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The building had been gutted. All that remained of the original structure were the stained-glass windows, stone walls, and oak beams that supported the high ceiling. An oval bar had replaced the pews on one side; tables and booths on the other. Where once hung paintings depicting the stations of the cross were now dart boards. A band was on the small stage, setting up their instruments and doing a sound check for later in the evening.
But all eyes were on us, or more specifically Ember. She looked fantastic in her short skirt and silk blouse. I had seen her legs before, but the way the skirt clung to her thighs really showed them off nicely. The top was cut just low enough to hint what lay beneath.
I spotted Chief Baxter making his way over. “Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Good to see you here, Logan. I am sure the rest of the squad will be happy to see you, too.” It had been the Chief that recommended me for the job as inspector after I was declared medically unfit for duty as a firefighter. “Jenny just stepped into the powder room. She'll be right back, and you can introduce us to your pretty friend.” Aiden excused himself to check in with the team and confirm what lane he would be on. “Make us proud, son. We’re all counting on you,” Baxter said, just as his wife appeared.
She gave me a warm hug, and I caught the faintest whiff of cigarette smoke mixed with Shalimar. “It is so good to see you, Logan. I’ve been telling Jack that we need to have you and Aiden over for dinner. Isn’t that right, honey?”
“We would like that very much.” I turned to Ember, “Jenny makes the best pot roast in town.”
“I don’t believe we’ve met,” she said, extending her hand.
“This is our friend, Ember Cano,” I told her. “I've known Jack and Jenny most of my life. My parents used to play cards with them every Friday night.”
“We had some fun times, that's for sure,” she said a bit wistfully before turning her full attention to Ember. “I don't recognize the name, dear. Did you grow up in Riverdell?” Jenny could recite the last name of every family who had lived in town for the last 50 years.
Come on, Logan, let me buy you a drink while Jenny grills your friend.”
“Sure, why not, Aiden’s driving.”
“Of course he is. You drive too fast, and he is risk averse,” he said. “Go easy on the girl, Jenny. We don’t want to scare her off.”
I felt bad leaving her alone, but she was a tough woman and could handle herself. Besides, Jenny’s concern comes from a caring heart. She considers herself RFD’s unofficial den mother.
Ember
“Don't let them scare you, sweetheart. I'm not as bad as they make me out to be.” She gave me a warm smile. “It is true I ask a lot of questions, but how else are you supposed to get to know somebody?” I liked her honesty, and she seemed harmless enough. So, I told her she could ask me anything she wanted.
“You remind me of my daughter. You’re both petite and have the same color hair. She’s in a threesome, too. But her boyfriends aren’t as good looking as Logan and Aiden. Nice boys, though. Both have good jobs.”
“What are you talking about?”
“A threesome, you know, when three people are together.” I stared at her, stunned. “No, that's not the right word. A throuple, that’s what she called it.”
“I know what a polyamorous relationship is,” I told her. “I’m just not sure why you assumed I am in one with Logan and Aiden.”
“Because I’ve never seen either of them look at a woman the way they look at you. It’s the same way they look at each other.” She turned to where the guys were and, sure enough, they were looking in my direction with smiles on their faces.
“That proves nothing,” I said.
“Maybe not, but I can tell by the look in your eyes, you have feelings for them, too.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Sure, I had the hots for them, so did every other woman in the bar. But feelings? It was impossible. “We hardly know each other.”
“I fell in love with Jack a week after I met him.” She gave me a sly smile. “It would have happened sooner had I been living with him.”
“You are very well informed, aren’t you?” I said, “You probably know what happened with Logan and why he is no longer a fireman.”
“Let’s go out back so I can have a cigarette and I will tell you the entire story.”
I was not dressed for the chilly night air, but was eager to hear what she had to tell me. When we got outside, I was relieved to see the bar had a couple of propane heaters set up on the patio.
“It was a little over a year ago.” She fished a pack of cigarettes from her enormous purse, then looked for a lighter. “One of the worst fires we've had around here in years. Apartment complex. A three alarm. That means units from neighboring communities were called in to assist.”
I shivered as she lit her cigarette, took a puff, and exhaled. “Jack hates when I smoke. He thinks I quit three months ago, but it's a damn tough habit to break. You don't smoke, do you?” I shook my head, wondering how long she intended to stay out here.
“Good, don't start.” She popped a breath mint in her mouth. “Logan’s squad was the first on the scene. Someone said there was a child still inside. Which later turned out to be untrue, but Logan had no way of knowing that. According to protocol, he should have waited until his partner was ready. But as soon as he heard someone was in danger, he charged through the front door of the building.”
“By the time Aiden and the rest of the unit had their gear on, flames were pouring out of the windows and through the roof. Like I said, it spread quickly. When they got inside, the steps had collapsed, and Logan was pinned under them. It took three men to lift the debris off him. By that point, the fire was out of control and Jack had to order everyone out of the building. Logan was hurt badly and could not walk. Aiden threw him over his shoulder and carried him out. Saved his life.”
