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

away.”
    â€œNo. He wasn’t a firefighter. I’m not sure who he was, Cindy. Thanks for your help.”
    Stella puzzled over what had happened and why Hero would follow a stranger’s commands. Was it someone from his past? Had the man sent Hero in to save the little girl? If so, why had he left so quickly?
    She made sure the family had somewhere to stay for overnight, and explained that they could call their insurance company but no cleanup or rebuilding could take place until her report on the fire was finished. She promised to make that as fast as possible.
    With everything said on that matter, Stella got on the Harley and followed her volunteers back to the firehouse.
    The road was dark on the way back. She thought about Hero—at least she knew he was alive and not in a ditch somewhere. She couldn’t imagine why the well-trained puppy would go so far astray. She also wondered how he’d met up with his new master.
    She hoped he was taking good care of Hero. She didn’t plan to give up searching for the puppy until she found him and knew the truth.

Chapter Five
    When Stella got back to the firehouse, the volunteers were busy cleaning up and trying to get home. She pulled them away from their tasks for a few minutes to talk about the fire, and to tell them her news about Hero.
    â€œI know we lost the Loflins’ house. I don’t like it either,” she said. “But we did our job to the best of our abilities. That’s all we can ever do. Some calls are going to come in too late for us to help. In this case, we would’ve had to have been standing at the site when it ignited in order to stop the fire. I won’t know for sure until I do some investigation, but I think accelerant was used.”
    â€œThat’s why it burned so hot,” Petey said. “I’d like to help you do the investigation, Chief. It would be good for some of us to learn more about arson investigation before you leave.”
    Petey wasn’t the only one who wanted to help. Almost all the volunteers wanted to be there. Stella had them sign up on a piece of paper so she’d know who to call.
    â€œDon’t you think people will lose confidence in us as a fire brigade if we keep getting to fires too late?” Royce asked.
    â€œWe have a good track record so far.” Kent answered what Stella would have if she’d had time to say it before him. “It would’ve been a lot worse without us. It could’ve spread to the other houses around it.”
    â€œLike the chief said,” Petey reiterated, “we can’t save every house in Sweet Pepper that catches on fire. We did good tonight, right, Chief?”
    â€œYou did,” Stella agreed. “Excellent timing getting to the fire and good teamwork setting up. You outdid yourselves on organization. I’m proud of all of you. You should be proud of you too.”
    The words seemed to rally everyone’s spirits. The light was back in their eyes.
    Stella knew losing the fiery battles they fought could be demoralizing. Chief Henry, back home, gave frequent pep talks too. She knew that his words always made her feel better—except for the few times he singled her out to suggest that she could’ve done better.
    Those talks weren’t so good. She tried to speak with her volunteers individually in cases like that. It was easier for her, though—she didn’t even have half the number of firefighters working for her that Chief Henry did.
    â€œWhat about Hero?” Kimmie asked. “The little girl at the fire said she was pulled to safety by a black-and-white puppy. I think she was talking about Hero.”
    David agreed with her and Sylvia barked as though she were voicing an opinion too. The Spratts and Sylvia were Hero’s family, so to speak. It wasn’t surprising they’d think Hero would be on hand if a good deed was done.
    â€œWhat are the chances Hero would show up at a