“I am absolutely, positively sure.” Anne smiled warmly. “I would love to help with your wedding.”
“Thank you, Anne.” Her cousin squealed and tackle-hugged her. “You don’t know what a load off that is. Now I canreallyenjoy this meal.”
Coraline gleefully stuffed the other half of her taco into her mouth, then raised her beer to her lips. But when her cell phone rang, she put the bottle down with a frown. She swallowed her food after a few cursory chews, wiping her hands on a napkin. Then she fumbled with the phone in her rush to answer. “Joe, what’s wrong?”
Anne understood Coraline’s reaction. Her stomach always dipped with unease when her phone rang, because no one called just to say hello. They had text messages for that. Something must be wrong for Joe to call. And if something was wrong with Joe… The food suddenly sat leaden in her stomach.
“Oh, Joe. I’m so sorry.” Coraline pushed back from the table and walked over to sit on the living room couch.
Everyone at the table stopped eating, exchanging apprehensive glances. By unspoken agreement, Anne was chosen to provideCoraline with moral support. She sat next to her cousin and put her arm around her.
“How is everyone else?” Coraline leaned her head on Anne’s shoulder and sighed. “I’m not surprised he’s taking it the hardest. Captain or not, he doesn’t have to carry the world on his shoulders.”
Anne’s fingers dug into her cousin’s arm, and Coraline shot her a surprised glance, leaning away slightly.Sorry, Anne mouthed and withdrew her arm, her blood pounding in her ears. Something had happened to B Shift, and Frederick was not okay. She wanted to shake her cousin and ask her what happened. Instead, Anne pushed off the couch and paced the living room, wringing her hands.
After what felt like hours, Coraline finally hung up the phone and heaved a long sigh. “Poor Joe.”
“What happened?” Anne fought for calm, reclaiming her seat on the sofa.
“There was a fire in an apartment building this afternoon. Joe said the crew was able to contain it and got everyone out safely. But…” Her cousin pressed her fingers to her lips for a second before continuing in a wobbly voice. “An elderly woman died at the hospital due to smoke inhalation. She had a preexisting respiratory condition… but the team is taking it hard.”
“That’s heartbreaking.” Bethany sat on her sister’s other side and pulled her into a hug.
“And you know what makes me feel really awful? I’mrelieved.” Coraline choked on a sob. “I’m so thankful that it wasn’t Joe.”
“Oh, sweetie. There is nothing wrong with being grateful for your fiancé’s safety. We can’t help caring about our loved ones first and foremost,” Anne said, even though she felt the same guilt because her first thought had been,Thank God Frederick wasn’t hurt. “That doesn’t mean we’re any less shocked or saddened by the poor woman’s passing.”
“Is Joe devastated?” Tessa sat on the floor at Coraline’s feet.
“Yeah, and he’s worried about the crew.” Coraline sniffed loudly and sat up tall. “They’re like family to him, and it’s hard for him to see them hurting.”
“And, uh, Captain Nam… How is he doing?” Anne failed spectacularly at sounding casual.
“Frederick always takes these things the hardest.” Her cousin shook her head. “He attributes all the successes to his team but blames himself for the losses. In a way, that’s what makes him such a good leader, but it must also be really tough on the man.”
Anne stood abruptly from the sofa and walked to the kitchen. She didn’t want her sister and her cousins to see the tears in her eyes. Frederick was orphaned at a young age and had to grow up much too quickly. His older sister, Shannon, did her best raising him, but he hated causing trouble and making her worry. Even in college, he took his responsibilities seriously and tried to bear all the burden on his own. It seemed that hadn’t changed in the last ten years.
“Sorry I have to leave like this, but I need to see Joe.” Coraline was suddenly in motion, rushing around to gather her things.
“Of course you do,” Tessa said. “Don’t even apologize.”
“I’ll drive you,” Anne blurted.What am I doing?“You shouldn’t drive when you’re so upset.”
“Actually, that’s perfect because Bethany drove me here.” Coraline was already at the door.
“You guys don’t have to rush home,” Anne said to her sister and Bethany. “Finish your tacos and beer. There’s ice cream in the freezer if you want dessert.”
“Thanks. And don’t worry. We won’t burn down the house.” Tessa cringed and shot an apologetic glance at Coraline. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m worried about Joe.” Coraline rolled her eyes. “I haven’t lost my sense of humor.”
Anne picked up her purse from the entryway table and checked for her phone and keys. She still had no idea what she was doing. Why was she even going to the fire station? What did she have to offer Frederick? She would just aggravate him by reminding him of her existence. But she had to dosomething.
“Here, take this.” Bethany handed Anne a couple of overstuffed take-out bags. Her cousins had definitely gotten too much food for the four of them. “The crew can drown their sorrows in some tacos. I packed extra chips and guacamole as well.”
“Thanks, Beth.” Coraline gave her sister a quick hug. “Eating yummy things really does help with… Well, it helps with everything.”
“Tessa, you have the keys, right?” Anne opened the door and linked her arm through Coraline’s. “Just lock up when you leave. Bye.”
