Page 5 of Fire and Icing

I make a split-second decision and step forward so I’m standing side-by-side with Emberleigh. Securing a grip on her upper body and clasping her opposing wrist so her arm doesn’t swing free, I bend into a squat, lean slightly forward and in one movement, I shift her weight so I can hoist her into a fireman’s carry.

Emberleigh squeals as I throw her over my shoulder. Then she yells, “Put me down, you ape!”

She’s kicking her legs and squirming, making it more challenging to carry her out, but I’ve got her secured and I’m already heading to the front door.

“Stop manhandling me!” she shouts. “Put. Me. Down!”

She’s swatting at me with her free hand now.

I trudge out the front door, setting her down as soon as we’ve cleared the porch.

Once her feet are firmly on the ground, I step back.

Emberleigh pops her hip out and props a hand on it. Pointing a finger in my face, she yells, “What do you think you were doing? You don’t just pick a woman up and haul her out of her own house!”

Her eyes flit to my biceps, which are hidden beneath a thick layer of shirt and jacket, and back up to my face. She coughs lightly.

“I’m just doing my job,” I explain. “I need you to get checked out for smoke inhalation.”

I tip my head toward the rescue unit where Captain David and Greyson are standing.

“I’m fine. And I would have been fine if my extinguisher would have held up.”

She crosses her arms and stares at me.

It’s possible she’s in shock.

Maybe if I introduce myself as I slowly walk toward the rescue unit she’ll follow along. Then Greyson or Captain can talk her into getting checked out.

“I should officially introduce myself. I’m Dustin Reed. I just moved to Waterford from California.”

Emberleigh mumbles. “That explains the unnecessary heroics.”

“What?”

“Rookie. California. I get it now.”

“Actually, I was a volunteer firefighter back home. This isn’t my first fire.” I take a step toward the rescue unit. “Was it yours?”

I don’t mention that this was my first house fire. My volunteer work was always in wildland fire containment or support services. The professionals handled all the rescues.

Emberleigh doesn’t budge, but her face falters for the briefest moment.

Our eyes meet. Her voice is soft when she says, “Yes. This is my first time living through a fire.”

Emberleigh glances back at her home and then she smooths her hands down her apron.

Greyson strolls across the yard in our direction.

“Hey, Emberleigh. Sorry about your kitchen.” His face is a mask of stoicism, but his voice is full of compassion. “Do me a favor and let me check you out for smoke inhalation.”

“Sure, Grey. If it will help you sleep at night.”

“I’m a firefighter. Nothing helps me sleep at night.”

Emberleigh smiles tenderly at Greyson. “Sorry. Firefighter problems, huh?”

“It’s one of the side effects of the job.” His voice is factual.

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