A Different Way

by Kathryn Shay

  Deathly silence filled the rig; no one spoke all the way home. The pall over them was an aftermath of one of them almost dying. Lynne had experienced this kind of fear before but that didn’t make her near-miss any easier.

  Exhausted, they ditched their turnout gear and trudged into the firehouse. Lynne went to the bunkroom, stuffed her legs in sweats and slid her arms into a hoodie to cover up her tank top. She met the others in the common room where they’d dropped down onto couches and Zander connected his tablet to the TV. It was raw footage with no editing…

  Their arrival at the burning car.

  Setting up the hose.

  Lynne, steady at the nozzle. The fire went out.

  Loder grunting behind her.

  Then the reignition of the car. Lynne gasped aloud as she saw herself in the midst of the flames. Others swore.

  The regrouping and putting the fire out.

  Harry dragged a straight chair over close to them. “All right. First off, Lynne, are you gonna toss your cookies any time soon?”

  “Nearly, Cap.”

  “Glad you’re safe and sound. You were excellent out there. Second, good rebounding and finishing the job, Cameron.”

  Mumbles.

  “Now, what the fuck happened here?”

  Silence. Then Lynne stated the obvious. “I got too close to the car.”

  He stared at her. Then transferred his gaze to Loder. “Is that what happened, Cam?”

  A seasoned firefighter, Cam ducked his head sheepishly. “No.”

  “Well then?”

  “I urged her closer. Pushed her closer. This was my fault.”

  “I’m not trying to lay blame,” the cap said honestly. “I want the scene analyzed and conclusions drawn. So, number one. It seemed like an easy call and we got too close. What do we learn from that? Billy?”

  Billy sighed. “There’s no easy calls. We have to be on alert all the time.”

  Her face ragged, Dynai Blackfeather didn’t wait to be asked. “Stay a safe distance back from the fire when dousing a blaze with foam or water.”

  More suggestions came.

  “Anything positive come out of this?”

  “Lynne wasn’t hurt.” Dynai again.

  “Why?”

  “The PPE protected her. The new gear worked great.”

  Zander continued. “We’ve had some trouble with firefighters getting too complacent and not suiting up properly on a routine car fire. Or even in a kitchen fire. Be prepared for this video to be used in a training.”

  Cam groaned. Lynne sighed.

  Zander said, “We all make mistakes, Cam.”

  “I don’t even know what I was thinking.”

  Lynne waited as long as she could to say, “I should have resisted. I’ve been in charge of these kinds of calls before.”

  “Any of your people ever catch on fire, Lynne?” Braxton asked.

  “Not exactly. But foam fires reignited enough for me to know better.”

  “What would you do differently?”

  “I’d turn around and tell Loder to fuck off.”

  That brought snickers and laughter.

  * * *

  Brady kicked back on the couch at home and switched on the television. Emma had an overnight with his parents and he was on his own from early evening until mid-morning. He needed these respites, where his parents or Jenny’s mom and dad took his daughter for a sleepover. He whispered to God, I know it’s selfish. But could you hold any emergency calls for these hours?

  You know that’s not how it works, Brade.

  Still, a man could hope. The local news came on as he sipped his coffee. “An explosive scene on Bramble Avenue earlier today shows the CCFD in a routine call gone bad.”

  A niggling up his spine.

  A truck pulled up to a car on fire. The crew jumped out, and they talked about foam. Soon, two firefighters lined up. His heart bumped in his chest when he saw the lettering Lucas on the back of a coat. Brady came to the edge of his seat.

  Lynne was first on the hose and sprayed the car. The guy behind her kept moving her closer. They put out the fire. Then, suddenly, the car…burst into high, wide flames…and they engulfed Lynne.

  She didn’t panic, just leapt back. She wasn’t burning once she got out, but her helmet flew off. He heard, “Oh, my God! Oh, my God!” as she walked around in a small circle.

  The guy from behind her picked up the hose she’d dropped and directed it toward Lynne. After a few seconds, she held her hand up for him to stop. He trained the foam on the fire, and Lynne got behind him. From a safer distance away, they put the fire out.

  Brady’s throat clogged. He tried to calm his churning stomach.

  She’d acted life a true pro.

  But damn, she could have died.

  * * *

  Lynne stepped into the whirlpool bathtub at David’s house and sighed. Every single muscle in her body ached from the tension of the day. She laid back on the bath pillow and tried not to remember fire engulfing her. She’d been in the moment then, so she didn’t have time to think of the consequences.

  She’d called Ken’s house to tell him about the fire and the tape that was circulating. Instead of expressing concern, he said, “Well, you got the action you left me for, I guess.”

  “Put the kids on.” Calmly she explained about the fire and that she was fine. She talked a long time to Melody, who got the most upset.

  Then each of the Sisters of Fire had phoned, congratulated her quick actions, expressed their concern, then accepted that she was doing well and didn’t want company. Now, she lazed in the bath, blanking her mind, until the water cooled. When she got out, she dressed in fuzzy blue pajamas and headed to the kitchen, where she poured wine. She was halfway to the living room when the front bell rang. She grabbed a hoodie that was on the back of the couch, went to the foyer and peeked out from the side window. “Wow.”

  She opened the door. Brady Jamison stood on the stoop. “I saw the coverage of your fire. I did an unconscionable thing and looked up your address on our Flying Solo administrative list.” He shrugged a shoulder. “For some reason, I had to see for myself that you were all right.”

  She stared at him. His sandy-colored hair was ruffled, and his pretty amber eyes shadowed. He wore a navy-blue sweater and a down vest.

  “Ah. I see you are. I’ll go.”

  “Please don’t. I could use some company.” Though she’d told the Sisters of Fire she didn’t want any, she realized she wanted to see him. Taking his arm she drew him inside.

  He scanned her up and down. “You’re ready for bed?”

  “I put on comfortable pjs,” which were more decent than some of her clothes. “If you’d feel more comfortable, I can change.”

  “Nah.” The corners of his mouth turned up. “You look cute.” She’d put her hair up in a messy knot on her head.

  Smiling, she led him to the living room.

  He scanned the large space, long windows, and high ceilings. “You have a beautiful place.”

  “Not mine. I’m renting—sort of—from a friend until I can get my own house. I’m lucky because, yes, this is a gorgeous home.”

  “I’m glad you have something like this to live in.”

  “Sit.” She pointed to her glass. “Would you like some wine? You only drank beer at Trivia Night.”

  “Sure. I like wine too.”

  She retrieved the Cabernet, poured him a glass, they sat and Lynne leaned up against the padded arm of the couch, facing him.

  He lifted the glass. “To successful fire calls.”

  “Hardly.” She took a sip anyway. “I got too close to the fire. My bad.”

  His brow furrowed.

  “What?”

  “You’re very generous to take responsibility. But the guy behind you physically edged you closer.”

  “I could have stopped him.”

  “Split second decisions are what they are. If you had to do it over, you’d do that.”

  “Yea
h. That’s what I told my cap. By the way, Cameron, the firefighter behind me, took the blame. I insisted I share it.”

  “Like I said, you’re a generous person.”

  “I try to be. Unfortunately, these last few months, I’ve done some things I don’t like.”

  “Want to tell me about it?”

  “I will if you tell me what you’ve done in the recent past that you don’t like.”

  “I took time for myself tonight, cut everybody off, so I could have space.”

  “That’s not a flaw. You should have time for yourself.”

  “Your turn.”

  She explained how Ken broke his promise to move to Crystal City, how their marriage had grown cold and why she left Dannerville. “That’s not so bad. You’re entitled to live your life in the way you want to.”

  “I behaved badly when I discovered he was cheating on me. Nothing public, but I was cruel to him.”

  Brady laughed. “Most people wouldn’t be kind under those circumstances.”

  “I bet you would.”

  He averted his gaze, as if he was hiding something. “What do you usually do in the evenings, when your kids aren’t here?”

  “Sometimes I see my friends. But not tonight. I’m exhausted.”

  “I should go, then.”

  “No Brady, don’t. Stay. But let’s not talk about anything serious.”

  “All right. Sit back and stretch out your legs. We’ll chat.”

  “Tell me about your siblings. I don’t have any.”

  “Bryce and Brianna were hellions.”

  “That’s your names? Bryce, Brianna and Brady?”

  “Yep.”

  “Why all B’s.”

  “My mother read romance novels. Those were the characters.”

  “Ha! Are she and your father still living?”

  “Yeah. Bob and Belinda. Your dad’s alive, you said.”

  Lynne put her wine down and cozied into the crook of the arm and cushions. “Tell me stories.”

  “Once when the three of us…”

  Listening to Brady’s calm voice, Lynne drifted off.

  * * *

  Why Brady stayed another half-hour after Lynne fell asleep was a mystery to him. When he stood to leave, she moved restlessly on the couch. “Get back, get back.”

  He waited.

  “The fire, it’s coming. It’s coming. No, no…”

  Leaning over, he grasped her arms and shook her gently. “Lynne, wake up. You’re having a nightmare.”

  She bolted awake. “What, what?”

  “You had a dream. About the fire.”

  “Why am I…” She glanced around. “Oh, yeah, I remember.”

  “I was just leaving.”

  She grabbed his hand. “No, don’t. I feel…”

  “Anxious and upset?”

  She nodded.

  “Delayed reaction of near-trauma. Sit up.” She obeyed. He dropped down next to her. Slid his arm around her and pulled her close. “This is what you need.”

  “A man to hold me?”

  “A friend to help chase away the demons.”

  She leaned into him and put her hand on his chest. He kissed the top of her head.

  And Brady realized how much he’d missed holding a woman. It had been too long. As he hugged her close, he wondered why he’d waited.

  The sunlight coming in through the windows awakened him. Why hadn’t he drawn down the blinds in his room? A weight against him brought him to reality.

  He and Lynne were stretched out lengthwise on the couch, and Lynne Lucas was plastered against him. Her face tucked into his neck, her warm breath on his skin, her groin nestled into his. He’d responded as any man would.

  She squirmed. “Hmm. Feels good.”

  He said aloud, “That’s an understatement.”

  She came awake. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “Are you?”

  She laughed softly. “I guess not.”

  “Me, either.”

  “Damn, I wish I was into recreational sex.”

  He moaned. “My mind just spun into a thousand different fantasies.”

  “We’d better sit up now and talk.”

  “I guess.”

  They tried to extricate.

  “Ouch,” she said when his knee moved.

  “Um, your hip is…”

  Finally, they were able to sit.

  “First—” he began

  “No, wait. I need coffee.”

  He stayed on the couch, ruing his ethics, regretting his choice to be a moral man. When she came back, she handed him a steaming mug which he sipped generously. She sat a few feet away.

  “All right, now that I’ve had some caffeine. First what?”

  He smiled at her. She was sexy all sleepy eyed and mussed. “First, I didn’t come over to sleep with you.”

  “Sleep is the operative word here.”

  “I was worried and…needed to see you. Kind of out of proportion for how little we know about each other.”

  “No, Brady, I felt it, too. Trivia night, when you kissed me.”

  “Whew. That’s good to hear. Second, I haven’t had a relationship with anyone in over two years. Actually, I’ve never made love with anyone else besides Jenny.”

  “Same for me and Ken. That’s why his infidelity hurt.”

  He drew in a heavy breath and let it out. “Lynne, I want to know you better.”

  “But slowly, right?”

  “I think so. Unless we change our minds about recreational sex.”

  “I’d like to spend a little more time with you before anything happens. If we ever do it.”

  He chuckled at her phrasing and she rolled her eyes.

  She checked her watch. “I’ve got to go. It’s seven, an hour after our usual day starts. But the night shift offered to stay so we could have a couple extra to regroup.”

  Another smile. “And have you regrouped?”

  “Oh, yeah. In a very pleasant way.”

  “I think so, too.”

  Chapter 4

  * * *

  The Sisters of Fire got all dressed up and went out to dinner at Connor’s Restaurant to celebrate their safety after Lynne’s near miss. She picked her favorite outfit, a sage green one-piece suit made of blended wool, and wore beige high heels with it.

  From the end of the table, she saw Brooke smile at her. They’d gotten ready together for tonight, doing each other’s hair and makeup. Lynne purposely arranged that because she knew it would be fun for her friend. As usual, Brooke was model-gorgeous in a dress swirled with autumn colors, with little sparkles throughout.

  They chatted among themselves while Lynne read the wine list, picked what she wanted, ordered and then scanned the group. “Trish, you’re stunning in that sleek black jacket with palazzo pants.”

  “I still like them better than dresses.” She chuckled. “I can’t help it.”

  Annie, in an all-white suit, smiled. “We clean up pretty good.”

  “Yeah, but I had to buy a new outfit to accommodate my waistline and baby-bump.” Tess pressed on the belly of her four-month pregnancy. “I didn’t want to spend the money, but David insisted.”

  JJ rolled her eyes. “I told Nick I’d wear my functional black dress, but he went out and bought this.” JJ wore a lovely fitted dress of periwinkle blue that showed off all of her curves.

  Lynne sighed. “Ah. You’re all so settled.”

  Brooke said cheerfully, “And aren’t we happy about that.” The waiter brought their wine and poured it. Brooke lifted hers. “To Lynne, who literally survived fire. Thank you, our lucky stars.”

  “I appreciate that. But let’s not dwell on it. Anyone have news to share?”

  “Um, I do.” This from Trish. “Tess, I’m glad you bought that dress. I’ll be borrowing it soon enough.”

  It took them all a minute to understand. Then they spoke at one. “Terrific, Trish…I’m so happy for you…When?”

  “I’m having a baby next Aug
ust.”

  Brooke’s gaze narrowed. “I noticed you passed on the wine.”

  “Yeah, no alcohol for me for nine months.” She shrugged a shoulder. “We’ll have to have more sex to make up for it.” Thankfully, they were in a recessed area with walls on three sides, so nobody could overhear them.

  “Go for it, girl.” JJ laughed. “I highly recommend that.”

  Annie sighed. “I loved being pregnant.”

  “Are you going to have another?” Trish asked.

  “Hopefully. I’m still on maternity leave till February but I want to go back to work for a few years before we expand our family.”

  “Any idea which house you’ll go to?”

  “I found out this morning.” Annie smiled slyly and turned to Lynne. “They’re adding another firefighter to your engine company at the beginning of the year. Chief Redman told me I could have the position on Feb 1, and they’d get floaters in January.”

  Lynne startled. “Are you kidding? We’ll be working together?” Her eyes misted. “I didn’t know I’d ever get to do that with one of you.”

  Annie shook her head. “Look at her. She gets all teary-eyed at working with one of us, but was a rock when the fire consumed her.”

  “This is different.”

  After a bit, Tess asked, “Can we order? I’m starved.”

  Trish smiled at her friend. “Me, too.”

  They made their choices as a waiter went around the table. He gawked at the six of them, who were beaming tonight with happiness and beauty.

  Lynne sipped her tart Chardonnay and noticed the restaurant was beginning to fill up. Five people were led to a table about twenty feet away.

  And Brady was among them!

  He pulled out the chair for one woman, then started to sit when he noticed her. He said something to his company and headed over. The waiter left just as he arrived.

  Man, did he have to be so attractive in a gray suit, with window pane white stripes? He wore a striped tie with a white shirt.

  Lynne was on the end, and he squeezed her shoulder in what seemed like an unconscious gesture. “Hi, Lynne. I wanted to say hello.”