Page 31 of Burn for Me
“Kitty, the building– It collapsed before they could get him out. I need to get back. We’re busy moving rubble so we can get to him. But I wanted to come tell you first. I didn’t want you to hear it from anyone else, maybe on the news.”
Shock and fear held her in a painful grip. Stumbling back to the sofa, she sat down. She never said a word. Couldn’t get a word out. The words seemed to be trapped in her throat along with the bubble of hysteria she was trying really hard not to let escape. She was terrified if she opened her mouth, all that hysteria would come bubbling forth.
“I’m sorry, Kitty.” Kyle took her hand. “We know the risk we take when we pull on the uniform. It’s a choice we make. Our family and friends, they accept it only because they love us. But it’s hard on them. Especially at times like this.”
“Please, Kyle, bring him home. Please?”
“I promise to do my damnedest to make it happen. I have to get back now, but I’ll be in touch.” With a gentle squeeze of the hand he held, Kyle rose.
“I’ll see you out,” Elenore said, leading him to the door. Kitty sat exactly in the same position as when her mother had escorted Kyle to the door. She felt Elenore pull her into an embrace and let herself relax into it.
“I’m so sorry, Pussycat,” she heard her mother whisper.
Sitting like that for a while, Kitty drew comfort from her mother’s presence. Her mind reeled with all that had happened to her in the last couple of days. She’d lost her business, but she could rebuild that. What if she lost Gray too? It didn’t bear thinking that she could lose him before they even had a chance to explore where these feelings between them could go.
* * *
Yes!We did it. We warned you, Mr Fire Investigator. You wouldn’t listen. Now you are gone, and she is all ours again. Just as it should be.
Standing amongst the crowd that had gathered as the workday was beginning, they watched as the rescue crew worked to remove the rubble to get to the trapped man. Excited chatter from the onlookers centred around what was going on. Speculation was rife. But they knew. And they rejoiced.
Chapter Twelve
Kitty sat gluedto the television. It had been hours, and she’d barely moved. Was too afraid to move in case she missed something. The fire had made the national news, so there were reporters on scene reporting live. It seemed a nation was holding its collective breath to hear whether the “firefighter trapped beneath the rubble” would be rescued. It was still uncertain whether he was alive, but he had a nation praying he was.
Sitting in her living room, Kitty felt like she was losing her mind. There’d been no news from Kyle yet. Apparently, they’d not yet managed to remove enough rubble to determine Gray’s status. That constant worry gnawed at her – the not knowing. Would she ever get to see that beautiful smile he saved especially for her again? Feel the sheer bliss of those strong arms holding her tight? Taste his passion as he kissed her?
Why was this happening? Not just to them but to Gray specifically. He brought so much good to the world. So much brightness. It felt like they were being punished. As if this budding relationship wasn’t being given a chance at all.Please God, let him be okay?
Pulling her legs up, Kitty rested her chin on her knees. Wrapping her arms tightly around herself, she continued to watch the screen. So absorbed in what she was watching, she never heard the gate buzzer or her mom letting visitors in. Morgan and Leyla rushed into the room.
“Hey, precious. Mom called, and we rushed right over,” Morgan said. Dropping to the seat beside her, she pulled Kitty into her arms, hugging her tight.
“Hey, babes. We got here as soon as we could,” Lee added, taking a seat on the coffee table in front of her, looking uncomfortable.
Resting her aching head on Morgan’s shoulder, she looked at Lee with tired, aching eyes. “Thanks for coming, but it wasn’t necessary.”
“Of course it was. Why on earth would you say that? We know you’re hurting; where else would we be when you need us?” Morgan replied.
Lee never said a word. Simply nodded her agreement.
“Thank you, loves. I know I can always count on the two of you.” Kitty sighed. “I must look a frightful sight.”
“Come then. Let’s get you in the shower and some food into you. I’m sure you’ll feel a bit better after that.”
By the timeKitty got out of the shower, she was feeling a little more human, if not much better. Her tired brain kept looping through the thought that she wasn’t ready for the possible outcome of this horrible situation. She and Gray were only getting started, and it could already be over.
Then a chilling thought popped into her head, stilling her hand as she tugged a brush through her wet hair. Could she do this every day? For a lifetime? If, by some miracle, Gray survived this and their relationship deepened, could she go through this fear every time he went to work? Danger was part of his job. Could she learn to live with it? Or would it consume her a little more each time he walked out the door?
She needed to give it some thought. As much as she was attracted to Gray, loved spending time with him, talking to him, she wasn’t sure she could do this. She wasn’t sure she was strong enough.
Taking a couple of pain pills to help with the headache that was the result of all the tears and tension of the day, she gave herself one last look in the mirror. Time she got back to the others before they came looking for her.
She walked into the living room to find all three ladies sitting watching the television. The look on their faces told her all she needed to know. There’d been no good news while she’d been getting cleaned up. When her mom spotted her standing in the doorway, she got to her feet.
“I’ll make you some toast and scrambled egg.” Opening her mouth to decline the food, her mother beat her to it. “You need to eat something. You’ll make yourself sick if you don’t.”
Knowing it was pointless to argue, she simply nodded. Her mother headed for the kitchen. Taking her usual spot on the sofa, Kitty curled her legs under her as she sat.
