Page 14 of Over and Above

That respect, along with our history, made it easier to voice the doubts that had plagued me for weeks. “How?”

“You’re looking for a procedures manual where there isn’t one.” Sean met my gaze with kind eyes. “Parenting adult kids is a whole new challenge. And trust me, I know how hard it can be, especially when they don’t want to take our advice.”

“I miss when they listened.” I gave a weary chuckle, which Sean matched. His son was Declan, my former roommate, along with Jonas. Declan was older than Maren, but nevertheless, he’d given Sean more than a few white hairs when he’d started dating Jonas.

“Tell me about it.” Sean leaned back in his plastic chair. “But Maren—and you—will make it through this.”

“I’m uncertain she’ll ever fully forgive me for making the suggestion about the adoption option.” I’d confessed that blunder to Sean shortly after it had happened.

“She asked you to be there today.” Sean pointed his index finger at my chest. “You, out of all her friends, were the one she chose to be her witness. Trust.”

“Well, when you put it like that…” I trailed off because maybe things truly were that simple. Maren and I had always been close. While I’d assumed she’d asked simply to match Diesel wanting his dad there, perhaps I needed to give us both more credit. Like Sean said, we’d make it through even these rocky, unchartered waters. “Magnus gave them the gift of a wedding night at a bed and breakfast. It doesn’t help matters any that he’s already the perfect in-law and grandfather-to-be.”

“Sure, it also doesn’t help that he’s under your skin.” Sean delivered this barb with a shockingly casual tone.

“Who said he’s under my skin?”

“Anyone who’s watched you try to avoid The Heist the last few months. I don’t know what’s up there.” He shrugged before giving an impish grin. “With other friends, I’d suggest you bang it out, but your kid isn’t the only one who takes advice badly.”

“The last thing this situation needs is Magnus and me banging.” I offered him a harsh stare, but Sean’s smile didn’t so much as dip. “We’re about to be co-grandparents. In-laws.”

“But you don’t deny wanting to bang.” Sean held up a finger like he’d scored some sort of point. “Which is progress, Eric. Truly. And if not Magnus, then someone. You’re too young to be alone the rest of your life.”

“And old enough to know better than to attempt dating—or banging—as a single dad of four.” Even before Montgomery, I’d never been the hookup or one-night stand type. Even assuming my libido would cooperate, my sealed-off heart and the reality of my life made this discussion pointless. “No one wants that baggage.”

Ever the loyal friend, Sean opened his mouth to protest, but the loud blaring of the alarm speakers with an incoming call ended our conversation.

Good.Welcoming the distraction, I rallied my crew. Tate headed to the driver’s seat as Percy and I climbed into the ambulance while we all listened to the report from dispatch.

“House fire. Homeowner is at work, but a neighbor discovered it. Neighbor’s kid called it in and reports injuries to her father. Kid is Shelby. She was rather hysterical, so not sure of the exact nature of the father’s injuries. Something about trying to save dogs.”

“Roger that,” I said to dispatch before turning to Tate. “Let’s roll.”

“Fuck me running.” Percy groaned as the address flashed on the ambulance’s GPS screen. “That’s my new neighborhood. My block even, but I’m two or three houses down. That would make the neighbor likely the art teacher at the high school. Stu something.”

“Good. You can help calm Shelby and Stu both.” I had confidence in Percy’s ability to compartmentalize any worries about his own house. He was a few years older than me, a recent transfer to our department, and a needed addition with his prior military and civilian EMT experience. “Do you know the homeowner?”

“Not well. But he owns The Heist.”

“Fuck.” I let the curse out before I could collect myself. “Sorry.”

“That’s right.” Percy nodded slowly as Tate made a sympathetic noise. “Your kids are friends.”

“Well, according to Maren’s social media, they’re a bit more than friends.” Tate gave a tight chuckle.

“Let’s focus on assessing the neighbor for injuries.” I adopted a more businesslike tone. “Not the first time we’ve known someone on a call.”

“Gotta love life in a small town.” Percy nodded, jaw resolute as we pulled up at the scene along with the engine. Smoke billowed from the small house, with flames leaping along the roof line. The firefighters would have their work cut out for them, but my focus was on the neighbor’s driveway on the east side of the burning house.

A skinny, young teen in denim shorts stood over a man who was slumped on the ground. The teen had a nasty scrape down one leg.

“Are you Shelby?”

“Yeah.” Shelby pointed at the guy. He was conscious, but he was coughing and seemed a bit disoriented. “This is my dad. Please help him.”

“You did a great job calling this in.” I nodded at Shelby as Tate and Percy crouched near Stu. “I’m Eric. I’m a paramedic, and my team is going to check you and your dad out.”

“The dogs. Gotta get the dogs.” Stu managed a few words before another coughing fit.

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