8

GABE WHISTLED as he polished the chrome of the motorized fire truck in the bay, satisfied that by the time he finished, the shine would be enough to blind Chief Witherspoon.

“Hey, Irish. You can knock it off now. That spot won’t get any cleaner.” Will Spack, one of the firemen who was a few years older than Gabe, tossed a wet sponge at him. It smacked Gabe in the chest and landed in a puddle on the cement floor.

After his second week at the fire station, Gabe knew most of the men well enough not to take offense at their jibes.

“You’re just worried I’ll make you look bad,” he shot back.

Jerry O’Donnell poked his head from around the side of the truck. “Got that right, Montgomery. Spack’s worried the chief will fire him and hire you instead.”

A tiny thrill shot through Gabe’s torso. What would it be like to be a permanent firefighter here, a true member of this team that worked tirelessly to keep their city safe? The thought of his beloved mother made the image evaporate faster than the splotches of water on the cement. He could never cause her the pain of losing another son to America.

That, as well as the unrest at home, made staying here impossible.

“You lads hungry?” Chief Witherspoon’s booming voice rang out from the upper level, where the firemen’s quarters were situated. “There’s a pot of stew up here courtesy of Mrs. Witherspoon.”

Jerry gave a loud whoop and charged toward the stairs.

Gabe laughed and bent to retrieve the sponge, dumping it along with his rag into the bin against the wall. He wiped his wet hands on his trousers, already salivating in anticipation of the tasty meal.

Then the gong of the fire alarm split the air. The entire crew froze to listen to the numbered sequence of bells, and then suddenly burst into action. Gabe stopped to watch the frenzy of activity.

The chief pushed by him. “Don’t just stand there, Montgomery. Suit up.”

“I’m going?” Adrenaline licked through Gabe’s veins.

“We need every man available. Looks like we’re heading to Arthur Hastings’s house.”

Gabe pushed back a rush of concern as he moved to the hooks on the wall, where he grabbed some spare gear. “How do you know it’s the Hastingses?” He stuffed the helmet on his head, grateful he’d been wearing boots while he washed the truck.

“Their house takes up a full city block. It has its own alarm code.” The chief jammed on his helmet. “Come on.”

The men jumped onto the truck, and seconds later they roared out of the station, bell clanging.

If they weren’t responding to a potential tragedy, Gabe would have been thrilled down to his boots to be riding the motorized engine for the first time. Instead, he tried to prepare for what was to come. He’d learned that the Arthur Hastings whose picture was in the fire station was indeed the father of the lovely girl he’d met at the O’Learys’ party. Anxiety churned in Gabe’s chest at the thought of her family’s home burning. He prayed she was out for the evening, nowhere near the danger.

They rounded a sharp bend. Spack wound the siren, which wailed through the streets, causing pedestrians to jump out of the way and then turn to watch.

Gabe clutched the side of the truck as they careened onward. As soon as they came to a stop in front of a mansion, the men leapt to the street and began to unwind the hose. Chief Witherspoon ran to the front door, where a woman in uniform stood, wringing her hands.

“Hurry, please,” she called. “Miss Aurora is upstairs.”

Gabe’s head snapped up from where he wrestled with the equipment.

“Where’s her room?” Chief Witherspoon barked.

“At the back, second story, middle room.”

The chief shouted orders. “O’Donnell, bring the ladder around the back to the middle window. Spack, Jackson, get the hoses.”

Gabe didn’t wait to hear more. From firsthand experience, he knew that hesitating, even for a moment, could cost someone’s life. He charged through the front door, ignoring everything else. Thick smoke drifted through the marble entry, yet Gabe found the staircase with no trouble. Taking the stairs two at a time, he mentally recited the rules of fire rescue from his training at home. He thundered past the landing until he reached the second floor and turned down the hall, counting rooms as he went. When he reached what he estimated to be the center of the building, he started opening doors. On the second try, he found a decidedly feminine room. A fit of coughing momentarily delayed him, and his eyes watered from the sting of smoke. Still, he was thankful not to find evidence of flames as he entered the room.

“Miss Hastings?” he called out. Despite the circumstances, he couldn’t help feeling like a cad being in the woman’s bedchamber.

A large four-poster bed dominated the room, its curtains pulled closed around it. Gabe yanked the material aside. Sure enough, a sleeping figure lay beneath the quilts. He shook her shoulder, chiding himself for feeling so awkward. If this had been a stranger, he wouldn’t have hesitated a moment to carry the anonymous victim to safety, but picturing the beautiful Aurora, he couldn’t allow himself the liberty.

Finally the woman stirred and rolled over, blond curls tumbling over her forehead.

“Miss Hastings. The house is on fire.”

“What?” She came to life slowly, then gave a slight scream.

He tried to imagine how she must feel, awakening to a strange man in her room wearing a helmet and fire gear. “Aurora, you must hurry.”

She sat up, clutching the bedding to her neck. “How do you know my name?”

“It’s Gabriel Montgomery. We met at the O’Learys’.”

“Oh.” She stared, then blinked twice. “My robe is on the chair.” She pointed across the room.

He snatched the wrap and handed it to her, turning his back as she put it on. Seconds later, he peered over his shoulder to see her belting the robe and stepping into a pair of slippers. Without a word, he took her by the arm and ushered her into the hallway. The smoke had thickened considerably. “Try not to breathe too deeply.” He kept his arm around her as they made their way down the staircase.

Once they got outside, they both coughed as they took in great gulps of fresh air.

The housekeeper rushed forward. “Oh, thank goodness, miss. I was so worried.”

“Mrs. Forrester. Did everyone else get out?”

“They did. I’m so sorry I didn’t make it upstairs. The flames in the kitchen were too much—”

Aurora laid her hand on the woman’s arm. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

Gabe moved closer. “Excuse me, but I need to go and help the others.”

“Of course, thank you.” She shivered slightly.

“Under no circumstance are any of you to go back into the house. Understood?” Gabe leveled them with a stern look until they nodded.

Though reluctant to leave, Gabe knew where his obligation lay. He grabbed a hose and followed the others around the side of the house to the back, where the main burn still smoldered, and moved to help the other men tackle the fire.

Twenty minutes later, Chief Witherspoon declared the fire contained. Thankfully, the firefighters had managed to keep the blaze to the kitchen, though the rest of the residence had suffered damage from the smoke. But all in all, they had been very fortunate.

The chief sent two men to make a thorough check of the entire building to ensure everyone had gotten out and that no other hazards existed.

As they lugged the hoses back out to the truck, the chief threw Gabe a stern glance. “I think we need to discuss the way we handle victim rescue here.”

A twinge of guilt flared. Gabe had acted on impulse—not always a good thing.

The chief crossed his arms. “That being said, I’m glad you were able to get Miss Hastings out unharmed. I’m sure her father will be very appreciative.”

Relief whooshed through Gabe’s muscles. “If it’s all right, I’ll make sure the ladies are faring well after their shock.”

The chief’s bushy eyebrows rose. “Be my guest.”

Gabe ducked his head to hide the flash of heat that stole across his cheeks. There was nothing out of the ordinary in his actions. He’d do the same for anyone he rescued from a fire.

The fact that one of the women made his pulse sprint faster than a spark hitting an accelerant had nothing to do with it.

Nothing whatsoever.

A terrible chill invaded Aurora’s whole body until she couldn’t contain the tremors. It was silly, really. No harm had come to her. The house, for the most part, remained intact. So why did she feel the urge to sit on the ground and weep?

Because you’ve got no one but the housekeeper to comfort you.

Her parents’ extremely busy social life meant Aurora was often left home alone with only the servants for company. Like tonight. Mama had invited her along but, tired after a long day and nursing the remains of a headache, Aurora had opted to stay home and turn in early. Most times, Aurora could bear the loneliness, content with the companionship of her cat.

Petunia!

Alarm rushed through Aurora. Had her pet been injured?

She ran back toward the house, only to be barred by two firemen coming out from the foyer. “You can’t go in there, miss. Not until the chief gives the all-clear.”

“But my cat . . . I have to find her.”

“We can’t let you risk injury for an animal.”

She tried to duck around them, but they remained immutable. “Please, she’s very important to me. . . .” Tears choked her airway as she imagined her dearest companion lying unconscious somewhere in the house, overcome by smoke.

“Miss Hastings? Is someone else inside?” A frowning Gabe Montgomery appeared at her side.

A wave of relief swept through her at a dizzying pace. “It’s my cat. Please. I have to find her.”

He put a gloved hand on her shoulder. The sturdy weight of it steadied Aurora’s nerves.

“I’m sure she got out. Most animals instinctively find an escape route in a fire.”

“But she sleeps in my room. The door was closed until you came. What if she’s trapped and she’s in trouble?” The thought of her dear pet perishing from the smoke was more than she could bear. Tears slipped down her cheeks. “Please, you have to make sure she’s all right.”

A frown creased Gabe’s forehead under his helmet. He glanced around and then blew out a breath. “I’ll go back if you promise to stay here.”

He seemed so impossibly large in his fire gear. Large and safe and trustworthy. She nodded and wrapped her arms more firmly around her middle. “I promise.”

Mrs. Forrester appeared. “I’ll stay with her, sir.”

He started off, but paused. “What does the cat look like? Please tell me it’s not all black.” The soot on his face added a comedic touch to his pained expression.

For a moment, despite her anxiety, Aurora was tempted to giggle. “She’s pure white, so she’ll be easy to spot.”

He grinned. “That’s good news. I’ll be back.” He bounded off before she could catch her breath.

“My, isn’t he a charmer?” Mrs. Forrester sighed. “If that’s how they make them in Ireland, maybe I should book my passage on the next ship.”

Aurora gave a nervous laugh, swiping the remaining moisture from her cheeks. Though still worried, she felt a huge weight had been lifted. For some reason, she trusted Gabe to find Petunia.

Aurora paced in front of the house as she waited, praying for their safety. Considering how many rooms the home contained, it could take ages to go through the whole building. Would Gabe really do that?

At last, he strode out the front door, a disheveled ball of fur in his arms.

“You found her!” She rushed forward to gather Petunia into her arms, burying her face in the cat’s fur, which reeked of smoke. The stunned creature trembled, but once in Aurora’s arms, seemed to settle.

Aurora looked up at Gabe. Three streaks of blood dripped from his cheek. “Did she do that?”

He gave a rueful grin. “Miss Petunia wasn’t too happy with the idea of coming out from under your bed.”

Aurora shifted the cat to one arm. “I’m so sorry. She must have been terrified. Normally she’s very friendly.” She reached out to gently wipe away a streak of blood with her thumb. “Thank you. That was above and beyond the call of duty.”

He grinned, and two dimples appeared under the soot. “Haven’t you heard that firemen are required to rescue cats? It’s in the training manual.”

A laugh escaped before she could check herself. And for the first time in a long, long while, Aurora didn’t feel so alone.