Page 27 of Shelter for Morgan

"I just have to stay awake for a little while..."

RHETT

The firetruck was pulling into the driveway when Cowboy chuckled. "That car is awesome."

"Which car?" Abe was driving and probably hadn't seen the car while he was keeping his eyes on the path they were taking.

"The camo painted car."

Claude?

Rhett sat up and craned his neck to look through the windshield.

It was Claude.

"Morgan's here."

He hadn't said it out loud to get a reaction. He was just surprised.

And... pleased.

Knowing they were just about to pull into the station, Rhett leaned forward and tapped his lieutenant on his shoulder. "Cowboy? I think my roommate, Morgan, is here. Do you mind if I check in and see if she's okay?"

Cowboy almost hid the curious look that turned in his direction, but not quite.

Still, his lieutenant didn't make a big deal about the request. "Sure. Go ahead."

Rhett wasn't someone who shirked duties. He was usually the first one to dig in and get things done, so he didn't think Cowboy would've had an issue, but he still asked.

Rhett did what he was supposed to do.

Always.

When the truck came to a stop and Rhett swung his door open and jumped down to the ground. He shrugged off his turnout coat and found it taken straight out of his hands.

Abe waved him off and headed into the gear room with Rhett's coat hung over his arm.

The interaction felt good.

Walking into the common room felt better.

Kylie touched her index finger to her lips to keep him quiet. Thora, who was holding Pax gestured at the couch against the wall.

Rhett turned and stopped short.

Morgan was sleeping, her legs curled up on the couch, but the most amazing part of the view was little Gia, Rush's daughter, fast asleep on Morgan's chest.

The sight before him did something to his heart, making it swell to what felt like twice its size. Gia had a handful of Morgan's hair held loosely in her grip. And Morgan? Even in sleep, she had a rock-solid hold on the little girl.

Kylie's voice reached him even though he felt like he was in a daze.

"She's wonderful, Rhett. We had a nice visit and then before we knew it, Gia pulled herself to her feet and walked along the couch. Morgan picked her right up."

Thora stepped into his line of sight just behind Kylie. Pax was nodding off against her shoulder. "Kylie and I were talking about something and then we looked over and they were just out like a light."

The two women were watching him, and he had a feeling that they were looking for some kind of reaction.

Part of the fun and the pain of having an extended family at Station Seven was that they all watched out for each other. Kylie and Thora had quickly become a part of that family and Rhett felt like they were as close to sisters as he'd ever had. Mainly because someone had explained that sisters were girls that, while you loved them, they felt the need to meddle in your life.

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