Page 37 of Fighting for Tawny

They hugged and kissed him and examined him for any injuries. An EMT approached and said he needed to check Jimmy out. His parents gazed at Tawny. “Thank you. Thank you for saving our son.”

Another EMT touched Tawny’s shoulder. She winced. “We need to get you checked out, too, ma’am.”

“No. I’m fine,” she insisted.

Moira shot her a hard look. “You need to have that shoulder examined.”

“All right.” She followed the EMT to a second fire rescue truck.

The gray jumpsuits the Titans wore beneath their gear didn’t faze the couple, but Tawny saw other civilians frowning at them with suspicion. It reminded her that no matter how heroic they were, these women would always be convicts not worthy of notice or respect. Anger boiled inside her, but now was not the time to react.

In the fire rescue truck that accompanied the fire engine from Station 66, the EMT felt her shoulder with practiced hands. She unzipped her jumpsuit enough to pull down one side so he could get a look at it.

“It’s bruised, for sure,” he commented. “Put ice packs on it when you get back to camp. Your face is swollen, too, and it’s turning purple. What happened?”

She zipped up her jumpsuit. “I’m not sure. It was crazy for a bit.” Tawny didn’t mention the blow to her head. At least she didn’t feel nauseous, a sure sign of a concussion. “I’ll ice my shoulder and my face. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

When Tawny rejoined the others, Moira ordered the Titans to board the truck. As she climbed in, Whitcomb shot her a weird look…as if…as if he didn’t expect to see her. Her chest tightened.

“You did good work out there today.” His tone lacked conviction.

“Thanks.”

“It’s hard to believe you were stupid enough to let a man get you in trouble.”

“It happens. Haven’t you ever been stupid in love?”

His eyes smoldered. “Not yet.”

She smirked to herself. I can’t wait to see the look on your face when I put you behind bars. You arranged to have me killed out there.

On their way back to camp, Moira praised them. “You worked as a team, helping each other and the Chino Valley Fire Department. I’m proud of you.”

The Titans cheered and high-fived each other.

At camp, they retreated to their separate bunkhouses to take showers. Grateful to shower by herself without prying eyes, Tawny reveled under the onslaught of hot water and took her time washing the stink, dirt, and grime from her body and hair. She dressed in clean underwear and a white tank top before stepping into a gray jumpsuit. When she solved this case, she swore she’d never wear gray again. Tawny twisted her wet hair into a bun and secured it with a hair tie.

She left the bathroom and gathered everyone’s dirty laundry while Terrin and Precious prepared dinner. She carried the load to the second bunkhouse and found the washer and dryer in an alcove off the main room. In addition to two bunkbeds, this bunkhouse also had a table with four chairs and a sofa.

Tawny noticed a rollaway cot and called out to Dee, “Hey, any idea what that cot’s for?”

Dee rolled her green-brown eyes. “Yeah, Stoneface said it’s for him and Whitcomb. They sleep in shifts.”

She grinned. “Stoneface, huh? Great nickname. Suits him perfectly.” Stoneface hadn’t cracked a single smile since they arrived earlier this morning. He didn’t look too pleased to see them back from the fire, either. “What’s his real name?”

“Something like Coleson or Colfer. I didn’t pay too much attention.”

Debbie emerged from the bathroom and waved at Dee. “Your turn.”

“Thank God. I hope you saved me some hot water.”

Tawny took Debbie’s dirty jumpsuit and added it to the load. She dropped in three soap pods, set the temperature to cold water, and pushed the start button.

“When it’s done, I’ll put them in the dryer,” Debbie offered.

“Thanks. So, Dee said the cot’s for Stoneface and Whitcomb.”

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