Page 98 of Avery's Hero

“That’s him.”

“Tough looking guy.”

“He’s got a hell of a right hook.”

That makes the chief swivel his head toward me. “You look pretty good for a guy who’s been fighting him.”

“That was years ago, in the academy.”

Frowning, the chief taps his fingers on his cane. “He a firefighter too?”

“Once upon a time.”

“Well, at least the two of you have that in common.”

“That, we do. Let me ask you a question. Have you ever turned an enemy to a friend?”

The man gives me a knowing smile. “I did. But it was my wife. I think you’re fighting a different fire.”

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

When I lever myself out of bed, a wave of hopelessness washes over me. Gunnar’s gone. Brock is gone. The place is quiet. I’m alone in the apartment, and reminders of the problem we’re facing are everywhere.

When I walk out onto the deck with my cup of coffee, I pray that the sunshine will give me a boost.

I’m not a blue person, but right now I feel like the world is a giant mess. My world at least. Jeez, maybe I’m getting my period. I never feel so melancholy.

But I guess a girl who’s in love with a man that her brother hates deserves to feel a little down in the dumps.

Lowering myself to the top step, I hold my mugbetween both hands. Purposefully, I take inventory of all the good things that are happening.

I’ve never felt this way about someone. And he’s incredible. Kind, loving, supportive. But he’s also reckless. Wild. Unpredictable.

Groaning, I close my eyes.

Then Gunnar. He’s a loose cannon. What am I going to do with him? What if he won’t live in the apartment that Brock owns?

As I worry at my fingernail, the idea comes to use the money I saved to rent Gunnar another place. Yes! That’s what I’ll do.

Now, I just have to find something that I can afford.

Feeling a little brighter, I take the steps down to the backyard of the building to explore. Across the way is a big garage or barn of some sort that’s painted the same color as Brock’s building.

A gray and white long-haired cat peers around the corner of the garage at me. When I get closer, I realize that a tiny gray kitten is playing in the grass next to her. It’s fluffy and adorable with a white patch on its nose. Suddenly, the kitten turns into a rolling ball of fur when another kitten tackles it. Batting and biting, they tumble around while Mom keeps a careful eye on me.

“It’s okay, Momma. I won’t bother your babies.”

But I can’t make myself leave. They’re too adorable to watch. Until I realize what time it is. Darn! I’m gonna be late to work.

I fly up the stairs, make a two minute run through the shower, then jump into my work pants and shirt. I’m dashing down the stairs when I’m hit by the acrid smell of smoke. Going on high alert, I stop, mid-step.

It’s a chemical smell. And wood. And…

My heart leaps in my throat. Smoke is seeping out of one of the windows on the side of the garage.

Oh no! The kittens live there.

The fire’s not big yet, based on the amount of smoke I’m seeing. If I can get to it, I can save Brock’s building and the kittens too.