Monday morning, Bryan hosed off the engine truck. Keeping the equipment clean and in good working order was a top priority.
“Catch.” Jim Morris tossed a rag his direction. “I heard your new girlfriend’s grand re-opening was a huge success.”
Bryan turned off the hose. “I thought I heard you say I have a girlfriend. News to me.”
Jim laughed. “My mistake. So you and Annika aren’t dating?”
“Nope.”
“Mind if I ask her out?”
A flash of annoyance rushed through him. Why should it bother him if someone wanted to date Annika? She wasn’t his. “Suit yourself, but she won’t say yes.” At least he hoped she would say no. Nothing against Jim, but the thought of another guy with Annika knotted his stomach.
Jim raised his chin. “Why’s that?”
“She’ll never date a firefighter. Her dad was killed in a house fire, and she’s still traumatized whenever she even thinks there could be a fire.” Bryan had known the minute Annika shared her story with him that there could never be anything more than friendship between them. Firefighting was in his DNA. His dad was a fireman and his dad’s dad had been one too. The Grant men fought fires and had been doing so for over fifty years. Dad retired a few years ago, but it was obvious he missed the action.
Jim blew out a breath. “That’s rough, but what makes you think that she won’t date a firefighter?”
He wanted to say “duh,” but held in the jab. “She’s terrified of fire. Can you imagine what she’d be like every time she found out you were on a call?” Bryan shook his head. “She’d be a mess, and it’s not fair to put her in that position.”
“So you do have a thing for her.”
“Give it a rest. Don’t you have a hose to inspect?”
“Slave driver,” Jim mumbled and walked away.
The alarm sounded. His adrenalin spiked as he tossed the dirty rag in the bin, then quickly pulled on his gear. He climbed behind the wheel. Jim sat behind him along with Greg, another firefighter. The captain sat up front. Less than a minute later they pulled out of the station. Siren blaring, they headed south on Sowell toward the high school. They stopped in front of the school. Captain Jamison hopped out first to assess the situation.
From all outward appearances, everything looked fine. The students stood in the parking lot. A man wearing a suit, probably the principal, approached the Captain.
The principal stood at the front of the engine truck talking with their captain. His strong voice easily travelled. “There was a fire in the boys bathroom, but the janitor was able to put it out. Sorry to bring you all out here like this.”
The Captain nodded. “We’ll take a look and make sure all is clear then head out.”
Twenty minutes later Bryan’s stomach growled as he climbed into the truck. “Well, that was fun,” he said drily. The fire had actually reignited, so it was a good thing they’d showed up. It was thoroughly out now.
“I hate calls to schools,” Jim said.
“Me too. I’m just glad the fire was contained in the bathroom.” Bryan started the engine.
“See you around.” Captain Jamison shook the principal’s hand then climbed into the front seat.
Bryan gazed out the window. The adrenaline buzz he got when the alarm sounded would gradually wear off, but right now he wanted to shoot hoops or take Rusty for a run in the park. Too bad his shift just started. “Hey, anyone mind stopping at Main Street Java?”
“Not me.” The captain patted his stomach. “I missed breakfast and could use a snack.” The captain cleared his throat. “I hear you’re sweet on the new owner. That wouldn’t happen to be why you want to stop, would it?”
“I’m not sweet on Annika. I’m hungry and need a good cup of coffee. That swill Jim made this morning doesn’t qualify.”
“Hey! I happen to like the coffee I made.”
“You drink it then,” Bryan said.
“Stop your arguing, children,” Captain Jamison chided as Bryan pulled to a stop. “We’ll walk from here.”
It was only a half block. “You coming, Jim? Greg?”
“No, I’ll wait here,” Jim said.
“A white chocolate mocha sounds good to me.” The captain stepped down out of the truck, took off his gear, and left it in the truck.
Jim mumbled something about a frou-frou drink.
“Don’t knock it until you try it, buddy.” Bryan followed the captain’s example and left his gear behind, then met him at the front of the truck. They strode at an easy pace toward Main Street Java.
“What’s the deal with Jim today?” Bryan asked. “He’s in a sour mood.”
“He’s pulling a double shift.”
“Oh.” Working a back-to-back twenty-four-hour shift would make him crabby too. He pushed into the shop and breathed in deeply the rich coffee aroma. “I love that smell.” He spotted Annika as she stepped behind the counter. She wore jeans and a black T-shirt with her hair falling freely about her shoulders. Her gaze caught his, and she gave a little wave.
Captain Jamison patted him on the back. “Me too.”
“You too what?”
“Love the smell of this place.” He looked from Annika to Bryan and grinned. “Hmm. Ever since her kitchen fire, I’ve been a regular.”
Bryan raised a brow.
“I felt bad for her, so I came in the next day and got hooked on these things.”
Bryan chuckled.
“Don’t laugh. It’s the best coffee in town.” He walked up to the counter and slapped down a five-dollar bill. “I’ll take my regular, Annika.”
“Good to see you this morning, Rex.” She sniffed the air. “Were you just on a call?”
“Small bathroom fire at the high school, but there’s no reason for alarm.”
She shivered. “I hate fire. I don’t know how you guys do what you do, but I’m thankful nonetheless.” She got busy at the espresso machine.
“I’m glad Bryan asked to stop by. I was running late earlier, so I couldn’t get my normal cup of joe before my shift.”
She smiled and handed him a large cup. “Enjoy. Glad you made it in.”
Bryan stepped forward. “I’ll try the same.”
“Living dangerously, I see.” A twinkle lit her eyes as if she had a secret she was dying to share.
“Always.” Someone was in an especially good mood this morning. “How was the rest of your weekend?
“Blissfully quiet.”
“No more trouble?”
“Nada.”
“I’m glad.” He didn’t tell the guys, but he really chose to stop because he wanted to check on Annika. He couldn’t get her out of his mind.
She motioned for him to come closer and whispered. “I’m considering having Open Mic Night once a month or maybe more. Do you think you could get your buddy to man the doors again if I decide to go for it?”
“Probably. Why the change of heart?”
“Everyone had such a great time, and it’s really boosted business. Plus, I made a killing. With sales like that, I’ll be able to keep this place afloat with no problem.”
“Did you ever doubt you could?”
Annika nodded as she handed him the drink. “I hope you have a boring rest of your shift, and please keep quiet about what I said. I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up if it doesn’t work out.”
“Got it. Is it still okay if the guys and I rehearse here tomorrow night?”
“Yes. Be sure to bring Rusty.”
“Will do.” He spun around and nearly took down the captain. “Sorry. I didn’t know you were there.”
“No problem. You ready?”
He nodded, took a swallow of his drink and followed his superior to the sidewalk. “Mmm. This is sweet, but I like it. Thanks for stopping.”
“Didn’t do it for you.”
“No?”
“Nope. I wanted my drink, and I wanted to see with my own eyes if the rumors are true. Annika’s face lit when she saw you.”
“Baloney. And what rumors?”
“I heard you talking with Jim about her. I think you may have underestimated that lady. She didn’t seem bothered at all to see you in uniform.”
“I think you may have had a little too much bad coffee from the firehouse and it’s affecting your vision. There’s nothing between Annika and me except friendship, and it’s going to stay that way.” Why wouldn’t anyone listen to common sense? Even if she was interested in him, he wasn’t interested in her. Well, maybe he was, but it didn’t matter because it was a bad idea. His last girlfriend wanted to change him, and he was certain Annika would ultimately make him choose between her or fighting fires.
Jim stuck his head out the window. “About time!”
Bryan climbed in and noticed a bakery bag on the seat. “I see you weren’t waiting long.”
Jim shrugged.
Bryan finished off his drink. Had Annika’s face really lit up when she saw him? A tiny spark of hope ignited in spite of himself. The Captain must have imagined it.