Page 93 of In Safe Hands
“He was ordered to evacuate.” Her voice was flat as another layer of guilt settled over her. “Chief Early told Ian to get out of the house, but he wouldn’t because I wouldn’t leave.”
“It’s not the first time.” Junior reached a hand toward her, as if to give her a consoling pat on the shoulder, but he withdrew it without touching her after a wary glance at Chris. “Not even the tenth. Walsh has some issues with the command structure. Chief says, ‘Get your ass out of there now,’ and Ian’s brain adds, ‘Unless you have a better idea.’”
“He won’t leave anyone behind.” Although Rory was frowning as she watched the door, she didn’t seem angry at Daisy. “Much less a friend.”
“Should I talk to the chief?” Daisy asked, leaning back against Chris. His arms tightened around her, and she felt even guiltier for receiving comfort that she didn’t deserve. All of this had been her stupid fault. “If anyone is reprimanded, it should be me. Ian probably won’t even tell him about the knee strike.”
“I’m still waiting to hear about that.” Although Junior’s tone was light, there was still tension underneath his teasing. Like Rory, his gaze was fixed on the door.
Daisy smiled halfheartedly. “I think I’ve done enough damage to Ian today. You don’t need more ammunition.”
“But it’s important to give Beauty a hard time,” Junior protested, his amusement becoming more genuine. “If we don’t shrink that head of his, it’ll explode. The dude is seriously too hot for his own good.”
Opening her mouth, Daisy closed it again without speaking, not sure how to respond to that. When she glanced at Rory, she saw the other woman roll her eyes and look briefly amused. Daisy decided to change the subject for the good of them all.
“Who’s watching the gun store?” she asked Rory.
“No one.” Rory turned her attention away from the door as she answered. “When the call came through, I stuck my ‘Back Later’ sign on the door and headed this way. Ian beat me here, though, since he was already at the Simpson grocery store when he heard the call. He left his basket of food and ran outside. When he heard the sirens of Rescue One approaching, he realized they’d go right by the store, so he grabbed his bunker gear from his Bronco, flagged them down, and hitched a ride.”
“Should we see if they’re done boarding up the windows?” If they weren’t, she’d rather not wander into the kitchen or living room and face the gaping holes, but her phobia had caused enough issues for the day. She was going to pretend to be a normal person, just for a while.
“I’ll go check,” Rory volunteered, darting out the door even before she finished saying the words.
“And I’ll make sure Rory doesn’t decide to defend her man by shooting the chief or something.” Grabbing his medical bag, Junior followed her into the hall.
When they were alone, Daisy craned her neck to look up at Chris. At that oblique angle, all she could really see was the underside of his jaw—his very tense jaw.
“You okay?” she asked, trying to pull away so she could look more directly at his face.
“No.” His other arm joined the first, so she was doubly locked to his chest.
Giving up on her escape attempt, she relaxed in his hold, feeling the usual rush of security and desire. She’d happily spend the rest of her life in Chris’s arms.
“You could’ve died, Dais,” he said, his voice rough. “I couldn’t do anything out there, except watch your house and pray it didn’t explode.”
“I’m sorry.” Patting his arm, she winced. Her apology seemed so…paltry in response to the residual terror she could hear in his words.
“I know.” His lips pressed against the top of her head. “And I know there’s nothing you can do, except continue what you’ve been doing. It’s just that I’ve always thought you were safe in your house. Now, with the fire across the street and this gas leak… It feels like you’re stuck in a trap.”
“Yeah.” The same thought had occurred to her, and she shivered. “My thinking brain knows that, but the rest of me is determined that outside is the scariest place.” That time, when she pulled away, Chris let her go. She stood and turned to face him full-on, so he could see how serious she was about her next words. “I’m going to do it, Chris. I’m going to get out of here.”
“Yeah, you will.” She could tell he truly believed it, and her chest warmed. Having Chris on her side made everything seem possible, and it made her even more determined to become the partner he deserved. It was terrifying, the thought of leaving the house, but the idea of continuing her lonely, trapped life was even more frightening. She stood on her toes, stretching up to meet him as he bent to kiss her.
Their lips had barely made contact when Junior’s voice made them jerk apart. “Yo. Windows are done, and you’re needed in the kitchen.”
“Which ‘you’?” Chris asked, not hiding his irritation at the interruption very well.
Junior shrugged with a grin and then disappeared from the doorway.
His chest lifting and then falling again in a silent sigh, Chris pressed his lips to her temple and then took a step back. “Ready?”
He didn’t specify what exactly he was asking. Was she ready to face the broken windows, the other firefighters, the chief, Ian, or her stove? Except for the last one, the honest answer was “no.” But when Chris held out a hand, his smile closer now to his usual happy one, she interlaced her fingers with his.
“Let’s do this.”
Chapter 20
