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for one, we’ve only been married for a year. I don’t know about you, but I would like a little more time as a couple before we add children to the equation. Secondly, have you forgotten I’m a firefighter?”
    â€œNo,” he growled. “I can never forget that.”
    She tilted her head to the side, wondering if she’d imagined the subtle anger in his voice, but continued to make her point. “Sorry, but they don’t make turnout gear in maternity wear.”
    â€œYou think I don’t realize that?”
    There was no mistaking the anger this time. “What’s this about?”
    His jaw flexed with tension. “Nothing. Go on, you’re going to be late signing in.”
    She took his hand between hers.
    He continued to stare straight ahead, only the slight flexing of his jawbone revealed his conflicting emotions.
    â€œIs this about the fire last week?”
    â€œIt’s about the fire last week, the fire the week before. The fire next week, and the week after. It’s about every time that firehouse alarm sounds.”
    â€œCavanaugh, you knew what I did when we met.”
    â€œForget I brought it up.” His coal-black eyes shot her a darting glance. “I love you, Marty. Sometimes, I don’t think you know how much.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œI don’t know what I would do without you.”
    She leaned across the seat and kissed his cheek. “I plan to have a long and fruitful life with you. In ten years or so, we’ll have a house full of kids. Just not now, not today.”
    A few seconds later, Marty stood in the entrance of the firehouse and waved as Cavanaugh drove away. She only hoped she’d been able to reassure him.
    Â 
    Cal peered out his office window when he heard Cavanaugh’s BMW pulling in. He went to stand at the top of the stairs to greet Marty, and stopped short to see Jeff coming up the stairs with an accelerant can under his arm.
    â€œWhat are you doing with that?” Cal’s cinnamon-brown eyes narrowed to slits.
    Jeff nearly fell back down the stairs startled by the shadow that was suddenly standing over him. He quickly regained his composure. “Found it sitting in the middle of the floor downstairs. Just putting it back where it belongs.”
    â€œIt belongs downstairs.”
    Jeff feigned surprise. “Oh? I could’ve sworn I saw a cabinet up here somewhere with all the accelerants in it.”
    Cal studied the man intensely. He was lying. “No, the cabinet for the accelerants is downstairs.”
    â€œOkay, thanks.” He turned and hurried back down the stairs almost knocking Marty over in the process.
    â€œHey! Watch it,” she snapped, regaining her balance on the metal, spiral staircase. Once the man was out of sight, she turned to look at Cal at the top of the stairs. He was still staring at the last place he’d seen Jeff. “What’s going on?”
    Cal shook his head. “Don’t know. Does anything strike you odd about that guy?”
    Her mouth twisted in a smirk. “Only everything.”
    So, Cal thought, it wasn’t just him. He resolved right there to ask his other team members what their take on Jeff Collins was. He could not risk a weak link in his strong chain. He was beginning to wonder if he’d made a bad decision in accepting him as part of his team.
    At first, Cal had believed he was just a loner who could slowly be won over, and made to feel accepted. But now, after the incident in the weight room, he was reconsidering. Something in Jeff’s eyes revealed his nature. And from what Cal could see it was not good. The man was more than a loner, he was trouble.
    â€œWhat’s up?” Marty asked, seeing the thoughtful expression on his face.
    â€œNothing,” he said, watching Marty sling her knapsack over her shoulder and climb the remaining stairs. Cal decided to keep his suspicions to himself for now. After all, what