Breaking Fire Code

by Debra Kayn

  “Ditto. Ditto.”

  Buster barked and jumped beside the cage. She moved over to open a can of cat food. “Hang on, Buster. Let's find Cleo first and then I'll feed you.” She reached for a fork out of the top drawer, closed it with a swing of her hips, and stepped over to her screened-in back porch. “Where are you, Cleo kitty?” She peered under the bench. “Ollie Ollie oxen free.”

  The dogs barked and zeroed in on the pile of blankets on the bottom shelf along the far wall by the dryer. Bingo! Stepping over Max, she scooped Cleo into her arms and set her on the top of the washing machine. “There you go. Eat up. The dogs can’t bother you up here and when you're done, you can jump down to your new favorite warm spot again.”

  She herded the dogs back into the kitchen, making sure both of their tails were out of harm’s way, and shut the door to the sunroom. “Don’t think I forgot about you guys.” She moved to the other side of the kitchen, opened the fridge, and searched for the bowl of dough she’d mixed together last night. “I found a new doggie biscuit recipe I think you two will love, but you’ll have to be patient while I get them baked.”

  Buster jumped up on her stomach, his claws digging in to find out what she held. “Down!” She set the bowl on the counter. “Good boy. You’re learning.”

  The phone rang, making the dogs bark again, and Ditto added to the melee with loud squawks from the other room. She petted Buster with one hand and reached for the phone with the other.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello?” a familiar voice repeated.

  She leaned against the counter and closed her eyes. “Hello, Mother.”

  “Darling, where have you been? I’ve called you multiple times and left messages. What is going on?” Roberta Bailey clicked her tongue. “Are you in trouble again?”

  “Of course not.” She swallowed. Her stomach tightened, just like every other time her mother called and she found herself defending her choices. “With getting the business up and running, I’ve been busy.”

  “You can’t be that busy babysitting those animals.”

  “Well, no. I’ve met a man, and I’ve been spending all my free time with him lately." She rolled her eyes, changing the subject. "I really think you’ll like—”

  “Oh good God, Amber. If you’re going to succeed at anything, you can’t waste your time on a boyfriend. That’ll come later, after you’ve made a name for yourself.” Her mother scoffed. “He doesn’t play in a band, does he?”

  Amber’s mouth tightened and she counted to five in her head. “No, Mother. In fact, his name is Gregg, and he’s the fire chief here in Port View.”

  “Hm...”

  Silence came over the phone. Amber imagined her mother was jotting down the name. She wouldn’t put it past her mom to do a background check.

  “Mother, what was so important that you needed to talk with me?” Amber stuck her tongue out and crossed her eyes at Buster. He barked and sat at her feet. She grinned at the dog. Her mom was difficult to handle on her best day, and today wasn't that day.

  “Your father will be dropping in next Saturday to find out what you are doing with that...that house. Make sure you’re there to meet him, darling. He’s going out of his way to make the trip.” A phone rang in the background of her mother’s office. “I must go. Remember this Saturday, Amber. Maybe you should write it down, lest you forget like you normally do.”

  Amber waved her pointer finger in the air. “Got it, Mom. I wrote it down.”

  “Bye, darling. Smooches.”

  “Bye Moth—”

  The steady throng of the dial tone buzzed in Amber’s ear. She set the phone back in the charger. Just great. Her father was coming to try to convince her yet again that this was all a bad idea.

  She crossed her arms and gazed down at Buster. “Too bad he wasn’t coming on a weekday, huh Buster Boy? You could have won him over in no time flat with your charming personality.”

  “Woof.”

  Amber laughed and leaned down to ruffle Buster’s ears. “With friends like you, buddy, I’d say I’m the luckiest person in the world. You make an excellent confidant, don’t you?”

  “Woof.” His tongue rolled out of the corner of his mouth, and he lay down on the floor.

  “All right. I better get these cookies baked, if we’re going to get everything else done today.” Amber pulled the bowl over.

  After rolling the dough into balls, she pressed each one down on the cookie sheet. She used the bone-shaped cookie cutters to make them look appetizing to the dogs, and then stood back and laughed. “Not bad. In fact, the smell reminds me of oatmeal cookies.”

  Max jumped at her side and whined, which caused Ditto to screech. “You need to go outside, boy?”

  Buster ran for the front door, barking, after hearing his favorite word, outside.

  “Hang on Buster. You’ll get to go in the yard too. Let me pop these in the oven first.” She closed the oven door, turned the temperature up to four hundred degrees, then pushed the enormous birdcage out to the living room and set it in front of the window for Ditto’s afternoon sunning.

  “I’m coming. Hold your barks.” She grabbed the two leashes off the hook, clipped them onto the dog’s collars, and opened the door. “Be right back for your speech therapy, Ditto.”

  Outside in the yard, Amber hooked the leashes on the overhead wires that ran the length of her hundred-foot yard. She hurried to get out of the dogs’ way and retreat to a safe distance. Buster and Max were full of excess energy today. She sat down on the porch, hoping they’d soon lose interest in chasing each other and do their outside duty.

  A door slammed and she turned toward the neighbor’s house on the left. She planted her elbows on her knees, and then sank her chin onto her fist. Just great. Here we go again. The dogs will bark a greeting. Mrs. Parker will lecture me and storm back inside her house.

  The dogs began to bark. Biting her cheek, Amber fought against the urge to tell them to hush and hoped they’d soon lose interest. Dogs liked to talk. Why didn’t Mrs. Parker understand that?

  Another quick glance and she plastered a smile on her face. “Hello, Mrs. Parker. How are you today? Beautiful day we’re having, isn’t it?”

  “It’d be better if you’d shut those damn dogs up.” The seventyish woman turned her back on Amber. “Dogs are perfectly content to stay home...their own home.” She stepped back into the house and let the screen door slam shut.

  Amber rubbed her temples. “You have a good day too, Mrs. Parker,” she mumbled to empty space. Why Mrs. Parker couldn't understand that the animals need attention and someone to love them too. They’d even love her, if she gave them half a chance.

  The dogs zipped along the line to the other side of the yard, losing interest in barking as soon as the neighbor went inside. Amber closed her eyes. She couldn’t let Mrs. Parker’s ill temper rub off on her. Animals picked up on anger and frustration.

  Inhaling through her nose and exhaling out her mouth, she repeated the process three more times and willed a happy thought to come to mind. A vision of Gregg snapped her out of her misery. Her lips curved. If she had an ounce of his hero mentality, the neighborhood would welcome her into the community with open arms.

  Warmth filled her lower stomach. Saturday night, they’d spent hours cuddled up on the beach with a bonfire going nearby to keep them warm. She’d even worked her way up to agreeing to spend the night with him if he had asked, but he’d pulled back and delivered her to her house after midnight with a goodnight kiss that showed her exactly how much he enjoyed being with her.

  Yet, she wanted more. It wasn't about him being her only friend here in Port View. She honestly liked him more and more, the more time they spent together.

  She wrapped her arms around her middle. His reaction to take her home instead of the bedroom had surprised her. She was used to men wanting to sleep with her on the first date, or trying to go faster than she was willing to move within a relationship. Gregg’s sense of honor and resp
ect for her meant more than the satisfaction of wild abandoned sex. Maybe this time, she’d found a standup guy.

  She opened her eyes. “Buster, Max, are you ready to go in yet?”

  She stood and made her way over to unclip the dogs. A new surge of energy came with knowing Gregg’s shift ended tonight, and he’d have the next two days off. They’d already talked about taking their relationship to the next level. And she couldn’t wait.

  “Hold still, Buster.” She stepped over the taut leash pulled between her legs and laughed. “What’s gotten into you, buddy? Did you find your second wind?”

  “Sh...quiet boy.” Amber cocked her head to the side, listening over the barking.

  Sirens in the distance grew louder, and Amber wondered if it was a police car or the fire truck. “OK, Wild Busteroo, let’s get you off the line.” She managed to unhook the leash.

  With both dogs secured by the leashes in her hands, she raised her head. A big red truck headed down the street toward her, and she smiled. “Today’s our lucky day, guys. It looks like we’ll get to wave to all the hunky men on the fire truck.”

  With the ends of the leashes in hand, she stepped toward the fence and tried to catch a glimpse of Gregg. Squinting through the glare on the enormous glass windshield on the fire engine, she held up her hand to block the sun. Unable to tell who was driving, she waved anyway.

  The whine of the sirens died down, and the truck pulled up in front of her house. She frowned. Gregg wouldn’t rush over here with lights and sirens blazing to see her...would he?

  Two firefighters jumped off the back of the truck and began unrolling hoses the way a bowler throws a ten-pound ball toward the pins. Gregg stepped out of the driver’s seat.

  She caught a whiff of something burning, turned, squealed at the steady cloud of smoke billowing out the back of her house near the roof, and ran for the front door.

  “Amber, no!” Gregg shouted.

  The dogs fought her every step. In her panic, she almost tripped over the leashes. The dogs had no understanding of what was going on and took the opportunity to jump on her, knocking her to her knees. She crawled up the three steps onto the porch. Strong arms captured her around the waist and pulled her back down into the grass.

  “Stay here. I’ll check it out.” Gregg moved to step around her, but she caught his arm.

  “It’s not a fire. Food...oven...open all the windows.” She ran her hand through the top of her hair. “Oh God, the bird is still in there.”

  “Back up, sweetheart. I’ll get the bird.” He ran his hands from the top of the door down to the bottom checking for hot spots, turned the handle, and disappeared into the house.

  A few minutes later, he returned clutching a smoking cookie sheet in his gloved hands.

  She groaned. Dammit.

  Gregg carried the cause of the smoke out to the sidewalk on the other side of the fence, safe from the dogs, and hurried back into the house. He returned, lugging out the huge birdcage. She stumbled forward, dragging the dogs with her. The bird squawked and paced along its perch.

  “Gregg, Cleo’s on the back sunporch. I think I shut the main door, but...” She bit down on her lip, unsure if she'd shut the door or not. “I need to check on her. I want to make sure she’s okay.”

  “Yeah, it’s closed. That’s what caused the smoke to blow out of your stove vent. There was nowhere for the smoke to go, except up. I’ll have the guys go in and open the windows. Now that the burnt food is out of the house, it shouldn’t take too long to clear the air.” He waved his men forward. “Clear the house out! Leave the back door shut; she’s got a cat in the sunroom.”

  “Ten-four, Chief.” One of the men she recognized from the other day ran past.

  Gregg stepped around Max and rubbed her arm. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, of course. Just feeling stupid. I decided to try a new recipe out and surprise the dogs.” Gazing down at Buster and Max, she scrunched up her mouth. “I guess I lost track of time.” She put her hand on her forehead and shook her head. “Between the neighbor lady getting mad at me, the dogs, now you... Ugh! I feel foolish. I’ve never done such a thing before.”

  “Don’t worry. This is what the fire department is here for. We protect the citizens of Port View. I’m glad someone noticed the smoke and called it in. We never know how serious a sign of smoke can be if we don’t check it out.” He pulled her over and wrapped her in his arms. “Did you say you were thinking of me? How did I distract you?”

  “I...I was forcing myself to think of pleasant thoughts after the neighbor... Never mind.” She leaned back and gazed up. “I never expected you to show up for an emergency situation here, though.” She groaned and banged her forehead on his chest. “Again.”

  He chuckled. “I guess it would be better if you called me on my cell phone if you wanted to see me. The city frowns on prank calls.”

  “Oh God...” Amber slapped her hand over her mouth. With her luck, this little news would make it all over Port View before the hour was up.

  “I’m teasing. Come on now, relax. Everything is all right, but you do need to get working smoke alarms ASAP.” He lifted her head. “Smoke inhalation isn’t something we should joke about. This could have been much worse. In fact, I’m sorry to say, because you run a business, I’ll need to report this as a code violation. I noticed you didn’t have any alarms going off.”

  She groaned. "Great. Just what I need."

  “Hey, Chief! The smoke’s pretty much cleared out," one of Gregg's fireman said.

  “Thanks, Stevens.” He leaned down and kissed Amber’s brow. “I’ll carry the birdcage back in your house for you, and if you want, I can bring you over some alarms.”

  “Thank you, but it’s not necessary.” She followed him in with the two dogs. “I need to do this myself, and the alarms are on my long list of supplies to buy.”

  “You men can roll up the hoses and load up.” Gregg placed the cage on the stand. “I’ll be right out.”

  She gazed at the door. The moment the firefighters left, she flew into his arms. “Just hold me.”

  “That I can do.” He swayed with her clutched to his chest. “Everything is okay. No fire. The smoke is gone. You're safe, and the animals are fine.”

  “I know.” She sniffed. “I’m just so tired of everything happening to me. I feel like I have no control over the simplest things.”

  “What else is going on, sweetheart?” He stroked her back. “Are we talking about more than burning the dog biscuits?”

  She stretched up on her tiptoes. “Kiss me. That’s all I need.”

  He spun her around and pressed her to the wall, pinning her there with his hands on each side of her head. Her moan increased his intensity.

  She slipped her hands underneath his coat and grasped onto his suspenders. Whimpering, she arched against him, seeking more. She tasted and absorbed his strength, his desire. He was so big and safe. Around him, nothing could go wrong.

  The turnout gear almost doubled his size. She rubbed against the stiff fabric and wiggled her way inside his coat. Smoke, heat, and the erotic musky aroma of her man tickled her nose. She mewed. He’d saved her again.

  His tongue thrust and caressed. Her breath came out in little shallow pants. She dared not move, but inside she screamed for more.

  Gregg pulled back, yet didn’t leave her completely. His lips hovered over hers, occasionally brushing against her mouth. “I want you.” He lowered his head and sucked the sensitive skin under her chin.

  She lifted her head and groaned in frustration. “Gregg...”

  The fire engine bellowed to life outside and the dogs barked. Gregg broke off his kisses and leaned his forehead against hers. She trembled, missing him already, not wanting him to leave.

  “I want you more than anything at this moment.” His warm breath caressed her face. "But I'm working."

  She nodded. “I know.”

  “Tonight. Midnight. My shift ends. I’ll pick you up. Say yes.” He low
ered his hands to her waist dragging her lower half against him. “Please say yes.”

  “Yes.” She shuddered, feeling the loss of him and not wanting to let him go quite yet. “Definitely yes.”

  Gregg pulled back. His chest and shoulders rose with the deep breath he inhaled. “Be ready.”

  She crossed her arms and rubbed her shoulders, missing his body already. “Yes.”

  “It’ll be good.” He walked backward without breaking his gaze.

  She smiled. “Really good.”

  He winked, turned, and strode out the door. She stumbled to the couch, plopped face down upon the cushions, and groaned. Max stood beside her and licked her face. She reached out and pulled the black Labrador to her, throwing her arm around his neck in a hug, and gave a dramatic sigh. “He’s something, isn’t he?”

  Buster jumped onto her back and added his own slobber to the mix. She laughed and buried her face in her arms. “I think I’m going to have a really good time tonight, don’t you Buster?”

  Ditto squawked. “Good. Good. Really good.”

  Amber wiggled her way out from under Buster, sat up, and stared at the bird. She raised her brows at the dogs to see if they understood what just happened. Max cocked his head. Buster barked and turned around where he stood. She burst out laughing. “I guess Ditto learned a new word for the week after all.”

  Chapter Six

  Gregg’s thumb strummed the back of her hand. Half turned in the passenger seat of his truck, she gazed at him. The console lights reflected off his face afforded her enough glow to pick up the arousal in his eyes. From the second she climbed into his car at five minutes after midnight, she couldn’t stop touching him.

  “Can't you drive faster?” Her free hand stroked his forearm. The ripples from the hair on his arm against her skin sent chills over her body, despite the mugginess in the air.

  “A few more minutes.” He glanced over at her and then turned back to the road with a smile on his face. “Impatient?”

  She laughed softly. “You have no idea. There’s something about you, Chief Gregg McKee.” Shaking her head, she inhaled deeply. “And it’s not just because you saved me from falling out of a tree or saved Ditto from dying of smoke inhalation.”