Dallas Fire & Rescue: Hearts Afire (Kindle Worlds Novella) (MacKay Destiny Book 3)

by L. J. Garland

  He swiped his hand over his face. Tears still streamed from his burning eyes. He took Jess’s hand in his, holding it tight.

  The brilliant California morning sun shone down on both woman and cat. Too much blood. Her shirt was bathed in crimson. So much that some had even soaked into Ptomaine’s fur. He’d found the woman who’d saved him only to lose her because he couldn’t save her.

  Sirens blared in the near distance.

  “Help is on the way, sweetheart.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  At last the paramedics arrived, setting Ptomaine aside in the grass so they could work on Jess. They staunched the bleeding and prepped her for transport. When they lifted her onto the gurney, Aiden rose to follow them to the bus, but paused. No way can I leave Ptomaine unconscious, out in the yard like this. A big dog or coyote could come along and— No, he would not abandon his cat. Scooping him up, he then climbed into the back of the ambulance.

  “No animals allowed.” The female paramedic glared as he took a seat.

  “This cat did his best to protect the woman you’re trying to save.” He gave her a hard stare. “She would want him here. He’s coming.”

  The woman grimaced but said nothing. The rear doors closed, the siren ripped the air, and the ambulance lurched forward. The woman set an oxygen mask on Jess’s nose and mouth. Set up an IV. And myriad other things. Aiden wasn’t sure because the inside of the ambulance had taken on a strange, fuzzy look. He sat there, stroking Ptomaine’s fur while the tom’s chest barely rose and fell, and prayed Jess would live.

  At some point, the cat revived, managing to crack open mucus-lined eyes, and looked up at him. His mouth opened in a silent meow. Turning toward Jess, he began to struggle in Aiden’s arms to get to her, his body racked with coughs as his smoke-burned lungs fought to get air.

  The paramedic’s movements had calmed, mostly monitoring.

  Who am I not to grant a cat’s dying wish? He turned to the paramedic. “He wants to go to her,” he told her.

  The woman’s gaze moved to where Ptomaine continued his weak struggle. Her lips pressed together, and compassion filled her eyes. She gave a short nod.

  Aiden gently laid the cat next to Jess and stroked his head as the tom set his chin on his paws. “She’ll be okay, buddy.”

  The woman leaned over with a child-size oxygen mask and held it to Ptomaine’s face, the soot outlining his mouth and nostrils evident through the clear plastic. The cat didn’t argue. Neither she nor Aiden spoke…just waited to see if it would help.

  Once they reached the hospital, he held the tom in his arms as he followed the ER team rushing Jess’s gurney down the hallway to surgery. At the last set of doors, a nurse turned. “You need to wait here.”

  He sat on a nearby bench and stared at the doors. They stopped the bleeding. That has to be good, right? How long until they tell me something?

  He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and tapped the screen. On the second ring, a familiar voice answered.

  “Hello?”

  “Kyle?”

  “Yeah.” He paused then said, “Aiden?”

  “Yes. I….” He swallowed. “Everything just went to shit.”

  “Where are you, man?”

  “Mercy Hospital.”

  “On my way.”

  “Kyle?” He peered down at Ptomaine. “I need you to bring a veterinarian with you.”

  ***

  Beep. Beep. Beep.

  Aiden sat next to Jess’s hospital bed, an unread magazine open on his lap. The woman who’d stolen his heart and set his soul on fire lay recovering beneath crisp white sheets. Next to her, Ptomaine rested close, his blocky tom head perched on her thigh.

  The veterinarian had done a wonderful job with the cat. He’d cleaned the soot from his face and ears then gave him a whole-body wipe down. Somehow, he’d managed to convince the hospital to do an X-ray, and, finding the right rear leg broken, he’d set it and put a cast on it. Last, he prescribed some medicine to help with pain and keep the tom calm, and salve to put around his singed nose and mouth.

  “From the looks of his ear,” the vest had said, “this guy’s not a stranger to fires.”

  Aiden had relayed the story of Ptomaine’s rescue while the vet wrapped the broken leg.

  “You’ve got one tough and lucky cat.”

  While the vet finished up, Aiden had spent an hour speaking with two officers who’d arrived to take his statement.

  Beep. Beep. Beep.

  Aiden slumped in his chair, his gaze locked on Jess and Ptomaine. The pair had been through so much. And survived. He swallowed hard at the thought of what he’d almost lost.

  Kyle entered with a coffee in each hand. He offered one to him and, after Aiden took it, sat in the chair next to him. “She’s out of the woods, right?”

  “That’s what the doctors say. Just waiting for her to wake up.”

  “She’ll wake up when she’s ready. She’ll be fine.” He sipped his coffee, steam curling into the air. “And that scrappy cat of yours, too. He’s a fighter.”

  The sound of Ptomaine’s raspy breath met Aiden’s ears. It did sound a little better. He took a gulp of coffee, welcoming the tasteless brew’s heat pouring down his throat. “I almost….”

  “What?”

  “I almost didn’t go inside.” Shame settled heavy on his head and shoulders, almost too much to bear. “I kicked open the door and…stopped.”

  “But you did go in. Without a stitch of gear. You went into that burning house and saved the both of them.”

  Did that mean his phobia had been cured? Who knew? But he’d carried out the woman he loved and the cat who’d stuck by him—both of whom had saved him.

  The door to the room opened again. An officer entered. “Kyle Dean?”

  “Yes.” Kyle rose from the chair to shake the man’s hand.

  “Officer Randall Smolden.”

  “Thanks for doing this.”

  The officer looked at Aiden. “Not a problem. Especially for the guy who singlehandedly took Sacramento’s biggest drug dealer off the streets. Sounds like justice to me.” He turned to Kyle again. “I’ve got a chair outside the door. Another officer volunteered for the night shift. Actually, we have enough to cover Ms. Parker for her entire stay here at Mercy.”

  “Thanks.” Kyle patted the man on the back who then exited the room.

  Aiden eyed his friend as he returned to his chair. “What was that?”

  “After you gave your statement to the officers from SPD, they spoke to me out in the hall. Said that even though Donnie Mizener was dead, they’d feel better keeping a guard on Jessica’s room in case any of his crew thought about retribution. They don’t think that will happen. But better safe, you know?”

  Aiden nodded.

  “Aideeen?”

  He shot from his chair and to the side of Jess’s bed in a heartbeat. He set his coffee on the rolly table then took her hand in both of his. “Right here, sweetheart.”

  She stared up at him with drug-glazed eyes. “Waaater.”

  He grabbed the cup from the table, turned, and slipped the straw between her lips, waiting while she took a few sips. She’s awake! Talking! Thank God! When she finished, he set the cup on the table and turned to her, the memory of almost losing her forever squeezing his heart. She looked up at him with her big green eyes, and he took her hand. “Jessica, I—”

  The door opened, and a middle-aged man entered. Dressed in khakis, shirt and tie, he appeared clean-cut if a bit pudgy. “Jessica Parker.”

  Ptomaine lifted his head, a raspy growl gurgling in his chest.

  Kyle stood, his body tense. “And you are?”

  “Phillip Dresner, Prosecuting Attorney.” He held out his card, which Kyle took and examined.

  Officer Smolden stood in the doorway behind the attorney. “He’s clear. I’ve seen Mr. Dresner in court many times.”

  Kyle nodded. The guy took a step toward the bed, and Ptomaine let loose a breathy hiss, movi
ng to lie over one of Jess’s thighs.

  What is up with Ptomaine? He looked to the attorney. “How can we help you, Mr. Dresner?”

  “I heard about the fire and came to check on Ms. Parker.”

  “Why?” He narrowed his eyes. “Donnie Mizener is dead. There is nothing for her to testify to.”

  “Yes, but she was under FBI protection. Both those agents died, and then she disappeared.” He looked at her with his beady-brown eyes. “I wanted to check on her. Tie up loose ends, you know?”

  Something didn’t ring right. “How did you know she was here?”

  “An officer in the Sacramento Police Department called me, told me Donnie Mizener died in a house fire.”

  No. There’s something he’s not telling. “I get that you needed to know about that asshole’s death because you were prosecuting him. But how the hell did you know Jessica was here in the hospital.”

  “H-he gave me the address where it happened.” His gaze dropped to the cat, whose hackles were raised.

  “But that was my address. How—”

  “She called me,” he blurted. “Told me where she was.” He backed up a step. “But now that I can see she’s okay, I’ll be going.”

  “Wait just a damn minute.” Puzzle pieces snapped together inside his mind. “She called you?”

  “Yes. I’ve got an appointment—”

  Kyle moved behind the attorney. “Cancel it.”

  “You son of a bitch.” Anger vibrated through Aiden. “What did Mizener have on you?”

  He blanched. “W-what?”

  Aiden turned to Jess. “Sweetheart, did you call Phillip Dresner from my house?”

  She nodded, worry filling her eyes.

  “It’s okay.” But the FBI wouldn’t let her have a phone of her own while under protective custody. “Did you use my phone?”

  She nodded again.

  “Did you tell Mr. Dresner where you were?”

  She shook her head.

  Aiden rounded on Dresner. “She didn’t tell you where she was. When Jess called, you used caller ID, got my number, and gave it to Mizener.” He shook his head. “But you were prosecuting him. What did he have on you to make you turn?”

  Phillip Dresner pressed his lips together. Yeah, he wasn’t going to talk.

  “Kyle, get this piece of trash out of here before I break him in half.”

  “Sure thing.” Kyle angled toward the door. “Hey, Officer Smolden!”

  The door opened again. “What can I do for you?”

  “We found a rat.” He jabbed a finger at the attorney. “Prosecuting Attorney Phillip Dresner here sold out Jessica Parker’s location to Mizener. That’s how the guy found her, shot her, and almost killed her when he burned Aiden’s house down. I’m sure if you dig deep enough, you’ll find a link to the FBI killings, too.”

  Phillip bolted.

  Well, he tried to bolt. Officer Smolden stopped him, shoved the pudgy man against the wall, and handcuffed him. As he led him out of the room, the officer recited to Phillip his Miranda Rights.

  “Good.” Kyle headed toward the door. “I’m gonna make sure he gets the bastard in the car then I’m calling Paul at the station and giving him a heads-up.”

  When the door softly closed behind him, Jess squeezed his hand and he faced her. “Hey, sweetie. You’re safe now.”

  “Waaa….”

  He gave her more water.

  “What…were you…going….”

  “To say?”

  She nodded, and he grinned.

  “Since the day I ran into you outside the café, my life has been turned upside down and inside out.” He glanced down to where the cat still lay across her thigh, his blocky head resting on his paws. “And it seems Ptomaine has designated himself as your protector.”

  Her brows drew together, the unspoken “but” clear in her eyes.

  He squeezed her hand in reassurance. “But I wouldn’t change a thing.” Taking care not to bump her injured shoulder, he leaned down and brushed his lips over hers, the familiar rush of adrenaline kicking through him. God, I hope this lasts forever. “I love you, Jess.”

  She smiled, her raspy reply wrapping his heart with joy. “I love you, too.”

  About the Author

  Though born and raised in the south, L.J. Garland has lived on both the east and west coasts. She adores traveling, the latest adventures added to her Bucket List: Machu Pichu and Australia’s Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef.

  Married to her best friend for over twenty-five years, she spends her time home schooling three rambunctious boys, editing in the epub industry, and writing stories that she hopes catches her readers’ imaginations as much as the characters and plotlines captivate her. In her spare time (what there is of it LOL), she has a multitude of hobbies, including building archery equipment from scratch and creating stained glass. She has a passion for anything that goes Boom!…from fireworks to high-powered combat rifles…it’s all good. She and her husband are both rated helicopter pilots and spent their 10th anniversary flying cross-country from east to west coast—an adventure she highly recommends.

  L.J. loves hearing from her readers! You can contact her at: LJGarland.author@gmail.com

  You can also find her here:

  Amazon Author Page

  https://www.amazon.com/L.J.-Garland/e/B007R4U57K/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

  Author Website

  http://lj-garland.blogspot.com/

  Facebook

  https://www.facebook.com/LJGarland/

  Twitter: @LJ_Garland1

  Also by L.J. Garland

  Sci-fi Romance

  Dead or Alive

  MechMan

  On the Fringes – Coming Soon

  Paranormal Romance

  Victoria’s Destiny

  Anthologies

  Box of 1Night Stands: 21 Sizzling Nights

  Sweet Christmas Kisses: A Sweet Holiday Anthology

  L.J. Garland & Debbie Gould

  Pararescuemen Series – Military Romance

  In My Sights

  Explosive Conditions

  Do No Harm

  Third Time’s the Charm

  The Sentinel Series – Paranormal Romance

  Waltz into Fire

  Red River Series – Romantic Suspense

  Sins of the Mind

  Cursed Ink Series – Paranormal Romance

  Love & Curses