A Mistletoe Proposal. Rebecca Winters

by the fire, but another part preferred to stay in denial about him fighting the fire, so she headed for the shop.

      While she listened to the news she kept busy placing the dowels and cleaning up after her father. By now the fire was 95 percent contained, but there’d been injuries. A number of firefighters had been taken to Providence general hospital. One had died on the way after a wall had collapsed on him, but no names were being given out yet.

      Andrea cried out in anguish. It could be Rick, or one of his friends at the party. She couldn’t breathe until she knew the truth. Without hesitation she drove to the hospital. The main streets en route had been plowed. Andrea parked underground and followed the signs to Emergency.

      When she saw Rick’s name on the wall chart, her heart thudded like the striking of an anvil. After inquiring at triage, she was told he was in cubicle eight and she could go back. Behind the blue curtain she found him.

      To her everlasting surprise and gratitude, he was sitting on the end of the hospital bed in his uniform, breathing oxygen. As far as she could tell, nothing else was wrong with him. When he saw her walk in, his eyes suddenly gleamed a brighter green. Surrounding him were three of the foulest-smelling, grubby-looking firefighters she’d ever seen.

      Arney and Jose she recognized from last night’s party. “Hey, Andrea,” they said in unison with a decided grin. “You’re one sight for sore eyes. How did the boss find you and how come he’s so lucky?”

      A smile broke out on her face. “I must say you guys looked a little better last night,” she teased, ignoring their questions.

      “Yeah, well, now you’re seeing the real us.”

      “Whoa—” the other firefighter exclaimed. “I know I’ve never seen you before.” His blue eyes studied her in a way she found too bold. “Someone introduce me.”

      Jose smiled. “Andrea? As you can see, Chase is dying to make your acquaintance. Andrea runs the Hansel and Gretel shop downtown.”

      “Is that so? Well, I’m just going to have to drop by, then.”

      Andrea hoped he wouldn’t.

      “Chase swung in from another station to assist,” Arney explained.

      Thankfully the attending physician came in and took Rick’s vital signs, preventing her from having to make a comment. Something about the other firefighter’s attitude was borderline obnoxious to her.

      “Can he drive back to the station with us, Doc?”

      “I can’t release him for an hour. Just so you know, your captain won’t be going to work tomorrow. For the time being it’s home and total bed rest. Follow my advice and you shouldn’t have any lasting effects.”

      The guys didn’t sound happy about it, but Andrea rejoiced that the doctor had taken charge. For the rest of today and tomorrow he’d be safe!

      After the doctor left the cubicle, Rick pulled down his mask, still staring at her. “All right, you guys. Get out of here.”

      Andrea thought he sounded slightly hoarse but completely like his confident self. She sent up a silent prayer of thanksgiving that Tessa’s daddy had been spared to live another day.

      “We’re going.” Arney grinned and punched him on the shoulder. One way or another the guys managed to give a physical manifestation of their affection and relief by a nudge or some other gesture.

      Their camaraderie revealed they were a close-knit family of which she wasn’t a part. This was Rick’s element, a whole other world, and he was happy in it. She could see that. They belonged to a special club, unconsciously making her feel excluded.

      Chase filed out last, not paying attention to Rick. He gave her a look that made her uncomfortable. “I’ll be getting in touch with you.” She wanted to call back, “Please don’t.”

      When they were alone she urged Rick to lie back down, but he ignored her. Maybe she was wrong, but something about the other firefighter seemed to have made him tense. His next question was unrelated. “How did you know I was here?”

      She told him the sequence of events, starting with her father sleeping over. Through narrowed lids he appeared to digest everything she said. “I thought you didn’t want anything more to do with me.”

      “I don’t, but the nine-alarm fire was on every channel.”

      “You knew it was my day off.”

      “True—however, it was such a huge fire I figured you’d be called in. When I drove to the fire station and saw your car in the parking area, then I knew you’d gone on duty.”

      “You actually drove there to see?” A glint of satisfaction entered his eyes.

      “Yes. I was concerned when I found out there were injuries...and a death.”

      He nodded gravely. “A father of four.”

      “I heard. It’s so tragic.” Her voice shook. “Thank heaven it wasn’t you. Tessa wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

      “I don’t plan to die on her if I can help it.” He bit out the words.

      “I realize that.”

      “Now that you’re here, would you be willing to wait long enough to drive me to the station for my car when I’m released?”

      “I’ll drive you home first,” she said without hesitation. “Doctor’s orders. We’ll arrange for your car later. Don’t talk anymore, Rick. Give your throat and lungs a rest. If you’ll give me your housekeeper’s phone number, I’ll let her know you’ll be home in another hour.”

      Andrea knew she shouldn’t be overjoyed that he wanted her help to get home. But if he hadn’t asked her, she would have worried that much more about him.

      * * *

      When the nurse pushed Rick outside the hospital in the wheelchair, Andrea was waiting right there in her car. The woman was tying him up in knots. He climbed inside and fastened the seat belt before they took off. If it had taken him breathing too much smoke to see her again, he wasn’t complaining.

      The doctor had said his heart rate was a little high. What the medic didn’t know was that moments before, Andrea had walked into the cubicle. After figuring he’d never see her again unless he made it happen, he knew the shock of realizing she’d come to see him on her own had played havoc with his vital organ.

      A lot could happen in twenty-four hours. He planned to use every one of them wisely.

      “Are you feeling terrible?” Andrea sounded anxious.

      “I’m fine.”

      “No, you’re not.”

      He looked over at her lovely profile. “I’m sorry that the death of one of my colleagues alarmed you enough to bring you to the hospital. I’m sure it was a reminder of what happened to your husband. I wish you could have been spared. Tell me. What did you do with your day after your father left?”

      “Besides worry about you, I bought some dowels and put them in the windows.”

      “I’m glad you took my advice.”

      “If they’ll act as a deterrent, then I’m indebted to you.” He noticed her hands grip the wheel a little tighter. “Was the furniture mart a set fire?”

      “Benton thinks so, but it’ll take a day to find the proof.”

      She flashed him a glance. “What’s your opinion?”

      “I think this particular pyro is having a field day.”

      “Tell me about your friend who died. How old are his children?”

      “He has two teenagers and two in their twenties.” Rick saw telltale tears trickle from her eyes. “Becoming a firefighter is a lot like joining the military. Everyone