Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Smiling weakly, I nodded as an ache grew in my chest.
Clearing his throat, Jake spoke. “May I ask you something, Preston?”
“Yes, of course you can.”
“How long have you been a firefighter?”
Leaning back in my chair, I took in a deep breath. “I started working at the volunteer fire department that my father ran in our small hometown when I was sixteen. He used to be a captain in the Boston Fire Department. My mother hated the city and wanted to live in the country.” Smiling, I shook my head. “So my father moved her out of the city. Anyway, I took the civil service test and started with the Boston Fire Department right out of high school. I’ve been working at Firehouse 37 the last four years.”
Jake searched my face for a few seconds before asking, “Do you like it?”
Staring down at the table, I attempted to find my answer. “If you had asked me two days ago, I would have told you my job is my life. Right now, I feel a bit lost. Trying to deal with feelings I’ve never had to deal with before.”
Leaning farther over the table, Jake said, “It wasn’t your fault. Fate played its hand, Preston. Regardless if you had gone to Trey or TJ first, you would have doubted it either way. There is no right or wrong in this.”
Pursing my lips, I nodded. “I’m sorry. You’ve just lost your family and here I am feeling sorry for myself.” Letting out a gruff laugh, I said, “I’m totally acting like a douche.”
Jake shook his head. “No man, I can’t imagine what you’re feeling. Was this your first…loss?”
A shiver ran over my body as the words seeped into my brain. I whispered, “First child.”
My phone buzzed and Jake and I both looked down at it. “It’s my girlfriend.”
I could see Jake’s body relax as he sat back in his seat.
Sherry: Don’t be late. I have a spa appointment early tomorrow morning. I’m picking up takeout for dinner.
Me: Looking forward to it and the dress.
Setting my phone back down, I pushed my sandwich away from me. “You’re probably wondering why I’m here.”
Shrugging his shoulders, Jake smiled. “Now that you mention it.”
Looking into his eyes, I could see the hurt and confusion. Wondering if my eyes mirrored his, I glanced around the room. “I had to know if she was okay. My mind won’t stop thinking about her eyes as she pleaded with me to save her child.”
Jake covered his face with his hands and let out a frustrated groan. “Damn it. Preston, how in the hell am I going to tell her? I can’t even understand this myself. She’s going to be destroyed. I’m about to start my residency and I’m afraid she is going to be alone in her…grief.” Jake looked away and closed his eyes as tears fell once again.
“Jake, when the time comes and you need to tell her, you’ll find the strength. I’m sure of it.”
My phone buzzed again, but this time it was from an unknown number.
Mrs. Banks is awake.
Swallowing hard, I took in a deep breath. “Jake, your sister is awake.”
Jake jumped up, nearly knocking the chair out from behind him. Without so much as a word, he turned and jogged to the elevator. My limbs felt like they had a hundred pounds on each one as I cleared off the table. Slowly making my way to the elevator, I hit the floor for ICU and silently said a prayer that Jake would indeed find the strength he needed to get through this and to be there for his sister.
Chapter 3
The Hero
Harmony
My body ached. My head hurt the worst of all. Opening my eyes, I looked up at someone who was smiling back at me. “Welcome back, Harmony.” Smiling, she said, “Let me go get your brother.”
Turning before I had a chance to even ask about Trey and the baby, she vanished through the door. Closing my eyes, I snapped them back open. All I saw were his green eyes looking into mine. The fear in his eyes had scared me, yet there was something in those eyes that captured me as well. It was as if I’d seen those eyes before in my dreams.
The door slowly opened and Jake walked in. He smiled but it didn’t touch his eyes. It was probably the fakest smile I’d ever seen my brother wear. Before the door closed all the way, I looked out and saw green eyes staring back at me. Again.
“Harmony, sweetheart, how are you feeling?” Jake asked as he approached the side of my bed.
My mouth was so dry I couldn’t talk. Pointing to my mouth, I looked into Jake’s eyes.
“Water?” he asked. “You need water?”
I nodded as Jake leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Shit. Let me go grab some.”