Sean's Reckoning - By Sherryl Woods Page 0,46

he was on solid ground again did the rush of adrenaline fade. He barely made it to where the paramedics were working on Hank before collapsing.

“He going to be okay?” Sean demanded, his voice hoarse.

“Looks as if he might have broken an ankle,” Cal Watkins replied. “Smoke inhalation, too, but he’ll make it.” He looked over at Sean. “What about you?”

“I’m fine,” Sean insisted.

Cal frowned at him. “Yeah, you sound fine, like you’ve been smoking for about a hundred years and have no lung capacity left.” He slapped an oxygen mask over Sean’s face, then peered at him more intently. “A couple of minor burns on that handsome face, too. Don’t worry, though, they’ll just give you a little character. You can hitch a ride to the hospital in the same ambulance with Hank.”

Sean hadn’t even felt the burns. Now, though, with the adrenaline wearing off and relief coursing through him that Hank was going to be okay, he was beginning to feel the pain. It wasn’t the knock-you-on-your-butt pain some of the other guys had described after burn injuries, but it was bad enough to keep him from arguing about the ride to the hospital. Besides, one glance at his lieutenant’s fierce expression told him he’d be better off in the emergency room than facing the storm that was brewing over his decision to go into that burning structure not just once, but twice, in direct defiance of orders.

Thanks to plenty of repeat visits to various fallen firefighters, Sean had a passing acquaintance with most of the burn specialists at the hospital. It was the first time, though, that he’d been on the receiving end of their attention. They were like a bunch of mother hens. He kept explaining that he could go home, but before he knew it he was upstairs in a room with a grumbling Hank in the bed next to his and a male nurse who looked like a linebacker for the New England Patriots stationed at the door.

He tried the phone, but calls were blocked. He turned to the nurse. “I don’t suppose you could get this phone turned on, could you?” he asked. He really needed to call Ryan in case word leaked out about his injuries. He debated a call to Deanna, but decided it could wait until after daybreak. She needed her sleep.

“I’ll have a phone hooked up in here in the morning,” the nurse said.

Sean tried his best smile. “It’s almost morning now. What difference will a couple of hours make?”

“The orders are on your chart. No calls. No visitors till morning. You both need some rest.”

“What about the old man we pulled out of that building? How’s he doing?”

The nurse shrugged. “Haven’t heard.”

“Couldn’t you find out?” he coaxed. “After all, we risked our lives to save him. I’d sleep better knowing he’s going to be okay.”

The man scowled, but finally relented. “I’ll check. You stay put.”

As soon as he was gone, Sean slid out of bed, cursing the indignity of the hospital gown that was flapping around him. He made it as far as the door, opened it and peeked out, when a familiar scent caught his attention. He looked up straight into Deanna’s worried face. Ruby was right on her heels.

“Going somewhere?” Deanna inquired lightly.

“Looking for a phone that works,” he admitted, surprised by how glad he was to see her.

“Not to call me, though, right? It wouldn’t occur to you that Ruby and I might hear about the fire and panic.”

He frowned at her tone. She was clearly angry. “It’s not morning yet. The local news isn’t on, and I doubt this fire was big enough to make CNN.”

“Actually, your boss called because Hank asked him to,” Ruby said. “He also tried to let Ryan know you were here.”

Sean didn’t even try to hide his shock. “The lieutenant called you and my brother?”

“That’s the one,” Deanna said. “Nice man. Seems to understand the importance of keeping friends and family informed.”

“Of course, the staff has kept us cooling our heels out here in the hall,” Ruby complained. “But now that you’ve tried to make a break for it, I figure we can come inside and prevent any more attempted escapes. Out of my way, handsome. I need to see for myself that Hank’s in one piece.”

She pushed past Sean and left him standing there to face a still-indignant Deanna.

“I would have let you know what happened,” he swore. “You weren’t in great shape yourself last night. I didn’t