First One In Last One Out
Page 27
They stopped it from spreading. They had made it through the flames.
Ryan continued to carry Katie through the tunnel and the bridge. They could hear a strange sound and to the side of the tunnel as the fire continued to spread. They needed to hurry.
Billy looked back the way they came, the fire was entering the tunnel, the windows near the front burst open and the flames shot through them. The fire needed more oxygen to feed on and they needed to run faster.
They ran towards the end of the tunnel just as another explosion occurred.
"Bull, where are you guys now? You got to get out of there!” Chief Rodney yelled over the radio.
"The north end of the tunnel,” Ryan responded.
Through the last barred window, Ryan could see the fire trucks and other firefighters making their way towards the building.
"They're coming in, let's get the hell out of here,” Ryan yelled.
They were exhausted and running on pure adrenaline as they finally exited the tunnel, making their way down the metal staircase that led to the parking lot below. Trucks zoomed into the parking lot, preparing to attack the fire from the tunnel side of the warehouses.
Ryan, Billy and Michael emerged from the fire with Katie still in Ryan's arms. He rushed her to the paramedics that were waiting to help.
The paramedics gave Katie oxygen and prepared to take her to the hospital for treatment.
Ryan stood near the ambulance with Michael and Billy, waiting to hear that Katie was breathing and accepting the oxygen.
They each undid their collars then sat bent over in exhaustion on the back of a nearby truck adjacent to the ambulance. They were relieved they found Katie and made it out alive.
In the distance, the warehouse looked more like a prehistoric mound of rubble than the full warehouse they had first entered. There was wreckage everywhere, furniture, charred vehicles and the angry flames continued to travel along the attached building. The other companies continued to spray the buildings with water hoping it would eventually extinguish.
"You were great man, a real leader,” Michael told Ryan in front of the rest of the crew.
"We were great, we handled it as a team and now Katie's safe,” Ryan responded.
"And Redding's where he belongs,” Billy replied.
"Yeah, to meet his master in hell,” Ryan added and they all smiled.
"We're taking her now,” The paramedic informed the firefighters and Ryan looked at the chief.
"Go with her, Bull. We'll cover for you,” the chief stated. Ryan smiled then hopped into the back of the ambulance.
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Epilogue
"Are you making fun of my voice?” Katie asked, as she stood in the boxer's dressing room at Robert's Gym.
Ryan smiled then touched Katie's cheek with his gloved hand.
"You sound adorable. I told you a thousand times.” Ryan smiled.
"The doctors said it could take a while for my vocal chords to heal, so you guys better quit making fun of me,” Katie said, squinting her eyes at her brothers Michael and Billy. They were grinning from ear to ear.
Ryan pulled Katie against him and the satiny red boxer's robe he wore. He moved his face close to her ear so only she could hear.
"I think it sounds sexy Angel,” he kissed her cheek.
"Enough of that Bull! Stay focused,” William yelled and they laughed.
"Good luck Ryan, I'll see you after the fight.” Katie prepared to leave.
"Any words of advice?"
"There's no room in that ring for your temper. Leave it out.” Katie pointed at him and gave Ryan a serious look.
He smiled.
"I second that,” William stated.
"I third that,” Michael said and they laughed again.
"And?” Ryan asked.
"Kick his ass."
Katie sat in the first row watching and listening as the ring announcer described each fighter before the fight began. Theo entered first and the crowd to the left of the stage roared. He danced around, throwing a few jabs and doing some fancy footwork. The ladies screamed.
Ryan watched from the back curtain. He could see where Katie and her brother Donny were and he watched Theo as he approached his corner. Then the ring announcer called in Ryan. He jogged in throwing a few jabs as he approached the ring. Billy, Michael and the chief were at his side.
He danced around a little and the crowd went wild. Most of the crowd seemed to be rooting for the underdog, Ryan.
Theo stood up and walked towards the side of the ring where Katie's section was. Ryan watched as Theo pointed at Katie stating she was his. Katie knew what Theo was up to. He knew Ryan had a temper and that he and Katie were together. She watched, noting Ryan's cheeks turn a shade redder. Katie stood up, stuck out her tongue and made a face at Theo. Then she looked at Ryan sternly reminding him to keep his temper in tact and use his skill.
He must have gotten the message because he smiled and the coloring in his face returned to normal.
The boxers met in the center of the ring, they banged gloves and came at each other. Theo missed Ryan's face by a hair and the chief yelled from the corner.
"Guard yourself, Bull, remember your training."
Ryan swung a right hook, slightly catching Theo by his chin. Theo's head went back then came forward. He shook it side to side then swung at Ryan and missed. The two boxers danced around each other throwing jabs and punches, some landing on their target and some missing.
Theo was saying something to Ryan and for a moment, Katie thought she saw him getting angry then suddenly Ryan got a good right hook in on Theo. One punch after the next Ryan used Theo's face as a punching bag. The crowd cheered.
"Bring it home Bull. Bring it home!” The chief yelled.
Ryan threw a straight punch, knocking Theo out flat onto the mat. The ref called it. The fight was over before a full round.
The crowd cheered and Ryan's fellow firefighters stormed the ring and cheered on Ryan for being the new Warren County firefighter-boxing champion.
Katie and Ryan held each other close as they lay in Ryan's bed. The championship trophy sat on the large dresser and Ryan gazed at it with a huge smile on his face. He was in a trance and Katie could not help but smile. Tomorrow the trophy would be displayed in its new home at the Ladder Three firehouse.
"You really love boxing, don't you?” Katie asked as she trailed her fingertips along Ryan's chest.
He gazed into her eyes.
"I do."
Katie smiled.
"More than fighting fires?” she asked.
"No. Fighting fires is my life. It's what keeps me going."
"Don't you ever worry?” Katie asked and Ryan pulled her closer.
"No Angel. There is no room on the job for fear. It's who I am and what I do."
"I know. First one in, last one out, right?"
Katie's stomach fluttered. The phrase used to faze her, fill her with negatives and worry. With Ryan and her brothers, it filled her with pride.
"Right."
Katie looked away a moment then grinned.
"What is it Angel?"
"You may just be worth keeping after all."
Ryan laughed.
"You think so, huh?"
"Maybe."
Ryan softly gave Katie a kiss.
Katie snuggled closer to Ryan, absorbing his cologne, his manliness and the fact that she was in love with a firefighter.
"Prove to me that I'm a keeper, Angel."
"How would you like me to do that?” Katie said, seductively rubbing her hand over his thigh and to his backside.
Ryan smiled.
"Say you'll love me for the rest of our lives."
Katie sat up to look Ryan in the eyes.
"What?"
"You heard me."
Katie was silent a moment, not sure where exactly Ryan was headed with such a statement.
"Maybe I could,” Katie teased and Ryan reached towards the ni
ghtstand and opened the drawer.
He sat up in bed and took her hand into his.
"Katie Marie McKeller, I love you. Will you marry me and be the wife of a firefighter, a boxer and a man with a short fuse?” he asked, smiling, then showing her the sparking round diamond ring.
Tears filled Katie's eyes.
"Those are all the things I love about you, Ryan Masters. I will."
Ryan placed the ring on Katie's finger then kissed her.
They both scooted back down under the sheets and held each other close.
"I've got one more question for you Angel ... how many kids do you want?"
"Oh, I don't know. A few I guess."
"I was thinking about six. You know, our own little Ladder Company,” Ryan teased.
"Or ER trauma nurses,” Katie challenged.
Ryan laughed.
"Whatever they want to be."
"Yeah, whatever they want to be."
They both smiled with thoughts about their future, their marriage and plans for a family.
Katie knew that heading back to Warrens Cove was the best decision she ever made.
She was in love with the man of her dreams, she had her family's support and love and a firefighting family tradition she thought she did not want to be a part of.
Katie was going to be a wife of a firefighter just like her mom, her grandma and all those before her. She embraced the tradition with pride, with respect and felt honored at the chance to be part of the elite force. From this day on, she promised Ryan that she would love him for the rest of their lives, always and forever.
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About the Author
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Laura Marie Henion is a freelance writer and fiction author specializing in the genre of romance and suspense. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime and EPIC Authors. Laura has obtained many of her ideas and accurate information from family members, friends and law enforcement personnel, nurses and firefighters. She has always had an interest in the law enforcement field and enjoys creative writing.
As a young adult, she created short stories and poetry to share with her family and friends. Laura integrated her creative writing skills in her professional career as both a sales center manager and social worker.
She loves working with people, and believes this stems from both her Bachelors Degree in Social Work as well as her strong law enforcement family background. These factors add to the authenticity of her stories and the true to life qualities of her characters.
Laura is also the office manager of her husband's business.
She is currently working on multiple books for her Cop's Daughter Series.
Laura presently resides in Historic Hudson Valley, New York, with her husband and three small children.
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Visit www.lachesispublishing.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.