Chapter 17
DESIRAE
I’m startled awake, almost jumping as high as the ceiling in my bedroom, following a shrieking alarm from my phone, so high-pitched and loud that it likely can be heard throughout the entire condo complex.
I can apologize to my neighbors later, but right now my first priority is the boutique.
That alarm came from the app on my phone tied into my security system.
I don’t even bother to change out of the sweats and tee shirt I wore to bed, just step into my crocs, grab my phone, keys, and purse, and race to my car.
Since it’s late at night, hopefully no traffic will be in my way so I can make it downtown as soon as possible without getting into an accident or pulled over.
As I leave my complex, my phone rings. Caller ID indicates it’s the county dispatcher.
“Hello?”
“Desirae Russell?”
“Yes.”
“We’ve detected a fire alarm in the Reilly building, PPFD has been dispatched.”
I send up a silent prayer. Oh my God! Fire! Please, Lord, let my building be okay! “I’m on my way there, five minutes max.”
“We’ll relay your ETA to the engine en route.”
The dispatcher disconnects, and as I get closer to my building, I can hear a siren wailing in the distance.
I turn onto Seabreeze Avenue, my heart in my throat, anticipating seeing wicked flames and smoke.
But there’s nothing. It’s eerily quiet now, except for the rumble of the fire truck’s diesel engine idling and the garish red lights flashing silently on the building’s facade and the street.
I quickly pull to the curb and jump out of my car, leaving the driver’s door hanging open.
A massive hulk of a man in full turnout gear and a hard helmet with PPFD and Lieutenant inscribed on a logo waves me over.
“Ma’am. You the owner?”
“Yes. Do you know what’s going on?”
“Could you open up please, so we don’t have to destroy your door? Your sprinklers activated. We need to get inside to determine the cause.”
I quickly insert the key and shut off the security alarm system just inside the door. I cry out in anguish as water is spraying everywhere, soaking the contents of my boutique. I step in further, not caring about getting wet. I need to get to my special storage in the back.
The lieutenant holds up an arm to block me. “Ma’am, I’m sorry. You’ll need to wait outside.”
It takes every bit of willpower I have to not run a trick play and race past him, but I get it. It’s for my own safety. I step back out to the sidewalk, pacing back and forth, fighting back tears, as several other firefighters join the Lieutenant inside.
As I’m trying to figure out who I can call at this time of night, another vehicle approaches and a familiar figure gets out. Stone!
He rushes up to me, his eyes assessing me from head to toe.
“Are you all right?”
“As all right as I can be after getting the fire alarm.” I eye him suspiciously. “How did you know about the alarm?”
“Seems my mother thinks she’s the Pelican Point neighborhood watch. She was up late listening to her police scanner and heard the alert go out for your building. She called me in a panic and I got up here as fast as I could.”
Despite my worry about the building, and a tiny bit of joy that Stone’s here, my snarkiness can’t help emerging.
“Why are you here? Eager to see the building burn down so you don’t have to demolish it?”
His jaw tics, as if I hit a nerve.
“No, that’s not why I’m here. I came to help. I have no desire for your business to be damaged. I lo—care about you, whether you believe it or not.”
He quickly turns away from me and punches some numbers into his phone. He’s got it on speaker, so I can hear the person on the other end.
“Yes, boss?”
“Burton, send a restoration company over to the Reilly building in Pelican Point ASAP. I’ll wait for them.”
“You got it.”
Even though I’m grateful he’s taking the lead, I can’t let him think I’m weak. “Stone, you didn’t have to do that. I can handle it. I haven’t even notified the insurance company yet.”
“Des, I know you can handle it. I’m just trying to speed things up, possibly mitigate additional damage by waiting on the insurance company. Let me help you.” He touches my arm gently. “Please. I know how valuable the contents inside are. Especially your vintage collection.”
Gah! I want to be angry with this man. I can see the genuine concern on his face.
Even though I’ve been blowing him off, he didn’t hesitate to come here, and that speaks louder than any words could.
I still can’t reconcile what I see from him with my own eyes against the rumors out there as to what his company is about to do.
To be fair, I haven’t actually heard him say he’s not moving forward with demolishing the building.
But he hasn’t said he’s not, either. And dammit, if he took me in his arms right now to comfort me, I wouldn’t object.
A short time later, the firefighters exit the building. The Lieutenant comes to me with a report.
“Ma’am—”
“Please, call me Desirae.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He barely cracks a smile, perhaps realizing he still called me ma’am, apparently used to formalities.
“No sign of fire. We’ll have an inspector come out to make it official, but it appears you have some old sprinkler heads that triggered the alarm.
You’ll likely need to replace the entire system.
We were able to shut off the water to the sprinklers only so your main water is still on.
The report for your insurance company will be online shortly, but I would try to get someone in here to begin cleanup ASAP. ”
“Thank you, Lieutenant—”
“McAllister.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant McAllister.”
“My contact info will be in the report if you have any questions or need anything else.”
I nod. “Can I go in now?”
“Yes. Just be careful of the water. It’s slippery in spots.”
Stone follows me in and we head straight for the back, our shoes squishing on the saturated carpet through most of the boutique area.
Everything in front can be replaced, but my concern is for the works in progress and my vintage collection in the back.
I reach the rear of the store and breathe a sigh of relief. It’s dry back here!
Stone says what I’m thinking. “This is a good sign. Do you think everything’s okay?”
“I hope so. But just to be on the safe side, I’m not going to open anything that’s in preservation. Even though it’s dry, the air could have toxins.”
Stone nods in agreement. “Good call. It might be best if we get it out of here and into controlled storage tonight. Along with anything else that’s not wet. Can I get someone in here to take care of that for you?”
I can feel the tension in my body dissipating as I accept his help. I don’t want to do this alone. I’ll analyze the reasons later; but for now, I want him here with me. I need him here with me. “Yes. Thank you.”
A short time later, the boutique is bustling with activity. Stone is barking out orders as movers carry out all of my vintage garments to a van parked out front for transport. I don’t have to say a word as Stone is calling out, “Careful. That’s all fragile.”
The restoration staff is busy ripping out carpet, drying out the floors, and identifying anything wet or damp for assessment.
My stomach is rumbling, reminding me that it’s early morning now and everyone could probably use some coffee. May as well make myself useful.
“Stone, I’m going to run over to the bakery and get everyone some pastries and coffee. I’ll be back shortly.”
He barely looks up from his phone, no doubt rearranging his schedule since he made it clear to me he wasn’t leaving. “Okay, babe.”
Babe. I wonder if he realizes what he just said. Regardless, I’ll take it.
It’s not even six a.m. yet, but I know Julie is already hard at work preparing for the morning rush at Seaside Sweets.
I try the handle of the front door and find it locked, so I tap lightly on the glass.
Julie comes hustling over to let me in, the aroma of fresh baked goods hitting me as soon as I walk through the door, causing my stomach to growl in hunger.
“Desirae, what brings you by so early?” She doesn’t mention that I look like I just rolled out of bed with my hair a mess, dirty sweats, and no makeup. Technically, I did roll out of bed, even though it’s been hours since the fire alarm woke me.
“I’ve been up all night, actually. The sprinklers went off accidentally in the boutique and I’ve got a mess on my hands. Thankfully, there was no fire, but I’ve got water damage.”
“Oh no! I’m sorry to hear that! What can I do to help?”
“I’m here to get some coffee and pastries for all the workers.”
“No problem. How much do you need?”
“Let’s see. Coffee for about a dozen, along with me and Stone, and—”
“Stone? As in the man who wants to tear down your building, and now he’s helping you fix it?”
“Yes, that Stone. I’m not really sure about his intentions, but for now, I’m accepting the help. Can you give me enough pastries to feed fourteen people?”
“Of course, I’m getting ready to take some things out of the ovens now.”
Julie disappears into the back, emerging moments later with two large pastry boxes.
“Now, let me get some fresh coffee going. I can send you with two large carafes and you can just bring them back to me whenever.” She waves a hand in the air to signify whenever.
While I’m waiting for the coffee, I take the pastry boxes out to the car, carefully setting them in the back. Upon my return, the two carafes are on the counter waiting for me.
“How much do I owe you, Julie?”
“Not a thing. You’d do the same for me.”
“You bet I would.”
She reaches up and gives me a hug. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.”
Once I get back to the boutique, I pass out coffee and open up the boxes of sweets. I hand Stone a steamy cup.
“I wasn’t sure what you like in your coffee, but the sweetener’s over there if you need it.”
“Black is fine unless you have some milk?”
“I believe I do.” I go to the mini fridge and pull out a small carton. “Here you go.”
He takes it from me, but doesn’t let go of my hand. Our eyes lock and I can’t look away. I can feel my own heart beating, as my body floods with an emotion I can’t name. Gratitude? Desire?
“Thank you.”
“Thank you, Stone. For being here. I’m not sure I could do this by myself,” I confess.
Just as Stone is about to lower his lips to mine, one of the workers walks in.
“Excuse me, Mr. Anginelli.”
Stone sighs, but doesn’t take his eyes off of me. “Yes?”
“I want to show you something. Where we pulled up the carpet.”
“Perhaps you should show Ms. Russell. It’s her building.”
The worker sounds contrite. “Oh, yes. Sorry. Come with me, please.”
We head out front and the worker points to the floor. It appears to be the original hardwood floor.
“It’s in surprisingly good shape, considering it's been covered up for so long and sustained water damage. But I believe it could be refurbished quite easily.”
A rush of adrenaline shoots through me, wiping away the fatigue I was starting to feel from being up all night. “Stone! Did you hear that? Something good may have come from all of this. I can restore the original floor to its previous splendor!” I’m so excited, I practically leap into his arms.