Pace was already handing me a cup of water with a straw as he spoke over his shoulder.
“Mason, go grab her something from the kitchen,” Pace directed. I liked stern Pace.
The youngest of them, a kid who looked straight out of high school but with the body type of the rest, turned and rushed out of the garage. He reminded me of a large-breed dog that’s almost at its full size but still thinks it’s a puppy. His shoulder rammed into the corner as he rounded it, calling out an “ouch” but not slowing down.
The water almost tasted sweet; I’d been so dehydrated. I smacked my lips loudly. “Mmm. Refreshing.”
“You want a sandwich? Or we just got a bunch of good cheese and jam from Sutton Farms.”
“That sounds good,” I said.
“Maybe a little prosciutto? Some crackers?”
My stomach grumbled loudly between us. Pace grinned at me, seeming to relax as he came up with a plan.
“Mason!” he shouted again, and the wide-eyed kid returned a second later. “Make her a little charcuterie tray. And use the good salami,” he added, to the chagrin of a few grumbling guys.
“We just got more of the good stuff,” Walker mumbled. Pace shot him a look, and he quieted down.
“He’s the newest recruit,” Fu Manchu said.
“Good kid,” Lt. Jones added.
“Bit of a doofus,” Walker finished.
“He’ll be all right,” Pace said. “I still think she should be checked out.” Worry passed over his features, like Mr. April was getting into his head. “Doyouwant me to call Doc?” he asked me.
“No.” I looked to Pace, horrified.Please don’t bring anybody else into my misery, not said out loud but heavily implied through my imploring gaze.
“No. I will give her an exam and call Doc if I need her. I think it looks worse than it is.”
“It does?” For the first time since waking up from my unplanned rest, I wondered just how bad I looked.
“It’s stopped bleeding at least,” Fu Manchu said.
“I can go spot treat her sweater,” Lt. Jones said.
“Jones is great at stain removal,” Walker added.
Three of the remaining men stood smiling, bouncing up and down on their heels, the picture of innocence. I had no desire to take off my sweater in front of these men, no matter how adorable they were. I was wearing one of those tight undershirts that cinched in my waist, causing my breasts to all but spill out the top. I didn’t lose my baby fat so much as it shifted into my hips and chest.
Pace shot them yet another disappointed look.
“I’m taking her up to the showers. There’s a first aid kit up there.” He looked at the other guys. “You should be ashamed of yourselves. Tell Mason to bring up her food when he’s done.”
“Yes, sir,” they said seriously.
I expected him to help me up off the cot gurney thing I lay on, but instead, he said, “I’m going to pick you up, okay?”
He didn’t have to ask me twice. I nodded.
“Good. Just wrap your arms behind my neck.” His deep voice rumbled comfortingly through me as my body was effortlessly brought snug against his brick wall of a chest. I did as instructed with my arms and let my still-very-woozy head rest against his shoulder. When he spun to take me away, I saw the others exchanging amused glances and raised eyebrows.
“I wanted to give you a proper tour of the firehouse.” He spoke low, voice even, and no sign of strain as he carried me up a flight of stairs. I guess there was a reason he did all that cardio training and weight lifting. “But it will have to wait for another time. I need to make sure you’re okay.”
“How long was I passed out?” I asked.
“Less than a minute. Almost as soon as I got you inside, you started to wake back up. I think it was just a head rush, combined with everything.”
