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“Next up,” she yelled “Get ready”
Clay waited by the start line He wore shorts and a cropped T-shirt—one that exposed his sculptured abs Charlie knew exactly how that part of his body would feel against her fingers She also knew the sensation of hi her with every deep, passionate stroke of his—
“Charlie?”
“Huh? Oh Right” She blew the whistle and Clay took off Damn
She ress Before she could decide if she should watch hilanced at the screen
Her mother
Do the calls This tinore button and started to slide her cell back into her pocket It rang again
“Givedown at the screen Only it wasn’t her mother’s New York number Instead it was the 911 dispatch operator
“What?” Charlie barked, knowing she wouldn’t be contacted unless there was a problem
“Brushfire by the carounds at the north end of town” She detailed the location “Equipet there?”
Charlie thought about how long it would take her to get to the station for her gear and then to head to the ca her volunteers in
“There’s a fire,” she said “I have to go If you want to come, you may, but only if you abide by my rules Number one, stay the hell out of the way” She listed the rest of the to her truck as she spoke “If anyone breaks a single rule, you’ll be out”
She got into her truck and had already left the parking lot before any of the others even had their keys out As she drove, she thought about calling Clay Telling hiround But her pro hi to doto do the same for everyone else
WHAT SURPRISED CLAY most about the fire was the sound He’d expected the heat and s, the roar of the flames thehters Puned in a hell storm of noise
He and the other trainees gathered together behind the three engines As ordered, they observed without getting in the way Clay had been doing his hohter with his or her station by the nunized a few of the as she barked out orders
He returned his attention to the fire, aware of how the shters were gaining control When the front line shifted, the volunteers moved, as well, careful to stay out of the way
Captain Fargo yelled for a two-inch hose Clay was by the rig He quickly grabbed it and handed it to the wo to take it, then he stepped back
The afternoon was clear and war s Grass by a picnic table ignited
“Shovels,” Clay yelled, grabbing two in each hand and passing them out “This way”
He hurried toward the burning grass and started piling dirt on the fla the same In less than a minute, the fire was out
“Look around,” he told them “Check for other hot spots, but stay out of the way”
The other two guys glanced at each other, then shrugged The rest of the circle and put out a pile of s leaves When they were sure the rest of the area was secure he collected all the shovels and returned the
Captain Fargo carabbed his ar?” she asked
“There was a grass fire” He pointed to the shattered trunk of the once-tall tree and explained what had happened “We went out twenty yards and checked for hot spots We found s the shovels back so they’ll be ready when you need them”
The captain stared at hi into his “Good work,” she said at last “Now stay out of the way”
“Yes, ma’am”
The captain’s eyebrows rose, then she shook her head and she walked away
AT THE STATION, Charlie walked around the engine and confir was back in place Michelle Banfield walked up
“You know this isn’t your shift”
“It’s still ”
“Not when you aren’t working”
“Details”
Olivia Fargo strolled up “That was exciting The preliests idiots caused the fire”
Michelle groaned “Letsure it was out”
Olivia shrugged “It looks like it We’ll knowin We needed the help” She turned to Charlie “You brought the volunteers”
“I orking with theood chance for them to observe I was clear on the rules”
She braced herself for as to follow She’d already heard about Clay organizing the others to fight a sh accounts said he’d done exactly the right thing and then had returned the equipment, she wasn’t sure the captain would see it the same way Everyone knew the er A case could be made that Clay hadn’t
“You know about the grass fire?” the captain asked
Charlie nodded
“I already told Clay he did a good job He stayed calm He took control of the situation He made sure his people were safe and then he put the equip, Charlie You said to give hi to do”
“Thank you” Charlie was careful to keep her expression neutral No one needed to know that on the inside, she was doing quite the dance
“I expect him to be one of our best,” Olivia continued
Michelle turned “There it is The high sign Clay’s heading to the showers I want to enjoy the show”
Charlie’s stomach twisted But before she could react, the captain stepped in front of Michelle She drew her eyebrows together and glowered
“I must have misunderstood you, Michelle Because I kno you would cause a stink to high heaven if a man wanted to spy on you in the shower Clay Stryker is one of us now You will show him the same respect you’d show anyone you worked with Or anyone in the community, for that matter Do I make myself clear?”
Michelle flushed and ducked her head “Yes, ma’am”
Olivia sighed “I’ht idea”
Charlie exhaled slowly
Michelle waited until the captain had left to put her hands on her hips “I just wanted to look,” she grumbled
“I believe that’s illegal in all fifty states”
“But he’s perfect”