Page 31 of Rescued Dreams

Nicholas, her ex, would have used the information she’d spilled to have the upper hand. Strategically waiting until exactly the right time to use her vulnerability against her.

Ridge stopped at his office door. “I’m just trying to keep things light. You’ve had a rough few days.”

“I don’t need special consideration.” She was about to walk away when he moved fast, showing up in front of her. “What are you doing?”

His expression shifted, his demeanor pure innocence, and he thumbed over his shoulder. “Wanna go get some coffee?Right.You don’t drink coffee. Why don’t you drink coffee?”

The way he tipped his head to the side was adorable. She wanted to stand here and appreciate it. But when had attraction ever helped a person get their work done? When had it created quality productivity?

Time for more confessions. Amelia stuck her hands in her pockets. “I like coffee just fine.”

He frowned. “Then why don’t you drink it?”

“We could be training or waiting for the last shift to bring back the truck. You want to talk about getting coffee?”

“Humor me.”

She fought the urge to roll her eyes again. “I love coffee. I just had a…bad experience.”

Two guys came around the corner at the end of the hall, behind Ridge. The smell of ash and burnt wood preceded them. Lieutenant Morris and one of his truck firefighters.

Amelia wrinkled her nose.

“What’s up, Lieutenant?” Sean, a firefighter on the shift that came in before them, asked the question with sarcasm in his tone. “Never mind. You’re not an LT anymore. Guess that’s Foster’s office now.” He lifted his chin. “Lieutenant.”

Sean made a point of practically ignoring her.

Lieutenant Morris followed him over. “Gotta grab my stuff.”

Ridge nodded. “No problem. We just finished our briefing.”

Now these guys would hand off Truck 14 to Ridge and the rest of them.

“I’m gonna go get some coffee.” She eyed Ridge. He knew she had no intention of getting coffee, just not that her life had been upended by drinking it when it had been laced with something that made her lose her grip on herself.

Sean got in her way. “Heard about your demotion. How long were you gonna keep it a secret that you’ve been lying to the department? Pretending to be a firefighter.”

“Who’s pretending? You and I were in the same training class.” Amelia lifted her chin. “Or did you hit your head so many times you forgot?”

His eyes narrowed.

“Okay, this has been informative.” Ridge wanted to shut down the conversation? She didn’t blame him.

Amelia eased around Sean and headed down the hall so her lieutenant and Sean’s could deal with him, maybe even reprimand him over that comment. She had no idea what they would say to Sean. Or if he’d actually be reprimanded for getting in her face. What she didn’t want to do was stick around to hear them laugh like the joke was funny.

That had happened too many times.

She could have chosen to get angry at Sean, but what would that achieve? She knew better than anyone that outbursts of emotion didn’t change people’s minds. They believed what they wanted to believe, no matter what she said.

“That was uncalled for.”

She heard Ridge continue behind her but didn’t catch what he said. She turned the corner without looking back. Not being in charge right now was a benefit.

She went into the women’s bunk and closed the door, leaning back against it. He’d listened last night. He hadn’t used the information against her—yet. Now he was standing up for her.

What on earth was she supposed to do with Ridge Foster?

“Hey…Amelia.” Della shifted on her bunk. “It’s weird not calling you Lieutenant.”