Page 41 of Flirting With Fire
I heard the disapproval in his tone. I took a deep breath and launched into the story.
“We were here for lunch to sort out the rental. Tommy and Ryan…” I paused because I didn’t know their surname, but the chief just nodded, so I continued. “Told us Wildie was in the mine and in trouble. I called dispatch. But Dex was worried Wildie would go further into the mine or that he was hurt. We couldn’t hear him. Dex…” I stopped, not wanting to throw Dex under the bus, but I saw the understanding in his eyes. “We went in together to find him and the entrance caved in.”
“Understandable. You did the right thing calling it in. Next time you wait for backup andmakehim wait, you hear me?” He stabbed a finger at me. “Or you’ll be demoted or dismissed.”
“Understood, Chief Brannigan.” I sucked in a deep breath.
I’d gotten off lightly, I knew that. He could have canned my ass for this stunt. There would be no second chance the next time. It was a conversation I needed to have with Dex…after I rocked his world.
“Coffee time!” Alejandra joined us with a tray of cups. “Water and coffee for our hero.”
As I looked behind her for Dex, I spotted him talking with a woman I didn’t recognize. I had a sudden stab of jealousy until I spotted three boys beside her, two of whom I recognized. I watched them talk, she was gesticulating wildly, and her boys ducked a couple of times. Ooh, they were in trouble.
“Wildie’s mom,” Mom said, following my gaze.
She handed me the bottle of water. I drank it dry, thanked Alejandra, and took the coffee, draining that one too.
Alejandra raised an eyebrow. “Thirsty?”
“Rock dust,” I explained. It was better than explaining I didn’t want to be caught fixating on the fact Dex was over there when I wanted him here with me. I was being a dork. I knew that.
Then Dex looked my way, and he smiled at me. Me, no one else. I smiled at him and mouthed, “Okay?”
He nodded and beckoned me over.
“Are we done here, Chief?”
Brannigan waved me away. “Go on. I expect Wildie’s mom wants to talk to you.”
I jogged over to Dex, and he introduced me to the woman.
“Meyer, this is Alice Bird, the boys’ mom. Alice, this is Meyer Jones, the new assistant chief at the firehouse.”
Wildie Bird? Oh, poor kid.
I smiled and held out my hand. “Mrs. Bird, pleased to meet you.”
She took my hand, her grip firm. “Thank you, Chief Jones.”
“Call me Meyer.”
“Meyer. Thank you for what you did today.” She was still holding my hand and squeezed it tighter.
“We didn’t actually do?—”
Alice let go of my hand and hushed me into silence. “You came when my sons asked for help. You followed Dex even though you knew it could be dangerous. I won’t forget that. And Wildie here has something to say.”
Wildie looked as if he wanted the ground to open and swallow him whole. “Sorry, Chief Jones. We was just playing.”
I looked down at him, seeing the tear tracks through the dirt. “Okay, Wildie, just be more careful next time, and stay away from the mine.”
He nodded and hopped from foot to foot.
“I’ll take them home,” Alice said. “Thank you both again. I don’t know what I would have done…” She teared up and pressed a hand to her mouth as she hurried away, the three boys in tow.
Dex let out a breath when we were alone. “Those boys’ll be grounded for life.”
I shoved my hands in my pockets. “They’ll be back causing havoc soon. Did you get a drink?”
