Fanning the Flames (Romance Firemen Series) by Amanda Perry Read Free Book Online Page B

ok?”
    “Nick -” she began, but couldn’t continue. The strain of the recent events hit her like water rushing through a broken dam. Tears coursed down her face and she battled to speak through huge, wracking sobs.
    “Cassie, I’m coming to find you,” Brendan said. “Are you safe where you are?” She gulped an affirmation that she was. “Right, then stay there. Text me the street name. I’m getting in the car right now. Just hold on.”
    He hung up. Cassie sat on the curb, head resting on her knees, taking deep breaths and waiting.

Chapter 9
     
    Cassie had never seen a more welcome sight than Brendan’s Dodge pick-up turning the corner and driving toward her. She collapsed into the cab and threw her arms around her rescuer.
    “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”
    “You’re okay though, aren’t you?” Brendan looked her over carefully. “You’re not hurt?”
    She shook her head. “Nothing like that,” she said. “I’m ok.” Brendan waited patiently for her to explain.
    Cassie sighed, “It’s just….When I got to Nick’s, at first everything was fine. But then I asked where his room was, and he said we were sleeping in the same room. I said I didn’t want that, that we weren’t in a relationship and shouldn’t be sleeping together, and he said...”
    “Go on,” Brendan urged her gently. Cassie could see by the set of his jaw that he was angry but keeping his emotions in check.
    “He said I had nowhere else to go and I should show a little gratitude,” she whispered. “Then he came toward me and I just ran! I don’t even have my purse. If I hadn’t had my cell in my pocket, I don’t know what I would've done.”
    Good thing you did,” said Brendan. Cassie saw his jaw tense again as he cast a brief, angry glare toward the direction of Louisburg Drive.  He hid it quickly, replacing it with a reassuring smile. “Let’s get you to my place and we’ll figure out what to do.”
    Brendan’s home was a whitewashed clapboard house on a quiet street, cozy and compact. He left Cassie to settle herself on the overstuffed couch and returned a few minutes later carrying a sweater in one hand and two mugs held precariously in the other.
    Cassie accepted the sweater with thanks and pulled it over her head. It was vast and baggy, hanging on her like a blanket. She snuggled down inside it.
    “Tea.” Brendan pressed the mug into her hands. “None of your coffee nonsense here. Hot tea with two sugars and a little drop of rum. Best thing for shock.”
    She looked at him skeptically. “Thanks, but I don’t usually drink tea.”
    “Cassie, I’m a fire fighter. I’ve been specially trained in dealing with people who have been through traumatic experiences and on the first page of the manual, there's a recipe for this kind of tea.”
    He regarded her solemnly. “And underneath the recipe, it says specifically not to stand for any objections, but to make sure the traumatized person drinks it. Now drink.”
    She sipped the tea. It was strong and sweet, the sugary rum mixing with the hot tea. Whether it was the drink, the warmth, or Brendan’s calm presence, Cassie began to feel a lot better.
    “Now for practicalities,” Brendan said, slurping his own tea and pushing a packet of Pepperidge Farm cookies toward Cassie. “You’ll need a place to stay tonight. I'll change the sheets and you can have my bed. I’ll take the couch.”
    “I can’t do that!” Cassie said. “I’m imposing on you enough already! I can’t kick you out of your bed! If you’re willing to let me sleep on your couch, that’s more than enough, way more. Tomorrow, I’ll call my parents and arrange to head down to their place.”
    She hesitated, dropping her gaze and staring intently at her mug. “Brendan, I’m really sorry. I made a stupid decision and you tried to warn me not to. I should've listened.”
    “Ah, Cassie,” Brendan sighed, ruffling his