Page 94 of My Three Hometown Firefighters
Since sprinting up the stairs and tearing into her apartment is out of the question, I do the only thing I can. I give Tucker and Warren the task of clearing the second floor.
I see the smoke before the building comes into view. Fear like I’ve never felt before spirals through me, turning into its own living, breathing being.
She has to be okay. Both of them do.
As soon as the tires screech to a stop, the men race from the truck. They all go about completing the tasks I laid out for them.
I help to prepare the gear from the truck that’s needed, then stand with my radio in hand as they all disperse.
Warren gives me a look over his shoulder before he disappears up the stairs with Tucker hot on his heels.
A sickening feeling of helplessness swims through my veins. I know I’m doing my job, but I feel trapped—trapped betweendoing what I’m supposed to do and doing what my heart’s screaming at me to do.
The source of the fire is identified in a corner apartment on the bottom floor. People run out onto the grassy area in front of the building.
Most of them are coughing from the thickening smoke. I help them to the EMTs who pulled in behind us in the ambulance.
Why haven’t I heard from Warren or Tucker? Did something happen to one of them?
Suddenly, my fear isn’t just for my girl and the little girl she’s carrying, but for my two friends who have become more like family.
Just as my finger presses the button to radio for them, Tucker emerges with Sienna’s orange cat tucked under his arm.
Thank fuck.
He and Warren help a few people over to the ambulance to get checked out before they walk over to me.
“Second floor clear,” Warren says.
She’s not here.
“Are you sure?” I ask. I know they are both fantastic at their jobs, and I would normally never question them, but this isn’t just any call.
They both nod. “We checked several times. I’m sure,” Tucker says.
I nod, letting out a shaky breath.
The next hour goes by in a haze. If it weren’t for muscle memory and routine, I don’t know if I would have been able to do my job effectively.
It’s the middle of the day on a Thursday, so Sienna is more than likely at work. But I won’t be able to calm this persistent anxiety that keeps pestering the back of my brain until I’m able to set my own two eyes on her.
Only when I am holding her in my arms will I be able to fully accept she’s okay.
Every glance at Tucker and Warren shows the same unease still etched across their features.
Luckily, it’s almost time for shift change, so as soon as we get back to the firehouse, we start getting ready to leave.
I don’t even know what I’ve grabbed to bring home with me and what I’ve left behind. At this point, I don’t even care.
There are far more important things on my mind.
Two things. My girls.
The second we are able, Tucker, Warren, and I exit into the back lot. Without a word, we all climb into my truck.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Sienna
