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Ryan glanced up from the letter. “Shorter shifts? That’s the only change to your duty?”
Stacey replied in a low voice. “Yeah, to make sure I don’t overheat.”
“We can make this work, no problem. Since your license is current, you’ll be driving the trucks again next time we go out.”
Stacey flashed a dazzling grin and my breath hitched. She looked truly happy. Several congratulated her again.
“Wait here, I’ll be right back.” Ryan headed to the back of the shed to a storage cupboard with the cattle dog shuffling after him.
“Can’t wait to get you racing cars again for Turner’s Racing,” Bruce boomed with a grin. Stacey’s face fell as he offered his hand to me.
“G’day. Bruce Turner, Stacey’s uncle. Dr Cain was it?”
“Good to meet you.” I shook hands. Stacey watched me nervously. “Call me Harry.”
“When can you get medical clearance to race again?” Bruce asked her. “Perhaps the new doc could sign off your clearance?”
I stilled. Stacey licked her lips, avoiding eye contact.
“You want to race cars again?” Ryan asked, holding a firefighter’s jacket, pants and helmet. The jacket had a round sticker on the back with a Phoenix-like bird with flames for feathers. Under it wasFirebird: Turner’s Racing.
Stacey paled. “I’ll see. Haven’t made my mind up yet.”
“Could get the old car running again, Firebird,” Bruce said.
“Firebird?” I piped up.
“It’s my racing nickname,” Stacey explained. “Dad used to call me Firebird. Name stuck when I joined the brigade.”
“And she’s our Phoenix from the ashes,” Benji called out. Everyone hummed a cheer again.
A shadow crossed her face so quickly if I’d blinked, I would have missed.
“I like it.” I smiled. “Firebird.”
She blushed and then spoke to her uncle.
“Ryan has to repair my car first, Uncle Bruce.” She hitched an eyebrow at her brother. “That happening any time soon?”
“Yes,” Ryan grunted. “Can’t have the new doc being your taxi.”
“I don’t mind.” I addressed Stacey. “Makes sense if we’re going to the same place.”
“Let me take that,” Stacey took her uniform from Ryan. “And I’d love a lift, Harry. Thank you.”
“The sooner you see the doc for your medical clearance and get it signed off, the sooner we can have you behind the wheel and setting track records.”
“Uncle Bruce, I’ll see. I just—” Stacey stepped back, taking a deep breath. “I’ll think about it.”
The conversation lulled.
“Right, well, boys, Stacey. I’m heading off. Thanks again for this, Stace.” Bruce held up the USB stick.
Everyone said good-byes. Stacey grabbed my arm. “Don’t go, please.”
“Yeah, sure.”
Everyone filed out, including Ryan and his dog. “Two minutes Stace. Then we go.”
