The Switch Read Online Free PDF Page A

so cool! Can I go again?”
    Danny laughed. “Maybe a bit later. We still have a lot of kids who haven’t had a chance. Did you see the booth where they’re giving out tattoos?” He lifted the sleeve of his T-shirt to show off the rub-on tattoo he’d applied before everyone started to arrive. It had the firefighter crest and his station’s identification on it.
    The boy’s eyes widened with excitement. “Awesome. Where are they?”
    Danny pointed him in the right direction and the kid tore off for the table.
    He helped several more children onto the truck, then turned back to find Tia, her girls, and another little girl Samantha’s age were next in line. “Hi, there. You’re looking well.” Tia looked terrific, actually. Better in real life than on television despite the minimal makeup and her hair pulled back from her face in a ponytail.
      “Thanks. I’m feeling much better. No new problems.” Her smile was slightly embarrassed. “Samantha was so excited to come tonight. She loves fire trucks.”
    “What a coincidence, so do I.” He crouched down to Samantha’s level. “I see you managed to bring your mom and sister. Who’s this?” He pointed to the dark-haired girl beside her.
    “She’s my best friend, Casey. She lives across the street from me.”
    “Hello, Casey.” He extended his hand and smiled when the girl slid her tiny hand into his for a shake. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
    “Me too,” Casey said in a shy voice.
    He stood and looked back at Tia. “I have a couple seats left in the rig. Or if you want to ride with the kids, you can wait until the next load.”
    Samantha tugged on one leg of his protective firefighter clothing.
    “Yes?”
    “Is he going to make lots of noise?”
    “Who?”
    “Him.” She pointed at James, who was getting out of the driver’s seat. The little girl’s eyes widened as he came over to stand beside Danny. Even Danny couldn’t blame her; James was six foot five and built like a tanker truck. He was also a natural with kids, which made him a great partner when they treated younger patients.
    “Do you want him to make lots of noise?” Danny asked, thinking he already knew the answer.
    “Yeah!” Her whole face lit up. “I like the sirens. Can I wear a helmet?”
    “We’ll see.” He laughed and itched to reach out and tousle her hair, but didn’t want to worry Tia by acting too familiar when they barely knew each other. He looked at Tia again and smiled. “I caught today’s cooking segment. I see you must have let everyone else enjoy the pine nuts, since you’re not in the hospital.”
    “Yes. It was hit with everyone who tried it.” Her blush was visible in the dusky light. “I wore gloves when I prepared it so I wouldn’t get a rash again.”
    “Good idea.”
    James slapped Danny on the shoulder. “He tests a lot of your recipes on us, they’re all really delicious. You must give good directions. He hasn’t poisoned anyone yet.” He turned to Danny, “Hey, want to take the next bunch? I need a break before my hearing goes. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
    “Sure. You two girls going up?”
    “I want to ride in the back,” Casey said.
    “Is there room for me?” Samantha asked.
    Danny lifted Casey onto the back of the truck and one of the other guys helped buckle her in, then he turned to Tia. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take Samantha up front. I can show her how to use the siren.”
    “Yay!” Samantha jumped up and down.
    Tia looked amused. “Just down the street, right?”
    “Around the block, then back. It’ll only be a few minutes.”
    She glanced at her bouncing little girl. “Samantha won’t be a problem up front?”
    “No, loads of kids have sat there tonight. I promise to take good care of her.”
    “That should be fine.”

Five
    Through the open driver’s door, Tia watched Danny lift her daughter into the passenger side of the truck, and show her some things on the dash. Samantha pushed at a button