Page 23 of Christmas with Three Firemen

“Yes? Can I help you?” A little too cold to pass for professionalism maybe, but I am truly trying my best.

Meadows steps inside carrying a folder tucked beneath one arm.

Her hair is still slightly damp at the ends from a recent shower, curling up in pretty tangles of copper and bronze. She’s wearing a blouse and trousers, a little too formal for a firehouse, but the ivory and navy hues compliment her coloring so perfectly that I can’t help thinking one stupid, traitorous thought.

She’s beautiful.

But, of course she is. It’s obvious, the way snow is white and concrete is unforgiving. It’s a pointless thing to notice, so I shove it away.

Her nose wrinkles at my greeting. “I brought some preliminary notes regarding the recent fire.”

She places the folder on the conference table, raising her eyebrows expectantly.

I glance at it, then at her.

And I can’t very well refuse to do my job just because I don’t feel like dealing with her attitude. Or her undeniable beauty.

Again… pointless.

“Sit,” I tell her as I lower myself into the chair at the head of the table.

Her eyebrows rise immediately. “We don’t need to discuss it now. You can read through them and we can meet later. Whenever.”

I lean back in the chair. “Alright.”

Her eyes narrow for some reason.

Then, rather abruptly, she snaps, “What?”

“What?” I echo.

“You clearly have something you want to say to me.”

“Do I?”

She crosses her arms. “Don’t be coy. I’m listening.”

Fine.

I purse my lips. “That was reckless, what you did the other day. You disobeyed a direct order from a captain at an active scene.”

“Actually, I didn’t step foot inside the apartment until I overheard confirmation that it was secured.”

“Secured for authorized personnel in the appropriate gear,” I clarify through gritted teeth. “Not yet secured for civilian investigators and the like. The smoke hadn’t even cleared yet, Meadows.”

Her expression doesn’t change. “I was performing my duties according to my training.”

“You were risking your life.”

“And you risk yours every day, don’t you?”

I stare at her.

She stares back.

The room suddenly feels oddly smaller.

“I am trained for it,” I reply as evenly as I can manage.