Fan The Flames (Man Of The Month Book 3)

by Michele Dunaway

  Scarlett though was oddly calm. “Brad, I know you haven’t been in a real relationship before, but when someone says she needs time, it means you give her that time. It doesn’t mean we’re over. It might, but it might not. I’m sorry, but you have to wait. I need to think things through. I want to take time to calm down and then I’m going to assess things. Then afterward, we’ll talk. I promise you we will talk. I live here and I’m not going anywhere. But for tonight, it’s Colleen’s bath time and I want you to go.”

  “Okay.”

  She nodded. “Thank you.”

  His heart broke. He wanted to reach for her, but knew that like when she’d given him time, he had to do the same. “Be sure to lock up and set the alarm.”

  “I will.”

  A blast of cold air swirled in as he left, blowing the letters across the travertine tile floor. She made no move to pick them up. The picture he’d bought for the front hallway remained unopened, a bitter reminder that she’d never have found out about Todd’s letters had she not gone to retrieve it.

  She took a deep breath. She had to be calm for Colleen. Couldn’t let her know her mom was unhappy. Pasting a smile on her face, she headed upstairs to face Colleen.

  * * *

  Brad carried the guilt of what had happened to work the next day. He could hardly concentrate. They were busy nonstop, the weather having coated the roads with a thin sheet of ice. By the time he’d worked his sixth car crash around the end of the evening rush hour, Brad wished people would have just stayed home today. Either that or slow down. Like, way, way down.

  He sat behind the wheel, grateful the interior of the fire truck was still warm for the drive back to the house. “Thought the temps would be in the twenties today. What’s this single-digit crap?” Chris complained from the front passenger seat. “Road crews missed the boat on this one. At least we’re done.”

  “I want to be a meteorologist. They screwed up too. Heck, you get paid six figures to stand on TV and be wrong. I want that job,” Lewis added from the back.

  The radio came to life and each man tensed as the dispatcher relayed their new assignment—a water rescue. Brad turned the siren back on and drove the fire truck to the dock. “Son of a bitch,” Lewis cursed as they headed to the boat “You shitting me? Didn’t want to go in the Miss today. That water’s going to be brutal. They need to start salting the tops of those barges. Why don’t they salt the barges?”

  “The river is still a damn ice field,” Roger said as they suited up into the protective gear. He’d navigate the boat to the location where the man had gone overboard. They launched, and the windchill slapped all of their faces as they cut across the water at as high of a speed as possible. Brad shivered. Despite the heavy wetsuit, the wind was freezing.

  They pulled up alongside the barge, both boats bobbing in the fast current. Brad gave a curse as chunks of river ice floated by, dangerous white islands illuminated by all the floodlights. He tethered himself and got ready to go in. He had a job to do and despite his tiredness, he wouldn’t fail. A man’s life depended on it.

  Lewis would head into the water first and lead the way to where they thought the man was located. Given the water temperatures, they had only a short time to find him before hypothermia set in. “You got my back?” Lewis asked.

  “Always,” Brad said. It’d be the last thing he’d say that night.

  * * *

  Scarlett had no inkling anything was wrong. She only knew that by ten a.m., Brad hadn’t shown up and brought her the letter. She fumed, but refused to look needy. Instead she took Colleen to the YMCA pool for her swimming lessons. Took her out to lunch as well, going back to Steve’s Hot Dogs. Being stressed, Scarlett opted for one of their more adventurous choices of a chili cheese dog and finished the entire thing.

  By three p.m., she was ready to blow a gasket and wanted to call Brad and find out why he was playing games with her. She checked her phone for the hundredth time. Nothing. He hadn’t even had the courtesy to call or text. “I’m going to check on Brad,” she told Colleen. “I’ll be right back.”

  She walked out to the garage, opened the side door and found his SUV was gone. She frowned and an uneasy feeling overtook her. “This makes no sense. He should be home. And he wouldn’t ignore me.”

  She went back into her house, broke down and sent him a text message: This is getting ridiculous. I thought we were going to talk, she typed. Where are you?

  Fifteen minutes later there was still no answer. But then her phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number. “Hello?”

  “Is this Scarlett?” a woman’s voice she didn’t recognize asked.

  She clutched the phone. Like when the men had come, she now realized something was terribly wrong. “Yes. This is she speaking.”

  “Hi Scarlett. I’m Ellen Silverman.”

  “Brad’s mom.” Scarlett gripped her cell phone tightly.

  “Yes. There’s been an incident. I would have called you earlier, but Brad’s phone is locked. Your number just came up on the screen and I saw it and dialed.”

  Scarlett froze. She opened her mouth but no words came. Fear overtook her and rendered her mute.

  “Brad’s going to be fine,” Ellen quickly went on, “so don’t worry. He’s at the hospital for observation. I’m here with him. I hope you don’t mind that I took the liberty of calling and telling you.”

  “No, no. I’m glad you called.” Scarlett tried to breathe. Her chest heaved. Panic clutched her. “Can you tell me what happened?”

  “He was out on the river doing a rescue. Took close to four hours. They’re treating him for hypothermia and frostbite. His dad and I are here with him.”

  Scarlett’s phone began to beep. Her mother. She ignored the call. “Where is he?”

  “Barnes. But he’s sleeping right now. Has been for a long time. The doctors say he’ll be released soon and this is just standard procedure. I’ll call you again. The nurse is here and I have to go.”

  Scarlett’s phone began to vibrate again as her mother tried again. She answered. “What?”

  “I just got one of those news alerts on my phone. They reported two firefighters were hurt during a water rescue late last night. They didn’t give names or details, just that they’d been taken to the hospital. Said they were with the marine unit. Is it Brad? Was he working?”

  “Did they say what injuries?” Scarlett wanted to know if there was more Ellen hadn’t told her.

  “The news didn’t say. It actually gave very little information. Rather shoddy reporting if you ask me. Is Brad okay?”

  “Mom, can you come get Colleen? I need to get to Barnes.”

  “It’s Brad?” Her mom’s voice inched upward. “Oh, honey. Is he alright?”

  “Mom.” Scarlett couldn’t believe how calm her voice was. Inside she was a quivering batch of nerves. “Mom, his mother called. Said he’s okay. But I’m going. How about I bring Colleen to your house? We can be there in about fifteen minutes.”

  “Oh, honey. Don’t disturb her. I’ll have your father drive. He’s good in a crisis. We’re on our way.”

  “Okay,” Scarlett said. She went upstairs and found Colleen brushing Winnie’s hair. “Colleen, I have to go out for a little bit. Granny and Grandpa are coming to play with you.”

  Scarlett went into her bedroom and changed out of her sweats. She put on a sweater and jeans. Tamed her hair into a tight knot.

  Thirty minutes later, Scarlett hurried up to the information desk at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “Brad Silverman’s room,” she said.

  The woman looked it up and directed her to the correct elevator. Scarlett reached the floor and found the nurses’ station. “I’m here for Brad Silverman,” she told them.

  Two men sitting in a waiting area stood. “Scarlett?” one of them asked. “I’m Lieutenant Chris Ames. This is Roger Pyle. Remember, from the cookies?”

  “Is Brad okay?” She wrapped her arms around her waist.

  “Yeah, but I’ll be busti
ng their chops. He and Lewis needed to come out of the water, but they refused because they were so close to rescuing the victim. Stubborn ass … Sorry.” He appeared mortified at his outburst. “My apologies. My guys mean a lot to me.”

  “Understood. I was married to a military man. No offense taken. So,” she prompted.

  “They got him, but we had to send in another set of guys to pull all of them out. Then there’s the journey back. Anyway, they were treated for frostbite and hypothermia and held for observation. We’re not letting them out of here until they’re one hundred percent. Doctor says that’s soon, so we came back up to wait. Doc also said that they were very lucky. No permanent damage.”

  “The guy they rescued is also going to make it,” Roger added.

  “Can I see him?”

  “Yeah. It’s that room over there.” The lieutenant pointed her in the right direction.

  “Thanks.”

  The door was cracked, and she pushed it open. After passing the bathroom and the closets, she stepped into a double room. Both beds were occupied. An older woman held the hand of the man in the first bed. She glanced up as Scarlett went by. Scarlett stepped to the edge of the curtain and looked around. Hospital beds had a way of making anyone look small, and the larger-than-life Brad Silverman was no exception. Upright slightly, she could see how pale his face was. He was hooked up to monitors and an IV drip. He was covered with warm blankets that came up to his chin, both arms underneath and to his sides. Nothing but his face was visible.

  “Scarlett?” Ellen glanced up from her vigil. “You’re here.”

  The woman by the next bed rose. “Scarlett?” She came around the corner and drew Scarlett in for a big hug. “It’s going to be okay. I’m Peggy, the cat lady. That fool there is my Lewis. We’ve been married a long time or I’d kill him for this. They’re going to be fine. Lewis might lose the tips of his fingers, but that’s all. He took the worst of it. Told me Brad had his back, which is why he’s even alive. Could have been so different. Brad saved him. Held him tight while the other guys pulled him out.”

  Scarlett had thought she could handle this. She began to shake. Tears began to stream down her face. “I … I…”

  Peggy patted her on the back. “I know. It’s going to be fine. He’s going to be fine. How’s that kitten?”

  “Fine,” Scarlett said, but Peggy’s diversion failed. “What was he thinking?”

  “They’re rescuers. It’s what they do. They saved the man’s life and Brad refused to leave Lewis. My husband took on too much. Thinks he’s Superman but he’s not. Luckily Brad was there.”

  Scarlett trembled. “I thought I could do this.”

  She had. Todd had been overseas. Out of sight was pretty much out of mind. That fact had made all his missions bearable. After that first year of marriage, she’d learned to stop worrying if his calls or Skype sessions came long after he’d promised. Something always came up. He’d always had an excuse and laughed away her fears.

  “Come with me,” Peggy soothed and she guided Scarlett out into the hall. She gave her another hug and when they drew apart, she leaned in close to Scarlett. “Do you love that man in there?”

  “My husband was military. He died in action. I was so angry with Brad the other day for something he did. Now it seems so stupid. I’m a horrible person. I cussed him when he didn’t come this morning like he promised.”

  “Next time, you’ll be his emergency contact. I’ll tell Chris to make sure Brad gets it done.”

  “No, his mother…”

  “Is a lovely woman, but he loves you. I’ve heard all about you from Lewis. He says Brad talks about you all the time. Heck, he adopted a cat because of you and your daughter. Lewis said they really didn’t have to twist his arm much.” Peggy didn’t let go of the vise grips she had on Scarlett’s arms. “Do you love him?”

  “Yes.” The word ripped from deep within. For Scarlett, when faced with the fact she could have lost Brad forever, realized the truth she’d been afraid to acknowledge. “But, I’m scared. How do I go through this again?”

  “You just do if you love him. You could walk out of here and be in a car accident. The news is filled with stories of bad things that shouldn’t happen, but they do and they are simply senseless. We can live in fear or we can live each moment we have to the fullest. If you do that, you’ll always have enough days. You’ll never feel you ran out of time.”

  “Scarlett?” Ellen stood in the doorway. “He’s awake and he’s asked for you. Why don’t you go in? I’m going to get some coffee. Find my husband. He hates these places.”

  Peggy gave Scarlett one last smile and loosened her grip on Scarlett’s arms. “Remember what’s really important.”

  She didn’t need to say the word for Scarlett to know it was love.

  Scarlett followed Peggy back into the room and walked into the back section of the room. Brad’s eyes were open. “Hey.”

  “Hi,” she said. She went over to him and dropped a kiss on his forehead.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t get home.”

  “That doesn’t matter right now. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  “I must look like a mess.” He attempted a laugh. It came out as a cough.

  “It’s like they put you in a papoose,” Scarlett said, describing the way his covers were tucked all around him.

  “I’ll get you your letter once I get out of here.”

  She shook her head. “It can wait.”

  “I promised I would. I keep my promises.”

  That’s how much he loved her, Scarlett realized. Even now he put her first. “Your health is more important than a letter. You are more important,” she repeated to drive the point home. “There are things we need to talk about, but not here. Not now.” Her eyes welled up with fresh tears.

  “Don’t cry,” he told her. “Please don’t be sad.”

  “Don’t scare me again,” she told him, wiping the tears away.

  “Tell that to my doctor. He’s overdramatic. I’m fine.”

  “Hardly,” Scarlett scoffed. “And you say I’m stubborn. Pot calling the kettle black.”

  “Touché,” Brad said. He smiled wanly. “I’m not going anywhere. I promised Todd I’d take care of you.”

  She wiped the last tears away. “How about you promise me that you’ll take care of me? Not Todd. Me. And then I’ll promise to do the same for you.”

  He closed his eyes, still clearly exhausted. Took a breath. Opened them again. “I can do that. I’d like to do that.”

  “The next time we talk, you’re going to do just that. Understand?” He nodded. “Good. Until then, you get better.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Brad whispered. “Now go home.”

  “I’ll stay as long as I want,” Scarlett argued. “I love you and you’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

  Brad tried to smile. “Always so stubborn. Then stay. But I’d rather you be with Colleen. And the faster you go, the faster I can get out of this place, because I want to be with you, and you won’t be here.”

  “Such faulty logic. But I’ll concede. This time. Only because I love you.”

  “My one win.”

  “Yep. Don’t get used to it.” She leaned over and kissed his lips, the kiss light and tender and full of love. “You’ll stay in the house when you come home. Don’t even think of going upstairs to your apartment.”

  He closed his eyes. “Yes, ma’am. See you soon.”

  “Yes, you will, my love.”

  As Scarlett strode from the room, Peggy gave her a thumbs-up. Scarlett ran into Ellen and Aaron on the way back toward the elevator. Ellen shifted a coffee cup and held out her hand. Scarlett took it and she squeezed it.

  “Sorry to scare you earlier,” Ellen said. “You didn’t have to come all the way down here, but I’m glad you did. Kids. You know what they say. You never have an uneventful day ever again once you have them.”

  “True,” Scarlett agreed. She could tell she and Ellen were goin
g to be good friends.

  “We’ll get to know each other better under better circumstances,” Ellen said. “I can tell you’re not going anywhere.”

  Scarlett smiled and shook her head. “No, I’m not.”

  Ellen nodded. “Good. You make him happy.”

  “He makes me happy too. I’d stay, but he’s being too macho for his own good.”

  Ellen sighed. “My son the hero. Always saving people.”

  Scarlett reached her hand out and placed it on Ellen’s arm. Her next words came from her heart and were the absolute truth. “Well, don’t worry. I’m here now and I’m going to save him right back.”

  * * *

  Brad’s parents brought him home about an hour later. His dad had retrieved Brad’s SUV and his mom had followed in hers. Once they had Brad inside, his parents didn’t stay. They were in and out in less than five minutes. “We’ll keep his siblings away,” Ellen told Scarlett before she left. “I can buy you at least a day before they descend to check on him themselves.”

  “You’ll get to meet everyone,” Brad grumbled. “Pain in the butt, all of them.”

  “Someone’s crabby,” Scarlett said. “Let’s get you back to bed.”

  He frowned. “I’m fine. I hate lying around. I’m not an invalid. I should have been treated and released.”

  “Better safe than sorry,” Scarlett reinforced. “Upstairs with you and I’ll bring you some hot cocoa. I’ll even let you stay up and watch Frozen with Colleen. How can you resist that since you literally were frozen?”

  Beaten, Brad sighed and shrugged out of his winter coat. A folded manila envelope fell onto the gray tile. His body was stiff, so she retrieved it. “What’s this?”

  “Your letter is inside.”

  The envelope was addressed to Brad at his parents’ Flora address. “I thought it was in your locker?”

  “I moved it to my car at the start of my shift. Didn’t want to forget it. Luckily I did, given what happened.” He was still worse for wear—exhaustion etched into the new lines covering his face. He needed rest.