Caught in Flames Read online

  She jumped off the small wrap-around porch and rolled in the grass, scared she might be on fire.

  Braven rushed to her and rolled beside her, licking at her arms. She glanced down, relieved they were red, but not burned or hurting. “Corey!” she cried hoarsely and coughed again.

  She couldn’t see any of the structure of the cabin itself, just the oranges and yellows of the flames, white searing brightness and black smoke covering her view. Becca continued to scream and cry, staring through blurry, burning eyes as the dog barked beside her.

  Becca screamed at the top of her lungs for help, for someone to come save her brother.

  Nobody came.

  It wasn’t until Becca made her way with Braven out of the forest and to her house that she was able to get help. By the time the police, firemen, and ambulance found the cabin, it was burnt to ashes, Corey’s body unrecognizable.

  Becca stood at the edge of the forest as they carried the charred remains of her brother away. Braven, her paws wrapped by an ambulance attendant, lay curled up against her leg, licking her knee in comfort.

  Through her burning tears, she swore. The pain in her heart hurt worse than the smoke choking her lungs. It was in that moment Becca swore she would devote her life to making sure nobody else in the world ever felt the pain she was feeling in that moment.

  Chapter 1

  To Rebecca Taylor, her job had become simple. Sort of like lather, rinse, repeat.

  Take the trip up to Washington, grab the prototypes, drive to wherever they were supposed to be tested, hang with the station while they tested everything out properly, and then she would head on back to Washington to grab the next testable prototype.

  Lather, rinse, repeat.

  She enjoyed her job; she was by no means complaining. There was no monotony. New, effective prototypes saved lives. She got to be the first one to touch the newest, top-of-the-line firefighting equipment, and then she got to travel everywhere in the country to teach other firefighters to use them. By trade, she was a firefighter. She didn’t mind using the term fireman, but these days, other females took offense so she had to remind herself she was a firefighter, not a fireman. She still fought fires, but didn’t have a station to call home. She travelled, teaching other firemen—firefighters – how to effectively use the prototypes and then reported back to Washington if the equipment proved effective or sometimes, a hindrance.

  Today’s trip was wearing on her, though, as the trip to Arizona was long and hot. She could have flown, but had decided she wanted her own vehicle while down there, not a rental. Her boss wasn’t impressed, but she’d convinced him that security at the airport wouldn’t have appreciated her lugging all the prototype equipment.

  The trip took longer than she had expected and the sun was refusing to go down. She pulled off into a hotel about a hundred miles from Phoenix. This trip was harder than any of the others. She could finish the rest of her journey into Phoenix in the morning, after a hot shower and a few hours of sleep. This trip carried more weight than the others, though she refused to acknowledge why.

  She fell asleep easy enough, but because of the full moon, or for whatever reason, she slept restless. Dreams of horrible visions filled her head. She’d wake with no memory of the dream, just her heart racing, and a raw voice from crying. It continued on and on throughout the short night.

  Morning finally shone its burning sun over the horizon and into the hotel room. Becca groaned and rolled over, picking up her phone and sliding a finger across the screen to turn off the early alarm.

  She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She got why she had a terrible sleep, just as she recognized that even though she couldn’t remember her dreams, she knew they were about home.

  It had been a very long time since she’d dreamt about the day her brother died.

  It left her feeling uneasy, her heart stinging with the remembered pain of his loss. She had lost her best friend and her beloved brother that day, but she had stuck to her vow. She had become one of the top firefighters in the country. She was helping them improve how they fought the flames every day, and she was making the difference that was saving people from the pain of losing their loved ones.

  Becca rolled out of bed and slipped out of her panties as she made her way to bathroom for a shower.

  An early start meant moving fast. She had a couple hours of driving ahead of her. Station Five expected her to be there at shift change. She showered quickly and dressed in pants and a grey T-shirt with an IFA decal on the left breast.

  Becca scooped up her jacket and headed for the room door, making her way down along the outside hallway, three flights of stairs, and the small stone walkway to her truck. Jumping into the driver’s seat, she brushed back her shoulder-length dark hair and checked her rear-view mirror, starting up her gas-guzzling beast and backing out of the motel parking lot.

  She stepped on the gas and rushed down the highway. She should have flown, but she wanted control on who touched the prototypes. She kept them locked up tightly in the back of her truck, surrounded by a heavy ton a steel.

  Pushing harder on the gas, she looked around through all her truck’s windows and swallowed hard. She would soon be driving through her small hometown on the way to Phoenix. She hadn’t been there in a long time, but this was the fastest way to get to Station Five.

  Sighing into the wind of her open window and blowing a kiss toward the cemetery as she passed it, she left her love with her brother, who had been buried there ten years ago, almost to the day.

  Chapter 2

  Pulling into the station parking lot, Becca relaxed at the familiar sight. Even though she didn’t like going home, she did like Station Five. As she stepped out of the truck, a small group of men dressed in their turnout gear greeted her. Station Chief Titan stepped forward and extended his hand. She slipped her hand in his and gave him a tight handshake. “Chief Titan! Miss me?”

  “We all missed you around here, Becks.” He pulled her into a bear hug.

  She laughed when she finally escaped his long, strong arms and pretended to catch her breath. “Glad to hear it. You up for me tagging along again with the gang? I brought you boys some new gear to play with.”

  “And we have some new boys for you to play with.” He chuckled and winked at her. “I mean meet.”

  Becca smacked the Chief in the shoulder and shook her head. “Really? You don’t see me for a year and that’s what you think of me?” Titan was always making jokes about her and the men of Station Five. He was like an uncle to her. Since her job required her travelling around the country constantly, she never had time to settle down with anyone—at least that was her excuse.

  “You know I love you, Becks. It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t tease you.” The Chief ruffled her hair as he laughed and stepped to the side. “Meet our new Lieutenant, Evans.”

  “Evans?”

  And just like that, her entire childhood came crashing back to her. Lieutenant Evans stepped forward to reveal himself. He’d been her brother’s best friend when they were growing up.

  “Sam?” she half whispered. He stood in front her, all grown up.

  “Hey there, Baby Becks.” Sam rushed over to her, picking her up and twirling her around in the air before placing her feet back on the ground. “Damn, you grew up.”

  So had he. Tall, dark, and more than handsome. He still had that unruly curly hair and sweet smile. “So did you.” She laughed as she let her eyes travel down and then back up him.

  “I take it you two know each other?” Chief Titan asked, surprised.

  “Yeah, we grew up together, kind of.” Sam’s eyes clouded over a moment but he didn’t say anything more.

  If Chief noticed, he didn’t say anything. “Ah well, you two can go play catch up while you help Becca unload her new gear.”

  She shook hands with the other firefighters. They followed Titan back into the building. An awkward silenced followed as she and Sam watched them walk away. Clearing her throat, Becca re
ached into her pants pocket and pulled out the keys to her truck.

  Sam moved around to the back of the truck. He lifted the heavy lock and raised his eyebrows. “Heavy duty?”

  She reached over and unlocked the padlock. “Don’t want anyone handling the prototypes or deciding to permanently borrow them without my permission.”

  “Gotcha.” Sam stepped back to let her pull a long container out. “I heard you became a firefighter as well.”

  “Yeah,” she said as she handed him the container. “I’m actually surprised I haven’t run into you sooner.” She pointed to one side of the container before reaching into the truck bed to pull out the other one. “It’s got wheels on one side.”

  “Thanks.” He set one side down and checked for a handle. “You probably haven’t seen me because I’ve been bounced around a few times before coming home.”

  “Where did you start?” She set the other heavy container on the ground and locked the truck up. They walked together toward the firehouse.

  “Well I started in Sacramento, where I left to go to college. Moved up to Portland for a while, but home is home. Ya’ know?”

  Looking at him reminded her of home. Her heart ached for Corey. She smiled and forced the thoughts away. Corey was dead. He wasn’t coming back. They set the locked containers just inside the firehouse by the pump truck. “I know that feeling, that’s why Station Five gets such special treatment with my prototypes.”

  “Is that why? Here I thought it was because you and the Chief had a thing.”

  Becca gaped at Sam as he laughed, nearly stumbling as he pushed open the door to the hall and led her to the kitchen.

  He smiled at her before heading to the long line of food, grabbing two plates and filling them with a messy pile of breakfast foods. He brought it back and motioned to a table, dropping one plate in front of Becca and one plate in front of himself. He sat down and she did the same. He grinned, a wickedly sexy grin, as he pulled out a fork and knife from his chest pocket for himself and handed her a set.

  “How did you know I was hungry?” she asked, digging into her plate.

  “Firefighters are always hungry.”

  It was Becca’s turn to laugh as they pinged their forks together in friendly cheers, her fork finding the eggs first. They both took small bites so they could continue to catch up. The whole time her eyes wandering around his body. As a kid, she had always had a bit of a crush on Sam, but all grown up and in his uniform... damn he was gorgeous! His dark curly brown hair sat tossed to perfection, his muscles strained against his white cotton tee, and his shoulders looked like they could easily carry him and whoever else needed a lift without breaking stride. He was taller than she remembered, but still had the most hypnotizing dark brown eyes in the world.

  Sam grinned. “I didn’t know you were coming until today.”

  “Really?” She wiped her mouth with a napkin, noticing Sam’s eyes drop down to her lips. “Chief Titan knew last week I was coming. I called and asked if he was interested in some new toys.” She shook her head. “Sam, it’s really good to see you. It’s been... a long time.”

  Sam played with the food on his place before looking back up at her. “Same, Becks. But damn, girl! My best friend’s baby sister grew up sexy as hell!” He motioned at her head and let his hand curve downwards to the boots on her feet. “You cut your hair. It was long as a kid but this shoulder-length suits you. Makes you look more grown up. You’re fit, toned, and well taken care of,” he said and leaned forward, as he continued in a lowered voice, “better than your typical female firefighter.” He straightened and laughed. “Corey would’ve had to beat the guys off of you in high school. Good thing—” he cut off right there, his eyes wide as he realized what he had been about to say.

  Becca forced a smile, but didn’t know how to respond.

  Sam quickly changed the subject. “So how long are you staying?”

  “I’m not sure, at least two months. This new prototype is being very temperamental still. Need you and the guys to rough it up, see what it can take. See what you like and don’t like on it.”

  “And what is it that we’ll be roughing up?”

  “A new helmet walkie-talkie.”

  He didn’t look impressed. “We already have helmets with walkie-talkies in them.”

  “Yes, but these ones are Bluetooth and built right into the helmet. No cords, just talking. It’s an attempt to keep the walkie damage down. Too many cords are melting with the extra heat, and instead of trying to make a more flame-retardant cord, we went wireless.”

  “That’s cool. The cords kind of ruined the hot fireman look.” Sam winked at Becca, still shoveling food into his face between words.

  She rolled her eyes. “Communication’s critical for firefighters during all five service responses.”

  “Ours work fine now.”

  “But we want it to work better. During the past couple decades we’ve worked hard at changing helmets to wireless. It’s shouldn’t be considered a luxury anymore.”

  Sam nodded, his eyebrows raised slightly as he listened, clearly interested.

  Becca took it as an opening to continue. “It’s not a luxury, but a necessity. It’ll improve communication en route and directly at the scene.”

  “If it’s Wi-Fi, isn’t there a chance the signals gets lost if there’s a bad connection?”

  “We’re working on that. There are antennae, and it makes the hats slightly bulkier. So I want you guys to see if you can work with them or not. And it’s Bluetooth, not just Wi-Fi.”

  “Bluetooth?”

  “Or DECT.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Bluetooth originated as the wireless data protocol. DECT is intended for wireless audio.”

  Sam shook his head. “I don’t get it.”

  “Bluetooth frequencies are in ISM band.” She smiled at his blank look. “It’s the same place where consumer and industrial products operate. Baby monitors, microwave ovens... they are all ISM.” She clipped a chunk of hair behind her ear. “DECT, however, operated on a frequency reserved only for voice communication. I want to know which one works better for you guys. Which one’s easier or more effective.”

  “Cool. Complicated, but cool nonetheless.”

  They sat in silence for a short while, eating the rest of the food in front of them. “Here,” Becca said. “You need this.” She threw a napkin at Sam’s face when they were finished, laughing while shaking her head. “You were always a messy eater.”

  “Hey! I’ve gotten better.” Sam tried to defend himself while wiping off his face, dropping the napkin onto the table as he leaned forward and folded his hands together.

  “So, staying for a few months, huh? The Chief paying that hotel bill?”

  “No, the sub-company I work for pays for short-term rentals for me.”

  “Oh, that’s good of ‘em. Where do they have you staying?”

  “Some house about forty minutes from here.”

  “Wow, they couldn’t score you anything closer?”

  “Nah, it’s just a little house on the outskirts of town. Figured a house to myself was easier than trying to find a decent rental condo.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “What about you? Where are you living these days?”

  “I have a two-bedroom condo a few blocks from here. View of the city, if you can consider the city a view.”

  More laughter rang through the mess hall. Sam never thought Phoenix was very much of a sight. Becca, on the other hand, loved to visit Phoenix when she was younger. She thought it was one of the most beautiful cities in the country. They had grown up outside of town, but the view of the ‘big’ city still held something over her.

  “Why did you move back, you know, with hating Phoenix and all?”

  “I may not like the look of it, but the feel of it is home.”

  “I know that feeling. If I was going to settle anywhere...”

  “Why don’t you? Settle, I mean...”
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br />   “And give up being the first to play with all the gadgets? Not a chance. Nothing could make me give up this job.”

  “Nothing?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You win, no convincing you to stay here at Station Five. I know the Chief would keep you in an instant though,” he grinned wickedly. “Just putting that out there.”

  “Really?” Funny that the offer would tempt her to think about it, just for a second, she made a face. “You do realize that Station Five is one of the few stations left that’s an all-boys club?”

  “Maybe Phoenix just doesn’t breed female firefighters. It’s too hot?”

  Becca glared and arched a brow at him. She was an extraordinary firefighter, and born in Phoenix. She tossed the dirty napkin back into his face and flipped him off. “I’m from Phoenix.”

  “I know.” Sam winked again at Becca. “It’s good to have you back. Teasing you was always one of the highlights of my life. That, and hanging out with your brother.”

  The mention of Corey changed the mood. Becca stared down at her plate.

  Sam cleared his throat, realizing he’d hit a no-conversation zone. “So when do you get to pick up the keys to your rental house, or whatever it is you have to do?”

  “In a couple of hours. Figured I’d unload and then head out.”

  “Well, let me know when you’re finished. I’ll walk you back to your truck.”

  “My, what a gentleman.” She grinned. She preferred this joking, sexy Sam over the serious one who talked about her brother’s memory.

  “Ha. Yeah, right.”

  Becca faked being a damsel, fanning her face with her hand as she laughed at Sam. “I’ll let you know if I need the help of a big, strong, man.” She stood and nodded. “Thanks for breakfast,” she joked. “I’m off the see the Chief. Find out where he’s putting me.” She headed down the hall and got the information from him. She set to work dragging the cases to the office area set for her and stacked the boxes inside, checking to make sure nothing had been damaged in the trip.