Page 4 of Rescuing Alix

“Woohoo! Hot damn. Who’s the man?” Kody was shouting as loud as the station alarm was blaring while he threw his gear on and jumped on the truck as it rolled out of the overhead doors.

“What the hell are you yelling about?” His buddy Kamryn was shaking his head in disbelief and annoyance.

“She said yes man, she said yes!” He patted his buddy on the back

“Who said yes to what?”

“Alix, the sandwich shop lady? You know, across the street? I asked her out and she said yes.”

“Well miracles never cease. Congrats man, now get your head in the game; we’re heading to a big one.”

“Seriously? Where?”

He already had to rush out on Alix just when he’d gotten the nerve to go thereandhe didn’t even get lunch but tonight was his early out and he really wanted to be back before she got off work. He could always try to coax her into supper if the fire was out before morning. Did things never go right for him?

“It’s the Brystal Bay Press; that’s a huge fire hazard, buildings full of paper and chemicals. Witnesses say it went up quick and I’m sure it’s already a massive blaze. Clean-up will be a mess.”

Damn it; guess I won’t be seeing Alix tonight.

For the next several hours, fire fighters from two different stations worked tirelessly trying to salvage any part of the historical building the city’s newspaper had inhabited, to no avail.

As the trucks pulled into the Brystal Bay Fire station well onto dark, exhaustion was clearly visible as the men slowly went through their routine of putting gear way then washing down their equipment and trucks. Often, they were able to save a structure from complete ruin but tonight wasn’t one of those nights. Thank goodness no one was inside. The maintenance man had made the 911 call and then was able to make it out. Fires like these always made the guys feel a little deflated.

Kody leaned against the brick on the front of the station staring at the darkened shop across the street. He sure could use one of Alix’s meatball subs right about now, he was starved. It was probably a good thing she wasn’t there though because he smelled really bad. He’d been too damned worn out to shower inside and he probably had soot from head to toe. His own shower was a much better choice, and then he could just fall right into bed.

Theonlything that would top that would beherin his shower, but he was getting ahead of himself; he couldn’t even manage to get them on a date. As he bent to grab his duffle bag off the ground, he swore he saw a shadow move in the window of the sandwich shop. It was too late for her to be there and anyway, it was her shop, she would have turned the lights on. He continued watching the window for any more movement.

“Dang, it reallywasa long day; I’ve got to be seeing things.”

Kody pushed away from the building to head home before he fell asleep on his feet. He glanced back to The Sand Bucket one last time before he jumped in his truck.

Chapter Four

Alix stared aimlessly out the window as she washed down the tables after the late morning rush. She was kidding herself if she didn’t admit she was waiting for a glimpse of Kody. She’d watched the news last night about how bad the newspaper fire was and thought he probably didn’t get in til late, not that that was any big deal for the firefighters. They would stay up half the night battling a fire if they had to and still be on time for their next shift. Thank goodness there weren’t any casualties. Did they sleep at the station when they got in late? Did they even have a place for beds there? It looked like a pretty big place but who knew for sure. Would he be at work today?

Chloe tapping on Alix’s back scared the daylights out of her.

“You’re going to take the finish off the table if you wash it much longer.”

“For Pete’s sake, you scared me. Don’t sneak up on me like that.”

“What’s going on with you? You’ve been out in left field all morning.”

“I know, I’m sorry. Just a lot on my mind I guess.”

“That ‘a lot on your mind’wouldn’t be a certain fire fighter, would it? You’ve been staring out that window every chance you’ve had today. He won’t magically appear ya know?”

“Well I can’thelpit; I wish hewouldmagically appear. That would involve a lot less stress and high blood pressure which I’m sure is in abundance at my ripe old age.”

“Oh yes, twenty-seven is old. Good thing you’ve got a few months on me. Good lord Alix; get a grip. You are far from old and you just met the man yesterday, how about you grow a little patience.”

“Ihaveno patience at least where my dating life is concerned. Hence thenodates I’ve had recently. I knew I should have sworn off men all together. Life would be so much easier that way. Oh man, I’m hiding in the back; you are so helping this guy. He was here yesterday and creeped me out.”

“What? Oh, thanks a lot, who is he?” Chloe was busy running around behind the counter.

“I don’t even remember his name, but I am seriously not here.” Alix hollered over her shoulder as she made a mad dash for the kitchen to hide in their little attached office.

He was way too friendly with her and she wasn’t giving him a second chance, he’d already ruined the first impression. That guy was the epitome of stalker material. The doors’ bell jingled as it opened. Alix could just barely hear the guy talking to Chloe but even the mere sound of his voice gave her the creeps.

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