Page 38 of Wild Fires

“Exactly. Did you know he studied Forensic Science in college?”

“I did actually. Glad to see you're putting that degree to good use finally.”

I groaned. Leave it to her to sneak in a well-placed jab.

Felicity was my cousin on my mother's side. She was a great girl but tended to hang out with some known busybodies, so I was always cautious about what and how I said things around her. Technically, I was like that with everyone outside my immediate family and, well, Gracie.

I didn't dare look at her though. Felicity would see right through my carefully laid façade. And Gracie had already made it painfully clear that we could not allow that to happen.

Gracie

Chapter 12

Andrew looked awful. He was burned down one side of his body and his back.

Several of the guys were there recanting what had happened, though no one seemed to know for certain. If I'd been there, none of this would have happened.

I shot Clarence an angry glare, but he was too focused on his son to even notice me.

I could have saved him from all of this pain and suffering.

A nurse walked in scowling. “I said no more than three at a time, Clarence.”

“Sorry Dottie. They just want to make sure my boy's okay.”

“Fix this or I’ll kick all of you out.”

“It's all good,” Dan said. “Ryan and Gracie just got here. Let’s let them stay and catch up and we'll be out in the waiting room. Come on, guys.”

Clarence waivered for a moment and then scrubbed his face with his hands. “I could sure use a strong cup of coffee. Do you guys want anything?”

Ryan and I both declined.

“How are you feeling?” Ryan asked Andrew as Clarence left.

“Like shit.”

“I'm surprised Kim isn't here.”

“Oh, she would be if she knew what happened.”

“What? You didn't tell her?”

“Hell no. She'd leave work and run down to fuss over me, and for what? I'm fine.”

“You're not fine,” I protested.

“I'll shift when I get the okay and my raven will heal this with no problem. Just waiting for Doc to give me the green light.”

“She's gonna kick your ass when she finds out,” Ryan insisted, causing Andrew to laugh until he held his side in pain.

It was good to see his humor was still in tact. But I hated that he was suffering at all. I should have been there. I could've helped.

It was frustrating being sidelined like this. I was a great firefighter. There was no need for me to be benched.

“Ah hell. She's going to kick my ass when she finds out I knew and didn't tell her,” Ryan added.

“At this point you're screwed either way,” Andrew joked. “But do me a favor and don't mention it to Elias either. I know he can't keep his mouth shut.”