Page 62 of Last Chance Christmas

“Well, that was exciting.” She must’ve found it pretty humorous by the sound of it. But Anthony didn’t have time for fun and games. He ignored Penny and spoke into the phone.

“Della, are you ready to go?”

“I’m heading out right now.”

“We’ll be right behind you.” He pulled out of the alley and waited.

“That was a complete waste of time.” He’d sat in wait for hours, and they were no closer to finding Vaynes than they had been before.

Penny only smiled. “I don’t know. It was kinda nice to sit and watch the snow and see all the Christmas lights.”

If he sounded like Ebenezer Scrooge, he didn’t care. “Bah humbug.”

Fourteen

One look at Anthony walking into the firehouse, and Della couldn’t decide between laughing and crying. His uniform was soaking wet from the waist down. The handsome smolder was gone and replaced by lips thinned into a scowl. The guy’d had no clue what he was in for when he was assigned to protect her.

Penny looked like she was trying to hold back a chuckle. “I’m gonna update Bryce. See you guys later.” She winked at Della as she walked past.

“Why is Penny winking at me?” Della asked Anthony.

“Because she likes to torture me? Who knows.” He tugged his hat off and finger-combed his thick, dark hair.

“You must be cold. Want some coffee?”

“Anything hot will do.” He actually smiled at her briefly. “Thanks.”

It only stirred up the crazy sensations swirling around her middle. She hated seeing him so discouraged.

But she liked having him near. Maybe once he warmed up, she could gather enough courage to ask him to the Christmas party. It would be nice to have a date for once.

Zack Stephens and Ridge Foster were chatting with Kianna in the break room when they walked in.

Ridge’s eyes went wide. “Yo! What happened to you, Thomas? Catch the serial killer?”

Anthony conjured up a light chuckle and told them about the teenager he’d tackled in the snow. But the smile he gave everyone didn’t reach his eyes.

She poured him a mug of hot coffee and started a teakettle for herself. She didn’t need any more caffeine at this point. She was already on edge.

How much longer was her life going to be on hold? People were giving up their holidays and being pulled from their jobs to watch over her. At least now she had work to focus on.

The teakettle whistled right as their tones went off on their phones.

“Fire Truck 14, Rescue 5, report to house fire on East Twelfth Street. Unknown number of occupants. Two-story structure.”

Della listened to the rest of the details as they jogged out to the bay. Anthony ran beside her. “Are you sure you’re okay to do?—”

“This is my job, Anthony. Remember?” She stepped into her firefighter pants and pulled them up by the suspenders.

“I’ll be right behind you.”

She paused a moment and caught his blue-eyed gaze focused solely on her while everyone else rushed around. The crazy thought of asking him to the party, right now, flitted through her mind. But that was dumb. This was horrible timing. Instead, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I know.”

Before she could catch his reaction, she stepped into her boots and grabbed her coat. Ridge yelled that he was starting the truck. Anthony left, and she pushed away all the distractions.

She couldn’t control Vaynes. Couldn’t do a lot of things, but right now she could do this. She inspected every piece of gear and equipment before she put it on and jumped into the truck behind the wheel. She could navigate these roads and fight this battle. She could do her job.

Amelia sat in the passenger seat and helped call out directions while Della peered through the thick snow coming down. She drove through one of the more rundown neighborhoods and pulled up to an old two-story home. The Craftsman sported a sagging porch, neon graffiti on the front door, and narrow dormers on the second story, which currently spewed smoke.