checkup. I get to ride in the back of this ambulance.” Her eyes lit up.
“Cool, Olivia.” I held my hand up for a high five.
“Thanks, Mason. Thanks for saving me. I didn’t think we would get out.”
“Nah.” I waved my hand. “I always get out.” I gave her a wink. “Do you have somewhere you and Olivia can go?” I asked Mrs. Kent.
“I called my sister and she’s meeting us at the hospital. How did this happen?”
“I don’t know yet, but I will find out.”
As I was standing in the shower, the only thing I could think about was how everything I owned was gone. The only possessions I had were packed in the bag I kept at the station. As I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist, Bobbie walked in.
“Your brother is here to see you.”
“Which one?”
“Elijah. He’s waiting for you in the kitchen.”
“Tell him I’ll be right out.”
Throwing on some clothes, I walked to the kitchen.
“You okay?” Elijah smiled as he lightly hugged me.
“I’m fine. Let me guess, Mom called you?”
“Actually, Nathan called. He told me you jumped out of a six-story window with a child, Mom saw, and now she’s freaking the fuck out on him.”
“Of all the fires she had to be at.” I shook my head as I grabbed two beers from the fridge and handed him one.
“She’ll get over it. You’re staying with Nathan until you find another place?”
“Yeah. Mom wanted me to stay with her.”
“Ouch. Not a good idea. She’d have you chained to the house to keep you from going to work.” He smirked.
“No shit.” I let out a sigh.
“Thanks for the beer. I better get going. I just wanted to come by and make sure you were okay.”
“Thanks, bro. I appreciate it.” I gave him a hug.
Chapter 2
Mason
I’d spent the night at the firehouse and once the sun rose the next morning, I grabbed my bag and headed to Nathan’s. I’d felt like I was stuck in a nightmare and couldn’t wake up. The events of last night took its toll on me knowing everything I owned was reduced to a pile of ashes.
“Just in time for breakfast.” Nathan grinned as he opened the door.
Stepping inside, I set my bag down as Ruby came running into the foyer.
“Uncle Mason!” She threw her arms around me. “Dad told me you’re staying with us.”
“Yeah, Ruby. For a little while at least.”
“I’m sorry about your apartment.” Her mouth formed a pout.
“Thanks, kid. Me too.” I sighed.
“Come on. Allison made French toast and eggs.” Nathan patted my back.
Walking into the kitchen, Allison gave me a sympathetic look and a hug.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Allison. Thanks for letting me crash here.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re always welcome here. Go sit down and I’ll pour you a cup of coffee.”
“Bro, I need to warn—” Nathan spoke.
“Good morning!” My mother’s voice echoed through the house.
“Mom said she was coming over this morning.” He sighed.
“Great. And you couldn’t start with that the second I walked in?”
“There you are,” she spoke as she walked over and gave me a hug.
“Morning, Mom.”
“Let me look at you.” She firmly planted her hands on each side of my face, and I heard Nathan snicker.
“Mom, I’m fine. You saw that I was fine last night.”
“It was dark, Mason.” She examined my face.
“Coffee, Caitlin?” Allison asked.
“Coffee sounds great, darling. Thank you.” She took the empty chair next to me. “I was up all night worried sick about you. Mason, you really need to consider another line of work.”
Here we go again.
“Mom, I love you, but you need to stop. I’ve been doing this for years. For god sakes, I’m a captain. Do you know how rare that is at my age? You should be proud of me.”
“I am proud of you, darling. But being a firefighter is dangerous and seeing what I saw last night, well, it freaked me out even more.”
“And I’m sorry about that, but all you’re seeing are scary fires. You’re not seeing the complete picture. I save people’s lives, Mom. I saved that little girl’s life last night.”
“At the expense of yours,” she spoke. “I love you, Mason. You boys are my entire world and I will not lose you.”
I reached over and placed my hand on hers, for I understood where she was coming from.
“You will not lose me. Are you going to help me out here?” I glanced over at Nathan.
“Mom, leave him alone. He’s doing a job he loves. A job that gives