Page 31 of Flashback

Dakota gave her a sheepish grin. “Don’t listen to them. I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” She studied his face. That same handsome smile, eyes a startling clear blue. But they did pull a little. He was in pain.

He held his side as they moved toward the building. “I’m banged up a smidge, that’s all. A dead tree fell. One of the branches got me. But I got right back up. No biggie.”

“Oh.” The tight coils around her middle loosened.

They passed one of the other firefighters—probably the oldest in the group, with his salt-and-pepper hair, but he couldn’t be more than in his forties. Not for this job.

The man stuck his hand out. “You must be Allie. Emily said you were making supper for us. I’m Charlie Benning.”

Allie shook his hand.

Dakota nudged her. “And the pretty boy coming up behind him is Orion. But don’t let that baby face fool you; he’s a hard worker.”

Allie smiled at the younger guy behind Charlie as he walked past with a pack. Another couple dragged equipment from the trucks—a petite brunette woman with a serious scowl, and a tall guy with a full beard and dark coloring.

The woman’s scowl softened as she approached Allie. “Heard about your dog. We’re keeping an eye out for him.”

“Thanks.” Allie was about to offer a handshake, but the woman was already on her way inside.

Emily walked over and whispered, “That’s the nicest I’veeverseen Sanchez. I live with the woman, and she barely talks to me.”

She definitely gave off a tough-chick vibe. “And who’s the guy that went with her?” Allie asked Dakota, since Emily had started unloading her pack.

“That was Sax. Short for Saxon. He’s pretty quiet. But all in all, it’s been a good team so far.”

“Masterson. Heads up!” someone yelled from behind her.

A water bottle came flying through the air. Dakota caught it one-handed. His arm lift revealed a long rip in the side of his shirt and blood on the white T-shirt underneath.

Allie gasped. “Dakota! That’s not fine! You’re hurt.”

“It’s a scratch. No big deal.” He turned to the door. “The guys think I’m trying to get out of work, but I’m really trying to get them to pull their weight.” His smirk revealed a long dimple in each cheek, reminding her of a young Robert Redford. Why did she have to have a thing for handsome gingers?

She gave herself a mental shake.Keep it together, Monroe. “Can I help you?”

He waved off her concern. “I’ll be fine. Just need a bandage.”

“Well, you’re gonna have a hard time reaching it.”

“I need to unload things here fir?—”

Kane wandered past them, cutting him off. “Listen to the woman. We can handle the unloading without you.” Kane hefted a couple of air tanks from the truck. “Seriously, go take care of yourself. You need to clean that cut so it doesn’t get infected.”

Dakota rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mom.”

“At least someone is taking this seriously.” Allie smiled at Kane, then settled her attention back on Dakota. “Let me check on something I have in the oven.”

He nodded and left.

He was fine. She could breathe. A few minutes to gather herself while she checked on her mac and cheese and popped the cookies in the oven, then she’d be fine too. And maybe grab her own water bottle to help her parched throat.

A few minutes later, she found the infirmary room. She took a swig of water and opened the door. Dakota stood in the middle of the tiny room without his shirt on, a well-honed abdomen on full display with impressive shoulders and arms to boot as he tried to clean his wound. She choked on her water and started coughing.

“Whoa, you okay there?” Dakota’s warm hand on her back did not help.

She coughed again and tried another sip of water. “I’m…dandy.”

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