Page 15 of Over and Above

“The firefighters are working on that right now.”I hope.I wasn’t one to make promises I couldn’t keep, but I knew Sean and his crew. If it were possible to save a pet, Sean would put his life on the line. And while I was concerned for the fate of Magnus’s dogs, Stu and Shelby needed my full attention. “I need you to stay calm so we can get some vitals.”

Stu’s vitals were steady but consistent with mild shock and smoke inhalation. As Tate and Percy worked to make Hugh more comfortable, I turned back toward Shelby.

“Can I take a look at that scrape?”

“Yeah.” She nodded, so I bent to examine the wound closer while she talked. “I was running to try to get my dad. I opened the side door at Magnus’s house like normal, but there was too much smoke to go in.”

“You did the right thing, not trying to go inside and going for help instead.” I cleaned off the worst of the blood, grass, and dirt. Thankfully, the scrape was less deep than it had appeared at first. “Good news. You won’t need stitches.”

“I don’t care about that.” Shelby waved a grubby hand as her tone approached something closer to a wail. “Magnus hired me to take care of the dogs. And now we can’t find them.”

“I’m sure Magnus will understand that you and your dad did everything you could.” I pitched my voice as soothing as possible, even as my chest clenched. “And the firefighters will try to save the dogs and the house.”

As I finished bandaging Shelby’s leg, Magnus arrived on the scene in a black SUV.

“Where are my dogs?” He walked past the engine toward the house, only to be stopped by Caleb, one of Sean’s crew members.

“You can’t go in there, sir.” Caleb had a firm tone, but he was considerably smaller than Magnus, who looked especially fierce.

“It’s my house.” Magnus’s voice was as strident and anxious as one might expect. What I didn’t expect, however, was how badly I wanted to go to him, especially when he added brokenly, “Andmydogs.”

“And we’re doing everything we can to find them. I promise.” Sean strode over next to Caleb.

I turned back to check on Stu, who was doing much better. Probably wouldn’t need transport, but we’d keep an eye on his vitals in any event. Both patients handled, I gave into the urge to check on Magnus, but before I could reach him, the radio crackled and a shout sounded.

“This section of roof is about to go.”

“Fall back,” Sean ordered, rushing toward his retreating crew.

“No.” Magnus made an inhuman sound I felt deep in my gut. He sank to his knees, head falling into his hands. “No.”

“Magnus?” I touched his shoulder, not sure what comfort I could offer but determined to try. As I tried to figure out what else to say, two large rottie/pit mixes bound toward Magnus. Their fur was damp, and I could smell them even before they reached us, but they were very much alive. A relieved chuckle escaped my throat. “These your dogs?”

“Oh my God, where were you guys?” Magnus collected both into a bear hug on the ground, joyously accepting face licks and tail wags. “And you smell like trash. But I’m so happy to see you.”

Tears ran down his face as he rocked back and forth with the dogs.

“Trust me, the whole crew will be happy to see those dogs.” My throat was tight with the sort of emotion I seldom let myself feel on a call.

“Eric?” Magnus blinked at me, eyes bleary. “That’s right. You were on duty tonight. Listen, we can’t tell the kids about the fire. Not yet. I don’t want to ruin their wedding night.”

“I get that impulse.” I nodded slowly, weighing Maren’s and Diesel’s ire against summoning them. “They’ll likely be mad neither of us called, but there’s not much they could do to help.”

“Exactly. Tomorrow will be soon enough.” Magnus continued hugging on the dogs as Sean returned to his side.

“Do you have somewhere you and the dogs can go for the night?” Sean asked him. “We’ll be here until the fire is fully extinguished, which will be awhile. Then it’ll be morning before the investigation and the insurance folks show up. They’ll have questions for you, but there’s no need for you to wait here. Likely gonna be a long night.”

“The investigator can save the questions. I know what caused it.” Magnus made a low, frustrated noise that inspired both dogs to bark. “Fucking iron. Must have left it plugged in. I’m an idiot.”

“You are not, and it’s possible there’s another cause.” Sean bent to put a hand on Magnus’s shoulder, and I resisted the urge to remove it and replace his hand with my own. “These older houses have wonky wiring. Trust me, I know.”

“Yeah.” Magnus rested his face against the closer of the dogs. “And I don’t know where to go. Don’t wanna call someone who might tell Diesel or put one of my employees in an awkward position. Hotels are picky about dogs to start with, and they’re even less likely to take two large breed pit mixes who need a bath. But we’ll be okay.”

“You can stay with me.” The offer escaped before I could think the better of it, and Sean and Magnus both reacted with wide eyes and dropped jaws.

“I can’t impose on you like that.” Magnus shook his head, lowering his gaze back to the dogs.

“I’m off after this call. Big empty house. Hose outside or bathtub inside to wash the dogs. And apparently, we’re practically family now.”

---