Chasing the Fire (Backdraft, Fully Involved, Flashover) (26 page)

When he reached JFK, he pulled into the
cell-phone parking lot provided for drivers who’d come to pick up
passengers. He’d wait here for Taylor and keep himself entertained
by texting Stacey. Drawing out his phone, he saw there was already
a message from her. A newsy, girlfriend type note.
Hope you
didn’t hit too much traffic. I hate driving into the city.

I’m here,
he responded.
I
entertained myself with thoughts of us in bed on the drive.

She must have been near the phone because she
shot right back,
Ohhhh, what was I wearing? Did you like it? Did
you take it off me?

Jesus, who knew she’d be so uninhibited in
bed? Not that he was having trouble keeping up with her. It was as
if she’d shared her youthful vigor with him.

Another text came in.
I’m here, Daddy.
Just got my luggage. Am outside in section six.

Gotta go, babe,
he typed to Stacey.
Taylor’s here. Can’t wait for her to meet you.

When Nick caught sight of his daughter, she
looked as though she’d walked off the pages of a fashion magazine.
Wearing a suede skirt and jacket, dark brown, leather boots, and a
jaunty dark brown hat, she scanned the cars ahead of him.
Hell
, he thought anxiously.
I forgot how sophisticated
she is. I hope she doesn’t make Stacey feel…inadequate
.

Then the line thinned, and amidst the horns
honking and people shouting, he pulled up to her. When he got out
of the car, all his concerns disappeared. Despite her
sophistication, he remembered when she was a little girl and he
used to take her to the station house and let her sit in the truck.
“Hey, honey.” He enveloped her in a huge hug and didn’t let go. “I
missed you.” This connection with his daughter was another pleasure
in life he’d forgone.

She hung on, and he wondered if Lucinda was
still as stingy with her affection. When she drew back, she
grinned, again like his little girl. “I missed you, too, Dad.”

He helped her into the passenger seat and
stowed her bags. On the drive to Hidden Cove, he asked her how she
was, what was school like, how was her mom. But when he said, “So,
are there any boys in the picture?” she shook her head.

“That’s it! Who are you and what have you
done with my father?”

He glanced over. “Well, let me tell you about
that.” She knew nothing about his past and never would, but he
could give her the lowdown on Stacey.

He wanted to.

oOo

THANKSGIVING DAY DAWNED
bright and
beautiful in Hidden Cove. The air was crisp but not cold, and the
sun came out, blessing everything. Stacey had asked to meet Nick
and his daughter at Kelly’s house because she needed to visit with
Jess’s family in the morning. They’d been distressed when she’d
told them she wasn’t spending this holiday with them.

They lived on the lake and when she reached
their home, she peeked through the houses at the crystalline beauty
of the water, remembering how Jess had loved this spot. For a
moment, she thought of him and knew what he’d say to her at this
time in her life.
Go for it, girl. Five years is long enough to
mourn. Too long.

Exiting the car, she walked up the path and
before she could even knock, Jessica pulled open the door. Jess’s
twelve-year-old niece, named after him. “Hey, baby.”

“Stacey, we’ve been waiting for you!” After a
huge hug, she stayed close. “Dad’s mad at you. He isn’t happy. You
really got a boyfriend? It’s okay if you do. I think you
should.”

She drew Jessica to her side and walked into
the house with her. Immediately, the scent of the cooking turkey
brought back memories of all the years she’d spent holidays here.
She allowed herself a touch of sadness at the loss.

Caleb, Jess’s youngest brother, approached
her immediately and also hugged her. “Stacey, you look…great.
Different.” He perused the angora, green sweater she wore with
tailored pants. She hoped her outfit was dressy enough for
Nick’s.

“I don’t think I’m any different.” Which was
a bold-faced lie. She felt completely renewed, energetic and
invigorated from spending the early hours of the morning in bed
with Nick. She glanced over Caleb’s shoulder. “Hi, everybody.”

His brothers and sisters came to hug her. All
but Joe. He stayed by the window, sipping beer, glowering at
her.

Jess’s mother and father greeted her warmly,
told her everything was fine, to stay away from
that one
,
but she didn’t. She walked to his side of the room. “Happy
Thanksgiving, Joe.”

“Won’t be without you,” Joey said.

“I’m here now.”

“But you’re having the meal at your
boyfriend’s.”

Instead of getting angry, she leaned over,
took the beer out of Joey’s hand, set it on the table and hugged
him. He resisted, but she held on. Then he clung to her. “Jess
would want me to be happy, Joe.”

“I know.” She could feel him shaking. “But it
feels like we’re losing you, too.”

“You’re not. I promise you’ll still be a big
part of my life.”

Joey pulled back. His eyes were awash with
tears. “What will the guy think?”

“He lost his family except for a sister at a
young age. He’ll love knowing you.”

“It’s that serious?”

“It is for me.”

Two hours later, feeling like a wilted
flower, she rang another doorbell to a much less fancy house on the
other side of Hidden Cove. She heard some shouts, a deep, stern
voice, then Nick opened the door. As soon as he saw her, he stepped
outside and closed it behind him. “What’s wrong?”

She drew in a deep breath and let it out. “I
went to the Sterlings.”

“I know.” His expression was questioning,
then he took her by the shoulders. “Oh, man, what was I thinking?
This is the first holiday you’re not eating with them. Were they
upset? Are you?”

“His brother Joe’s having a hard time with
it.”

Nick pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry if
you’re hurting. We could go for a drive before you meet the
family.” This time, she was thankful
he
didn’t try to make
everything all right. Sometimes, situations were just
sad.

“No,” she said, burying her head in his
chest, inhaling his spicy scent. “I want to meet Kelly and Taylor,
the rest of them. It was time for all this.”

He took her by the hand and said
meaningfully, “Because it’s time for things, doesn’t make them any
easier.” Then he kissed her nose and led her into his sister’s
home.

oOo

LATER THANKSGIVING NIGHT,
they lay in
Stacey’s bed, entangled after a bout of lovemaking so fierce, it
took Nick’s breath away. She was sweaty, like him, and sucking in
air when she rolled off him.

“Where did all that come from?” she
asked.

“A meaningful day. Big bridges crossed. I
never knew sex could be this intense when you felt so much for the
other person.”

Nick had already told Stacey that his
marriage to Lucinda had been doomed from the beginning. They were
so different and Lucinda drew farther away from him each year, even
after Taylor was born.

“Kelly’s beautiful, Nick. And seems fairly
well-adjusted.”

He stiffened. He hated when their past was
even brought up. “I guess. She got a lot of therapy. And Mark
knows—accepts—her. That’s a huge thing.”

She could have said,
So you’re the only
one dwelling on this.
But she didn’t. And he loved her all the
more for it.

Holy Mother of God, he
loved
her?

Stacey was running her fingers through the
hair on his chest and chattering on about Taylor and how
sophisticated she was, yet it hadn’t threatened her, she felt
secure. But he could only think of one thing. He
loved
this
woman.

Easing up to her arms, she turned her body to
his and sprawled over him. “Nick, what’s wrong? Didn’t you have a
good time today at your family’s?”

“I did. It’s not that.” He tucked her hair
back behind her ear and watched her.

“Then why are you so out of it suddenly?”

“I just realized something.” His tone was
grave. What he felt was serious business.

“What?”

“That I love you. Stacey, I love you!”

Her eyes filled with big tears and he
thought,
She’s not ready for this. Because of Jess. Because of
the holiday.

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry if this is too soon. I
know how much—”

She shut him up by, literally, climbing fully
on top of him. “Too soon? No, you idiot, it’s not too soon. I’ve
loved you forever and was waiting for you to catch up. Jesus, it
took you long enough.”

“Well,” he said flipping her over onto her
back, “what I lack in quickness, I make up in staying power.”

Her eyes glittered as she lay beneath him.
“I’m so glad.”

oOo

DECEMBER TWELFTH CAME
all too soon
for Nick. Stacey knew he was putting up a front for her and was
powerless to make him enjoy the camp Christmas party/fundraiser.
Though things were terrific between them, a pall settled on him
more and more as the holiday neared. Even the high of making
breathless love this morning hadn’t lasted long. She watched him
walk toward her—all the cops, firefighters and veterans were
dressed in uniform for the party and wore Santa hats.

In a half hour, the doors would open first
for the campers and an hour later for the rest of the community.
Stacey was standing at Megan’s Fish Magnet booth with Kelly and her
girls. Despite Megan Hale’s objections, she’d been chosen to
represent the police department for their hero because she
spearheaded the camp. The picture of her—winking, in her street-cop
attire—was terrific.

“Hey, Kelly,” Nick said, kissing his sister
when he reached them. He squeezed Stacey’s arm. And smiled at his
nieces. “You playing this one?”

“Nah, it’s too young for us.” Lily rolled her
eyes. “We’re helping Mommy.”

“This is a family affair.” Kelly scanned the
area. “And you did a good job recruiting firefighters and staff.
They brought their kids, too.”

“Recruiting? Hell, if I gotta be here, so do
they.” He glanced at the row of food booths where hot dogs,
hamburgers, hot sausage and french fires were being served. “I’d
watch what I ate if I were you. Riley, Lisa Beth and the rest of
the guys from House 7 are staffing that one. Who knows what they’ll
do, they’re such a rowdy bunch.”

Stacey smiled. “I stopped over there. Two of
your guys, Zeke Cordaro and Bilky are having a contest to see who
can eat the most fried dough.” The Malvasos’ mother, Sabina, was
making the Italian pastry, and the scent of it filtered through the
academy gym.

“Want to walk around?” Nick asked Stacey.

“I think we should spend some time at the
Batman’s Basketball Throw.” She eyed the booth where its staffers,
Mitch and Megan Malvaso, were already having a game.

“Probably not now. Those two look like
they’re hot and heavy into it.” He slid his arm around her
shoulders as they started away. When he held her even casually like
this, her heart swelled. “We had a different kind of hot and heavy
this morning, didn’t we, love?”

“Yes, we did.” She touched his face. “Are you
all right?” She waved to the prettily decorated gym. “I know this
is hard for you.”

He stared at Ms. Marvel’s Maze on the stage,
a real one used to train recruits. Ramirez and his stunning wife,
Sophia, would show the teenagers how to use it. “I’m doin’ okay.
It’s great seeing everybody helping out.” He smiled. “I like the
superheroes, too. You were right about them. They unify
everything.”

“My favorite is Beck’s.” She pointed to the
cutout, which showed half of him in firefighter uniform and the
other half in army gear.

“Not Jess’s?”

Stacey’s gaze went to her husband’s likeness,
positioned near the Sterling’s Paintball Station, at the far end.
“That’s great, too.”

“Let’s go visit.” Nick led her over to it. As
she stood in front of the cutout and stared up at the only man
she’d ever loved previous to Nick, a wave of sadness floated
through her, but it was fleeting. She’d chosen a photo of him in
his uniform, saluting. Though the Christmas hat diluted the
seriousness, he was every inch the firefighter.

“Make you sad, honey?”

“Some. But it’s terrific seeing him
honored.”

“Hey, you two want to play? We got time for a
quick game before the kids descend.” The invitation came from Zach
Malvaso, who was manning the activity with his wife Casey. The two
of them looked happy, healthy and out for fun.

“Maybe later, Zach,” Nick said.

“Cool pic of Jess, huh, Stacey?”

“Yes, I love it.”

Casey smiled. “My favorite is Wonder Woman’s
Woodworking.” Which Faith and Rick had volunteered to run. “The
lack of stereotyping is great, Stace, giving carpentry to a woman
hero.”

“Hey, I helped with that, too.” Nick’s tone
was falsely offended. Stacey was glad he could joke about
things.

As they walked away, a shout came from Spider
Woman’s Skee-Ball. Brody and Ryan O’Malley were competing and it
looked as if Ryan was winning. “I’m in the mood for some
competition,” Nick said, which Stacey thought was encouraging.
“Let’s go over there and bump them off.”

They played like rivals before the place
opened up. It was good to see the flush on Nick’s cheeks.

Then the kids came in. Stacey watched all
those children, ages four through seventeen who’d lost a mom or dad
to fire, guns and war. It didn’t seem fair that so many suffered
every day from the actions of bad men. Something Nick suffered
from, too.

“So much loss here,” he said.

“I was just thinking that.”

Little ones zipped around them, heading
toward the kiddie booths. One small girl bumped into Nick and fell
back on rear. She was four, maybe. “Sorry, Mr. Firefighter.” Tears
clouded her eyes and she stuck her fingers in her mouth.