Daring Devotion Read Online Free PDF Page A

muscles, somehow she just didn’t care.
    Once they were well relaxed, and halfway through their protein shakes, they picked up the conversation that had started in the car.
    â€œIt’s perfectly normal to be nervous, Andrea,” Marty said. “You are about to get married—that’s a huge commitment.”
    Andrea shook her head in confusion. “It’s more than just that.”
    Marty just quirked an eyebrow at her friend. “You love him, right? Nothing else should matter.”
    â€œYou don’t understand, Marty,” Dina said. “You’re one of them—when the bell rings you’re on the truck, adrenaline pumping and ready for action. But those of us left behind just waiting and praying, it’s different for us. I bet Cavanaugh understands.”
    â€œCavanaugh is completely supportive of my career,” she lied, and the other two women just stared at her. Marty stared back, but was unable to keep a straight face. Soon all three women were laughing so loudly the receptionist in the lobby turned her head at the curious noise.
    â€œOkay, okay, maybe he’s not completely supportive, but he understands this is something I have to do.” She pointed a thin finger at Andrea. “And this is something Cal has to do. If you love him, you have to support him.”
    Andrea had only recently expressed her concerns to her girlfriends, so torn as to what course of action she should take, she felt she could use some unbiased advice. The problem was that neither of her two closest friends was unbiased.
    Marty, who was herself a firefighter, saw things only from the point of view of a firefighter, and Dina, Dwight’s wife of eight years, a seasoned firefighter’s spouse, had nothing but dire warnings regarding the years ahead and often came just short of saying get-out-while-you-can.
    It may all be a moot point anyway, Andrea thought, but kept her mouth sealed. These women were like the sisters she never had, but she couldn’t even confide in them about the nightmares Cal had been having. She knew if Cal found out she was spreading his business around, he would see it as nothing less than a betrayal. And of course, he would find out, considering Dina couldn’t keep a secret if you gave it to her under lock and key.
    â€œI don’t know. It’s just some days, I don’t know if I’m cut out to be a fireman’s wife.”
    â€œSo, what are you saying? You’re going to call off the wedding?”
    Andrea toyed with her ring. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
    â€œWell, you better be sure before you go breaking Cal’s heart!” Marty snapped defensively.
    â€œMarty!” Dina scowled. “It’s not like the girl don’t have enough guilt without your two cents. Look, Andrea, I understand what you are going through. I went through something similar back when Dwight and I first got married.”
    â€œHow did you get through it?”
    â€œWhat are you talking about—get through? I’m still going through!” Dina half chuckled. “And I will be until he retires.” Dina reached across and touched Andrea’s hand. “Andrea…any sane woman is going to have doubts about marrying a man who wants to run into burning buildings. But despite all my fears and woes, I understood then and now that there is no one I want to grow old with more than Dwight.”
    Andrea turned and looked at her. “And what if you never get a chance to grow old together?”
    â€œThat is the chance you take. If you can’t handle that you need to let him go now.”
    â€œLook, you could marry a businessman and he gets hit crossing the street one day. Nothing in life is guaranteed.” Marty leaned forward to stress her point. “Andrea, I don’t think you realize that what we do is not just a job, it’s a calling. Honestly, I don’t know if I could do anything