Page 30 of From the Flames
“What kind of help?”
Kevin put an arm around him. “Police help. We regularly share information with the local departments because arson investigations involve law enforcement. And I’ve worked with a couple of officers on the local force before.”
Willy nodded. “Me too. I had some things stolen out of my storage location a few years ago. I never kept much in there after that. Anyway, the officer was very understanding, and I have his name somewhere. It was Carter… something.”
“His partner is Red.” Kevin leaned over and smiled. “At least his work partner. They’re both really good officers. I have a number for them at the station, but I’ll call the department in the morning and ask to speak to one of them. They understand these kinds of cases.”
“If you say so,” Willy said. “I just want all of this over with so we can all go back to our lives.”
Kevin cleared his throat. “You do know that for me, this never stops. There is always another fire, another call, and sometimes another arson. It happens, and it’s my job.” He tugged Willy closer. “You and the kids are safe here, and you can begin to rebuild your lives. The insurance company should come through with payment because you had nothing to do with the fire.”
“They said it should be soon.”
“Good. Once they do, you can replace what you had and fill this place with everything you and the kids need.” Kevin paused. “I guess I need to know if you want to be part of the ritualizedchaos that is my life. I will always work odd shifts and get called in when really bad shit happens. I’ll be one of the guys who runs into burning buildings. That isn’t going to stop.”
Willy swallowed hard. “I know that. Because you’re a hero. And you have to know that I will sit at home and worry about you.” He turned to look into Kevin’s eyes. “So you better know that part of your job is to phone me after every damned call and let me know that you’re okay. Don’t make me get another call from Chase. Unless you’re dead or unconscious, you damn well better call me, because if you don’t, then I’m going to think you’re one of those two things. Understand?” He was as serious as a heart attack.
“I got it. As soon as I get out of a burning building, drop whatever I’m carrying and call you.” Kevin smirked, and Willy lightly smacked him on the shoulder.
“Don’t be a smartass. You can carry the people you rescue to the ambulance… and then call me.” He met those warm eyes. “I could put together a set of rules and laws that we live by. After all, I’m an economist. I love lists and theoretical rules that may or may not reflect the actual world.” He cocked his eyebrows at Kevin.
“Now I’m scared,” Kevin whispered and drew closer.
“You should be. I can be a real terror when I get into list mode. I can organize everything and everyone to within an inch of their lives.”
Kevin drew even closer, the television forgotten. “If that’s true, then what’s the first thing on your list?”
Willy didn’t hesitate for a second and reached for the remote. “Turning off the television. Then we get you into bed, because you were in a fire today.”
Kevin let his hands slide around Willy’s waist. “And what do we do after that?” He slid them to Willy’s lower back.
“Well, we don’t do whatever you’re thinking at this moment, because a certain sexy firefighter has lungs that aren’t up to full capacity. And as hot as he is, there is nothing sexy about a coughing fit in the middle of boom-chicka-mow-mow.” Willy rolled his hips just a little and then giggled.
“I think I hate your list.” Kevin did his best imitation of one of Grant’s pouts.
“Love it or hate it, the list is the list, and it’s God. So come on. We need to get you into bed so you can rest and get better. You’ll be off work for a few days, and the kids go to daycare on Monday. I can probably arrange to have my afternoon free.” His blue eyes actually grew wicked.
“Damn.” Kevin groaned, and just as he leaned close, his body betrayed him and he started coughing. “I was going to argue.” He got himself under control, and Willy helped him to his feet.
“Let’s get you in bed and you can rest. Tomorrow we’ll get you some clothes and stuff from your house.”
“Okay,” Kevin agreed, and Willy let him use the bathroom first. Then he got Kevin into bed and checked on the kids, who were safe with their personal canine guardians. Then he got into bed after shooing Thumper down to the foot.
“He always was a bed pig,” Kevin said, talking about the dog.
Willy snickered. “The real bed pig is the guy next to me. I swear you spread out across the entire bed in the night.” He lightly patted Kevin’s chest. “Go to sleep, and do your best not to push me out of bed, okay? I’d really appreciate it.”
“Is that another thing on your list?” Kevin asked.
Willy sat up and leaned closer. “That’s on a very special list that only you get to know about. So you go to sleep and I’ll think about telling you what else is on that list, but only when you’re feeling better.” He shifted closer, letting his arm rest over Kevin’s chest. “Just relax and go to sleep, because no matterwhat, as soon as it gets light, one of the kids will be up and raring to go.”
“But tomorrow is Sunday.” He sounded almost affronted at the idea.
“And to a two-year-old, it’s just another day with an entire world to explore and grown-ups to do her bidding.” Willy got comfortable and closed his eyes, hoping to all hell that he wasn’t scaring Kevin off for good. Grant and April were amazing kids, and he wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world, but they could be a lot, and he worried that Kevin was going to wake up and realize that they just weren’t worth all the hassle.
WILLY WASN’Tsure what time it was, but in the morning, he woke alone. The door was closed, and even the dog was gone. He got up, stretched, and checked the time, nearly panicking when he saw it was after eight. The kids never slept this late. He pulled on some clothes and hurried out of the room, only to find Kevin and the kids on the sofa in the living room. Kevin sat in the middle, with April and Grant on either side, all of them watching a movie about a man with a pet penguin. They all seemed enthralled.
“Did they eat?”
