All Consuming (Brotherhood by Fire #3) -Jaci Burton Page 0,45
the hazmat team managed one of the semi’s chemical load.
It had been nightmarish and precarious, but fortunately, they’d managed to get the two occupants of the truck out without further injury. Some broken ribs and a busted ankle, but otherwise, all had come out of it alive, much to the team’s relief. But it had taken a lot of hours of painstaking, careful work. It had been both nerve-racking and exhilarating.
Now Kal was just damned exhausted. Normally, he went straight to the gym for a hard workout after he got off shift. He’d had plenty of workout finishing up that rescue, so all he wanted was to eat a decent breakfast and then face-plant in his bed.
As he climbed into his truck, he was surprised to see a text message from Hannah.
Are you off shift yet?
He’d dropped her off at her house yesterday morning since he had to be on shift. There’d been a hot kiss in the car, but otherwise, he’d told her he’d call her. He knew she was off today since it was Monday, but he figured she’d be busy.
He texted a response. Just getting in my truck now. What’s up?
She replied right away. My car won’t start. Would you mind helping? Only if you’re free.
He sent a reply: On my way.
She sent a thanks and a heart emoji. He put his truck in gear and headed over to her house. He was at her house in fifteen minutes and pulled up next to her car. Hannah came outside, looking beautiful as always. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, and she was wearing dark capris and a short-sleeved T-shirt.
“I’m so sorry to bother you right after you got off duty.”
“Not a problem. What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. I turned the ignition over, and I got nothing. It sounds like it wants to start, but it won’t.”
“Okay. Let me check it out.”
She handed him the keys, and he slid inside the car. He put the key in and turned. He heard the crank, but the engine didn’t fire. He popped the hood to take a look to see if any wires had come loose. After inspecting the battery and anything else it might be, he looked up at her.
“I think there’s something wrong with your starter. I can work on it for you.”
“Oh, you don’t have to.”
“I don’t mind. But I need to eat first. Want to come out to breakfast with me?”
She looked at him for a few seconds. “I have a better idea. Come inside.”
“Okay.”
He locked her car and his truck, then followed her into the house, which he noticed was quiet.
“Your mom and Oliver not home?”
She nodded. “Mom took Oliver to school this morning before she went to work.” She led him into the kitchen. “Want some coffee?”
“That’d be great, thanks.”
She brewed him a cup in her Keurig, then handed it to him. They’d barely gotten the truck resupplied by the end of shift this morning, so he hadn’t had a chance to even grab a cup before the next shift had come on. The smell alone helped to perk him up.
“This is great, thanks.”
She leaned against the kitchen counter. “What would you like for breakfast?”
“You don’t have to cook for me.”
“And you don’t have to fix my car.”
“Okay, then. Whatever you want to make, I’ll eat.”
“Good enough.” She pushed off the counter and went to the fridge, pulling out eggs, sausage, milk and butter. Then she grabbed flour, and he watched while she started mix for biscuits.
Since he wasn’t one to just sit and watch someone else cook, he put the sausage into the pan and made that while Hannah baked fresh biscuits. After the sausage was done, she crumbled up some of it to make gravy. His stomach grumbled.
“Smells good,” he said as he finished up the eggs and she poured juice.
“It does. Let’s eat.”
They served up the food onto their plates and carried them to the table. Kal dug in because he was so hungry he couldn’t wait another second. He ended up eating three biscuits and most of the eggs.
“Sorry,” he said after he finished cleaning his plate.
“No, it’s okay. You obviously needed the food. Busy shift?”
“Crazy busy. And we had a rough call that lasted until almost the end of shift. I was so ready for some food by the time it was over.”
“And then I texted you.”
“Hey, it’s not a big deal.” He wiped his mouth with the napkin and stood to help clear the table.