Chapter 39
Jenna’s mood grew heavy as she watched Tyson head toward the bar with Jack. She was leaving tomorrow. Where in the world had
this week gone?
Chatties was packed and the noise level seemed to increase by the minute. The band was taking a break between sets, giving
the patrons the opportunity to catch up with their friends and neighbors.
She and Ty had decided to go out with friends tonight, keep things light. But it was hard to keep her spirits up when she
would soon be living three hours from Tyson.
This was their first double date with Sofia and Jack, although they’d all known each other since high school. They’d already
eaten their fill of seafood, and the aroma of fried fish made Jenna’s stomach churn.
“What’s that look about?” Sofia called over the cacophony.
“This past week went so fast. I can’t believe I have to leave tomorrow.”
“Do you regret taking the job?”
“It’s not that. It was the right thing to do. I’m just dreading leaving, that’s all. I believe I’ll like my new job, but I’ll
sure miss you and my mom and Ty and being out on the water every day.”
“I’ll miss you too. It’s been fun catching up. How’d Miss Molly take the news?”
“She was sad about it, but she knew it was coming. She already has someone lined up for my spot.” Jenna glanced around at her friends and neighbors.
This island had laid such a great foundation for her.
She admired its hardy people, its unique history, its beautiful scenery, and its wild ponies. “I really do love this place.”
Sofia tilted her a look. “And Ty?”
A dreamy smile curled Jenna’s lips. “Especially Ty.” Ever since their declaration a week ago, the two had been trading “I
love yous” on the daily. It was nice. More than nice. The relationship felt so different from what she’d had with Jason and
those before him. Her feelings for Tyson were on an entirely different scale. It was exhilarating and awe-inspiring.
And, if she was honest, a little scary.
Maybe a lot scary. Doubt edged in at the thought of their separation. Fear of losing him the way she’d lost her father wrapped
around her like a tentacle, squeezing until she could barely breathe.
But she couldn’t see Tyson and not want him. Not need to be with him. It wasn’t even a choice.
“You guys are really good together,” Sofia said.
“It’s so easy with him.”
“I love the way he looks at you when you’re not looking.”
“How’s that?”
“Oh, you know . . . like he can’t believe you’re his.”
Jenna went soft inside. “I’m the lucky one. I’ve always known he was a great guy, but he’s an even better boyfriend. He sent
me flowers this week. They’re so beautiful. I put them in my room so my mom wouldn’t have to see them.”
Sofia gave her an empathetic look. “How’s she doing? Did Gordon ever call back?”
Mom had called the day after she’d received his check in the mail but had gotten voicemail.
“He did, but he’s still uncertain about their future and dealing with some pretty heavy issues from his past.” Apparently his ex-wife had had major trust issues.
He caught the fallout from that, and he was wary about navigating those waters again.
Of course, Mom didn’t actually have trust issues.
“I never should’ve made her doubt Gordon. ”
Sofia took her hand. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You were just trying to protect her.”
“And look how that worked out. She’s utterly heartbroken.”
“Is it over for good then?”
Jenna gave her head a shake. “He said he’d like to keep in touch. I’m still praying he comes around.”
Tyson and Jack appeared, drinks in hand. They took their seats, still engaged in a conversation about the upcoming football
season. Jenna took a sip of Diet Coke as the band headed back to the stage.
The air-raid siren blared and the noise level in the room decreased.
Tyson whipped out his phone and checked the screen. “There’s a fire over on Willow. Sorry, guys, have to go.” He reached for
his wallet.
“I’ve got it,” Jenna said. “Go ahead.”
“Thanks. Call you later.” He gave her a peck on the lips, then took off toward the stairway, already in firefighter mode.
Willow Street was just down the road, but he’d have to go to the firehouse for his turnout gear. The whole thing shredded
Jenna’s nerves.
Sofia patted her hand. “He’ll be fine.”
“Of course.” But that didn’t stop the niggle of worry that wormed through Jenna’s veins.
The engine’s siren wailed as it cut through traffic on the way to the scene. Adrenaline pumped through Tyson’s veins as he watched the houses speed by.
EMS had reported that the scene was a working fire with smoke coming from the eaves. The unit slowed as it came to Willow
and made the turn. Smoke billowed skyward and flames shot from the windows.
The situation hadn’t gotten better. Hopefully everyone was out of the house and they could knock the fire down quickly.
As soon as the engine rolled to a stop, the crew jumped from the rig. Across the street one of their medics restrained a frantic
woman from entering the blazing structure.
“3–1 and 3–6, set up water supply!” Chief Jones called. “Parker, O’Neil, mask up. Victim inside—fourteen-year-old girl, possibly
in the bedroom upstairs on the south side. Window inaccessible. Let’s go! Let’s go!”
The crews went to work.
Tyson’s heart jackhammered as he and Luke geared up with oxygen tanks and masks and headed in. The smoke was already thick,
the air hot, the house fully involved.
“Fire department, call out!” Tyson said as they headed through the living room. They searched through the smoke for movement.
Where was she? Seeing no one, they moved toward the steps and started up.
At the top landing he called out again. The only response was the roar of fire and the sound of his breathing. The smoke was
thicker up here. The landing led to a long hall. Flames shot out of the doorways.
Ty used his com. “Chief, we need a knockdown.”
“Copy. They’re coming. What’s the situation?”
“Upstairs hallway is partially collapsed. We can get through if we can get this fire knocked down.” He was tempted to make a dash. But the hallway was long and narrow, and the collapsed beam would slow them down. Egress with a victim would be hazardous.
He glanced down the stairs for the firefighters. Come on, come on.
A lifetime later Riggs and Novak showed up on the nozzle. They aimed the spray at the first door, knocking the flames down
quickly, and the crew progressed down the hall.
“Don’t like the looks of this.” Riggs glanced at the ceiling where smoke rolled. “It’s not stable.”
“We have time,” Ty said. They had to. He wasn’t about to let a fourteen-year-old kid die in this blaze. Not when they were
right here. An image of that dead seventeen-year-old boy flashed in his head. Anxiety threaded through Ty.
That was not happening today.
“Two minutes!” Chief called over the com.
Riggs and Novak advanced down the hall, knocking the fire down as they went.
“Fire department, call out!” Ty and Luke swept the two rooms on the way to the southernmost room. But they were empty.
Just before they reached the last room, a loud crack split the air. Novak and Riggs dove out of the way just in time. Another
beam dropped, raining down smoke and fire.
“Riggs!” Ty checked the downed firefighter.
“I’m fine. Novak?”
“I’m good,” he called.
They cleared the debris and helped the men to their feet.
“Parker, report!” Chief Jones called.
“We’re all good, Chief.” The ceiling had come down, but there was still space to get to the bedroom.
“Get out of there now!”
“Copy that,” Riggs said, and the other three turned back toward the stairs.
Ty couldn’t just leave the kid! He glanced toward the bedroom, panic bombarding his every thought. “Fire department, call
out!” He listened intently.
There. Had that been a voice?
“Call out!”
“Help!”
He sprang into action. Squeezed through the debris from the collapsed ceiling. The heat was suffocating, the smoke blinding.
He slipped through the doorway. Flames engulfed the room. “Call out!”
“Over here.”
He headed toward the voice. The coughing. There was the bed. He squatted next to it and the teenage girl grappled for his
boots.
“Found the victim,” Ty reported.
“Get her out the front. Move, move!”
Ty pulled her out and lifted her to her feet. But she was too weak to stand. Wracked with coughing. He pulled off his mask
and put it over her face. “Hold it.”
She grasped the facepiece, and Ty swept her up in his arms. “Hang on!” Heat seared his lungs. Fire roared along the walls,
nearly engulfing the exit. He had to get her out of here and fast.
“Parker, report!”
Ty ducked low, dashed through the doorway. A crack sounded. He hunched over, pushing forward. But a force from above shoved
him down. The ground closed in.
Then there was only darkness.