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The house was a total loss. The goal now was to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to the homes on either side.
Particularly to Lindsey’s house.
He didn't understand what had happened. Why had she moved out of the nice place she'd lived in with Sam? Because of the memories? Or for financial reasons? As much as he tried to be there for Lindsey, especially during those first few weeks after Sam’s death, she'd resisted his support. They'd had a huge fight when he tried to give her some advice on how to handle Josh. She'd shouted at him to get a life of his own and to leave her alone.
He'd backed off, giving her the space she’d asked for. He hadn't been to see her in four months. First, he'd headed off to a three week smoke jumping tour, having been dropped via parachute into the depths of the Oregon forest, and then when he'd gotten back he'd gone home to visit his parents. He’d been haunted by memories of Sam the whole time he had been in Oregon. And at his parent’s home, too.
He often saw his buddy’s smoke covered face in his dreams. His nightmares.
And he'd failed Sam again, because things were obviously worse for Lindsey than he'd realized. She'd kicked him out of her life once, but he shouldn't have left so easily. He'd assumed she'd at least been happily settled in her home. He never wanted to hurt her, but this time he wasn't leaving until he knew she and Josh were safe and secure.
Preferably not living in that death trap masquerading as a house.
When they finally had the fire under control, he helped stow the gear, his gaze searching for Lindsey and Josh. He figured the police had gotten the Red Cross involved to help locate the family that had just lost their home. There was no way he would allow Lindsey and Josh to return to their place either, not until he'd had the structure thoroughly checked out.
Might be a good idea to check the electrical wiring in the place, too. He had a sneaking suspicion it wasn't up to code, as the footprint of Lindsey’s house was exactly the same as the one that had gone up in flames. Just the thought of faulty wiring lining the walls of her home made his blood run cold.
“Lindsey?” He made his way over to where she and Josh both stood, looking shell shocked, their arms wrapped around each other for support. “I'll take you over to my place for what's left of the night.”
She frowned. “Why can't we go back to our house?”
“I'm sorry, there’s been water and smoke damage. He was glad he didn't have to lie—there had been a lot of water damage. “I’m afraid the house needs to be cleared by us before you can move back in.”
“Oh.” She bit her lip and shrugged. “Well, then, a hotel is fine. We don't need to impose on you.”
“You're not imposing.” Just once he wished she'd simply give in and let him help. Although she didn't realize how much his need to offer her assistance was wrapped in guilt over being the cause of Sam's death. “Actually, it may be better if you drove your car so you're not stranded without a set of wheels.”
She seemed to like that idea, but still hesitated, her gaze uncertain. “I don't know—a hotel might be better if this is going to take a while.”
“A few days at the most,” he said even though he didn't point out that if the house needed repairs, the time frame would be undoubtedly longer. “Please? At least for tonight?”
She grudgingly nodded. “Can we pack some of our things?”
“Yes.” He was grateful to give her at least that much. His crew was standing around, waiting for him, but he waved them off, figuring he'd get a ride back to the fire station later and followed her inside.
The place was even smaller than he'd realized. Frowning at the open, rumpled sofa sleeper taking up most of the living room, he watched as she gathered clothing together, throwing them into an old, well-worn suitcase.
He didn't like the circumstances she was living in, that's for sure. She didn't even have a bedroom of her own. Once again, he wondered what had happened? What had caused her to move from the nice three-bedroom house she lived in with Sam to this? What's more, why had she moved without even telling him?
Or had she deliberately moved just to avoid him?
No, that didn’t make sense. He’d honored her wishes, leaving her alone.
Lindsey closed the suitcase and bent over to pick it up.
“I'll take that.” He stepped forward to lift the heavy case from her grasp. He lugged the suitcase outside and put it in the trunk of Lindsey 's bright yellow car. Lindsey loved the color yellow, and seeing her small car would normally make him smile. But not tonight. Upon returning inside, he went back to find Lindsey and Josh in the single bedroom located at the rear of the house. Josh's suitcase was full, so Austin took it before Lindsey could.
“Anything else?” He paused in the doorway, looking at them expectantly.
“I guess not.” She gave one last glance around the compact kitchen and living room with a forlorn gaze.
“Hey, don't worry, you’ll be back soon.” He placed a hand in the small of her back and gently urged her toward the door. “We need to hit the road. You need some sleep. I have two spare bedrooms, one for each of you.” She'd only been to his place once so she might not know how many bedrooms he had. She and Josh would be far better off in his place than staying in the tiny house, even if the place was safe to move back into. At least they'd each have their own bedroom.
“Thank heaven's tomorrow is Sunday,” Lindsey said with a wide yawn. “Josh will be able to rest before he heads back to school.”
“Do you have to work tomorrow?” Lindsey was an emergency department nurse for the Sun Valley Community Hospital, and he'd sometimes run into her when he'd brought patients in from his paramedic runs.
“No.” She shook her head. “Not until Monday.”
