Read Online The Fireman Who Loved Me by Jennifer Bernard - Free Book Online

investigating a story that could actually save lives.”
    “Fair enough.”
    On her way out the door, she paused. “Oh, I almost forgot. Ella accepted an invite to host a party for Absolut Vodka. Since I’m off Ella duty, I guess you’ll have to tell her she can’t.”
    Loudon looked alarmed, frantically wiping his bleary eyes. “Oh no, Melissa. You take that one.”
    “But you said—”
    “After you handle this. Then you’re off Ella duty.”
    Melissa groaned. “Fine.”
    She’d think of something. In the meantime, she needed to start making some calls on the foster care story. The story that would make Bachelor Fireman Brody grovel at her feet.

Chapter Six
    B rody, crouched between two studs in the living room of his house-under-construction, dropped his wire strippers for the tenth time and swore.
    “You know, Cap, most guys do things like buy a new sports car or date a sorority girl after a breakup.” Ryan Blake, holding a large bag from Subway, loomed over him.
    “Yeah, well, I’m building myself a new house. Better than therapy.” Brody strained to reach the wire strippers. He knew his crew thought he was nuts. They were probably right, especially when it came to wiring. Home-run wires, three-way light switches, designated circuits. Why the hell didn’t he just give in and call a damn professional? He had a healthy respect for good electricians; he’d put out his share of fires caused by the bad ones.
    And why did he keep dropping his tools? He never dropped his tools.
    He knew why. Melissa McGuire.
    “What are you doing here?” he growled at Ryan.
    “Thought I’d come by and help you out today.”
    The San Gabriel firefighters had gotten in the habit of dropping by to help with his one-man construction project. They’d watched him go through hell, and they’d been ready at any moment to spackle walls, hoist two-by-fours, badmouth Rebecca, set him up with random strippers, or come over and hang out over beers and football.
    But the guys didn’t know the whole story. They didn’t know about the baby.
    “I brought lunch too. I thought you might need some refreshment,” Ryan added.
    Brody gave up on the wire strippers and extracted himself from between the studs. He stood up, wiping the sweat from his eyes. “After my hard night’s work?” he asked dryly.
    He took the offered bag and rummaged through it for a drink. After gulping down most of a Snapple, he fished out a turkey sub and handed the bag back to Ryan. He sat down on an overturned bucket and pulled another over for Ryan.
    Ryan wore a guilty look on his movie-star face. “I really owe you big, Cap. Was it . . . okay?”
    “Define okay.”
    “Did she make you play bingo or anything?” Ryan unwrapped a ham and cheese sandwich and bit into it.
    “Nope. She was very intelligent, very charming. When she wasn’t yelling at me.”
    “Yelling at you?”
    “For being a football-watching, car-driving blockhead.”
    Ryan frowned, confused. “What are we supposed to drive?”
    “Good question. Too bad you weren’t there to ask it.”
    “Geez, I’m sorry, Captain, I never thought it’d be like that. I thought she’d be all over you.”
    “Well, at the end . . .” Brody smiled reminiscently, and Ryan nearly choked on his ham and cheese.
    “You didn’t . . . you didn’t . . . make out with her?”
    “A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell, you know that, Hoagie,” said Brody reprovingly. Ryan carefully put down his sandwich, clearly trying to process this new development.
    “You mean, you dug her?”
    “What’s not to like about a beautiful, passionate, articulate woman?”
    “Is this another one of your lessons?” Ryan sounded worried. “I’m supposed to . . . um . . . see past appearances? To the soul within, or some shit?” Brody watched the gears click with great amusement, then decided to give the kid a break.
    “Well, yes, that’s always wise strategy. But actually, Nelly McGuire was indisposed, and