Chapter 12
In his line of work, Matt saw countless people hooked up to tubes, wires, and monitors. But none of them had been someone he knew. Someone—much as he tried to deny it— he cared about. The jolt from walking into the hospital’s critical care unit yesterday afternoon and seeing his larger-than-life father reduced to a pale shadow of his former self had yet to wear off.
Matt checked the heart monitor on a stand near his father’s head as he did every few minutes. The green blip continued to spike and dip at regular intervals, giving him a small measure of comfort.
There’d been a time last night when the screen hadn’t blipped. In its place had been a long, flat line and piercing alarm.
Everett Callahan’s heart had stopped beating.
For a moment, so had Matt’s.
Doctors and nurses had come running. They’d formed a human wall around the hospital bed. Matt and his mother were shuffled out into the hall where they’d waited, clinging to each other. The next few minutes had stretched into an eternity.
His mother’s prayers were answered. Everett Callahan revived, but there were no guarantees. His weakened heart might yet quit again.
No matter where the hospital, Matt thought as he left his mother to circle his father’s bed, critical care units were all alike. The same equipment, the same compassionate staff, the same worried expressions on the faces of friends and loved ones.
Only two visitors were allowed in the room at one time. Matt and his sister took turns staying with their mother. When not with her, they made phone calls, catnapped in the waiting area, or grabbed a bite to eat in the cafeteria. The death watch, as one callous teen with full sleeve tattoos and multiple piercings had called it. Matt hoped the kid was wrong.
Everett Callahan turned his head and lifted his right arm as if reaching for something. Because Matt was closest, he grabbed his father’s hand. It was, he realized, the first time they’d touched in years.
June Callahan leaned forward and cupped her husband’s face. “Can you hear me? Are you in pain?” She glanced worriedly at Matt. “Do you think he’s in pain?”
Matt looked down at his father’s smooth, ghostlike face. “I doubt it. He’s heavily medicated.”
As if to defy him, Matt’s father roused and muttered a few unintelligible words.
“I don’t understand you, sweetheart.” His mother put her face close to her husband’s.
“He’s thirsty.” Matt couldn’t explain how he knew. He just did.
His mother picked up a plastic pitcher from the night-stand and poured a small amount of water into a cup. She placed a straw in the cup, then held it to her husband’s lips. “Here you go.”
Matt’s father managed a few sips, then slumped back against the pillow as if the effort cost every ounce of strength he possessed. Likely it did, and the thought scared Matt.
He couldn’t remember his father ever being sick, much less incapacitated. He was too strong, too energetic, and too darn mean to succumb to even the most virulent virus. Yet less than twelve hours ago, he’d been hovering between life and death.
By some twist of fate, he’d escaped the Grim Reaper’s clutches. Matt glanced at the monitor again, at the green blip hopping across the screen. He released the breath he’d been holding and set his father’s hand down on the bed. The older man wouldn’t let go.
“Matt?
“Yeah, Dad. I’m here.”
“I wasn’t sure,” he said in a raspy voice, his eyes open but not entirely focused. “I’ve been having some strange dreams. I guess they’re dreams. I don’t really know.”
“You’ve been through a lot.”
“I’m glad you came, son.”
“Of course I came.”
His father coughed. Or was it a laugh? “No one would blame you if you didn’t. I haven’t been much of a dad.”
Matt was too floored to respond.
“I don’t hear you arguing with me.” His father’s mouth twisted into what could have been a grin.
“Dad...”
“You don’t have to say anything. We both know it’s the truth.” He shifted slightly, winced and groaned. “Remind me not to move for a week.”
“We should go. Let you get some rest.” Matt jumped at the convenient excuse. Their conversation had become too personal, probing old wounds and finding them still tender.
“Stay. Please.”
There was a pleading in his father’s eyes. A vulnerability Matt didn’t remember seeing before. Had the two of them burned all their bridges? If he left now, he’d never know. “All right. I’ll stay.”
His mother smiled her approval and stroked her husband’s forehead. “Try and get some sleep.”
“You’re fussing, June. I hate when you do that.”
Her smile turned radiant. “If you’re complaining, you must feel better.”
“I feel like roadkill. What the hell did they do to me?”
“Don’t ask,” Matt said with an easiness he hadn’t felt with his father in years. “You’re better off not knowing.”
A middle-aged woman in scrubs and a lab coat breezed into the room. She removed a chart from the foot of the bed before introducing herself. “Hello. I’m Dr. Bradley. I don’t think we had a chance to meet last night.” She shook hands with Matt and his mother, after which she addressed his father. “I see you’re awake. That’s good.”
She asked several questions regarding his condition and gave him a brief examination.
“Your last series of tests came back significantly improved. I’m downgrading your condition from critical to guarded. This doesn’t mean you’re fully out of the woods,” she cautioned when Matt’s mother reacted. “Your recovery will be long and require a number of lifestyle changes. But we’ll talk more later. For now, I’m ordering complete bedrest. That applies to all of you.” She looked pointedly at Matt and his mother, then back at his dad. “You’ve been given a second chance, Mr. Callahan. Don’t misuse it.”
What, Matt wondered as he and his mother left his sleeping father alone, would he do with a second chance if given one?
Get Lindsay back.
No, not get her back. Never let her go in the first place.
He should have stopped her from walking out on him that day in the laundry room at the station. If anything, he should have said something to her yesterday at the Habitat for Humanity house when he had the chance. But...what? He’d already apologized. More than once. Declared his love? He’d done that, too, and it made no difference.
Earth to Matt.
They found Matt’s sister in the waiting area. She must have read the expression on their faces for she jumped up from her chair and rushed toward them.
Matt’s mother shared the good news, and they all hugged. Matt listened with only one ear. The other ear was turned toward the small voice inside his head.
Ask her to marry you.
“Matt? Matt!” His sister jostled his arm. “Hey, Earth to Matt. Are you there?”
“Sorry.” He raked a hand through his hair. “What did you say?”
“Wherever you are, it’s a million miles from here.”
“No, not a million,” he said, absorbed in thought. “More like a hundred and twenty.”
“Huh?” Samantha Callahan looked puzzled.
Suddenly, the answer became clear. “Mom, Sis, I’ve got to go to Phoenix. I’ll be back in the morning. No later. I promise I’ll call every hour and come back immediately if there’s a change in Dad’s condition.”
“What’s wrong?” His mother clutched his hand.
“Don’t worry.” He kissed her cheek, then his sister’s. “Everything’s fine. Great in fact.”
“Matthew,” his mother called after him as he sped down the hall toward the elevators. “I don’t understand. Where are you going?”
“To propose,” he hollered back, then broke into a run.
~~*~~
“HOW LONG HAVE YOU been with the department?” Randy asked.
Lindsay looked into the earnest face of the new recruit posing the question. Had she ever been that young? That eager? That inexperienced? She must have at one time, but it seemed so very long ago.
“A little over two years,” she told him, trying to concentrate on their task of inventorying the medical supplies. Thoughts of Matt and his father continually interfered. “How many boxes of gauze pads do you have?”
Randy counted as he stacked, his lips moving silently. “Eighteen,” he replied and went on to the next item. “When will everyone stop treating me like a rookie?”
“That depends on you.” She didn’t think he’d have any trouble fitting in. Other than an annoying tendency to engage others in small talk when their minds were elsewhere, Randy struck her as a nice guy. A hard worker, too, if his performance thus far was an indication.
“Any advice?”
“Gosh, I’m really not the one to ask.” She penciled in a number on the inventory sheet. “The men still hassle me. Probably always will.” Unless she changed.
He gave an incredulous shake of his head. “I don’t buy that for one minute.”
“No?”
“Uh-uh. Not with the way people talk about you.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear,” she answered flatly. “Some of it’s exaggerated.” And some of it wasn’t. A lot of it wasn’t.
She’d always blamed her trouble at fitting in on her being a woman. In retrospect, she could see it was her defensive attitude—or, more correctly, her offensive attitude. Either way, the results were the same. She might as well have worn a sign taped to her back saying ‘kick me’.
“The way Emilio tells it, you’re a hero around here.” The respect in the recruit’s voice caught Lindsay off guard. She turned and found his gaze on her. Admiration shone in his eyes. No, she must be mistaken. Her recent bout of insomnia was impairing her judgment. But when she looked at him again, his expression hadn’t changed.
“Really?” Against her will, she found herself smiling. To cover her embarrassment, she pulled out a carton of instant-cold packs. “We’d better get after it. I’m supposed to submit the requisition by this afternoon.”
They became quiet after that, working methodically and making progress. The monotony allowed Lindsay’s thoughts to return to Matt and his father. She’d left text messages for him to call her and one with Joey, though she doubted he would. No matter. She’d try again—and again, and again until she reached him. What was it Matt had said that morning at breakfast about their relationship being worth fighting for?
She couldn’t agree more.
Emilio stuck his head in the doorway of the supply room. “Lindsay, you got a second?”
“Sure, Cap.” She set the inventory sheet down. Booter, who’d been napping in the corner, woke up and shook his head, his big ears flopping.
“I won’t be long,” she promised Randy before leaving with Emilio. The dog lumbered after them.
“I just received word on the boy’s condition from Fire Administration,” Emilio said as they walked through the apparatus room toward his office down the hall on the other side.
“How is he?”
“Improved. He regained consciousness a few hours ago and despite being in a coma for almost a day, there doesn’t appear to be any brain damage.”
“That’s good to hear. I’m sure his parents are relieved.”
“They’re very grateful to you, Lindsay. They sent word from the hospital.”
“I’m glad I was there. What about the rest of his injuries?”
They reached Emilio’s office, and he indicated for Lindsay to take a chair. “He was dehydrated, of course. Leg’s busted in a couple places, lots of cuts and bruises nothing that won’t eventually heal. They’re still running tests, but the doctors are optimistic.” When they were both seated, he laid a newspaper in front of her. “Did you see this? You made the morning paper. Front page of the Metro section. Also the morning news shows. I heard there’s a video of you taken by a spectator going viral.”
“Wow.” Lindsay picked up the paper and scanned the pictures of the accident scene. The first photo showed the boy in the stretcher as he was being lifted from the trench into the waiting arms of Rebecca and her crew. The other was a close- up of Lindsay speaking with a city official. She quickly scanned the article before handing the newspaper back to Emilio.
“Go ahead and keep it.”
“Thanks.”
“I want you to know, I plan on nominating you for Firefighter of the Year.”
It took several seconds for what he said to penetrate. “You’re what?”
He grinned. “You heard me.”
“But why?” The award, which recognized performance above and beyond the call of duty, was the most prestigious one a firefighter could earn. She’d done nothing remotely deserving of such an honor.
“You have to ask after last night?”
“Any firefighter would have done the same thing in my place.”
“Hopefully so. But you were the one there. You investigated the construction site, made the call, and administered emergency medical care until help arrived. If not for you, that boy might have died.”
“Booter’s the one who really found him.” At the sound of his name, the dog raised his head and cocked his ears.
“Who decided the dog might be onto something and let him explore?”
“I did, but—”
He interrupted her before she could finish. “You followed your instincts and it paid off. That’s what separates the rookies from the veterans.
“But Firefighter of the Year? Why not just a write up in my personnel file?”
“The battalion chief is preparing a written commendation as we speak.”
“What about what happened with Dennis? Won’t that affect my chances?”
“It might.” Emillio scratched his chin with the pad of his thumb. “One never knows what the judging committee will take into account. But I’d say after this,” he pointed to the newspaper in front of her, “the episode with Dennis will fade into history.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“How about, I’ll miss you, Emilio. I’m going to hate like hell leaving this place.”
Lindsay sat bolt upright and gripped the edge of his desk. “Am I...am I...”
His wide grin accentuated the laugh lines in his darkly tanned face. “I just received the email. Your promotion came through. Congratulations, Lindsay. You made the news and engineer all in one day.”
She’d done it! She was officially Engineer Lindsay Pfeiffer. Joy bubbled up inside her, followed immediately by a twinge of sorrow. “Where am I going?”
“Don’t know. I suspect you’ll get a phone call today sometime.”
A small lump formed in the back of her throat. “All joking aside, I am going to miss this place. You’ve been awfully good to me.”
His features softened. “Gonna miss you too, kiddo.”
It amazed her how quickly things had turned around. A week ago, she wouldn’t have given two cents for her career. Then, in a single day, she’d been nominated for Firefighter of the Year, received a written commendation from the battalion chief, and been promoted to engineer.
Were it not for Matt, she’d be dancing in the streets.
If only he’d call.
She’d give anything to hear his voice. But it was Emilio’s who disturbed her reverie.
“Matt’s promotion also came through.”
“It did?” The news cheered Lindsay. The whole Dennis fiasco was truly behind them.
“Now you two can date openly.” Emilio’s mustache twitched with contained mirth. “You don’t have to sneak around anymore.”
Lindsay sank back into the chair. Matt had been right about their captain. “You know?”
“Everybody knows.”
Maybe it wasn’t that widespread. “Define everybody.”
“From the highest ranking official to the newest recruit. Even Randy knows, and I never mentioned it to him.”
She dropped her head into her waiting hand. It was that widespread.
“Come on, Lindsay. Don’t tell me you’re surprised. The department is a regular water bottle hangout when it comes to gossip.
“I hate to break it to you, Emilio, but your sources are wrong.” She lifted her head. “Matt and I were dating, were, as in the past. We broke up a few days ago.”
“I’m sorry. I’d hoped you’d make a go of it.” He appeared genuinely disappointed.
“Yeah, me too.”
“Any chance you might work out your differences?”
“Possibly.” If he’d just call. “I want to.”
“What are you waiting for then?” He winked. “Go for it.”
“I can’t,” she said somberly, unable to muster the same enthusiasm as Emilio. “He’s in Tucson. His father had a heart attack.”
“How serious?”
“I don’t know yet. I’m hoping Matt will call soon.” Hoping with every breath I take.
“I’m sure everything will be okay. But if you need anything, just give a holler.”
“Thanks.”
Lindsay returned to the supply room, but her mind wasn’t on the inventory, nor was her heart in it. Preferring to be alone for a while, she sent Randy away to start on the engine’s supplies. That might have been a mistake. Without any distractions, all she could think of was Matt. The inventory sheet lay untouched where she’d left it.
Call. Call. Call.
She leaned against the wall and hugged her stomach, which felt the way Booter’s must have when he swallowed the latex gloves. On the one hand, her career had taken off. On the other hand, her love life had nosedived. The end result left her emotionally torn in half and prone to tears.
Booter, always responsive to her moods, came and sat beside her, leaning heavily on her leg. She stroked the smooth fur on his head. Abruptly, he sprang to his feet and trotted from the supply room. His rambunctious barking echoed throughout the station.
“Fine. Leave me, why don’t you?” She snatched the inventory sheet off the shelf, determined to pull herself out of her slump. “See if I care.”
But she did care. Booter never abandoned her unless it was for someone he liked. And besides Emilio, the only other firefighter who fit that description was...Matt!
Hope blossomed inside her. She immediately repressed it. Matt was in Tucson. To think differently was nothing more than wishfulness on her part. Yet what other explanation could there be for the achingly familiar male voice in the distance?
No. She must control her overactive imagination before it got the better of her.
Yeah, right.
One minute later, Lindsay reached the entrance to the apparatus room. Both overhead doors were wide open, allowing the early afternoon sunlight to shine in and voices to carry.
Emilio was talking to someone on the other side of the engine. Lindsay couldn’t see who.
“Keep us posted, buddy.”
The visitor said something too low for her to make out
“She’s here.” Emilio again. “In the supply room.”
She? In the supply room?
Her heart practically flew out of her chest. She burst into the apparatus room. Rounding the back of the engine, she came face to face with Matt.
And stopped short.
Whatever he’d been saying to Emilio died on his lips as their eyes met. He looked tired. Tired, pale, and rumpled. But the light in his eyes was unmistakable. Though her arms longed to hold him, she kept them glued to her sides. There they’d stay until she learned the reason for his visit to the station. To see her, yes. But she didn’t want to jump to conclusions.
He spoke first. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Suddenly shy, she brushed an imaginary strand of hair from her forehead. She was dimly aware of a crowd gathering. Emilio, Randy, and Travolis, the man from Rebecca’s crew whom Dennis had traded days with. “How’s your father?” she asked.
The acute tension in his face relaxed. “Better.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Lindsay.” He took a step toward her.
She did the same.
All at once, she was in his arms, and he was kissing her. Kissing her as if they’d been apart three years and not three days.
And Lindsay kissed him back. She didn’t care that they were at the station. Or that Emilio and the others were watching. She didn’t care that regulations strictly prohibited intimate physical contact of any kind. Nor did she care that they could both be fired.
All that mattered was Matt and being with him.
When he at last ended the kiss, they were both laughing. Their laughter died when he dropped to one knee and took her right hand in his.
Lindsay’s other hand floated to her cheek, which was hot to the touch. Her legs wobbled, and a strange tightness squeezed her chest.
Is this what it feels like the second before your whole life changes?
Matt’s eyes remained on her. “I didn’t have time to buy a ring. But I swear to you, I’ll do everything else right for the rest of our lives.”
The room went suddenly still as they all waited expectantly for his next words. Especially Lindsay. She wasn’t disappointed.
“Marry me, Lindsay.”
“Matt...” Her voice shook.
“I love you. I know I’m a washout in the romance department. I should have put more thought into this. Prepared a speech or something. But I was in a hurry—”
She placed a finger on his lips, silencing him. “You’re doing fine. Absolutely perfect.” Tears stung her eyes.
“Is that a yes?”
He looked so hopeful, if Lindsay weren’t already head over heels in love with him, she’d fall right then and there.
“Yes.” She started laughing again and pulled him to his feet. “I’ll marry you.”
He let out a whoop, scooped her up in his arms, and swung her around. The room erupted with noise. The men clapped and cheered while a barking Booter ran in circles. No one told him to be quiet. The next instant, the area cleared. Lindsay, whose head was high in the clouds, didn’t pay any attention. She should have.
Suddenly, she and Matt were blasted with chilling cold water. The men had taken down the hose from the engine and turned it on them. The pressure nearly toppled Lindsay and Matt, but they managed to stay upright by holding onto each other.
It would be like that always, she realized. No matter what came at them, they’d weather the force so long as they had each other.
Over the roar of rushing water, Matt shouted, “Have breakfast with me in the morning.”
The last time he asked her that, she’d refused, and he’d had to coerce her into going with him. Not this time.
“Promise me something first.”
“Name it.”
Ignoring everything and everyone else, she pressed her wet body close to his in subtle invitation. “We have breakfast in bed.”