She normally didn’t bother with a bunk room while she was working the day shift. There were occasions she’d make use of it, but most of the time, she spent her free time doing chores around the station.
She skipped the early-morning hubbub in the dayroom. She didn’t have it in her to see all the pitying looks or answer all theHow are you doing?questions.
Everyone clocked in and started the morning checks. They always checked the equipment at the beginning of shift. They’d check it again before the shift ended and make sure everything was restocked and cleaned if needed. The next shift would do the same.
It might seem redundant for both shifts to check, but they couldn’t be too careful. A simple mistake could be devastating. This helped minimize as much human error as possible. Perfection was the goal.
“So, the station had a visitor yesterday.” Greer stood next to her, checking his SCBA. “A certain US Marshal visitor.”
She wanted to be anywhere but here right now. She focused on her tank but didn’t respond. He had her telephone number. Why was he checking up on her at the firehouse?
“Came in and talked to Cap.” Greer was fishing.
“Probably asking about the fire.” She put her SCBA back in the engine.
“That wasn’t the only thing he was asking about.” He bumped her shoulder. “Wanna tell me about the man with the badge?”
She shrugged. “There’s nothing to tell you. His niece is the girl getting into trouble with Bella. Probably trying to do a background check on me and my parenting.” She was grasping for a plausible explanation.
“Uh-huh, sure.” Greer put his SCBA up. “That’s why he looked disappointed when he was told you were off for the day.”
“I guess you’ll just have to ask him yourself the next time you see him.”
“Oh, so you plan on seeing him again, do you?” He nudged her, grinning.
“That’s not what I meant.” She rolled her eyes at him.
“Whatever you say.”
“Shhh. Do you hear that?” She stopped and pretended to listen intently for something.
Greer’s brows furrowed as he concentrated. “Hear what?”
“The whistling?” She tilted her head.
He listened longer.
“Never mind, it’s just the wind tunnel between your ears.”
“Ouch, that hurt.”
“You know I love you.” She smiled sweetly and moved on to checking the hoses on the engine.
Once the equipment check was done, Sam went to the bunk room to check on Bella. She was still snoozing.
Sam stood in the doorway and watched her sleep. Her chest tightened. What were they going to do now? She’d still beenunable to get in touch with her landlord. She had some money in savings, but not enough for the first and last months’ rent and a deposit for a new place to live. Not to mention purchasing new clothes, furniture, and all household necessities.
That was if they didn’t have to pick up and move again. Something Sam didn’t want to do. Not just for Bella’s sake. Sam liked it here. Renegade was her home, and her RFD brothers were family. A loud, boisterous family, but a family all the same.
A hand rested on her shoulder. “Everything okay?” Lieutenant Fischer asked quietly.
Sam closed the door to let Bella sleep. “Yes. Just thinking.”
“I don’t want you worrying about the next steps. Station 4 and all of RFD are here for you.”
Her throat clogged with emotion. “Thank you.”
She would expect nothing less from her friends. Not out of selfishness but based on their history. There had been several times in the last six years that RFD had banded together for one another.
