All Fired Up Read Online Free PDF Page A

unreadable. “Cindy, you and I both know that sometimes, the time and place of…these things…is beyond our control. What bothers me, is whoever took that photo obviously knows someone here at Hillwood Fire Station. I need to find out who it is, and put a stop to it before it becomes all-out gossip.”
    He stood, walked over to the window and opened the blinds, staring out into the busy street outside. With his back still turned to her, he coughed, then asked, “Where is this Pete Monaghan now?”
    “He never completed his training. He went to Europe to work as a tour guide instead. I haven’t heard from him since then.” She took a deep breath, trying to steady her wavering voice. “But…this isn’t the first time the disgusting picture has surfaced. The day I graduated from the firefighter academy—I was up for the top award—someone printed off flyers of the picture, with the caption Girls don’t put out fires, they cause them . Her voice was barely a whisper. “There was one on my father’s chair…”
    Familiar pain settled in her chest as she recalled that hideous day. She remembered the look on her father’s face, the pain in his eyes.
    Dave remained motionless, staring out the window.
    She stood up and moved closer to him. “Dave, you should know that…”
    He spun around to look at her. “What?”
    “On parade this morning. Warner was standing next to me. He was, um, sort of leering, and panting. At first I thought he must have found out about…” She looked into his eyes. “But now I think he must have somehow got hold of the picture, recognized me, and then planted it in my locker. To intimidate me, maybe even blackmail me.”
    Dave’s lips compressed into a hard, thin line. “Well, if it is him, I’m disappointed. He’s been a firefighter for over twenty years.”
    A rogue tear slipped out of the corner of one eye and slid slowly down her cheek. She hardly ever cried, and quickly turned her face to hide it. In one stride he moved over to her, reached out one of his big hands, and gently wiped the tear away with his thumb. Suddenly his eyes softened and his lips went from being hard to being soft and sensual. Next thing, she was in his arms, having the breath squeezed out of her. His voice, choked and emotional, whispered in her ear.
    “I’m sorry.”
    She sucked in a breath and pulled back, looking squarely into his gorgeous eyes. “Warner took a dislike to me the moment I stepped in the place. I’ll deal with him tomorrow.”
    “I think you should leave him to me. He’s broken the rules.”
    “Dave, I need to do this. We don’t want the team to think I’m getting special treatment. Besides, I can handle him.”
    He said nothing for a long moment, as if tossing up whether to give in to her or not. “On one condition. You do it with reliable witnesses close by.”
    She nodded, her expression serious. “I’ll try.” She grabbed her bag, turned, and left his office, closing the door behind her.
     
    * * *
     
     
    Next morning, when she entered the fire station, several of her colleagues called out good morning to her as she walked past them. With a smile, she returned their greeting. Things seem to be different here today, she thought. When she opened the door to the day room, several men were sitting at the long table, chatting and drinking coffee.
    “Good morning, guys.”
    A couple of unenthusiastic responses were returned. Chairs scraped back as the men stood up, and went to the sink to wash their cups. Warner remained seated, staring at her, his face surly.
    “Ah, Warner. I’m glad you’re here.” She stood opposite him, the width of the table separating them. “I believe you owe me an apology.”
    Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the others shuffle uncertainly, sensing there was going to be an argument. Warner said nothing, just kept staring at her, his eyes unflinching. She bent down and placed both her palms on the table, leaning forward, her face hovering in