Love To The Rescue (22 page)

“We heard it over at the other house. It sounded like it was happening right next door.” Kevin shook his head.

“The fire department got here in a matter of minutes, however. There’s extensive destruction to your unit, Kevin, and there’s some damage to the townhouse next to you. One of your neighbors mentioned the unit was empty and going up for sale after the holidays. At least, no one was home there either.”

“I’m an idiot. I shouldn’t have put the barbecue against the house. It’s usually on the opposite side of the deck all summer. What the hell was I thinking? Everything we own is going to be burnt to a crisp, or water-damaged, or stink like smoke. I wonder if we lost all of Sarah’s Christmas presents...”

“All that stuff can be replaced, Kevin,” Amy reminded him, hugging his waist tightly. “You guys are all safe. That’s all that matters.”

“You’re right, Amy. As soon as the firemen have the fire out, I’ll go back to my buddy’s house where the card game was. He’s a fellow officer. I can bunk there tonight. I’ll decide what to do in the morning.” Kevin looked into Amy’s eyes. “Do you need a ride home?”

“I drove over here. I’m okay now that I know you’re safe. I can drive myself home.” Amy smiled through a veil of tears, grateful the love of her life was safe. She noticed how tired and drawn he looked, but ever the professional, he was presenting a brave front. He’d never admit that the fire was taking a toll on him emotionally. “Come by my house in the morning, and we’ll decide what to do.”

“No, I need to be here. Hear what decision the investigators arrived at. They’ll start investigating as soon as the fire’s out. And I’ll call my insurance guy first thing in the morning, too.”

“I’ll meet you here then.”

“That’s not necessary...”

“No, I insist.”

“Okay, I appreciate it.” Kevin leaned down and kissed her. “Go home now, before you catch a cold or worse.”

Amy nodded and headed back to her car. The moment she slid behind the wheel and closed the door, the dam burst. She sobbed uncontrollably for a full fifteen minutes before she regained her composure again. Thank goodness, the people she loved so dearly were all safe. Already Amy secretly considered Kevin and Sarah part of her family and if anything had happened to them...

She pulled a tissue out of the box on the console and dried her eyes. She took a cleansing breath, started her Lexus and drove home alone with only the news reporter’s voice on the radio for company. The deep masculine voice was reporting in detail about a fire that occurred in a residential neighborhood in the southwest section of the city. He concluded the segment by reminding the listeners to unplug their Christmas lights when not in use and to never leave candles unattended.

“What about have your wiring checked and don’t leave your gas barbecue against your house...” she moaned aloud.

****

The next morning, Amy dragged herself out of bed when her cell phone alarm buzzed at seven o’clock. She suspected Kevin would get an early start, and she wanted to be there to lend moral support.

“Why do mornings have to start so damn early in the day?” Amy had slept for only five hours, and she yawned twice while slipping into jeans and a baggy woolen sweater.

After brushing her teeth and securing her hair in a ponytail, she dashed downstairs. Rover romped around the backyard while Amy peeled a banana and chomped it down. To ensure Rover didn’t decide to open any presents—her canine housemate was absolutely fascinated by the tree, the decorations, and the parcels underneath—she stuffed the dog into his crate once again. His pained expression indicated his displeasure with this decision.

“Sorry, big guy, but I don’t trust you alone with those gifts.” Amy dashed upstairs to retrieve the cell phone she’d left in her bedroom, and then donned her jacket and boots, and headed out the door en route to Kevin’s townhouse.

 When she pulled up to the curb, she spotted Kevin standing outside his front door, talking animatedly to a well-dressed gentleman wearing a suit with his overcoat unbuttoned. Every few seconds the man pointed to the roof and the conversation heated up another notch.

“What on earth are they discussing?” Amy shot out of the vehicle and hurried over to Kevin’s side.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” A murderous expression crossed Kevin’s face. He dragged his hands through his hair, stepped away from the man as if tempted to throw a punch.

Amy wondered what the guy could have told him to incite his temper.

“I’m sorry, sir, but my hands are tied.” The man sounded as exasperated as Kevin looked. “The fire inspectors deemed the townhouse unsafe, and they will not allow anyone to inhabit this home.”

“But the majority of the damage is confined to the kitchen and back deck. How could a damn kitchen fire produce a totally unsafe structure?”

“It wasn’t the fire, sir. I cannot stress that enough. The propane tank explosion, however, could have caused considerable structural damage. When those tanks...”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know all about propane tank explosions. I’m a cop for crying out loud.” Kevin finally noticed her standing beside him. “Hi. I didn’t see you there.”

“It’s okay.” Amy rubbed Kevin’s arm and glared at the insurance agent. “What’s going on? Why are you guys arguing? Surely, you’re not disputing his damage claim?”

“Good heavens, no.” The insurance man stared at her in disbelief. “It’s obvious there was a loss. Perhaps an electrical short in a wall or something. The investigative team will confirm the cause in due time. But for now, no one is permitted to inhabit this home. I don’t care if you’re a cop or the mayor. No one!” The insurance guy pointed his finger at Kevin, shook it firmly, and then strode toward the sedan he’d left running in Kevin’s driveway.

“How long was he here?” asked Amy, frowning at the obvious waste of fossil fuels.

“About ten bloody minutes! Just long enough to tell me the house is unsafe to live in. I’d considered it a possibility, but I was hoping I was wrong. Damn, damn, damn. Why didn’t I put that propane tank away in the shed? My stupidity has ruined my child’s Christmas, put me and Sarah and Mrs. Harris out on the street, and...”

“Whoa, Kevin, slow down. You are not homeless. You guys can all move in with me.”

Kevin’s mouth dropped open. “Are you out of your mind?”

“I’m dead serious. I own a five bedroom home. Even if we all have our own room, there’s still a guest room in the basement for Aunt Amelia and Uncle Jimmy.” Amy stood hands on hips. “How can you possibly have a problem with this?”

Chapter 17

Whenever Kevin didn’t require his sedan, preferring to drive his pickup, he insisted his housekeeper use the vehicle for her turn at carpool, for grocery shopping, and for visits to her sister. Mrs. Harris drove up and parked beside Amy’s car in time to witness Kevin and Amy’s animated discussion.

Her face paled as she climbed out of the car. “Saints preserve us! What happened?” she exclaimed. “Is everyone okay? Where’s my darling girl?”

“Sarah is still at Bonnie’s house.” Kevin glanced at his watch. “Damn, they should be dropping her off any minute now. How am I going to explain...”

“Never mind explaining it to Sarah, explain it to me,” demanded Mrs. Harris.

“Most of the fire damage is confined to the kitchen where they suspect the fire started...”

Mrs. Harris gasped. “I did
not
leave a pot on the stove, or a burner on, or a ...”

Kevin rushed over to Mrs. Harris’ side and wrapped an arm around her. “No one is blaming you, Mrs. Harris. The thought never crossed my mind. The firemen suspect faulty wiring in the old place may have been the culprit.”

Mrs. Harris glanced heavenward and then met her employer’s eyes. “For a minute there, I thought perhaps I had left...”

Amy patted the poor woman’s arm, sympathetically. “You would never do such a thing. You’re too careful to forget a burner.”

“Well, let’s go in and see what we can salvage.” Mrs. Harris straightened her shoulders, returning to her usual tenacious self.

“My insurance agent just informed me the fire department deemed the house uninhabitable.” Kevin stood hands on hips. “I guess that means we require permission from the authorities to enter and claim any of our belongings.”

“Where will you go, Kevin?” inquired Mrs. Harris, biting her lower lip.

Amy noted the housekeeper hadn’t said ‘we’. “I’ve offered to open my home to Kevin and Sarah, and there’s plenty of room for you, too, Mrs. Harris. Unless, of course, you’d prefer to move in with your sister for the holidays?”

“I...um...,” the housekeeper stuttered, unable to meet Amy’s eyes.

“If you had a falling out with your sister last night...”

“No, no, dear, it’s nothing like that.” Mrs. Harris took a deep breath, blew it out, and sighed. “It’s just that...I don’t have a sister.”

“What?” blurted Kevin and Amy in unison.

“I’ve never had a sister. I made up the whole story.” Mrs. Harris’ face paled with her admission. “I check into a nice hotel on major holidays and let someone pamper me for a change. There are no beds to make, no meals to cook, no cleaning to do. I swim in the pool, eat in the lovely restaurant, put my feet up and watch TV, and check out the tower or a museum like a darn tourist.” Mrs. Harris stood, wringing her hands. “Okay, now you know my secret.”

Kevin and Amy exchanged glances.

“Mrs. Harris, you had me at no beds to make.” Amy burst out laughing. “What an absolutely marvelous way to spend your time off!”

“I agree!” Kevin grinned. “But why keep secrets? You can spend your holidays any place you want.”

“Didn’t want your pity, thinking poor soul has nowhere to go. What living relatives I do have are extremely unpleasant folk. I suppose that sounded mean-spirited.”

“Not if it’s the truth.” Amy reached for Mrs. Harris’ hand. “I’d be delighted to have you move in with Kevin and Sarah and me.”

“Are there many stairs to climb? These knees aren’t what they used to be. Kevin’s townhouse is relatively small, but I’ve heard about your huge home.” Mrs. Harris grimaced. “Truth is, the doctor is harping about a knee replacement. Even booked me a surgery date in mid-January. But I can’t afford to take the time off. Who would look after my family? I mean my employers...”

“You were right the first time, Mrs. Harris. We consider you family, too.” Kevin wrapped his arm around his housekeeper’s shoulder and squeezed. “Amy’s house is large with four bedrooms upstairs and one off the games room in the basement. So, let me put you up at a hotel.”

“Absolutely not,” interjected Amy, disconcerted that Kevin would suggest putting her up in a hotel. And during the holidays no less. “Mrs. Harris is staying with us.”

“Us?”
inquired Kevin. “I haven’t agreed to move in with you either. Call me old-fashioned, but it wouldn’t be right having me and my daughter move in and both of us still single.”

“Well, then I guess we’ll have to marry Sarah off, if you two are still single,” teased Amy.

“Okay, that didn’t come out right.”

“Misplaced modifier.” Amy grinned. “Writers pay attention to that sort of thing.”

“You know what I meant.”

“I would chaperone, but my bad knee will never handle a lot of stairs. Having everything on two floors at your place has been such a blessing, Kevin.” Mrs. Harris shook her head. “But you aren’t paying for a hotel indefinitely either.”

“I’ve got it! Why didn’t I remember this sooner?” Amy smacked her forehead. “There’s a Murphy bed in my office off the kitchen. Mrs. Harris can use that room, and there’s a small bathroom with a single-sized shower off the mudroom. It would work perfectly for you.” Amy intended to insist Mrs. Harris have the surgery in the New Year when she and Kevin would be around to help with her recovery. After so many years of dedicated service to him and Sarah, Mrs. Harris deserved nothing less. Amy knew she’d be in for an argument, but it was one argument she intended to win.

“What would you use for an office, dear?” Mrs. Harris’ expression suggested she wasn’t convinced.

“Usually, I snuggle up with my laptop in front of the living room fireplace to write in winter. Except for faxing or photocopying, I’m seldom in there.” Amy smiled at Mrs. Harris and then looked over at Kevin. “Come on, you guys. This will be fun. You have no idea how lonely the holidays were for me last year. My God, I can’t tell you how excited I am about this.”

“I don’t know....” Kevin shook his head.

“Come on. Please?” Amy dragged the question out.

“Okay, you’ve worn me down. I’ll do it for Sarah’s sake. She’s all but claimed one of your spare rooms anyway. Calls it the yellow room and tells me it’s ‘her room’.” Kevin grinned.

Amy chuckled. “And she’s right. She sleeps there every time she stays overnight.”

“Well, I’m taking the downstairs bedroom. You and Sarah can inhabit the upstairs with your Aunt and Uncle when they arrive.”

Mrs. Harris gasped. “You’re expecting company for the holidays? Oh, dear, I shouldn’t intrude...”

“No, no, no, you’re not changing your mind now. Besides, my Aunt Amelia is going to love you. And she’ll beg you to prepare those cabbage rolls for Christmas dinner.” Amy linked arms with Mrs. Harris and peppered her with questions. “Do you play bridge by any chance? How about cribbage? Do you drink wine or prefer something a little stiffer? Maybe brandy? My aunt loves hot tea with a splash of brandy before bed...”

Just then a blue Dodge Caravan pulled up across the street from Kevin’s townhouse. A dark-haired woman stepped out of the passenger side and helped Sarah out of the back.

“Bye, Bonnie,” Sarah called as she hoisted her Disney backpack over her shoulder.

“What on earth happened?” Bonnie’s mother marched across the street, holding Sarah’s hand.

Sarah slipped out of the woman’s grip and raced to her father’s side. She stopped in her tracks, gaped at the soot-stained house with the huge gaping hole in the roof. “Daddy, what happened to our house?” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears.

“There was a fire last night, honey.” Kevin’s voice cracked with emotion.