Hearts Ablaze (Hearts On Fire Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

observation, but they think he’s going to be okay. Aubrey lets her mother know she’ll meet them there. Aubrey turns to me and starts thanking me for everything. I cut her off with a wave of my hand.
    “Listen to me, Aubrey. It’s going to be okay, I promise. But listen, why don’t you give me your phone number, and if you and your mom ever need anything, you give me a call. Grayson told me about what you told him, and I completely respect that, but I care about you. So please, let me be there for you. Everybody needs friends.” I smile at her.
    “Yeah, okay. That’s a good idea. Thank you so much, Noah.” She hands me her phone and I call my own cell, so I have her number. I program mine in and tell her again to call or text anytime. I hand her back her cell phone and she rushes over to her car to follow the ambulance. I head back over to the truck and tell everyone we’re good to go.
    Grayson keeps looking at me on the short drive back, and once all the guys are out of earshot, he asks me what happened. I just shake my head.
    “Her dad has inoperable brain cancer. Shit, man, I just thought she didn’t like me. I didn’t know her dad was fucking dying. I gave her my number and told her to call me if she and her mom ever needed anything. Was that a dick move? I told her I’d be okay with just being friends.”
    “Nah, dude. Sounds to me like she could use some help with everything. And from the way she grabbed onto you when you walked up to her, I’d say she’s okay with that.” I walk into the bunkhouse to grab my cell phone so I can save Aubrey’s number, when I notice I have a text. It’s from her.
    Aubrey: Thank you so much for today, Noah. I’m sorry for being so weird last week on the field trip, but I’ve just had a lot on my mind since Dad’s diagnosis. You’re a good man.
    Noah: You’re welcome. Anything you need, you just let me know.
    I’m starving, so I go into the kitchen to see if anyone’s made any food. Everyone is making sandwiches, so I grab some stuff for myself.
    I think it goes without saying that it ended up being the longest shift of my life. All I can think about is how Aubrey’s dad is doing, and how she’s handling it all. Later that night, I send her a text.
    Noah: How’s your dad?
    Aubrey: He’s much better, thanks for asking. He was just really dehydrated from his last round of chemo, so they’re giving him some fluids, but they’re hoping to release him tomorrow and continue with his next scheduled chemo appointment.
    I’m really happy to hear that everything’s going okay. How has this girl managed to work her way into all my thoughts? I can’t figure it out. Sure, I’ve had girlfriends before—I’m not this inexperienced virginal idiot—but this has nothing to do with sex. I mean, don’t get me wrong; I’d love to have her naked body writhing beneath mine, hear her screaming my name while I fuck her sweet pussy. No, this is about a different kind of intimacy. I want to know her, know what she wants to do with her life. I want to be a part of her life.
    Fuck. I’m so screwed. Just friends, my ass.
    We have no calls throughout the night, so I’m actually pretty well rested when I leave the firehouse. I’m just throwing my duffle bag into the back of my truck when a thought strikes me. Pulling out my phone, I quickly send Aubrey a text.
    Noah: Morning! I just thought of something. What’s your last name? You never told me.
    Aubrey: Stevens. And for the record, you never asked me what it was.
    I chuckle. This girl is something all right. And I love it. Wait, love? Where did that come from?
    Noah: Well, for the record, my last name is Davis. In case you wanted to Google me or something, find out how amazing I am.
    Aubrey: I could just look up the word ‘ego’ in the dictionary, but thanks!
    I start laughing at that one. This girl. She’s slowly warming up to me, I can tell.
    Hopping in my truck, I head over to the hospital, hoping to use my charm and