Riverbend Road. RaeAnne Thayne
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WATCHED CADE walk away, tension radiating from him with every step.
She had worked with him for nearly three years but had never seen him like this. Usually he was calm, coolheaded, no matter the crisis. He was acting very unlike himself—being abrupt to two scared little boys, suspending her for actions he certainly would have taken himself in the same situation.
It left her feeling off balance, as if she were trying to hike up to the top of Mount Solace wearing high heels.
“Seriously, Wyn. How can we ever thank you?”
She shifted back to Lindy-Grace and Ron. She had a sudden feeling this was going to get old really quickly.
Her father had been the hero around town and people revered him accordingly. Twenty-five years as the police chief of Haven Point had earned him a reputation as a decent, caring man who would do anything for the people he served. The last difficult two years of his life had only solidified that love and respect. His funeral five months earlier had to be moved to the gymnasium at Haven Point High School to hold the crowds of people who wanted to come pay their respects.
She was no hero, just a police officer doing her job.
Her mother was going to freak. It was a wonder Charlene hadn’t hitched a ride to the fire with Lindy-Grace to make sure her oldest daughter was okay.
“I’m just happy everything worked out,” she said now to her friend.
“But a week’s suspension! You saved two lives. You shouldn’t be punished for that! What is wrong with that man?”
She couldn’t begin to guess—nor did she want to discuss it with Lindy-Grace.
“It doesn’t matter.” She forced a smile. “The boys are safe and that’s the important thing. And they’re not going to go around starting any more fires to roast hot dogs without a grown-up present, right?”
Both boys shook their heads vigorously.
“We really need to go now,” Ed said. “The docs at the emergency department have called three times trying to find out what the heck is taking so long. LG, you can ride along if you want. Ron, just follow behind at a safe speed and meet us at the hospital.”
“Right.”
“So I’m good here?” Wyn pressed.
Ed nodded as he took the oxygen mask from her. “Yeah. Your levels are great and I think Chief Gallegos would be fine with me releasing you. Just promise you’ll go straight to the hospital if you notice any shortness of breath or feel light-headed.”
“You got it.”
She signed the paperwork releasing her from their care, then waved off the ambulance as it backed away through the fire crew.
By the looks of it, the entire Haven Point volunteer fire department had turned out for the excitement, though it looked like the barn was going to be a total loss. At this point, they seemed to be trying to contain the fire to only the barn and make sure it didn’t spread to the surrounding vegetation.
She spotted Cade helping uncoil hose from one of the water trucks. No, it wasn’t his job, but that never stopped him before. He always jumped in to do whatever necessary.
With a sigh, she headed for her patrol car. When she started the engine, he looked over. He wore sunglasses that concealed his expression but she had a feeling he was still glowering at her as she drove away.
She had left her phone inside the vehicle when she responded to the fire, what felt like another lifetime ago. It rang before she even made her way past the last fire truck and when she glanced at the screen, she saw she had missed six calls—all from her mother. She had to talk to Charlene eventually but she wasn’t quite ready for that.
Just as she turned onto Riverbend Road, it rang again. This time the caller ID had her reaching to answer.
“Hey, Kat,” she said as she pulled over to the shoulder of the road, grimly aware she was too shaky to talk on the phone and drive safely at the same time.
She was greeted by an excited shriek that nearly pierced her eardrums.
“Is it true?” her sister, Katrina, demanded.
As usual, her sister’s bubbly energy made her feel about a hundred years older, though less than five years separated them.
“I’m going to say yes, though I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
“Sam just texted me that Michelle Hunter came into the store and said she heard from her mom who heard on the police scanner that you ran into a burning building and saved about twelve people.”
Oh, the fun rumor mill in Haven Point. You had to love it.
“Don’t forget all the babies and kittens. There had to be at least a hundred of them.”
“Seriously?”
For about half a second, Katrina actually bought it. Wyn swallowed a laugh. She adored her sister, she really did, but sometimes Kat was a little too gullible—not a good trait in a second-grade teacher.
“No,” she finally admitted. “No babies or kittens. Or puppies, for that matter. I didn’t rescue a dozen people either. As usual, the facts tend to get a little distorted once the rumors start flying.”
“Why bother with facts when they only get in the way of a good story?”
It was another of their dad’s little sayings and she had to smile. Both she and her sister seemed to be quoting John Bailey more often now that he was gone. Maybe they were finally able to remember him as he once was instead of the distorted version they had lived with for the last two years of his life.
“It was only two little boys,” she answered. “Lindy-Grace Keegan’s pair. And I was only a few minutes ahead of the fire crew.”
“My sister, the hero! That’s amazing. I’m so proud of you. Dad would have been too.”
“Thanks,” she answered, a little catch in her throat at the words.
“I mean it. Wait until Marsh hears.”
Their oldest brother, Marshall, was the sheriff of Lake Haven County. What would he think about her suspension? He would probably support it wholeheartedly, especially since Cade was his best friend.
“Can I bring you dinner tonight?” Kat asked. “I was thinking about trying out a new recipe for chicken divan.”
Her stomach gave a long, greasy roll at the offer. Kat was a fantastic, dedicated teacher, a good friend and a sweet, kindhearted person. She was also a terrible cook.
“I think I’m good. Thanks, though. I just need a little downtime, you know?”
“Are you sure? I’d love to bring you something. What about dessert? I’ve got more fresh rhubarb out back and was thinking about rhubarb-cherry tarts.”
Her mouth puckered. Kat was on a no-sugar kick these days and Wyn could only imagine rhubarb-cherry tarts without it. No thanks. She had an emergency Snickers bar hidden away inside her house that was calling her name right now.
“You’re so sweet, but really. It’s been a crazy day and I need to chill.”
It felt like another lifetime ago that she had been rescuing Aunt Jenny from the cow moose and her baby camping out in her driveway.
“I totally get that. After teaching twenty-five seven-year-olds all day, sometimes when I get home from school I just want to sink into a chair and not move until the next morning. I don’t know how I would survive without summers. Fine. But can we grab lunch or something this week? Don’t tell me you’re working double shifts! I won’t hear any excuses.”
“Okay. I won’t tell you that.” She didn’t add that she wasn’t working any shifts for several days. Kat would have no problem marching right down to the fire scene and giving Cade a piece of