“What’s the problem?” he asked.
“The solenoid died,” Danny answered.
All three masculine heads dropped out of sight beneath the car hood. It was a genetic thing, no doubt associated with the Y-chromosome in the way male-pattern baldness was. Men bonded under car hoods in a ritual much like slumber parties for females. The guys didn’t have to know any more about cars than the girls did about sex, but both subjects became the endless topic of conversation.
Sighing, Stephanie folded her arms and waited for the participants to emerge from their ceremonial rite of passage.
Her father reappeared first. “I’d like to ask a favor of you, Danny.”
“Whatever I can do, Chief.” He straightened and wiped his hands on a cleaning rag.
“I got word yesterday the high-level disaster training the city is sending me to in Washington D.C. has been switched. It starts next week, which means I’m going to miss the childbirth classes I promised Stephanie I’d attend with her so I could be her coach during delivery.”
“Oh, Dad…”
“So I wondered if you’d handle that for me.”
Danny’s jaw went visibly slack and his eyes widened.
Stephanie’s panic was as real as the similar emotion Danny was no doubt experiencing. “We’ll do a later session, Dad. It’ll be fine.”
“You need to get it done before that baby of yours decides to show up. There isn’t another class scheduled at the hospital—”
“I’ll get a friend to come with me.”
“Who?” both men asked in unison.
As though trying to be invisible, Tommy remained out of sight with his head under the hood.
“I don’t know. Maybe Mary Ellen—” A high school friend who still lived in town.
“Doesn’t she have three children now?” her dad asked. “Seems to me it would be difficult for her to promise she’d be there when the time came.”
“Well, Danny couldn’t, either,” she countered. “He might be working a shift, or even in the middle of fighting a fire. He couldn’t just drop everything the moment I went into labor.”
“The guys do it all the time,” Danny said, finally finding his voice. “I mean, the married guys take the classes with their wives and then when the time comes we cover for ’em. You know, somebody works a couple of hours overtime. We juggle shifts. Whatever it takes. It’s no big deal.”
Harlan patted his proteégeé on the back. “I knew you wouldn’t mind.”
“But I mind,” Stephanie complained. “Just because he feels obligated to you doesn’t mean he wants to be my labor coach.”
“I’d be a good coach.”
“I didn’t say you wouldn’t—”
“You two will do fine together.”
Still keeping a low profile and his head down, Tommy edged his way around to the driver’s side of the car.
“His shifts will probably conflict with the classes.”
“I’ll work out something,” Danny said.
“I’ll be sure his duty captain knows what’s going on.”
Stephanie glared at her father. What on earth had possessed the man to propose that Danny, of all people, become her childbirth coach? Didn’t her father realize that meant Danny would be touching her? Intimately. Almost as intimately as if they were lovers.
Which they weren’t. And weren’t likely to be in this lifetime or any other.
The car’s engine turned over, and Stephanie gasped, jumping about a foot in the air. Behind the windshield, Tommy grinned at her, his shyness suddenly vanished and replaced with the pride of accomplishment. The youngster was going to be a real charmer when his acne cleared up and he became a little more self-confident. Particularly, if in the meantime, he took lessons from Danny.
“Hey, I told you the kid was a genius,” Danny said, grinning almost as foolishly as the boy.
“Sounds to me like everything is all arranged,” her father said. “I’ll get on home. I have to make some calls so there won’t be any glitches while I’m gone.”
The biggest glitch was thinking about Danny being present at the birth of her daughter. The mere thought was unsettling, as if he was the man who should have been there all along.
But she’d seen his near panic at her father’s suggestion—or more accurately, her father’s command to become Stephanie’s childbirth coach.
That wasn’t fair to Danny. Or to her. But she was damned if she knew what to do about it and hated that the possibility brought a secret thrill of longing that she’d be able to rely on Danny’s strength if hers gave out.
THE PASEO DEL REAL SCHOOL district administrative offices were housed in a mission-style building with a red-tile roof located across the street from the high school. The cross-country team was running wind sprints around the football field and a couple of pickup basketball games were in progress on the asphalt courts.
Stephanie parked in a visitor slot, got out of her car and walked toward the main entrance. At a discount maternity clothing shop, she’d bought a semi-professional outfit for job hunting. The navy-blue blouse and skirt made her feel so dowdy she’d added a colorful scarf to loop around the collar and pinned it with a bright red heart. Knock-’em-dead-gorgeous, she wasn’t, but it would have to do.
A clerk ushered her into the office of Ed Thornley, Director of Human Resources, according to the sign painted on his glass door.
He stood as she entered. “Ms. Gray, please have a seat.” He gestured to the two straight-back chairs in front of his modest walnut desk.
“Thank you for seeing me.”
“As you can imagine, the school district is always eager to cooperate with the city’s fire chief.”
Sitting down, she folded her hands demurely in her lap to prevent her fingers from trembling. She wished she could do something about her nervous stomach, too. “I didn’t realize you would associate me with my father.”
“I believe it was my secretary who recognized your name.”
“I see.” She hadn’t thought to use her father’s connections but at this point she’d welcome any edge she could get.
“Now, then.” Mr. Thornley settled into his chair and tented his fingers under his chin. Her application was centered in the middle of his desk. “Tell me what type of job you’re looking for.”
“I’ve been teaching at a local preschool, and I love it, but my training is in art. I thought perhaps—”
“Oh, my dear, we only have two art teachers in the entire district, one at each high school, and neither of those fine ladies will be approaching retirement age anytime soon.”
“Then perhaps you’d have an opening in the primary grades?”
“We may well have something in September, that’s true. But if I’m reading your application correctly, you don’t have a teaching credential.”
“I do have a degree. With the teacher shortage—”
“There’s no shortage in Paseo, my dear. Our district is considered prime territory with reasonable pay schedules and a stable student population. It’s the inner city schools that have difficulty recruiting teaching staff.”
Great, she’d have to move back to San Francisco in order to get a decent job, and that would put her in close proximity to Edgar Bresse. That wasn’t an option she’d willingly consider.
“Now then, with your background we might consider you for a position as teacher aide. Of course, that’s only part-time but since you’re about to become a mother—”
“That’s exactly why I need a full-time job. I need to be able to support myself and my baby.”
“Ah.” He nodded knowingly. “I’d really like to be of assistance, Ms. Gray, given your father’s position in our fair city, but I’m afraid my hands are tied. Without a credential—”
“I understand, Mr. Thornley.” She stood and extended her hand. “And I assure you, the fire department will continue to respond to any emergencies you might have even if you can’t hire me.”
“Yes, well, I di
dn’t mean to imply otherwise.”
“Of course not. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.”
She left his office discouraged but wiser. She hadn’t planned to involve her father in her job search. She didn’t think he’d approve. But obviously, that was a mistake. He knew virtually everyone in town. While he might not want her going to work, he was the best connection she had and she was darn well going to use him.
Station 6 where her father’s office was located was on her route home.
HEFTING A COIL OF HOSE over his shoulder, Danny started up the stairs inside the training tower at Station 6. It was the crew’s fourth trip through the exercise that afternoon, and his calves were beginning to burn, his shoulders ached, and sweat dampened the back and armpits of his motley gray workout shirt. But he was barely aware of any discomfort.
For the past three days, since Chief Gray had asked him to fill in as Stephanie’s labor coach, he’d been in a daze. A whirlpool had caught him, dragging him down, and he couldn’t decide whether to fight against the pull or not.
It was one thing to be a friendly neighbor, making sure Stephanie got enough exercise and ate right. Watching out for her in a big brother sort of way. Even kissing her had its merits. Lots of them, he’d discovered.
If he went to the childbirth classes with her, that meant he’d be the one to coach her through labor. And delivery.
But helping her deliver her baby? That scared the hell out of him.
Granted, he’d had basic training about how to deliver a baby in an emergency but he’d never had to use the information and had hoped he never would. The film they’d shown was explicit—a screaming woman, her fear palpable on the screen, plenty of blood. The whole thing had made Danny sick to his stomach. He couldn’t imagine watching Stephanie go through that kind of agony. No way.
He’d sooner walk through black smoke without a regulator.
Through the cut-out window at the third-floor landing, he spotted a movement down below, a flash of red, white and blue. Stephanie! Talking to one of the guys from Engine 61.
Without thinking, he dropped the coiled hose where he stood, grabbed the rappelling rope that dangled outside the window and slid to the ground.
Above him, someone yelled, “Sullivan! Get your butt back up here.”
He ignored the order.
Instead, he played it cool, sauntering toward Stephanie as though he didn’t have a care in the world. As though he hadn’t just been thinking about her.
As though he didn’t hope to hell she’d found someone else to be her childbirth coach.
“Hey, Twiggy, what’s happening?”
Eyebrows raised, she looked him up and down like a movie critic who didn’t enjoy the show. “I gather you’ve had enough training for today.”
“Right. I’m in great shape. I’ll let the other guys carry on without me while I fraternize with the civilians.”
“Oh, they’ll love that, particularly your duty captain.”
“Yeah, he’s a terrific guy.” He looped his arm around her shoulders and walked her into the bay area where the trucks were parked, acing out the friendly chat Greg Wells was having with Stephanie. “Really nice of you to drop by to see me.”
“You’re so full of it, Sullivan. I came to see my father.”
“Oh.” His arm slipped from her shoulders. “I thought maybe—”
“I want him to help me find a job.”
“You’ve already got a job. Besides, you’re—”
“Pregnant. Not disabled. And sooner or later I’m going to have to support myself and move out of Dad’s house.”
“Why?” It seemed to him she had a pretty good deal going, a roof over her head, a caring father, close enough so Danny could keep an eye out for her. Not every unwed mother had it as good. Not that he’d deny her the right to a career if that’s what she wanted but he couldn’t understand the rush.
“Haven’t you heard some women like to be independent?”
“Sure, but why now? Can’t you wait till after the baby comes?”
Her eyelids fluttered closed, and he immediately missed seeing the golden sparks of rebellion that were so much a part of her personality.
“Maybe I’m feeling you and my dad and half the rest of the world are ganging up on me,” she said quietly. “I’m losing control of my own life.”
He cupped her chin, aware of the softness of her skin, the sweet, innocent scent of her perfume. Subtle yet enticing. “I’ll back off anytime you say as long as I know you’re going to be okay on your own.” He swore he would, surprised at how deeply that possibility hurt.
“I’ll hold you to that promise, Sullivan.”
“Yeah, I know you will.” If he hadn’t been standing in the middle of the fire station with a couple of dozen guys hanging around, he would have kissed her. He was tempted to anyway. But he didn’t think she’d appreciate the gesture. “So, do you want me to walk you to your dad’s office?”
“He’s not in. His secretary tells me he had a meeting at city hall.”
“I could give you a tour of the place instead. Starting with my sleeping quarters, of course. We could test out the bed, see if it’s wide enough for two.”
“For three, in my case.” Her lips curved with the hint of a smile. “Like you’re going to seduce a woman who’s nearly seven months pregnant into your bed?”
“Don’t be so sure you’re safe, Twigs. You’re a very attractive package, no matter how pregnant you are.” He gave her neck scarf a gentle tug. “Don’t tempt me too much or I’ll take you up on your offer.”
“It wasn’t an—”
“Yeah, I know. But a guy can dream, can’t he?”
Her blush flamed as brightly as the red swirls on her scarf, and that tickled him. But somewhere in his gut, he wondered if he wasn’t dancing on a high wire. It would take only a single misstep and he’d tumble to a place he’d never intended to go.
The jarring sound of the fire tone and Emma Jean’s voice blaring over the loudspeaker gave him a punch of adrenaline.
“Engines 61 and 62, ladder company 66, rescue 6. Structure fire, corner of Sierra and Broadway. Multiple alarms.”
Impulsively he leaned forward and brushed a kiss to Stephanie’s cheek. “See you in the morning for our walk.”
She blinked up at him, concern apparent in her eyes. “Be careful,” she whispered.
“I always am.” Turning, he jogged to Engine 62, stepped into his boots and pulled up his bunker pants, hooking the suspenders over his shoulders. Fighting a fire wasn’t the only place he needed to be careful.
Grabbing his jacket, he swung up into the seat behind the driver and put on his helmet. A member of a firefighter’s family, Stephanie understood the danger of a multiple-alarm fire as much as he did. And she was worried about him. He couldn’t recall the last time a woman other than his mother had cared much one way or the other about what happened to him.
When it came to girlfriends, he’d intentionally played the field—superficial relationships, a few nights of fun, some laughs and then he’d split. The couple of times he’d come close to anything resembling permanence, he’d bailed out in a panic—like his father had—and found another woman to enjoy for a month or two. The women he dated had all known right up-front he wasn’t in the game for the long haul. He’d never led them on about that.
So they hadn’t worried about him when the engines rolled out of the fire station, sirens screaming.
He buckled his shoulder harness as the fire truck lurched forward. Stephanie was watching from the back of the bay out of harm’s way. Watching him as though she cared.
He touched the brim of his helmet in a two-finger salute as the truck made the turn onto Paseo Boulevard, and he lost sight of her. But her image remained in his imagination. Straight and tall yet determined. Fiercely stubborn when she chose to be. A woman a man would like to have waiting for him when he got back from a fire.
A good reason to come home safe.
<
br /> Chapter Seven
“You made the news last night.”
“Not me. Dudley Do-Right handles the Public Information Officer gig.”
Stephanie smiled as she walked beside Danny through the quiet residential area. Battalion Chief Dudley Dominic was all spit and polish, and the men weren’t always supportive of his by-the-book rules. Neither was her father, for that matter. He believed in careful training and individual initiative; shiny shoes were at the bottom of the priority list for his men.
“Funny, I thought sure it was you posing by the ambulance trying to look heroic while they bandaged you up.”
His hand went to the strip of white gauze on the back of his neck. “A falling brand got me. Occupational hazard. No big deal.”
Maybe not for him but Stephanie’s heart had lodged in her throat when she’d recognized him on the ten o’clock news and realized he’d been injured.
“Mother used to be terrified she’d see Dad on TV on a stretcher, or worse, see his body covered by a sheet.”
“She didn’t have to worry. They wouldn’t release an injured firefighter’s name until the next of kin was notified.”
“She knew that but it didn’t help her sleep any better when Dad was working.” They turned a corner to walk along a curving street lined with tidy lawns and flower beds and thirty-year-old tract homes that had gained some measure of individuality over time. As the population of Paseo had increased, new tracts had gobbled up the agricultural land on the outskirts of town, building two-story homes with three-car garages squeezed onto small lots. Stephanie preferred the older, more settled neighborhoods.
Danny had come by for their daily walk after his shift ended and before she had to leave for work at the preschool. Later he’d go for a run followed by a grueling bike ride, all part of his training regimen for the upcoming triathlon. The man had more energy than anyone had a right to have. Little wonder he didn’t carry an extra ounce of fat on his body, only roped muscle and long, lanky sinew.
“Fighting fires isn’t all that dangerous.”
“But terrible things can and do happen. Firefighters put themselves in harm’s way.”
With Courage and Commitment Page 8
