Tess crouched on the floor behind Mitch and felt her way along the wall of the house. Neighbors reported elderly people in the back bedroom, and her crew had to rescue them.
In her mic, she heard, “Don’t be a baby about this, Tess. You have to do what’s right.”
“I will, Mitch. I promise.”
As they crawled at a snail’s pace, the temperature rose. Sweat beaded on her forehead, neck and chest. She could hear her own labored breathing. Behind her, a crash, as if timber had fallen.
Mitch stopped and said, “I think we’re at the door to a bedroom.” They were working totally blind, so they had to go by touch. “According to a neighbor, there’s supposed to be another room to the right. Mauro, you go with Righetti.”
Tess didn’t want to work with the recruit. He reminded her too much of Joey and she didn’t want to care about him. Still, she followed orders, and on her knees, Tess felt for the doorway. “In here, Mauro.”
She heard him creep inside behind her. Tess knocked her knee on something metal and stinging pain shot through her. “I found a bed. Mauro, see if there’s more in here. I can’t tell how big the room is.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Still kneeling, Tess put her hand on the bed. The mattress bounced, which meant a victim was on it. She felt around…a leg, thin. Arms. Slight. “I got one. You find anybody, Mauro?”
“No answer.
“Mauro, respond.”
“What’s going on, Righetti?” Mitch’s voice.
“Mauro’s not answering.”
“Did you find anything?”
“Yeah, I got a body.”
“Get `em out.”
“And leave Mauro?”
“I’ll search for him. Now go.”
Tess stood, bent over and picked up the victim. Suddenly, the smoke cleared and she was looking into the blank stare of Recruit Dan Mauro…
Tess bolted up in bed. The air pack was gone and she couldn’t breathe. The room was filled with smoke…yet it wasn’t. She looked around. Zach’s bedroom came into focus. She wasn’t in a fire with Mitch. She was home at the Malvasos.
When her breathing evened, she lay back on the pillow. She didn’t need Jack to interpret the dream. It was obvious that Tess was worried about Recruit Mauro. Because he reminded her of Joey? Jack had pointed that out, but she refused to see the comparison. Had her unconscious mind made the connection for her in the depths of a dream? Damn it.
Slipping out of bed, Tess went to the bathroom. Her hair was messy and her eyes still sleepy. She’d spent the night alone with Sabina. Mitch had been working, and Megan and Sabby were out. Now she wished she’d stayed at Jack’s because he could soothe away the remnants of the nightmare.
That’s it, Tess told herself. Think of him. She made her way back to her bedroom and climbed into bed again. This time, she let thoughts of being with Jack, and how different their love making was after they’d begun to care about each other. Her eyes started to close as she could feel his arms around her.
o0o
Anita Cruz held her daughter against her chest and sighed. Charlotte had a cold, so she wasn’t sleeping good. Already exhausted, Anita had to get up in two hours for class. As she soothed her child’s curly black hair, Anita whispered, “Shh, bébé, todo será bien.”
But everything wasn’t going to be fine. If Anita didn’t get some sleep and eat better, she wasn’t going to make it through the remaining weeks. Which right now seemed like an eternity.
“El bébé up again?” Anita’s grandmother stood in the doorway. She was small but sturdy. Still, she was too old to be waking up with babies in the middle of the night.
“We’re okay, Mamagrande, go to sleep.”
“No, you go to sleep.”
“This isn’t your responsibility.”
“Querida, we only have to get through this class. You’ll be a firefighter, and the three of us will be fine.”
Anita’s eyes teared. She couldn’t tell the woman who’d raised her and sacrificed so much for her that she didn’t think she’d ever be a member of the HCFD. “Sí, sólo por esta vez.”
When her grandmother took Charlotte to her room in the small apartment, which was paid for by welfare, Anita climbed into bed. And thought of the Academy program. Of Danny Mauro, who ran circles around everybody in PT and in the course work but didn’t seem to give a shit. Why was it that the recruits who wanted this job might not get it and the blasé, arrogant ones would succeed? With that ugly thought, her eyes closed and she drifted off.
o0o
All people are created equal, then a few become firefighters.
If you think it's tough being a firefighter, try being a firefighter's wife or husband. ~Author Unknown
Let no man's ghost return to say his training let him down. ~Firefighters Saying
Firemen never die, they just burn forever in the hearts of the people whose lives they saved. ~Susan Diane Murphree
Never fight fire from ego. ~Author Unknown
How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes! ~Maya Angelou
Better a thousand times careful than once dead. ~Proverb
I can think of no more stirring symbol of man's humanity to man than a fire engine. ~Kurt Vonnegut
Seems to me the basic conflict between men and women, sexually, is that men are like firemen. To men, sex is an emergency, and no matter what we're doing we can be ready in two minutes. Women, on the other hand, are like fire. They're very exciting, but the conditions have to be exactly right for it to occur. ~Jerry Seinfeld
The room was cool, creating a soothing atmosphere for the third Recruit Concerns class. But Jack hadn’t been able to get them to talk openly. A few had asked questions, and they all wrote when asked, but he wanted freer participation. He watched them as they read what he’d put up on the screen. At least there were a few chuckles for the last entry—a joke he hoped would loosen them up.
“Now that you’ve had time to read the sayings, I’d like you to pick one of the quotes and write a paragraph about why it’s meaningful to you.”
A lot of nods. Well, that was progress.
They wrote. He sat on the front table, scanning the group, dying to know which truism each kid had picked, but the anonymity of writing out their responses seemed to make them more comfortable. He gave them ten minutes.
Before he could collect the papers, Liam Murphy raised his hand. “Can I say something, Captain?”
“Yes. I wish someone would.”
“I’m twenty-two years old. I don’t have to write down what I think. I can say it out loud.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I wish everybody would talk about their reactions. You’re a quiet group. I respect that. I want you to write things down first. That way, you get to articulate what you feel before you hear others’ opinions. But after you’ve formulated an answer, I’d rather you shared aloud. Why don’t we try it at least this time?”
Not everyone agreed. Some heads shook.
“Okay, I’ll let you pass if you absolutely can’t talk openly.”
Liam began. Jack smiled at the young man, who seemed more mature than others. His consistent grin and Irish charm made him likeable. “I picked, ‘Firefighters never die, they just burn forever in the hearts of the people whose lives they saved.’ I chose it because I think it’s important to remember what we’re training for. To save lives.” He went on to talk about why he wanted to join the department.
Another recruit who hadn’t said a word raised his hand. “I picked that one, too. But not for the same reason. I’m afraid to die. I wanna be a firefighter but I’m scared, too.” He looked around. “Is anybody else?”
Several students nodded.
Thinking of the recruits in Rockland who’d said the same thing, Jack smiled easily. “Of course you’re afraid. A good amount of fear will keep you on your toes. It’s healthy. But too much anxiety over your safety can be immobilizing. I wonder if we might want to go over some techniques for dealing with our fears.”
This time, everybody agreed.
Happy with the participation, Jack said, “Next.”
A young blond woman waved. She was demure and feminine but strong physically. Briefly, Jack wondered if Tess liked her. “I picked the Maya Angelou quote. All I hear is how sexist the fire department is.”
“No fire department is perfect.” Though, thanks to Noah Callahan, the HCFD had made more strides than most. “We could get a few women in to talk to you about this.”
Ron Johnson asked, “Can the guys listen to them, too? I don’t want to be sexist, but yeah, I’m afraid I won’t treat women the same as men on the line.”
“Done! Next?”
Danny Mauro lazed back in his chair. The kid’s eyes were droopy and his shoulders hunched, as if he hadn’t slept. He spoke out loud, without raising his hand. “I picked ‘Never fight fire from ego.’”
Jack hoped this was a breakthrough with the boy.
“Why did you pick that one, Danny?”
“First, is what we say here confidential?”
“I told you it was. Unless you’re going to hurt yourself or others.” He watched Mauro. “Why?”
“Because I think our trainers have a ton of ego. Captain Righetti, especially. What the hell’s wrong with her?”
o0o
Tess stayed with Jack overnight on Friday. Salmon steaks waited to be grilled, and Tess had brought a salad. They sat on his patio in the warm late-April evening; she sipped a beer and he drank a scotch, both enjoying a companionable silence.
Flowers bloomed and the trees were green, making the backyard homey and pleasant.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked after a while.
“That you still have swings.” She nodded to the faux wood play set. “From the twins? No wait, it can’t be. You moved here after they were grown.”
“It’s our second one,” he said. “We got it when the twins were ten. Sara wanted me to bring it to the new house for sentimental reasons, I guess. She still uses it when she comes home.” He shook his head. "I had a hell of a time dismantling it. I made Sara and Seth reassemble it before they went to school.”
Tess set her beer down and stood. “Come on, old man, push me on a swing.”
“Old man?” He tugged on her hand, holding her back. “That’s not what you were saying”—he checked his watch—“in bed an hour ago.”
“Ha. Come on, I’ll race you over.”
He didn’t race. He ambled to the set in that sexy meander he had, and she was sitting on the swing, kicking her feet back and forth when he reached her. He stood behind her and pushed. And pushed. “Man, you’re heavy.”
“That’s not what you said an hour ago.” She reiterated his earlier allusion.
“I was in the throes of passion.”
“This is fun, too.” Back and forth, back and forth. Higher and higher. Tess relished the air on her face and the increasing speed. She felt young again, and…happy.
“You’re high enough. When you slow down, don’t jump off the swing. You might hurt your ankle again.”
“Yes, sir.” Her speed decreased and she let her feet drag in the little rut in the grass others had created, to stop her motion. Off to the side, Jack seemed pensive. “What is it?”
“I miss the kids. And I worry about Sara.”
“Why is she such a risk taker?”
“Genetics, maybe. You have to have that in your blood to be a firefighter.”
Still seated on the swing, she asked, “Do you think you were strict enough with her while she was growing up?”
“Maybe I wasn’t. Elizabeth was gone. My grandmother was fair, but everybody felt sorry for them because they never had a mother.”
“What was Elizabeth like? I saw a picture of her on the fireplace. She was beautiful.”
“Very. Too elegant for me. She was loving and kind, too. A bit spoiled by her parents, sometimes stubborn because of that. But mostly agreeable.”
“Huh. So what are you doing with me?” Tess was only half joking.
Turning, Jack walked to the set and tugged her up from the swing. “First off, I like the fact that you can be so tough, but vulnerable and sweet, too.”
“Me?” she said. “Hardly.”
“You are. I also value your energy, your enthusiasm for the fire department. Then, there’s your willingness to help others like Sabina.”
“Wow!” She didn’t expect all that.
He drew her closer, his hands pressing on her hips. “Is that enough?”
“More than.”
He kissed her soundly.
“You make me feel good about myself.” She arched a brow. “Want to go back to bed?”
“Nope, we’re eating first. Maybe later…”
She smiled.
He smiled.
They walked hand in hand to the patio.
o0o
That night, as they lay in bed, Jack couldn’t sleep. Tess was at his side, her head fitting into the crook of his arm. She’d taken a shower and washed her hair, and lotion and some lemony-shampoo scent filled his head. He held her to him, feeling guilty. He knew some things about her work and he couldn’t tell her. That led to a thought that had been trying to surface for days. If he’d implemented Tom Senate’s request and set up the RC class in a way to let the instructors know how the kids were feeling, would this with Tess be easier? Information could have been transmitted anonymously, in general terms, with no name attached.
She’s a bitch, one card had read.
Because I think our trainers have a ton of ego. Captain Righetti, especially. What the hell’s wrong with her?
After Mauro made the comment, some of the others had agreed but spoke of her more gently. Still, the consensus was critical. Even a young woman named Sally spoke then. Why is she so strict, Dr. Harrison?
His responses had to be carefully worded. He couldn’t slander Tess, but he couldn’t let these kids down, either.
People have different philosophies on teaching…you need tough instructors and more laid-back ones. She has the best intentions.
Mauro scowled. Do you think she’s too tough?
He never lied when asked to give his opinion and he couldn’t now. Yeah, I do, but I’m a softy, so what do I know?
The entire class had upset him. Now he wondered if he’d betrayed Tess. At the very least, he was keeping things from her. He had no choice, though. He’d just have to handle it. Cuddling her closer, kissing her hair, he tried to blank his mind and will himself to sleep.
o0o
Sunday came all too soon, if you asked Jack. He stood at the door to the sprawling three-story brick house that was home to his favorite people, ready to be interrogated. Or maybe intimidated. Though he knew the guys had to show some bravado simply out of principle, he also sensed they were concerned about Tess and him. And they were right to worry. He and Tess had had a rocky beginning.
Taking a deep breath, he refused to let in the other worry that still plagued him. He’d drive himself crazy thinking about the recruits’ attitude toward Tess on top of dealing with her family. And since firefighters were good at compartmentalizing, he stuffed his guilt and rang the bell.
Tess pulled open the door right away. She looked cute today, in jeans rolled up to her calves and a gauzy blouse. Young. Like a freaking little sister.
“Waiting for me, babe?” He mustered some of his own bravado.
“Yeah. I want to see your face again before it’s broken and bleeding.”
“Not funny.”
“They’ll be fine.”
He stepped inside, glanced around, then kissed her in the foyer. “You’re worth it.”
“Is that him?” someone yelled out from the kitchen.
“Yeah,” Tess called back. “We’re coming in.”
“No hanky-panky out there.” The voice was Zach’s.
Hell, they were waiting for him.
When he arrived at the kitchen entrance, he saw he was right. They each leaned against the wall, or the door, insolently. Zach’s chin was raised, Connie was glaring at him, and Paulie’s face was stern.
Biting back a smile, Jack studied them. “I can’t believe you’re a part of this, Paulie.”
“Family’s family,” he said, trying to scowl but not quite getting there.
“Where’s Sabina? I was hoping she’d referee.”
“No such luck.” This from Mitch. “Grady and I are cooking.”
Jenn pushed away from the wall and signaled Connie to do the same. They crossed to Tess. “You gotta leave, girl.”
“No way.”
“Seriously.” This from Connie.
Tess frowned. “I don’t believe this.”
“The kids are in the family room with Mama,” she said more gently. “Go say hi.”
She shot a quick glance to Jack. He nodded.
As soon as Tess left, Zach jammed his hands in his jeans pockets and took a bead on Jack. “So, you’re bangin’ our cousin?”
“Hell, Zach. That’s no way to talk about her.”
He and Mitch exchanged a glance.
Jack straightened. “We have a caring relationship. That led to the physical side of things. I’m not going to apologize for being attracted to Tess. We’re grownups, guys.”
Grady, of all people, stepped forward. “You think tellin’ us our cousin is hot will help?”
Stalling and because he was frustrated, Jack ran a hand through his hair. “What do you want to hear?”
“I, for one, want to know why you left her in Rockland and never called again.” This from Jenn.
“I told Mitch, and I’m sure he informed you. Sara got in trouble and I had to deal with her.”
“Why didn’t you go back later to explain things to her?” Jenn was serious. She meant what she was saying. “If it was me, I would’ve been hurt.”
“Right now, the answer isn’t going to help.”
“Try us.” From Paulie.
Patiently, Jack explained about Mitch and finding out he was Tess’s cousin.
“Chickenshit.” This from Zach.
“Maybe. But when I got a second chance with her, I took it.”
Mitch’s turn. “Where do you plan to go from here?”
“I don’t know, Mitch. I care about her. I want to be with her. We’ll just have to wait and see where this leads.”
“All right.” The man who was his best friend smiled as they broke ranks.
“Want a beer?” Grady asked.
“I’d like something stronger if you have it.”
Jenn got out the scotch. Poured him one. Then they formed a circle around him. “This is to you and Tess,” Jenny announced sweetly, lifting her can of beer. “Good luck, buddy.”
Connie kissed him on the cheek. Grady patted him on the back. Paulie poked him in the arm.
Zach gave him a bear hug, then drew back. “I love you, man. But if you hurt Tess, I’ll break your legs.”
Jack couldn’t help but smile.
o0o
Tess was assigned to help Larissa James in the classroom today. The pretty woman who Jack had dated resembled Elizabeth. The notion made Tess uncomfortable. Sometimes, she wasn’t sure she was right for him, despite his compliments Friday night.
“Turn to page twenty-nine in your book and look at the traits of a good EMT.” Larissa’s voice was strong, and the recruits seemed to take to her. Of course, she was ridiculously attractive with her slim blond appearance. Tess liked her.
As the kids opened their books, Tess flipped the pages of hers and read. She rolled her eyes at the list: pleasant, sincere, cooperative, resourceful, self-starter, emotionally stable, in control of personal habits, able to lead, able to listen and good moral character. Who the hell could fit that bill?
When they’d had time to finish reading, Larissa gave instructions. “Get into groups of five and discuss these traits. Try to come up with examples of each.”
Dragging their chairs around the tables, the recruits formed groups. Tess’s job was to wander among them and participate in each discussion. She wanted to know what Anita Cruz thought, because the girl was struggling. When Tess reached her, she saw Mauro sitting next to her. Tess didn’t leave, though.
“I think it’s easy to be pleasant and sincere,” Anita said.
Mauro captured Tess’s gaze. “Not for everybody.”
Anita put down her pen and rounded on Mauro. Her dark curly hair was long, and she had it pulled back, setting her features in sharp relief. “What is it with you? It seems like you’re being intentionally rude all the time. Do you wanna get kicked out of here?”
For a second, Mauro’s face fell; he looked sad and confused. Then his smirk came back. “Nah. They won’t kick me out. I’m really good. What about you, Cruz? You good?”
Tess thought Cruz would back down, but the girl leveled Mauro with a glare that could cut glass. “I don’t know how good I am. I don’t have natural talent like you. But I’m working a lot harder than you are. And I’m not such a jerk.” She stood and turned to Tess. “Can I go in another group?”
“Sure.”
When Cruz walked away, Tess said, “Go on without her” and left them alone. She approached a second group by the big open windows. Murphy couldn’t see her, as she was behind him.
He said, “Man, if EMTs and firefighters have to be emotionally stable and pleasant, half the department would be ousted.”
They all laughed. Until they noticed Tess.
The kid asked, “Geez, she’s behind me, isn’t she?”
“Yes.” Tess moved so she was in his line of vision.
“You heard me didn’t you?” Murphy’s freckled face was as red as the cover of the training manual.
“I did, recruit.” She folded her arms over her chest. “And I happen to agree.”
They were surprised by her joking. Hmm, maybe she should try to lighten up a bit. But it was only the end of the second week, and traditionally, it wasn’t until halfway through that the teachers became less strict. More friendly. But her levity put them at ease. And made them more participative. She’d have to think about that. Maybe talk it over with Jack.
When class ended, she went to the front of the room. “How do you think that went, Larissa?”
“Pretty good. I hate this lesson, though. I overheard Murphy. He’s right.”
“I know. And not just for the emotionally stable and pleasant characteristics.”
They laughed together.
Larissa stacked up her things on a bookshelf off to the side. “My turn to eat with the recruits, today.”
“Mine, too. Let’s go.”
The recruits had planned a cookout, so they crossed through the gym to the outside and headed down to the pavilion. Jack stood before a large grill, flipping hot dogs and hamburgers. He was dressed in an apron, and when she got close, she saw the inscription: I’m a Firefighter. What’s Your Super Power?
“Boy, he’s attractive,” Larissa whispered. “Don’t you think?”
“Can’t say that I’ve noticed.” She and Jack still weren’t making their relationship public. “I don’t like that gray in his hair.” Which was so not true. She loved it.
When they reached him, he gave them both a sexy smile. “Hello, ladies. What’ll you have?”
You, Tess thought.
The meal was uneventful, and afterward, as everyone was heading back to the Academy, Jack touched her arm as she passed by. “Captain Righetti, a word?”
Larissa went on.
“How’d the EMS class go?”
“I think it was kind of foolish. The material covered the traits of a good firefighter or EMT.” She filled him on the details. “I agreed with Murphy.”
“Good for you.”
“And Cruz took a bite out of Mauro’s ass.”
“What do you mean?”
“She told him he was rude and asked him if he wanted to get kicked out of the Academy. He insulted her and she snapped back.”
The sun was high and slanted over Jack’s face. She caught his frown. “We don’t want tension like that among them. Did you talk to her about it?”
“No, she was right.”
“Try to go easy on Mauro, Tess.”
“Jack, we’ve been through this. I’ll do things my way; you do yours.” Then she remembered the bleak expression in Mauro’s eyes. And how her levity made the other group more at ease. “Look, I’m trying to be a little less rigid. But Mauro was way out of line and I wasn’t about to punish Cruz for doing the right thing.”
“Okay.”
“I have to go.”
Grasping her arm, he held her back. Now his expression was very male. “My car’s in the shop. I need a ride home.”
Since everybody had gone inside the building, she placed her hand on his hip, close to his ass, and squeezed. “I think I can do that. And maybe more, if you’re lucky.”
He winked at her. “Oh, I’ll be lucky, and so will you, doll.”
o0o
On Friday evening, Jack yanked open the front door as soon as he saw the car pull into the driveway. Though he’d been preoccupied with Tess, he’d missed his kids big-time. When he caught a glimpse of them, a wave of love burst through him.
Sara came running up to the porch and threw herself into his outstretched arms. “Daddy! I missed you.”
He hugged her tight. “I missed you, too, princess.”
His son followed suit with the hug. He was glad Seth was as demonstrative as Sara. He’d raised them not to stereotype, and it was good to see it worked.
Drawing back, he studied the twins. Every time they came home, they seemed changed. Sara’s hair was longer, Seth’s shorter. The sun made them even blonder. “You both look great. And older… Geez, I hate that.”
“No bad thoughts, Dad,” Seth said.
“Need help with your things?”
“We don’t have as much as we had last May.” For the sophomore year, they’d gotten an apartment together and kept it year round. Seth was taking a class in the early session, and Sara was doing research for one of her professors. So Jack had them for only about ten days. The notion made his heart hurt this time.
They carried in suitcases, and Jack went to get the last stuff out of the trunk. But what was left wasn’t clothes. It was a crate. “What the…?”
A tiny bark.
Oh, my God, they hadn’t! “Sa-ra!”
His daughter scooted back down the sidewalk. “I was going to tell you.”
The Harrisons had never had a dog, because when his kids were little and wanted one, Jack had had all he could do to take care of the twins and himself.
With uncustomary gentleness, Sara opened the crate door. Out of the small enclosure crept a puppy so small Jack could hold it in cupped hands. It was a Yorkshire terrier with beautiful copper markings.
“Boy or girl?” he asked.
Sara snorted. “Girl, of course.”
“How old is she?”
“Five months.”
“You have to take care of her while you’re home.”
Seth joined them. “I told her it was a bad idea. The beast keeps us up at night.”
“She’s still little.” Sara nuzzled the pet and sent a nasty glance to Seth. “Besides, I’m the one who tends to her at school.”
“Not always.” Seth and Jack exchanged an indulgent look.
Then Jack took the pup from her and held her close. She smelled like dog but in a good way. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Hattie,” Sara answered.
“Well, Miss Hattie, let’s go into the house.”
While the twins unpacked, he took the dog outside. After she did her duty, she tried to crawl up Jack’s leg. He picked her up again. “I’ll bet the outdoors is big and scary to you.”
After he walked her down to his room, he put Hattie on the bed and stretched out next to her. “So, how’s Sara treating you? She’s a pistol. Maybe you can keep an eye on her for me.”
Sara breezed in fifteen minutes later. “You talking to my doggie?”
“Yep. She says you’ve been behaving yourself.”
“I have. No trouble. And I got straight As for the semester.”
“Which is wonderful, honey. I already told you that.”
Wandering around the room—the girl couldn’t sit still—she made small talk. Until she turned around, holding something. “What’s this, Dad?”
He focused on what she held. Oh, dear God, he hadn’t planned on getting into this with his kids. “None of your business.”
Her blue eyes danced. “Dad, do you have a girlfriend?” She pulled a strand out of the brush. “With dark brown hair?”
His son came to the door. “Who has dark brown hair?”
“Dad’s girlfriend.”
What to do? Hell, maybe this would be a good time for the kids to get to know Tess some.
“I’ve been seeing someone, yes.”
“Are you sleeping with her?”
“Sara, that’s too personal.” This time the admonishment came from Seth.
“Why? I told him the first time I had sex. He was great about it.” She’d been seventeen and he’d fumbled his way through the whole thing. But apparently, he’d done okay.
“If you’re asking if she’s stayed the night here, she has. But she won’t when you’re home.”
“Why? I don’t care.” This from Sara.
“Me, either,” Seth told him.
“No. I wouldn’t feel comfortable.”
Sara smiled. The one that always meant trouble. “Let’s discuss it with her.”
“No way.” He stood. “You’re trying to stir things up, kiddo.”
“It’d be cool to meet her,” Seth said.
“Okay, I’ll ask her. Meanwhile, let’s go start dinner.”
“You can tell us more about her.”
Slipping an arm around each kid, he pulled them close and walked to the kitchen. Right now, he was a totally happy man.
o0o
“God, I like this place.” Tess hadn’t yet been to Badges, the fire and police hangout, in the month she’d been in Hidden Cove. She’d been too busy with her family and work. And Jack. Now she took in the firefighter and police pictures on the wall, a tribute to 9/11 in one corner and the sounds of some oldies on the jukebox.
Jenn linked arms with Connie. “I know you don’t come here much, sis, but I want you to be comfortable.” There was a time when Connie resented Jenn for being a firefighter and the three siblings excluding her.
“I’m comfortable now, Jenny. Don’t worry about me.”
They wended their way through the crowd—hearing snatches of shoptalk: the fire was really rolling…yeah, a drug bust…my wife’s mad I took a second shift…
At a table in the corner, they found their party. Girls night out, they’d called it. Megan was seated with Sophia, Tony’s wife and Lisel Woodward, whom Tess had met at the camp workday.
“Hi, Lisel. Sophia.”
Tess didn’t consider her femininity much, but these two would make Scarlet Johansson wonder if she was enough for her man. Hmm, Tess realized, she liked those words. Her man. Maybe too much. Sometimes, when she admitted what was happening between her and Jack, she got scared. Remembered losing Joey. And worried about getting too close to anyone.
While they were still standing, they were joined by another beauty, Faith Ruscio, a friend of Lisel’s. Her waist-length blond hair and delicate skin were lovely. After they took seats, she said, “Thanks for letting me come tonight. I love these outings.”
“Of course you do.” Sophia laughed. Even that was sultry. “Faith has two sets of twins, Tess.”
“Oh, wow, how do you manage?”
“I have help from Rick’s family and mine. Besides, they’re five years apart.”
Reaching for the pitcher, Tess poured some beer into a glass. Jenn did, too. Connie and Faith ordered wine.
Soon, Tess was lulled by the cozy atmosphere and the conversation: how the kids were, school getting out and plans for the summer, their jobs.
Lisel turned to her. “Do you like teaching at the Academy, Tess?”
“You know, I do. I’d rather be on the line, but I can’t because of an injury.”
Suddenly, Tess realized she’d made the comment without rancor. Without resentment. She’d have to think about when her attitude had changed.
“Do you work outside of the home, Lisel?”
“Not in theater anymore. Have you met my sister-in-law, Eve?”
“No,” Tess replied. “But I’ve heard terrific things about her.”
“She’s retired, too. We run a food cupboard for people in Hidden Cove who are poor and homeless. Believe it or not, orchestrating things takes up a lot of time.”
“If you ever need help, I’m available.” In Rockland, the fire department practically staffed a downtown soup kitchen by themselves.
Again, the talked turned personal.
From Faith: “Rick’s working so hard to keep his business flourishing.”
“Mitch is thinking about retirement.”
Sophia grinned. “Tony and I have never been happier.” She smiled. “Thanks to Jack. I’ll never forget what he did for us.”
Tess knew the story of Sophia and Tony. She wondered what it would be like to be loved so much a man would quit his revered profession for you.
“Jack’s a great guy.” This from Lisel.
Out of the corner of her eye, Tess saw Jenn and Connie exchange glances. The look on Jenn’s face was familiar to Tess. Uh-oh. Her cousin pretended innocence. “Yeah, I wish Jack had a girl. His wife’s been dead a long time.”
Please don’t let me blush, Tess prayed.
Sophia turned to her. “What about you, Tess. Is there a man in your life?”
It was the first time Tess ever wanted to discuss her love life. But of course she couldn’t. Their situation would remain confidential, except for the family knowing, for at least several more weeks. Tonight, the secrecy didn’t sit right with her.
o0o
On a special Saturday morning class, Jack watched as Tess finished lighting the fifth fire, which rose up about four feet. Its pinkish-red flames glimmered in the midday sun. Today would be the first time the recruits came in contact with the real deal. The task appeared to be a simple drill, but often, recruits failed to accomplish it.
Today, Tess was in charge. “Before we test you, tell me the four steps to activating an extinguisher.”
Anita raised her hand. “The book said to remember it as PASS. Pull the pin. Aim at the bottom of the fire. Squeeze the handles. Sweep the fire from side to side.”
“Good, Cruz.” She scanned the others. “Why do you aim at the bottom of the fire? Murphy?”
“If you aim at the top, the extinguishing element will go right through the fire.”
Jack zeroed in on Danny Mauro. His expression was remote today, as if he wasn’t even listening.
“Mauro?” Tess’s voice was neutral, but she must have noticed his expression, too. “Why sweep the bottom of the fire?”
He looked up, surprised. “Huh?”
“Not paying attention, recruit?”
“This is easy stuff. I’ve done it before.”
“We’ll see.” Tess crossed to the five extinguishers. “Come get one, everybody.”
When she handed Danny his device, she said, “Better pay attention here.” To the whole group, she added, “This drill is going to test several things. How well you studied your assignment. How you handle yourself under stress. And how quickly you react. It will be heavily weighted in your RTE this week.” The kids knew about Friday evaluations. They dreaded the assessment because it would make or break them.
“I’m going to time you,” Tess went on. “When you’re successfully done, step back.”
Mauro rolled his eyes.
“Go.”
Each raced to a fire. Landon went in close and stopped. He’d forgotten what to do already. Tess yelled, “PASS Landon.” He started the drill.
The other four had pulled the pins. One aimed at the top of the fire. One at the bottom but forgot to sweep.
And, as Danny Mauro, compressed the handles, nothing happened. He frowned. He squeezed again. He shook the extinguisher, which he should do to see if it was full. “Son of a bitch.” He rounded on Tess. “Did you do this on purpose?”
“I did. We dismantle one extinguisher every time we have the drill. We set you up so your adrenaline gets going. Make it important. Then insure something goes wrong to see how you handle it. Your grade is based on your reaction to equipment malfunction.”
“That’s not what I meant.” He was far enough away from her, but he straightened to his full height and took a few steps forward. Jack went on alert. “Did you give me the broken one on purpose? So I’d fail in front of everybody?”
“You mean because you said this was a piece of cake?”
His face reddened and he moved closer. She raised her chin. “What do you think, Mauro?”
The recruit stared at her, then gave her his back. Jack hoped the kid was calming himself. He was silent for the remainder of the class, but Jack sensed he was fuming.
Half of the recruits had made mistakes and, in the process, learned a valuable lesson. Nothing could be taken for granted in a fire. Jack wished he could say he agreed with the method used. Falling into step by Tess as she started inside, he asked, “Go for a short walk with me, will you? They have some free time now.”
Her dark eyes were troubled, and the sun made them almost mahogany. “I can’t. I’ve got—”
“It’s important, Tess.”
Nodding, she headed out toward the woods with him. “What is it, Jack?”
“I want to talk about what just happened there.”
“Where?”
“In the class.”
She stopped and faced him. “I thought the training went well. When recruits make mistakes, have their shortcomings shown to them, they learn a lot about facing the Red Devil.”
“Mauro, especially.”
“Mauro wasn’t paying attention.”
“He thinks you singled him out.”
“I did single him out.”
He jammed his hands in his pockets.
“I’m right about this, Jack. I couldn’t let his attitude in front of everybody go unchecked.”
“Do you think what you did was wise?”
She took in a breath and let it out slowly. He appreciated that she was trying to control her temper. “Obviously, you don’t.”
“I’m worried about Mauro.”
“Seriously? You should be worried about Cruz.”
“Why?”
“She’s having a rough time keeping up. I asked her about it. Turns out she has a baby and is juggling the child, her grandmother and the class.”
“Her file doesn’t indicate those things.”
“Cruz omitted that on her form because she thought she wouldn’t be accepted to the Academy if we knew her family responsibilities.”
“Why didn’t you report her?”
“Because I listened to what you said about not being too rough on the recruits. Her story’s a sad one, unfortunately typical of a lot of women.”
“I would have tried to help her. Why did she turn to you?”
“I’m not sure. She came in late once, and I called her on it. She was weepy. Her daughter was sick, and Anita didn’t sleep or have breakfast.”
“What did you do?”
“I sent her to get some food, told her to go take a nap on the cot in the room off the EMS office. I also said I was sorry her situation was difficult, but she had to follow the rules here—enough so she’d pass.”
“Good for you.”
She arched a brow. “I did listen to you.”
“You did. Still, I’m worried about Mauro.”
“He’s got to learn he can’t be so arrogant.”
Jack hadn’t wanted to bring this up again, but he had to now. “Like Joey?”
“You already asked me that. I told you I didn’t want to talk about Joey.”
“Maybe you have to. I’m wondering if you’re confusing Mauro’s attitude with Joey’s.”
“If he reminded me of Joey, I’d be easier on him.”
“Not necessarily.”
Her face blanked. She checked her watch. “I have to go in.”
“All right, thanks for listening. I appreciate it.”
She stepped in a little closer, touched his chest. “I value your work here, Jack. Of course, I listened. But you have to value mine, too.”
“You’re right. I do value it, but I’ll show that more.”
Glancing around—there was no one in the woods—she kissed his cheek and walked away.
Tess was right to want to be treated with respect, but that didn’t stop Jack from worrying about Mauro. And Tess wasn’t being honest with him. Or maybe herself. She was comparing him to Joey. Jack just didn’t know what to do about that.