Page 110 of Wish You Were Mine

He glanced toward the staff room door and grimaced. “Fine, but you’re not going out on calls. You can take cooking duty.”

I nodded. I’d accept what I could get. “Thanks, sir.”

He just grunted. “Get to it. Oh, and Heaton?”

“Yes, sir?”

“I never want to see you behave as recklessly as you did yesterday when we’re on a job. Got it?”

I ducked my head. I’d been expecting the rebuke. I’d known he wouldn’t want me to take Cookie’s safety into my own hands, but I had anyway. “I won’t.”

“Make sure you don’t.” A slight smile curved his thin mouth. “How’s your cat?”

“She’s fine.” We’d left her at Summer’s place, locked inside with a couple of toys, a bowl of biscuits, and her litter box.

“Glad to hear it.” He tipped his head toward me and preceded me into the staff room.

As soon as I entered, the conversation abruptly halted. To my surprise, Liam broke away from a group of men clustered around the kitchen counter and hauled me into a hug.

“How are you doing?” he asked gruffly.

“Still getting my mind around it,” I admitted, clapping him on the back and drawing away.We had a lot to talk about, but at least he obviously still gave a shit about me.

“We’re so sorry about your house,” Zane said, dragging me into another embrace.

“Do you have insurance?” Igor asked, keeping his distance even though his eyes shone with sympathy. He wasn’t much of a hugger. To be fair, nor was I.

“I do,” I replied. “I suppose I’d better call them today.”

I’d intended to make the call yesterday, but I’d been overwhelmed and sought refuge with Summer instead.

My other colleagues gathered around, each one taking the time to offer help if I needed it. My heart warmed. This group meant so much to me.

“Any idea who’s behind it?” Maia asked, passing me a coffee.

I sipped the drink. It was delicious, which meant that either Liam or Igor must have made it. “I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything from Nate or Parks, so I assume they haven’t figured it out either.”

I liked to think they’d tell me if they knew.

“No leads yet,” Parks confirmed from the doorway. “We’ll get an arson investigator in though. We’re taking this very seriously.”

As they should. I couldn’t even remember the last case of arson in Destiny Falls, besides a few kids setting bonfires that got out of control, and one woman who’d tried to dramatically burn her ex’s belongings only to have her whole garden go up in flames.

Darcy nudged my elbow. When I glanced down at him, he gestured for me to go with him. Frowning, I followed him to the side of the room, far enough away from the others that I doubted they’d be able to hear us.

“I just found out about you and Summer,” Darcy said, obviously uncomfortable. “I’m sorry if I stepped on any toes the other day. I didn’t realize you guys have something going.”

“It’s fine.” I knew I’d been an ass about the situation. He couldn’t have known how I’d felt about Summer because I hadn’t said a word. “Just don’t hit on her again.”

He laughed nervously. “I definitely won’t.”

“Then we’re all good.” I offered him my hand, and he pumped it.

The alarm sounded, and I immediately lurched into action, but stopped myself before I bolted out the door. I wasn’t on duty today. I just had to stay here and make sure my coworkers would have something to eat and drink when they got back.

I headed to the kitchen and got to work. The station was slammed with one callout after another.

When the team left within a couple of minutes of returning in the afternoon, I decided they deserved a treat. I grabbed my wallet, let Parks know where I was going, and wandered down to Taste of Destiny on foot.

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