Daire strode into the station, ready for anything. Even though Silvia had finally relaxed on the ride back to her house, he was sure she would have interesting projects for him.
Still, he was happy as he stowed his personal effects and slipped on his station boots. Even knowing the day ahead could be frustrating, scary, or downright dull, it didn’t matter. The important part was that he was here. Not only because he absolutely loved his job but also because he’d come to hate his off-days. Although he still enjoyed running search and rescue with Vince, or leading kayak tours, he missed Silvia when he wasn’t working.
Obviously, she didn’t feel the same way. Maybe she never would. But every day, he felt himself fall a little bit deeper. He couldn’t imagine what life would be like if they worked opposite shifts.
He closed his eyes, picturing her in his basement, virtual boxing. A smile crept over his face when he remembered how Silvia giggled when she missed targets, how fierce she’d been when she got the hang of it. He’d been so happy watching her that he ordered her a set for herself as soon as he returned home. Now, he just needed to find an opportunity to give it to her, even though he was positive she’d balk. She’d either think he was bribing her for a good grade or that he’d overstepped a coworker relationship.
“Maybe I should ask for a transfer now,” he muttered. “Because if she never feels the same way…” He sighed, shook his head, then plastered on a smile. No way would he transfer. He’d deal with this head-on, the way he dealt with most things. He sucked in a deep breath, then left the locker area, searching for Silvia.
“Hey, man,” Spina said as he passed Daire in the hall. “Heard you had an interesting shift.”
Daire just offered Spina a “Sure did!” since the man was already halfway out the door. Spina was always running to his next showing, always looking for the next big sale that would position him in the land of comfort. Several of the guys had commented that Spina would be gone soon. He’d make enough sales, start brokering, and then let newbies do all the running.
“Grab your gear, probie!” Silvia’s words reached him before he saw her. She sure had a bigger-than-life voice and attitude for such a little thing.
He liked it. “Good morning, boss!”
She rolled her eyes. “I already told you… I’m not your boss; I’m your trainer. Now, toss your turnout gear into a duffle and meet me at my car.”
This was different. He’d expected something challenging, but where in the world was she taking him? Probably to some abandoned mine where she’d simulate a cave in.
“Where we going?”
“You’ll see.”
Daire did as she asked, except he grabbed his keys. He could at least offer to drive. He stowed his gear, then met her outside in the parking lot. She was already in her car.
He tapped on the window. “Wanna take my truck?”
Silvia shook her head, then gestured to the passenger seat.
Daire jogged around the front of the old Subaru. Spying that the cargo area was full, he tossed his gear in the back seat. Two black and yellow crates dominated the entire rear of her small hatchback.
He hopped into the front passenger seat, moving the seat back as far as it would go. Still, his knees all but touched the dashboard. “Need help moving? Not sure that’s part of my training?”
Silvia shook her head and stomped on the gas, speeding out of the parking area and onto the roadway.
Daire grabbed the OSH above the door and held on for dear life. The woman really did wish him dead. At least I won’t have to go to the family dinner on Sunday if that happens.
“Buckle up!” she demanded. “We’re firefighters. We should always present ourselves as such by following all safety guidelines.”
He tucked the piece of gum he was chewing—so his breath smelled good—to the side of his mouth, then bit down on his lip to hold back a chuckle. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Don’t be fresh.”
“Yes, sir?”
She shot him a baleful glare. “Ma’am is fine. Just don’t have an attitude when you say it.”
Daire closed his eyes, trying to conjure up his Silvia fantasy again. Nope! Wasn’t working now. There, problem solved. Spend enough time together, and he’d start to wonder what he’d been thinking falling for a woman as dangerous as a red fox. Sure, they looked sweet and cuddly, but they’re also known to carry rabies.
He laughed inwardly at his thoughts. Silvia did run around like a rabid animal sometimes.
Only minutes away, Silvia pulled into the elementary school.
“Oh, was there a fire here?” Daire asked.
“Nope. We’re teaching fire safety to second graders today. You’re going to be Sparky the Dog.”
Daire choked on a breath. “I’m what?”
“Those crates in the cargo area… You’re gonna dress like Sparky the Dog.”
He sputtered out a laugh. “O-kay. Don’t I need training for that?”
She laughed. “I’m just kidding you. I didn’t bring the Dalmatian costume today, but you will help me present. Just do what I tell you to do, and improvise—” She tossed him another hard look. “Don’t over-improvise. No upstaging me. Just follow my lead, okay.”
Daire nodded. This could be interesting. “Do you do this a lot?”
“Yeah. I used to do it with Malaspina, but he’s been too busy lately, so LT suggested I show you.”
“All right, then. I’ll be your Sparky.”
The look she offered him this time held less malice. Maybe she wasn’t such a hard nut to crack after all. At least she responded sensibly, most of the time, and it was easy to tell when she was happy or sad. He did appreciate that. He hated wondering what a woman was thinking. Silvia’s thoughts were usually written all over her face. Then again, he’d been trained early on to know what others were thinking just by reading their facial clues. His brother Alex had taught him well, telling him it saved lives during rescues and it didn’t hurt to know what women were thinking.
Silvia parked, then walked around to the cargo area.
Daire followed her lead but opened the rear door, hooking his duffle bag over his shoulder, assuming she wanted him to bring it.
She pointed to the cargo boxes. “Can you get those, too?”
“Sure.” Daire piled them on top of each other; thankfully, they were lighter than they looked. He waited as Silvia slammed the liftgate and headed to the large rectangular building. Like most schools, it had an institution look. Red brick with dark tinted windows and solid steel doors. The surrounding parking lot was empty of souls. Even the playground looked deserted.
Inside the building, Silvia walked the halls as if she knew exactly where she was going. She hooked a left into a room marked Teacher’s Lounge, then pointed to the table. “Set them down, there. They’re for afterward. Bring your turnout gear.”
Silvia walked out of the breakroom, glanced at her watch, then strolled down the corridor again. She knocked on a door marked Mrs. Williams.
“Wait here.” She knocked, then turned back to him. “And lose the gum!”
Daire dropped his bag outside the door, then walked toward the nearest trashcan. “Yes, ma’am,” he groused under his breath. “See, Daire, getting easier and easier.”
He scanned the empty hall plastered with artwork, school notices, and healthy reminders of what to do and not to do. He laughed as he pictured the two of them in grade school. He probably would have pulled her ponytail and, in return, she most likely would have slugged him.
As he strolled back to the door, he heard the teacher introduce Silvia as a firefighter paramedic. He leaned against the wall, crossing his legs at his ankles, wondering why she’d left him out here.
“Good morning!” Silvia spoke, her voice even louder than the teacher. “Who wants to meet a real firefighter?”
The class cheered.
Is that my cue?
“Okay…here he is. Daire, come in, please.”
Daire picked up his bag and opened the door. All heads turned, but they seemed confused.
“That’s Firefighter Daire,” Silvia said. “He looks just like a regular guy, but watch…as Daire morphs into Super Fireman!”
“Yay!” the kids screamed, and Daire understood what was happening.
Silvia motioned Daire to the front of the room. “First of all. See Daire’s boots. Those are called Station Boots.” Daire realized it was time for improvising and held up his right foot. “Unlike how most of you probably have to tie your tennis shoes in the morning, Daire’s boots have zippers, so when he hears this sound…” Silvia clicked a buzzer in her hand, making a sound similar to the firehouse’s alarm. “He can quickly slip out of his boots and into what we firefighters call our turnout gear.”
Daire unzipped his bag and set out his gear. He slipped off both boots, then stepped into his bunker pants.
“See what he’s putting on first? Those are called bunker pants,” Silvia said. “How many of you wish you could put your shoes and pants on at the same time?”
Half the students’ hands went up.
“It’d save a lot of time when you have to go to school, huh?”
“Yeah!” the kids agreed.
Daire pulled the suspenders over his shoulders and buckled all his clips. Next, he reached for his coat.
“See how thick his coat is?” Silvia continued. “Can anyone tell me why?”
Hands shot up, and Silvia pointed to a little redheaded boy in the middle of the room. “To save him from fire?”
“Exactly. Do any of you have coats like this?”
“No…” the class mumbled in unison. Daire modeled his outfit so far, turning left and right and walking a pretend runway as if he were a model. When the class started to laugh, Silvia turned, and he looked up at the clock innocently, pulling more laughs.
“Now, Daire will put on his oxygen tank,” Silvia offered. “We firefighters connect the tank to a mask because, in a fire, you can’t breathe. This helps us search houses, looking for victims. So we can fight the fire without breathing in smoke.”
Daire followed up with his mask, hood, hat, and gloves.
“See, class, it’s Super Firefighter Daire. Does he look scary?”
A chorus of “Yeahs” and “Nos” traveled over the room.
Silvia pointed to a little blond girl in the front. “Why does Daire look scary?”
The girl giggled and lowered her head.
“It’s okay. He does look scary, but he’s not. It’s important that when the fire alarm goes off at home or here in school, you know that a superhero like Daire will be looking for you. What’s your name, sweetie?”
“Amy,” the little girl said in a whisper.
“Can you yell really loud if you have to, Amy?”
The little girl jutted out her chin and offered Silvia a quick nod.
Silvia turned to Daire. “Daire, go in the hall until you hear the fire alarm.”
Daire did as Silvia instructed.
“Now,” Silvia said at the top of her voice. “Let’s say you’re trapped in your room, and you can’t get out. Quick, Amy, hide under Mrs. Williams’s desk to protect yourself.”
Daire heard a bit of a commotion. Then, a few seconds later, the buzzer sounded. He charged into the room. “Did someone call for Super Firefighter Daire?” He looked up. “This doesn’t look good. Smoke is everywhere. I better get on my hands and knees below the smoke.”
Daire dropped to all fours.
“See, kids. You want to get below the smoke, so you can breathe. You should always try to get out of the house, but if you can’t find a window or a door that’s not free from fire, get under a desk or table to protect you if the roof falls.”
“Hello!” Daire called. “Is there anyone in here?”
“When the Superhero Firefighter calls for you, make sure you answer him. He’s not a stranger. He’s in your house to help you.”
“Help!” Amy called.
“Where are you?” Daire asked.
The other kids pointed, but Daire acted as if he couldn’t see through the smoke.
“I’m over here. Help!” Amy called again.
Daire crawled back and forth on his hands and knees, purposely heading in the wrong direction.
“Can you help him, class? Clap as he gets closer to Amy. Amy, make sure you scream loud so the firefighter can hear you.”
Daire turned, and the class clapped, so he crawled closer, but then bumped his head against a desk, and the kids laughed.
“Help me, Superhero Firefighter!” Amy called again, and Daire crawled toward the young girl.
“I got you!” He lifted her and carried her to the door, and the class clapped. He set her down. “Good job, Amy!”
“See, class, our Superhero Firefighter needs you, so make sure you tell him where you are hiding. We also need you to ask your mommies and daddies about the fire alarm in your house and what you should do if you hear it. Does anyone know why we touch a door before opening it?”
Two hands shot up, and Silvia pointed to a dark-haired boy. “If it’s hot, it could mean there’s a fire on the other side.”
“Exactly! You must have been in my class last year.”
The boy flashed a wide white smile, a clear gap showed he’d just lost a tooth, but that didn’t stop him from grinning at Silvia.
“Now, who knows what to do if you feel fire on your clothes?”
Half of the class roared the answer: “Stop! Drop! Roll!”
“That’s right!” Silvia said. “Man, you guys are smart! You’re so smart that Superhero Firefighter Daire has some gifts for you.” Silvia waved him off, so Daire took off down the hall for the crates. He removed his hat and mask, then carried the boxes back to the room.
When he stepped back inside, the entire room was laughing. He tilted his head. “Is Miss Silvia telling stories?”
“Yeah!” the class roared again.
“Well, then, I’ll have to get her to tell me.”
Silvia raised her hands to her lips, and the class giggled. She walked over to Daire and removed the tops of the boxes. Inside were red plastic firefighter hats and fire safety booklets.
Silvia flashed him a smile that caused his stomach to flip, then she dug inside, reaching for the prizes. “Once again, class, under the mask, we see Daire is just a regular guy, nothing to be afraid of, right? Now you know that when he hears a fire alarm, he transforms into Superhero Firefighter and saves the day.”
Daire smiled as the warm words melted through his entire being.
~ Silvia ~
Back in the car, Silvia turned to Daire. “You did a great job in there.”
After they’d passed out the prizes, Daire patiently answered all of the children’s questions. He was perfect for the role because he wasn’t scary. Not at all. And yet, to Silvia, that was very scary. She didn’t like these feelings he was bringing out in her. Not when she couldn’t act on them.
He shrugged. “Thanks, Sil. Like I said, I’m getting used to having young kids around. Plus, it was fun—and important. I loved teaching them munchkins about fire safety. Who knows…maybe a few of them will want to be first responders when they grow up.”
“Let’s hope.” When LT had suggested she take Daire, she’d been sure that he would have balked or been embarrassed…or worse, thought teaching kids was boring work. He hadn’t done any of those things. He probably would have even worn the Sparky the Dog suit if she’d asked him to. “So, next time…” she teased. “Maybe we’ll bring the Dalmatian suit.”
He shrugged. “Okay. Sounds like fun.”
Silvia started the car. Fun? Most of her fellow firefighters recoiled at performing for school children. They’d rather fight fires, which she understood. But, somehow, teaching kids what to do and not to do was also fun. And it was necessary. Kids tended to hide from strangers. She knew that from experience. And in real life, a fluffy white dog didn’t show up to rescue them. Nope! A man in a scary spacesuit did, so she’d realized the importance of showing kids that there was a human under the turnout gear.
Daire was a good pick. He didn’t come off as threatening as Malaspina did, either. Not that Spina was threatening; any large man could come off as scary to kids.
Yeah, Daire was a good pick.
Damn. She didn’t need to be thinking good things about Daire.
After they grabbed a quick lunch and two Starbucks lattes—both through drive-thru, as she didn’t need to be seen out with Daire—she drove back to the station, still thinking about how Daire had been a good pick.
“You okay?” Daire asked as she pulled into the parking spot outside the station.
She shook her head, then looked at him, crinkling her nose. “Yeah. Why?” How had he known I’d upset myself with stupid thoughts? Thoughts I shouldn’t be having.
He shrugged. “It’s just… You get a certain look whenever you’re upset.”
“I do? What look?” She tapped her temples and around her eyes as if she could actually feel the look he was referring to.
He flashed that fantastic smile of his. “I’m not giving away your tells. They may come in handy someday.”
“Hey… That’s not—”
He opened the door and hopped out, then reached in the back for his turnout gear. He grinned, then moved to the rear of the vehicle. He opened the hatch, stacked the boxes, then strolled toward the station, ignoring her complaint.
Silvia’s heart pounded for no good reason. Because he knew she was upset? Knew her supposed tells? That didn’t mean anything. Her abuela had always said she could read her like a book. “Maybe I should have asked her what my tells were.”
Instead of dwelling on her supposed tells or thinking about how cute Daire had looked crawling around the floor with the little kids, Silvia grabbed her stuff and headed to her locker.
Therese strolled into the locker room, swaying her hips as if dancing to a beat only she heard. “Ooh-la-la, Silvia. I just saw Daire, and he looked like the cat that swallowed the canary. Did you love birds have a fun field trip?” The apparently sex-crazed woman plopped down on the bench, head wobbling in her silly superior fashion. “It sure looks like you kids had fun. Is that a blush riding high on Stone-cold Silvia’s cheeks?”
Silvia stared up at Therese from beneath her lashes as she pulled on her station boots. “We kids taught fire safety to second graders, Frenchie. Since when is that fun? And no, I’m not blushing. I’m tired. It’s hard work keeping up with school children.”
“Hmm…” Therese tapped a short red fingernail to her lips. “When you’re working side-by-side with the hottest first responder in Alaska, fire safety is a must and certainly could be fun, I’m sure. Did y’all… You know? Stop, drop, and roll?”
Silvia smacked the woman. “You’re stupid.”
“I’m stupid? Who’s the absurd woman who can’t see that boy’s in love with you?”
“What are you talking about? Daire’s not—” Silvia dropped her voice. Even though they were in the locker room, the walls were thin inside the station. And who knew who lingered on the other side, looking for gossip. Firefighters were some of the worst for spreading rumors, especially true stories. “Daire’s not in love with me. And stop saying crap like that. Someone will hear you and think it’s true.”
Therese leaned her head back against the wall. “You’re blind, Sil. He’s been in love with you for almost a year now. You just can’t see it because you refuse to acknowledge your womanly needs.”
Silvia smacked her knees. “How many times do I have to tell everyone? I don’t date first resp—”
Shooting her palm forward, Therese stood. “Save it, ma chéri! I’m not asking to date you. And besides, you don’t not date just first responders; you don’t date anyone. I don’t even prefer men, and I’ve been out with more guys than you have in the last few years.”
Silvia threw her sneakers inside the locker, slammed it shut, then strolled after Therese, catching her before she left the locker area. “Even if I were interested, I’m not. But even if I were… We work together, Frenchie. How would that even work out?”
Therese smiled and wiggled her dark brows. “It works out just fine, believe me.” After issuing that useless piece of advice, Miss French Kiss blew Silvia an air kiss and strolled out of the locker room.
Silvia sank to the bench again and dropped her head into her hands. “And you promised Daire you’d go to his family’s house on Sunday. How exactly will that work out?”
What had she been thinking bringing Daire along? She should have spoken up to LT right from the start. She had no business working with Daire when she found him so freaking attractive.
“Damn,” she whispered to herself. “What am I going to do? Even if he is interested. I can’t bring anyone into my nightmare. You know this, Silvia. If you get serious about a guy, he’ll learn the truth.”
The buzzers sounded—all of them. Red and blue lights strobed. “Residential Structural Fire. Engine. Special Apparatus. Medical.”
Silvia was already on her feet before she even heard medical. The automated voice had her at residential.
At her turnout station, she craned her head, searching for Daire. Without finding him, she charged toward Ambulance One’s driver’s seat.
“Already here!” Daire called.
Silvia darted around the front and took position in the passenger seat, where she preferred. She would rather man the onboard computer, so she had as much information as possible before they arrived at the scene.
Even though Daire would be last in line, she read off the address. They waited as the chief and LT barreled out of the garage in the Ford F-150, followed by the engine and special apparatus.
“That’s those huge new apartment buildings,” Daire said. “Not our area, so it must be bad. Lots of children.”
Yeah, Silvia thought. Five buildings. Three stories each. Frame-built. If the fire jumped… She didn’t like the sound of that at all. Silvia looked at her watch. The fire safety class had been the last period of the day for the students, so yeah…many of them would already be home.
As soon as Daire arrived at the address, Silvia noticed one of the other departments in the Mat-Su area had already shown up. Several firefighters were already on the ground, hoses aimed at the eaves. Another was on the Ladder, aiming a hose at the roof.
Black and gray smoke billowed from the center of one of the larger apartment buildings. Red and orange flames danced across the roof as if running from the streams of water. Where there had once been a balcony was nothing but charred and melted wood and metal.
Daire parked the ambulance far away from the engine and special apparatus. They both hopped out at the same time.
“Are we going in?” Daire asked. She could see the ache to help in his dark eyes.
“No. We have to be here if anyone needs us medically.”
Silvia listened through her headset for instructions from the chief, but the danged thing didn’t seem to be working. She checked that her radio was on, then checked the volume.
“Is your headset working?” she demanded.
“Yeah. They’re on Offensive, checking the other buildings. This one…” He pointed to the blaze in front of them. “Chief’s already called Defensive.”
“You think?” Silvia paced the walk, looking for anyone who might need aid. No civilians were on this side. “Come on.” She darted to the side of the building, away from the other department, but also to make sure there were no residents in need of help.
Outside the north side of the building, Silvia looked up. “What the heck?” she screamed over the roar of water and engines. Fighting fires was anything but quiet.
Daire stepped closer. “What did you see?”
“Top floor. Someone pulled back the curtain.” Silvia darted her eyes back and forth, looking for anyone who could help. No firefighters were on this side. Without thinking, she charged toward the outside stairway. Thankfully, the wood structure led to each floor.
“Silvia!” Daire shouted from behind her. “What are you doing?”
“There’s a child up there! Mayday the chief. My radio’s not working.”
“Are you sure? Maybe it was the wind.”
She ignored him and started climbing. Yes, she was sure, and there was no time to waste explaining how certain she was.