Hero's Journey by J. J. Cook, Joyce Lavene, Jim Lavene Read Free Book Online

safe.”
    â€œThere’s working—like I do. And there’s working—like you do,” he quipped with a chuckle. “But never mind that. What can you tell me about the fire?”
    She repeated what she’d said to John.
    â€œLooks like I’d better have a word with the Loflins,” Don said. “People get in trouble, especially in this economy. It seems like a good way out to burn your house and collect insurance.”
    He wasn’t fooling Stella. “Or your thief went too far this time.”
    His blue eyes squinted at her as darkness continued to settle around them and the streetlights came on. “I should’ve known John couldn’t resist telling you. He’s been rattling my cage about it all week. Looks like I can’t trust him to keep his mouth shut anymore.”
    â€œHe was right to tell me. Whether you like it or not, I’m the fire chief. You’re supposed to inform me when this type of situation happens, Don. I’d give you that courtesy if our positions were reversed.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t have to. I keep up with what I need to know. It’s not my fault if you don’t.”
    Ricky joined them. “We’re heading back to the firehouse, Chief. You want me to take your gear with me?”
    She did, but not with Don standing there. She relaxed enough to hand him her helmet. “I’ll bring the rest with me. Meet you there.”
    â€œYou’ve got them trained like little puppies, don’t you?” Don laughed as Ricky took her helmet and headed toward the engine.
    â€œAt least I don’t feel like I have to demean them to show my superiority.”
    Don spat on the blackened ground. “You can use all those two-hundred-dollar words if you want to. I’m not impressed. John is easy to get taken in. He looks at those pretty brown eyes and that shapely backside and gets all worked up. I’m made of tougher stuff. You’ll be gone soon anyway. John will make a better fire chief. At least he knows where he belongs and he understands the people of Sweet Pepper.”
    Stella laughed at his brief description of her. “I’m a lot more than eyes and a backside, Don. And I’m not gone yet. Keep me in the loop on this case or you’ll find that out the hard way. I can play hardball better than you since you’ve never really seen tough out here in the pepper fields. Excuse me.”
    Feeling smugly happy with her response, she left him standing at the fire scene and went down to her Harley. It was nice leaving him with his mouth open. She wasn’t completely sure she could out-badass him, but she could give as good as she got.
    Before she could put on her motorcycle helmet, the Loflin family came to find her. They thanked her profusely for everything the fire brigade had done.
    â€œThat must’ve been your Dalmatian that led our daughter to safety,” Mr. Loflin said. “Thank you for your hard work and training. I don’t know if we would’ve been able to get Cindy out in time without you.”
    Cindy looked to be about five years old. Stella was sure Cindy was scared and uncertain about what had happened. Still, she had to ask about the puppy who got the little girl out of the house.
    â€œHe was big, like some dogs, but he looked like a puppy,” Cindy described her rescuer. “He was all over white with black spots. He wagged his tail and barked at me until I put my hand on him. He put his mouth on my hand and walked out with me.”
    This was exactly what they were training Hero to do. “Was he wearing a red collar?” Stella asked her.
    â€œYes. I think so anyway. There was a lot of smoke,” Cindy said.
    â€œDid you see where he went?”
    â€œHe was with a man. I don’t know who he was. He called the puppy, and the puppy ran to him and jumped in the back of his truck. Was he a firefighter too? Because he left right