“Are you sure? I’ll come right over.”
“No. I’ll be fine.” Sheila hung up the phone, wondering how long it normally took to put out the average fire. She really had nothing to compare it to. Maybe it hadn’t been all that long at all. The reality of Tucker putting his life on the line struck her. As honorable as it was, it was hard to imagine living with that worry every time the fire alarm sounded.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Sheila walked back downstairs. “Doris?”
“In here,” Doris called out.
When Sheila walked in she was doing a word search at the desk. “Any updates?”
“The fire is out. They just called it in. They’ll be heading back soon.”
Sheila let out a long sigh.
“Oh honey. I didn’t realize you were that worried. I’m so sorry. This is business as usual around here. Everything is going to be fine.”
Sheila nodded, spotting the coffeepot across the room. “Do you mind if I make myself a cup of coffee?”
“No. Help yourself. There are a ton of cookies and stuff in the kitchen too.”
“I couldn’t eat. Just coffee, thanks.” She poured a cup and added a little creamer.
“I was just getting ready to come up and say goodbye. I’m not needed for anything on this one, so I’m going to head out. Can I give you a lift somewhere?”
“No, thanks. I’ve got my car. I’m just going to wait here for Tucker.”
“Why don’t you go home?” Doris put on her coat. “Officially it’s Christmas Eve,” she said. “You’re welcome to stay and wait for him here if you like, but he’s going to be beat when he gets back, plus he’ll have some paperwork to do.”
“I think I’ll wait just a little longer.” Sheila sipped her coffee and watched as Doris pulled out of the parking lot in her minivan.
She sat on the edge of Tucker’s desk. Everything was done upstairs. She had two choices. She could go to Orene’s and worry and hope Tucker would call her, but he might think it would be too late to call, and then she’d worry all night long. Or she could sit tight.
Leaving didn’t seem like an option.
Finally, one of the fire trucks pulled into the parking lot and the firefighters got out, rearranging tools and hoses and stuff. She watched, looking for a sign of Tucker.
She went and got her purse and coat from upstairs. Still waiting for Tucker to come in.
The other fire truck rumbled into the parking lot. The backup alarm sounded as it backed up to the doors and the team started doing whatever they did when they got back from a fire.
The firefighters talked as they worked, decompressing as they moved around.
Sheila put her jacket on and walked outside. “Hey, sorry to bother you. Is Tucker back?”
“You’re Natalie’s friend, right?”
“Yeah, Sheila.”
“They took Tucker to the hospital. Nothing too serious. He’ll probably call you in the morning.”
“Of course. Yeah, thanks for letting me know.”
Her heart sank. Her body was pulled as tight as a rubber band pulled around too many books.Hurt?
She looked at her phone. No missed calls.
Call me.
