Page 3 of Built of Flames

“I wish you would agree to an overnight stay. You’re going to be in a lot of pain, and the less movement, the better.”

Isabella shook her head as a nurse walked into the room with a smile. “I’ve got information on your friend.”

The smile meant good news. Right?

“Mr. Garin is currently in recovery. The doctor placed some stents into his arteries. The surgery went well, and Mr. Garin’s prognosis is excellent.”

Relief had Isabella’s knees weakening, and she grabbed onto the gurney for support. Roberto would be okay. “Can I see him?”

The nurse exchanged a look with the doctor and then grinned. “I think we can sneak you into the recovery area without a fuss. But only for a minute.”

Isabella knew the station would call the hospital for updates, but she wanted to reassure them when she got back that she’d seen everyone’s favorite crewman and that he was going to be fine.

She followed the nurse through the emergency waiting room, surprised not to see anyone from the station there. Usually someone off duty came to check on each person in the hospital. If five firefighters had been hurt, five off-duties came to check.

With her injuries being minor compared to Roberto, she shouldn’t be surprised, but it still hurt. As chief, her dad was at the station and her brother was on duty, but she was still surprised to see no one checking on her.

Putting that aside and focusing on one foot in front of the other without whimpering, Isabella followed the nurse through the staff door and down a few hallways.

At the door to recovery, the nurse pointed to the bed on the left of the room. “He’ll be groggy, but he’s coming out of it. I’ll talk to the staff, but you’ve likely got a single minute.”

“Thanks.” Isabella blinked back tears as she approached the bedside.

“Roberto?” Her voice was whisper-soft, but her friend’s eyes blinked open anyway.

“My hero.” His sloppy grin made her smile.

“You’ve always been mine. How you feeling?”

“Alive. Thanks to you. You saved me, Bella.”

“You know I’d do anything for you.” He’d been her father’s friend from the firehouse and had watched Isabella and Christo grow up. He’d been to family birthday parties and graduations. Her mom’s funeral. Roberto was the kind of man she wished her father could be. He was a person she tried to emulate in every single way.

“You’re okay?” His voice growled, probably from the smoke and the surgery.

Roberto’s eyes were blinking slowly, and he was drifting off to sleep. Isabella leaned down to kiss his cheek. “I’m okay. Sleep well, Roberto. I’ll see you soon.”

Isabella stood for a moment, blinking back her tears. The best person she knew was going to recover. It was a good day.

She wanted to get to the root of this arson, find out who had done it and why. Then she wanted them locked up forever for hurting this man.

Not even Roberto knew she was taking the arson courses. She’d tell him the next time he woke and swear him to secrecy until she decided on her next steps. Their town couldn’t afford its own investigator. Moving away from Kelsor was a huge step, and she wanted to be sure she was ready.

The nurse took her back through the corridors to the emergency department and then left her there. Isabella realized her wallet and cell phone were both back at the station, but she got the lady at the information desk to call a ride service for her. Thanks to her preference for online shopping, she knew her credit card number.

The ride wasn’t long, but Isabella was worn out by the time they reached the station. All she really wanted was to collapse and sleep for a day or two. At least her apartment was a short drive.

When she arrived at the station, the larger engine sat in the open bay, but the other probably remained on the warehouse scene. Investigating. That’s where she wanted to be, what she wanted to be doing. Her body would prevent that today, but she was almost there. Next week, she’d be done, and she hoped to remain at the top of her class after this final exam. What would her father think about that? Would he finally be proud of her?

She also wondered how Mitch would react. Would her brother’s best friend finally notice her as something more than Christo’s little sister? She was pretty sure she’d seen interest and attraction in his eyes. Was the no-fraternization rule the problem, or was she imagining things?

Isabella shoved the thoughts to the side. First, she had to deal with today. Pain and fatigue dragged her steps and for once she was thankful her designated locker room was on the first floor. The former storage closet didn’t boast a shower, but she didn’t have the energy for that at the moment.

As she neared the station doors, Kent Speers shoved past her, bumping her injured arm on his way in for a shift. Pain shot up through her, and she bit her lip to keep in the gasp.

Of course, there was no apology from Kent and she heard a few snickers from a couple of her squad mates who were cleaning the equipment. Most of them ignored her as she entered. Paul made eye contact, then nodded and turned back to the hoses. Negative vibes filled the room. They were worried about Roberto, too. She’d fill them in once she spoke to the chief.

No one spoke as she moved to the locker room and grabbed her purse. She didn’t have the energy to change into her regular clothes, so she grabbed her keys, then slung the bag over her good shoulder.

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