handle even a friendly dinner with him.

  Laura attempted a grin, hoping Vicky would lighten up and move past her hope that Laura would like Tony.

  No such luck. Vicky’s frown deepened. “But what about having a guy with a safe job? Tony said his chances are strong for the full-time position with the mayor. He’s moving here and wants to be with you. I told him you were interested and would give him a second chance. We’re having dinner tonight at my house so you can get to know him better.”

  That was it. Laura had tried to be polite, but this was too far. Vicky wasn’t her matchmaker or her social coordinator. Laura could handle her life by herself. “I hope you have a nice time at your dinner.” She gazed at Vicky challengingly. Vicky’s eyes narrowed, but Laura went on before she could speak. “I hope your friend gets that job if he wants it, although I can’t imagine that the mayor has money for anything. He cut back the fire department so far already. They’re who he should hire. Anyway, I know you’ll find a way to explain to Tony that I’m no longer single and you made a mistake.”

  “Not single?” Vicky folded her arms, looking mutinous. “What do you mean, not single? You’re staying at his house, not married to him.”

  “What I mean is I’m with Thayne now, and off the dating market. No, not married, but we are seriously together, and I don’t cheat.”

  “You’re so stupid!” Vicky blurted.

  Do I really, really need this job? Laura bit the inside of her cheeks to keep herself from telling Vicky off. Why did her boss care so much who she dated? Besides, Vicky was the one pushing her at Thayne in the beginning. Sure, Thayne was a rude drunk because seeing her with Tony hurt his feelings, but that was old news now.

  “Maybe I am stupid,” she finally said, her voice only shaking slightly, “but you were the one who said I should date Thayne. He’s a nice guy. I won’t have you bad mouthing him. Tony is a letch and a creep. Even if I were single, I wouldn’t date him.”

  Vicky looked away from her, puffing out her breath so hard it moved her hair. “Tony isn’t a creep. He’s my brother. I didn’t want you to feel pressured to date him, so I lied. He really is sorry. Give him another chance.”

  “That’s why you’re against Thayne now? Because your brother wants to date me?” Laura shook her head, wondering why she didn’t feel more shocked at Vicky’s betrayal. “I wouldn’t have even gone out to that first dinner if I’d known he was related to you. I can’t date my boss’s family.” Not to mention I just said horrible things about him to his sister. What a mess.

  “It’s not like that’s a requirement to work here,” Vicky snapped. “I’m worried about you, though. Tony talked with the mayor and said the fire department is crumbling. The mayor wants his help investigating the fires because the fire marshal has been useless.”

  “That’s not Thayne’s fault,” Laura pointed out. “They’re working the case. What makes you think your bro
ther can do anything else? I thought he was just a business man.”

  “He’s into a lot of things, especially making money. He’s the right guy for you. You’re an idiot to go out with Thayne when everything is so dangerous right now.”

  “I’m an idiot?” Laura licked her lips and looked away from Vicky. “Nice. Thanks for being my friend, Vicky. At least I thought we were friends, until your brother showed up and got slobbery drunk all over me and made an ass out of himself.”

  “My brother shouldn’t drink. I’ll admit that. He’s sorry though and won’t do it again. Just come to dinner.”

  Laura held up her hand to stop Vicky from begging. “You’re right that he won’t do it again. This stupid woman isn’t going to see him, no matter what you say.”

  Vicky made an exasperated sound in the back of her throat. “Look, I’m not going to play nice and say you aren’t stupid just because it hurt your feelings. If you stay with Thayne you’re going to get hurt again, just like with Brian. Thayne is reckless and cocky, and he’ll end up dead. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

  The force of her words hit Laura like a hammer, and she backed up a pace and slumped against the wall. “Why would you say that? What’s your brother doing in this new job of his? Making sure Thayne and other firefighters die? You’re a horrible person, Vicky, and I’m sorry I ever thought you could be a friend.”

  Even though her legs trembled, Laura stood upright and brushed past Vicky in the narrow hallway, heading for the door to the front of the building.

  Vicky grasped her wrist as she passed, stopping her. “That’s not what I’m saying and you know it. Thayne’s going to hurt you, one way or another. Either by getting himself killed in one of these damn fires or by finding another girl when he gets bored of you. Just look at him, for shit sakes. He’s gorgeous and you... well. You’re a nice girl, but you can’t hold his attention forever. But Tony thinks you’re wonderful, and I know he can make a woman like you happy.”

  “What do you mean, exactly? That Tony can make an ugly woman like me happy?” Laura yanked her arm free and continued walking. “Screw you, Vicky. I quit.”

  ***

  Humming a happy tune while he cooked the sauce for lasagna, Thayne decided he could quickly get used to living with Laura. It made him happy just to think of her coming home to him in a couple hours after work. They could curl up together in his recliner and cuddle, watch TV, kiss, maybe try out how hard it would be to make love in the oversized lounge chair. The joy of Laura was enough to take the bitter taste away that the afternoon news had left in his mouth.

  As he put the lid back on the sauce, the sound of the front door creaking open drew his attention. “Hello?” He stepped from the stove to look at the front door, surprised when Laura walked through it. “You’re home early. Couldn’t stay away from me, could you?”

  Dark sunglasses covered her face, and she didn’t answer right away, concerning Thayne. She turned to shut and lock the door, pulling the sunglasses onto her head before spinning to face him. Her eyes looked puffy and bloodshot, and her face was flushed red.

  Thayne rushed toward her, capturing her in his embrace. “What happened?”

  Her hot lips pressed into his neck and tears fell against his shirt. “I quit my job. Hope you don’t mind my staying here a little longer, at least until I find something else.”

  He kissed her forehead and smoothed her hair down her back in an attempt to be a calming presence. “Don’t worry about that. You have a home with me forever. I don’t want us to ever be apart.”

  “Are you sure?” Her voice was high and squeaky, as though tears clogged her throat.

  “We worked this out already. You’re my lady, kitten. Forever. I love you.”

  She kissed his neck again. “I love you too. Sorry about the waterworks.” Laura pulled away, wiping her cheeks dry. “I had a fight with Vicky. She wanted me to date Tony and was quite insistent. Then, she got nasty. She said awful things about you and our future.”

  Thayne sighed, catching Laura’s hand in his and squeezing it tightly. If Vicky said something to get Laura upset enough to quit the clinic, she must have been nasty indeed. Judging by Laura’s renewed insecurity about whether he wanted to be with her, whatever Vicky said hit home. Maybe it was something about Bonnie.

  “No matter what anyone says, Laura, we’re stronger than their words. I’m sorry you lost your job, but I’m sure there are other vet clinics looking for a great tech.”

  She nodded. “A few. It’s just a longer bus ride, which is why Sunshine Veterinarian Clinic was perfect. I’ll find something soon, don’t worry about that.”

  Thayne grinned, then ran his tongue over his upper lip. “I have an idea about what you can do in the meantime to earn your keep around here.”

  Laura’s eyebrows rose in apparent shock but then a grin teased the corners of her mouth. “Oh, really now? Why don’t you show me what you have in mind?”

  He tugged her toward the recliner, plopping down and pulling her onto his lap. Kissing her neck up toward her earlobe, he whispered, “It starts something like this.”

  “Fantastic start,” she said, rubbing her hand down his biceps. “Can’t wait to see where it ends.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Fantastic sex and home cooking, too? What more could a girl want?

  Laura sipped the wine that Thayne suggested she try with his lasagna. It was a risk to drink. She wouldn’t be able to take an anti-anxiety pill if anything happened, even though Dr. Mason gave her a new prescription today. In some ways, it made her feel more normal than she ever had, to know she could deal with her issues and not take the medicine.

  She traced a random pattern on the back of Thayne’s hand where it rested on the table next to her. “This is heaven. I’m getting used to this life.”

  “I’m glad you’re happy, but I need some pampering too, you know. I’d love to come home Wednesday night and get something from you.” Thayne winked. “I do mean food... for starters.”

  Giggling, Laura bumped her shoulder against his. “How is it that you can make this crappy day seem like a blessing? I’m glad you didn’t give up on me when I was afraid of dating.”

  After chewing another bite of food, Thayne rested his elbow on the table and put his head in his hand, looking at her with concern in his green eyes. “I’m sorry about Vicky and the way things turned out. I know she was the only person you really considered a friend.”

  With a shake of her head, Laura sipped more wine. “If she were a true friend, she wouldn’t have said those horrible things.” She took a deep breath, knowing she had to tell Thayne why she’d been so insecure when she first walked into the house. “Vicky said you’d either die in a fire or leave me for a prettier woman. She said we didn’t have a future, and I should go after Tony.”

  The skin around Thayne’s eyes tightened, and a frown wrinkled his face. “I thought she wanted us together. What would possess her to be so bitchy?”

  Good question. And one I can’t figure out. “She really, really wanted me to date Tony. I didn’t understand why at first. She seemed to understand that I didn’t have a spark with Tony that night at the bar. She told me today he’s her brother, and it sort of sounded like I date him or else. I guess he’s staying in Sayle now that he’s working for the mayor.”

  “She lied about him being her brother before?” Thayne’s frown deepened. “And now the creep is working for the mayor? Doing what?”

  “I guess investigating the arsonist, from what Vicky said.” Laura frowned, too. “He said before he was a businessman, so how does that work? What’s his business? Vicky said it’s making money, but what does that mean?”

  Forking up another bite of food, Thayne shrugged. “Let’s not let it ruin dinner.”

  Odd. I thought he’d want to figure it out. I know he hates the mayor and all the money that was sucked out of the emergency service departments. Isn’t he the least bit curious about why the mayor is firing firefighters,
but hiring business consultants to investigate the rash of fires that started right after the layoffs?

  Like a dog working on a bone, Laura couldn’t let it go. “Tony is certainly a shifty type of guy. What if he’s the one...?” She shook her head. “No, that’s crazy. That can’t be why.”

  Thayne set his fork in his plate and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Okay, cat woman. I can see we’re going to talk about him. So, out with it. What’s crazy?”

  “I was thinking maybe Tony’s the arsonist, but that doesn’t make sense. If so, why would the mayor hire him?” Unless he’d proven to the mayor somehow that he could make the fires stop, without letting the mayor know he was starting them. “The fires began around the time he came to town, which I find weird.”

  “What’s Tony’s last name?” Thayne’s voice was sharper than he usually used on Laura. Something had his attention.

  “I don’t know, but it can’t be hard to find. How many Tonys are about to get a position in the mayor’s office?”

  “True.”

  “Do you think my theory could be right?” she asked, surprised. “I’m sort of talking out loud. I don’t have any reason to think it, other than he’s a creep and Vicky made me nervous today. Well, and the timing.”

  Thayne took her hand, kissing her fingers. “I didn’t want to tell you this, because I know you worry, but there were two more fires today before the afternoon news aired. One of the female firefighters from the other station was caught in the blaze and is fighting for her life tonight.” Thayne’s green eyes were troubled, sorrow lurking behind them.

  Fighting down the flutter of panic, she closed her fingers tight around his. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I wish more people had your compassion.” He snorted. “The mayor trotted out a consultant during his press conference, and it must have been Tony. I’m a little blurry on the details of his face since I was so drunk that night I saw him with you. Anyway, this new consultant has a plan to lay off all the EMTs and medics, and call in an independent ambulance company. They’ll bill insurances and have their own buildings. The city will no longer be responsible for vehicle maintenance or maintaining the stations. Apparently, that’ll save a bunch of money. He also said something about finding an independent company for the firehouse staff.”