Chapter 7 #2
“Dubai,” Dr. Blackstone blurted, and gave her a brilliant smile. “As to his running into a burning building, well, my dear...” He put a hand to his chest. “Let me tell you, Mr. Stormfyr is quite the hero where he’s from as well. He’s a fireman. No, a fire chief. Yes.”
He gave her a vigorous nod and then glanced at Jackson.
Jackson was pinching the bridge of his nose and looking quite perturbed. What was his problem?
Phin ignored him and gave her attention back to Mr. Stormfyr. “You’re... a fire chief?”
“The youngest ever in his department, through a set of unfortunate circumstances, of course, but he’s man enough for the job.” Dr. Blackstone slapped Mr. Stormfyr on the back.
Mr. Stormfyr glared at him then gave his attention back to her, his expression softening. He offered her a tentative smile but didn’t say a word.
“Wow,” she said, unable to keep the hint of awe from her voice. “I’d love to know how things are done where you’re from. So would Chief Morrison. You have to come see him.”
Mr. Stormfyr shook his head. “No, thank you.”
She picked up his accent. It sounded sort of like Arabic, but not quite. She shrugged it off and smiled at him.
“Well, it’d be great if you could speak to him at some point while you’re in town. I’m sure he’d love to hear how things are done in Dubai.”
His eyes traveled over her face, then locked with hers.
Her breath caught, and Phin was unable to move for a second. It was as if he were looking right through her.
“I will think about it. Thank you.” He turned to the others. “Take me to Basil now.”
He took a step forward, stopped, and looked at her. “You are one of the people who fight the fires?”
“Yes, I am a volunteer. I started the process as soon as I turned eighteen. Since I was attending college here, I was able to complete my training while studying. By the time I finished two years of studies, I’d passed all the tests and become a volunteer firefighter.”
He cocked his head, taking her in again.
“Studies?”
“I attended the community college here. My second two years I took online through the university. I didn’t want to stay in Eugene and go to school there.”
“And now you’ll have a fine career ahead of you,” Dr. Blackstone said as he gently nudged her aside. “Now, we really must take Mr. Stormfyr to his friend, who is very anxious to see him. Oh, what a reunion it will be!”
Mr. Stormfyr glanced his way, then locked eyes with Phin again. “You work here?”
“No, I’m a volunteer firefighter. I get paid a little, but it’s all I’m doing right now until I figure things out, you know?”
“Yes, as young Phin just said, she’s fresh out of college,” Dr. Blackstone chortled. “By the way, did they have you attend the graduation ceremony in Eugene?”
“They did,” she said with a smile. “Everybody’s proud of me, but like I said, I’m trying to figure things out.”
“Of course, my dear.” Dr. Blackstone steered her farther out of the way. “Now, if you don’t mind, we must be off. Tootles.” He gave her a little wave, then motioned for Mr. Stormfyr to precede him.
Jackson hurried ahead, leading the way, with Dr. Blackstone bringing up the rear. She watched the three men walk single file down the sidewalk.
At least now she knew how to find him, even if he was staying in a hotel.
Dr. Blackstone would know which one. Or maybe he preferred a bed-and-breakfast. For all she knew, he was staying with Dr. Blackstone himself.
He seemed to have a house full, at least according to her sister Jessica.
The mailman had lived there, for one, and so did a few other guys.
Betty had recently gotten married. She was her sister Jessica’s best friend.
And married one of the guys that lived there.
But now she and her new husband lived at her grandmother’s cottage on Silver Lake. Betty had inherited it. Lucky girl.
Phin sighed, adjusted her backpack, and headed down the sidewalk toward home.
Part of her was embarrassed to admit she didn’t know what she wanted to do.
Now that she had a degree, one would think she’d go straight into something.
The problem was, there were a lot of things she could do with the degree she had.
So, until she made up her mind, she’d continue volunteering at the fire department and helping her parents around the house.
That is, until they got tired of having her around.
She’d have to get a job at some point, even if it was something here in Moon Creek Falls.
That at least would give her time to figure out what she wanted to do and where she wanted to do it.
But not having that decision made nagged at her.
She loved Moon Creek Falls, but it was small. Unless she wanted to make a career out of flipping burgers at Frosty’s, there wasn’t much else she could do. She’d have to leave town for work at some point.
Phin thoughts turned to Mr. Stormfyr. As soon as she got home, she’d called Chief Morrison and tell him she’d found his mystery man, but that unfortunately he was visiting from Dubai.
Still, it would be interesting to hear how things were done in another country and what sort of procedures they had to follow.
She could show him around the firehouse.
Maybe they could take him on a call if possible.
She wanted to know how he’d become a fire chief at such a young age. He couldn’t be a day over twenty-eight, but maybe he was simply young-looking. Who knew?
Phin continued to think about Rhaziel Stormfyr all the way home.