No Easy Choice Read online

  After they all wore turnout clothes and SCBA, a female firefighter volunteered first. Little Keiko Nguyen, who was tough as nails, hefted the spreader, opened it up, and approached a block. Gently, she set the scissors around the block then closed the blades and lifted the contents. Captain Daniels took it from the spreader. “Hmm. Only a bit of a ding. Now, try it again. You can do it, Nguyen.”

  The five-year veteran gave it another shot. Still a ding. “You get one more chance.”

  Frustrated, she pushed back her helmet. This time the block was in perfect condition.

  Each firefighter tried the activity, with mixed results. Colin made a note that this was harder than it appeared to be at first. After they finished, Daniels lifted his chin at Colin. “Your turn O’Shea.”

  Surprised, Colin picked up his turnout coat, along with his helmet, from where he set it on a bench by the wall. When he was fully dressed, a guy handed him the spreader. Focusing, he went through the drill. When the cap took away the block, he smiled. “None. Great job.” He turned to the others.

  “Now for the second task. That black tub has eggs in it. Your mission, should you choose to accept,” he added jokingly “Is to get the egg in the spreader without breaking the shell. Then, put it on the top of the cone.”

  “Holy hell.”

  “You gotta be kidding me.”

  “Samuels, you’re up.” Spike Samuels was a big African American guy who rose in the ranks of the CCFD union to fight for more diversity in the department. He was also an excellent firefighter. Colin urged him on.

  He managed to pick up an egg but it cracked in the spreader. Daniels said, “We know you’re a bull in a china shop, so concentrate. You got two more eggs to do this with.”

  Spike didn’t succeed.

  “Next.”

  Donny Richmond was an okay guy but he could be arrogant. “No problem.” He picked up the egg without incident but when he set it down on the cone, the egg fell to the ground. “Son-of-a-bitch.”

  “Better luck next time, Donny boy.”

  The five firefighters finished the task. Two never succeeded and three did it on the second try.

  Spike gestured at Colin. “Your turn, Lieutenant-to-be.”

  With more focus than he thought he had tonight after the scene with Annie, Colin nailed the exercise on the first attempt. He may be a shitty husband these days, but at least he excelled at work.

  He was on his way home, when he decided to get a beer and think things over. He pulled into Brothers, now renamed Brothers&Sisters. He smirked. The original sexist title had pissed off the women in the department, so one early morning, they headed over here and put up their addition. They’d had a matching sign made up, same lettering and all, and except, to drive in the knife more, they’d made their word pink. Annie had helped, taking Bridget with her to the event. The thought made him happy. She could be a pistol, when she wanted to be.

  * * *

  Izzy arrived on her doorstep the day after the incident in the park. Annie had awakened at six with a headache—stress probably. Colin had been sullen most of the early morning before he went to the first Lieutenant’s formal class.

  “Hey, Annie.” Izzy waved goodbye to David, stepped inside and crossed to Bridget. The baby sat on the kitchen table in an indoor carrier. “Are you supposed to have her up so high?” Izzy asked.

  “What did you learn in babysitting class?”

  “Not to do that.”

  “So maybe we should have that as a rule while you’re here. Let’s set her on the floor in the family room, and you can play with her. Remember, whenever she’s in the carrier, she should be buckled in no matter where it’s sitting.”

  Once on the floor, Izzy offered, “I’ll unbuckle her now, then buckle it again so you can see how I do.”

  They had a pleasant morning. An hour into the visit, Annie said, “I’m going to the basement to do the laundry. I’ll be right within earshot if you need me.”

  “Thanks.” Izzy gave her a brilliant smile. Annie had a flash of Bridget, some day in someone else’s home, learning the exact same thing. She needed to enjoy every minute with her baby while she was still little.

  Annie turned on the radio, low so she’d hear Izzy, and separated the clothes. She tried thinking about what she could do about hers and Colin’s situation, but the effort made her headache worse. After she finished, she went upstairs and into the living room.

  “We’re fine,” Izzy said. “Can I take her out of this?”

  “Sure. Put her on the baby mat. It’s in the corner.”

  Izzy spread out the eight-by-eight foam square made of primary colors. Toys for the baby to touch and gnaw on were sewed into it. “This is so cool, Annie.”

  “I’ll leave you alone again. I have a bit of a headache, so I’m going to take something and lie down. Call me, though, if you need me. Promise?”

  “I promise.”

  Annie felt better when she got up after forty-five minutes of dozing.

  “Feel better?” Izzy asked.

  Man, she hoped her daughter was as thoughtful as Izzy. “Yes. Remarkably. What time is David picking you up?”

  She checked a watch on her wrist. “In about ten minutes.”

  Annie went to her wallet. “I’m paying you for two hours.”

  “You can’t. Our hours won’t count if we get paid.”

  “Did your mom tell you to say that?”

  “No, honest to God.”

  “I guess I have to agree with that, then. But once you’re done with the class, you’re getting a salary for babysitting Izzy.”

  David came to the door. He looked young and healthy since he married and moved in with Tess. His face had lost all its grooves around his eyes and mouth, his hair shone in the overhead sun. “Hey, girl.” He kissed Annie’s cheek. “Izzy ready?”

  “Yeah, I’ll get her. Thanks for picking her up. She was a big help. And David, she’s such a doll.”

  “All because of Tess.” Then he whispered, “And it’s training for you-know-what.” The girls still didn’t know Tess was pregnant.

  Around one, Annie fixed a pb&j and sat munching on the thick white bread, the sweet preserves and crunchy peanut butter while Bridget sucked on a ring full of toys. The little one’s eyes sparkled, though, when she noticed the food and she reached for it. Annie shrugged. “You already started on cereal. I suppose you can have tiny tastes of this.”

  Annie couldn’t take her eyes off her daughter as she tasted the food. Her mouth opened wide with each bite and she licked her lips. Annie was grateful she was home to see this. Had she gone back to work, she wouldn’t be.

  A flash of something hit her. What would she miss the second six months of Bridget’s life once she did return to her job?

  They’d just finished the sandwich, when the doorbell rang.

  She wasn’t expecting anybody, but maybe Colin had sent flowers to apologize for his unreasonable demand. Cheered by the thought, she opened the side door. Instead of a present from Colin, Brent Winslow stood on the small stoop. “Brent.”

  “Hi.” Wearing khaki shorts and a green T-shirt, that set off his coloring beautifully, he grinned at her. “I came over to see how you were today.”

  “How sweet. I had a headache this morning, but it’s pretty much gone now.”

  He held up a plastic bag. “The girls and I made you cookies.”

  “How thoughtful. Come on in.”

  Crossing into her small kitchen, he said, “I’ll have one with you if you get us milk.”

  “Sounds great.” She poured the icy cold drink and they sat at the table with Bridget still in the carrier.

  “I, um, saw the video on TV. Sorry about that.”

  “You’re big news in Crystal City.”

  “I guess.” As she took out the cookies—the sweet scent of the chips wafted up to her—and put them on a plate, he glanced around. She said, “You probably live in a mansion.”

  “We have a nice house.” He studie
d her. “Didn’t read the Daddy Chronicles three?”

  “Not yet. I’m still on book one.”

  “I discuss how I came to the conclusion that material things don’t matter. It’s people and their relationships that do.”

  “We’ve always felt the same way. Our house is small, but we renovated over the years and are satisfied with it.”

  “I like that.”

  Sitting next to Bridget, she bit into creamy cookie and dark melted chocolate. “Oh, God, these are sinful.”

  The baby fussed.

  His face lit. “Can I pick her up?”

  “Sure.” She gave him a sideways glance. “It sounds like you’re hankerin’ for another baby, Cowboy.”

  He ducked his head. “Shucks, Ma’am, I think I am. But they grow up so fast, Annie. Enjoy your time with her.”

  “That’s why I took another two months leave.”

  “Will you be able to go back at the end then?”

  “After six months? I hope so.”

  “Then I hope so, too.”

  Brent plucked Bridget out of the seat, sat back down and bounced her on his knee. “She doesn’t look the worse for wear.”

  “No, she’s not, thanks to you.”

  “No harm, no foul, I guess.”

  “Speaking of kids…where are your little ones?”

  “With a nanny. Both Lily and I do some work at home when we’re in charge of the little ones, so we’ve hired somebody to come in periodically.”

  “Lucky you.” She was thoughtful. “It must be wonderful to have control over your schedule.”

  “It is.” He peered over at her with piercing green eyes. “Don’t you?”

  “Nope. Not with a new baby. And Colin’s training for a lieutenant’s position so even his days off take time away from us.”

  “I’m sorry, then.”

  “I’m planning to have a babysitter for Bridget everyday so at least I can get some exercise, or time alone.”

  He nodded.

  They each took a second cookie. “What are you writing now, book five?”

  “Nah. I’m taking a break from the Daddy books. I’m playing around with a thriller idea.”

  “What’s it about?”

  “Not sure yet. I start with the characters. Maybe a cop, or a secret service agent. Hell, who knows, maybe a firefighter.” He arched a sexy brow. “You could help me with my research.”

  Annie flushed. Was he flirting? Was she?

  * * *

  At the fire academy, Colin sat in the first official class required for a promotion to lieutenant. He was relieved to see Captain Harry Zander running the session. Everybody liked him.

  “So,” Zander said, “I’m not going to start out with hard lines or threats that you won’t succeed. I’m here to help make sure you all pass the lieutenant’s exam.”

  Obviously, his reputation was well deserved.

  “So, let’s study what’s on the screen. No need to take notes. I have a handout.”

  “First off is Preparation for Tour of Duty, which means you’ll need to know how to run a shift and prepare for each tour. The second one is a monster to most officers: Record Keeping (Completion of Paperwork), including documentation of what you do on each phase of the call. You’ll need to record information on the following, which also includes knowing how to do them: Alarm to Arrival; Size-up After Arrival; Fire/Emergency Scene Operations-Initial Steps; Fire/Emergency Scene Operations-Search and Rescue; Salvage and Overhaul; Fire Scene Operations- Ventilation; Medical Emergencies; Building Inspections; Administrative Inspections; and Training. The test will include questions that require a working knowledge of all of these.”

  Silence. The seven participants all stared at him.

  “I know it’s overwhelming on paper, but take out a sheet of paper. For the first three up there, Alarm to Arrival, Size-up After Arrival, Fire/Emergency Scene Operations-Initial Steps, write down what you already know about them.”

  Colin wrote. He also glanced around at the others. They were writing, too. Ha! He got the point. They knew more than they thought.

  The second half of the class was given to the physical part of the test. “Let’s head out to the bay.” Once assembled, Zander pointed to the vertical lanes already set up. “Put on your turnout equipment.”

  He waited for the group to dress and then said, “Next, take a dummy over there. Each weighs 150 pounds.”

  Wow. A lot.

  “Hoist them over your shoulder, then run to the end of the lane and back, the fastest and safest you can.”

  They started. Running fast, Colin got only halfway, and stumbled, fell to the ground. Holy hell! He looked at his fellow candidates. Everybody tripped at some point.

  “Stay down. What’s the lesson here?”

  “Better to be the tortoise than the hare,” Colin blurted out.

  Zander laughed. “Yeah, O’Shea, that’s the point. But you’ll have to go faster than a turtle but less than a rabbit.”

  The time flew because the captain let them participate actively. Colin didn’t think of Annie once since he got here. Maybe he was getting better at blocking. But on the way home at two, he was besieged by his behavior earlier. Had he actually ordered her not to see her friends? Hell. What was going on with him?

  He saw a grocery store up ahead and pulled into the lot. Inside, he bought her a bouquet of carnations and drove the rest of the way happier. They could work this out, but he had to stop being such a hardhead.

  Colin noticed an unfamiliar car parked at the curb. They lived in the city and on-street parking was at a premium, so the owner wouldn’t necessarily be at his house. He parked in his driveway and walked in through the side door.

  You gotta be kidding me! “I recognize you,” he said without greeting. “You’re the author.” His tone was deadly cold because he’d gone frigid inside.

  Probably because of it, Winslow stood, put his daughter back into the carrier and held out his hand. “Yeah, I am. You must be Colin.”

  Colin stared at his outstretched hand like it was covered in shit.

  Getting the message, Brent said to Annie, “I’ll be going now.”

  “Thanks for checking to see how I was.”

  “You’re welcome. See you later.” He left.

  Annie whirled around to face him. “That was rude. You could have thanked him for rescuing Bridget yesterday.”

  “Seems like you did that already. He caught sight of the cookies. “Shit! You made him cookies?”

  “No, Colin, Brent made the cookies. Some men are professionals and domestic.” She took a deep breath. “Watch, Bridget. I’m going for a run.” And she left the house.

  Colin walked to the waste basket and dumped the flowers into it.

  * * *

  On Colin’s second night off, Annie was lying down in the bedroom when he came to the door. “You have a visitor.”

  “I have a headache.”

  “I’ll tell Brooke that.”

  She sat up. “No, don’t. Ask her to come in.”

  “To our bedroom?”

  “She’s been here before.”

  He left and soon, Brooke entered the room, closed the door. Dressed in a knit shirt and cropped pants, she frowned. “Hey, honey, not feeling well?”

  “I’m better. I took ibuprofen and the headache’s basically gone.”

  “Good enough to come to yoga with me? It’s right down the street and tonight’s a gentle class.”

  “You know, I think that helps me relax. Let me change.”

  Colin was sitting in the living room, watching a golf match, with Bridget on his lap. He looked up when they came out. “I’m going to a yoga class with Brooke. It’s only an hour, and I’ll be home after.”

  “What about Bridget?”

  “I gave her a bottle at five. She’ll be good till I get back for the night feeding.”

  “Whatever.” His gaze went back to the TV.

  “That was like being in a freezer,” Brooke said
when they got outside and started down the sidewalk.

  “Uh-huh. He’s being a real jerk about the playgroup at the park I go to.”

  “Seriously? He wants you to just stay home with the baby?”

  “No. Remember I told you a male author comes to it?”

  “You didn’t tell us that.”

  “I didn’t?”

  “No.”

  “Must be it wasn’t that important.”

  “Or maybe it was.”

  Annie stopped walking. She’d been enjoying the warm evening and sounds of summer in the neighborhood. “What are you saying, Brooke?”

  “Hey, girl, don’t shoot the messenger.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m not thinking straight these days.”

  “No worries. Tell me about this guy.”

  She talked about Brent when they started walking again.

  “He sounds like a dream man. Handsome, successful, great with his kids, even a stay-at-home dad, sometimes. All very attractive.”

  “Of course he is. That doesn’t mean that I’m attracted to him.”

  “Truthfully?”

  “Yes, I adore Colin, even when we fight.”

  They started up again. “Honey, any man in the universe would be worried about his wife hanging out with that guy.”

  “We’re never alone.”

  “You were today.” She stopped in front of the yoga studio, and faced Annie, squeezed her arm. “All I’m saying is this man could be dangerous to you and Colin.”

  “How can you be so sure, Brooke?”

  “Because there was a man like that in my life, early on. He proved to be dangerous to me and Zach.”

  “You never told us.”

  “It was before our academy days. After the women got together, I didn’t want to bring it up. But don’t you see the parallel? You never told us about Brent Winslow, either.”

  Chapter 5

  From the back of Nathan’s church, Annie took in the high ceilings, the huge arches and white pillars of St. Stephen’s. White bows graced a few of the many pews, and vanilla scented candles flickered on the altar. Sprays of different-colored carnations graced each side. The small gathering of close friends had come together to celebrate Trish and Nathan’s wedding.