by Brandy Bruce
Chapter 20
“Things are looking good, Ethan,” Keira said as she hooked up his heat and stem treatment.
Ethan wiped beads of sweat from his forehead. “I can feel myself getting stronger. But to be honest, I’m still worried. The strength I need to perform my duties as a firefighter—well, I know I’m not there yet.”
Isaac walked over to where Ethan was lying on a cot. “You’ve had six weeks of treatment, Ethan. And while we’ve seen a lot of progress, it’s reasonable to think you’ll need more time before you can handle the weight and physical demands of being a firefighter. That doesn’t mean you won’t get there. It only means you’re going to need a little more time to strengthen your core and prepare for going back to work. We’ll transition you to physical training to help you get ready.”
“But you do think I will be able to do it eventually?” Ethan needed confirmation.
“The X-ray you had last week came back with good results. The surgery was successful. Isaac thinks you’re ready to go back to work in another week or so. We’ll start you off with light duty for a couple of months, but you’ll be back at the station. That is what you want, right?”
“Yeah, I’ve really missed it,” Ethan answered.
“After maybe eight weeks, you’ll probably have to take a physical test to see if you can handle that aspect before you’re cleared for full duty. It’s one step at a time, Ethan. You’ll get there.”
“For the first time since the accident, I actually believe I’ll be back on the truck. That’s a good thing.”
“What about your café?” Keira asked.
“I hope to do both,” Ethan told her. “I really enjoy working at the café, as well, and of course, I want it to be successful. If it’s too much for me to manage the café and continue to run shifts, I may look into shifting to more of a volunteer position with the fire department. And I may have to hire another cook for the café once Isa takes on more hours at the hospital. I’m just not sure yet.”
Once his heat and stem treatment ended, Ethan grabbed his duffel bag and headed out the door. He stopped by the fire station to discuss his options with the chief now that his X-rays had come back positive and his therapy was soon ending. After meeting with the chief and setting a date for returning to the station on light duty, Ethan sat down to have lunch with the guys.
He had a plan, and he needed their help.
* * *
Isa stretched and then downed half a bottle of water before turning her attention back to the club sandwich she needed to create. The Second Chance Café’s kitchen felt like her home away from home now. She finished plating the sandwich, checked on the soup of the day—French onion—pulled another meat loaf from one of the ovens and then tossed the Asian chicken salad with sesame dressing.
She tried not to feel sad about the fact that Ethan was returning to the café.
In all honesty, she was thrilled Ethan was doing so much better. She just wasn’t sure she wanted to leave the café.
“The cake’s ready, right, Isa?” Mark asked.
“It’s in the cooler, but we should go ahead and set it out,” Isa told him. Isa had planned a surprise “Welcome back, Ethan!” party for after closing. Company 51 had promised to come over, barring no emergency calls, of course. Ethan was supposedly picking Isa up for dinner and a movie, but instead they would celebrate his good news regarding his recovery.
The minute Mark flipped the Open sign to Closed, Isa’s parents walked through the door, followed soon by Mandy and Leo and Maggie and José. The waitresses, Jenny and Kelly, wasted no time in bringing in balloons and hanging a banner they’d made. Isa brought out the cake.
Company 51 barreled into the café and the noise level skyrocketed. Isa kept an eye on the street, watching for Ethan’s truck.
“He’s here, you guys! Quiet down!” she yelled out. The room hushed, but as Ethan walked through the door, a loud rousing chorus of “Welcome back, Ethan!” filled the dining room. Ethan paused, placing his hand over his heart as though in shock, a wide smile on his face.
Isa served cake while Ethan made the rounds, saying hello to everyone. She looked out at the dining room filled with people, noise and laughter.
Family, friends, good food—there’s something special about this café. I’m going to miss it so much.
“It’s a lovely café, Isabella.”
Isa looked at the table behind her, where her father sat smiling.
“Thanks, Dad. I mean, it’s not mine, you know.”
“I know,” he said.
She grabbed the coffeepot and refilled her father’s cup, then sat down next to him.
“You’re looking well, Dad. It’s amazing how far you’ve come since the surgery.”
“I’m so thankful to God,” he said.
“Me too,” Isa whispered.
Her father tasted the cake in front of him.
“Did you make this?” he asked, and she nodded.
“I made an almond vanilla filling. I think it goes well with the buttercream frosting. You made something similar for mom’s birthday several years ago.” She waited for her father’s assessment.
“It’s very good, Isabella. I like it. So you did learn a thing or two in my kitchen, eh?” he said with a chuckle.
Isa grinned. “I suppose I did.”
“How do you like running a kitchen?” her father asked.
“I’m a little embarrassed to say I’m loving it when I’ve given you and Leo so much grief over the years.”
Her father chuckled. “It’s all about finding your place, Isa, finding where you belong. What about nursing?” he asked gently, lowering his voice.
Isa sighed and looked at Ethan across the room. “I’m ready for a change, Dad. Admitting that sort of scares me. But I’m ready for a break from nursing.”
“I heard Ethan’s looking for a permanent cook,” her father said.
Isa shook her head with a sad smile. “He hasn’t asked me.”
Her father didn’t answer for a moment. “Maybe it’s time you asked him.”
Isa watched Ethan laugh loudly over by the firefighters. He caught her gaze across the room and winked at her.
“I think he’s the one, Dad. I can picture my life with Ethan.”
Her father nodded. “Then it’s time to say yes, Isabella. It would be my privilege to walk you down the aisle.”
Isa’s eyes welled with tears. The fact that her dad could walk her down the aisle was an idea she’d given up on.
“He hasn’t asked me, Dad. But if he does, I will take you up on that.”
Her father leaned over and kissed the side of her head.
The sound of a loud siren across the street caused every firefighter in the room to jump to his feet. Emergency time. The guys filed outside quickly. Isa looked for Ethan but he must have walked outside with the guys.
“Isabella Romano!”
She froze in place at the sound of her name being yelled through a loudspeaker. She rushed outside with her family right behind her. Ethan stood in front of the Company 51 fire truck, with the guys of Company 51 flanking him.
“What’s going on?” Isa asked, bewildered.
Ethan raised the loudspeaker microphone to his lips.
“I’m asking you to marry me.” The words echoed through the parking lots of the café and the fire department.
Isa froze. Every eye was on her. Her jaw dropped and she covered her mouth with her hands.
“Well?” Ethan shouted with a grin. “Will you marry me?”
Isa lowered her hands, her smile widening and her whole body trembling. “Yes.”
Every firefighter yelled in unison, “What was that?”
Isa laughed. “Yes!” she yelled. Cheers erupted and Isa cried.
Abundant life, Father. Thank You.
* * *
Ethan dropped the microphone and ran to where Isa stood. He cupped her face in his hands and sealed their moment with a kiss. Isa’s family and the guys of Company 51 applauded.
Looking down at Isa and hearing the exuberant shouts of their family and friends surrounding them in front of the Second Chance Café, Ethan’s heart filled. An unfamiliar sense of family came over him. He welcomed the sensation.
“So I was wondering,” Isa began. “I heard you’re looking for a permanent cook for the café.”
Ethan’s eyes widened. “Are you interested?”
“I might be. We need to talk salary, though. I want a raise.”
Ethan laughed. He had a feeling that life with Isa would be one filled with more joy than he could ever have imagined.
“What’s mine is yours, Isabella Romano,” Ethan said before leaning down for another kiss.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460335536
SECOND CHANCE CAFÉ
Copyright © 2014 by Brandy Bruce
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