“All of the people trying to dunk Uncle Fitz missed.” Everly giggled. “Uncle Jude fixed that problem by pressing the bullseye and laughing when Fitz hit the water.”
“Jude’s gonna pay for that when it’s his turn in the tank.” Ronan couldn’t wait to personally dunk his best friend over and over again.
“Everyone’s having such a great time today,” Ten said. “I think we should do this again next year. Maybe we could get a petting zoo.”
“Daddy, I’m hungry. Can we get some fried dough?” Everly’s eyes glittered. She and Ronan had tried one of the treats when they’d gone to Old Orchard Beach a few weeks ago. It had been love at first taste for the little girl.
“Sure,” Ten agreed, turning to Ronan. “Can you keep an eye on Ezra while we’re gone?”
“I can. Get me a fried Snickers.” Ronan reached into his pocket for his wallet.
Ten waved his money away. “I’ve got it.” He set Ezzie in Ronan’s lap and headed off with Everly, who was skipping.
“In that case I’ll havetwoSnickers!” Ronan called after them.
“They’re great,” Spencer said, watching Ten and Everly walk away. “You think I could do this? Be a husband and a father?”
“Of course I do,” Ronan agreed easily. “When I was in my twenties and early thirties all I cared about was myself and my job with the Boston Police. I wouldn’t have given Ten a second look if we’d met back then and I definitely didn’t want any kids cramping my style.”
“What changed for you?” Spencer asked, sounding genuinely interested in Ronan’s answer.
“After a bad break up, I had trouble with alcohol to the point where I had two choices, go to rehab or lose my job. Obviously I went. One of the things I learned there was that none of us can do this alone. We all need help from time to time. When I landed in Cold Case after I finished rehab, Fitzgibbon gave me an unsolvable case, though he didn’t tell me that at the time. Afterworking on it for several weeks and getting nowhere, I knew I needed help. That’s when I saw an interview with Tennyson on the news after he’d helped to find an abducted child. I reached out to Ten for his help and together, we solved the case. Here we are, going strong, all these years later.”
“That’s an amazing story. You make it look so easy to be a husband, a father, and a detective.”
“I’m glad you think so, but it’s hard work. All of it. Ten and I have hit some roadblocks over the years, that we’ve thankfully been able to work through. I’m leaning daily how to parent a daughter who has incredible talents, all the while trying to bring closure and peace to families who’s loved ones were cruelly taken from them.” There were a lot of moving parts that were involved in Ronan’s life, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. “Everything changed for me after my eyes were opened for me in rehab. I have a feeling the same thing is going to happen with you once you’ve fulfilled all of Aunt Effy Lou’s conditions.”
“I think so too,” Spencer agreed. He looked like he had more to say on the matter when a shrieking voice caught his attention.
“Daddy!” Everly screeched. “Get down!”
Before Ronan could get his legs untangled from the picnic bench, a fire ball exploded from the food truck serving fried dough. He watched in horror as his husband and daughter flew back from the truck and hit the ground. Flames licked through the serving window of the truck. “Call 911! Watch Ezra!” Ronan shouted and deposited his son on the table. He took off running. His heart was in his throat. Both Everly and Tennyson lay face down on the ground. Neither was moving.
Reaching his daughter, he flipped her onto her back. He set two fingers against the side of her neck and felt her pulse. Her chestwas rising and falling. Ronan scooped Everly into his arms and ran back with her toward the table.
“I called 911,” Spencer said. “They’re on their way.”
Screams from inside the truck caught Ronan’s attention. “That must be the chef.”
“I’ll get him. You get Tennyson,” Spencer shouted before running toward the burning food truck.
Ronan knew he should stop Spencer from running into the truck, but if he didn’t get help now, the chef was going to die. Setting Everly on the table next to Ezzie, Ronan took off for Tennyson, who’d just started to move. He helped his husband back to his feet and brought him to the picnic table. “Jesus, thank God your safe. Stay here with the kids.”
“Where’s Spencer?” Ten asked, sounding dazed.
“He’s trying to save the cook. I’ll be right back. Stay here with our babies, no matter what happens.” Not waiting for an answer, Ronan hightailed it to the back of the truck, where both doors were open. Black smoked poured out. “Spencer?” Ronan shouted over the roar of the flames.
“Here!” Seconds later, Spencer emerged from the smoke, dragging the chef by his arm.
Ronan reached in and took over, putting his arms beneath the man’s back and wrapping them around his chest. He pulled until the chef was free from the truck. Spencer hopped out and grabbed the man’s legs. Together, they brought him to a nearby table and laid him on it. Feeling for a pulse, Ronan found none. “He’s in cardiac arrest. Start CPR!”
Spencer shot Ronan a terrified look. “O-Okay.” Straddling the man, Spencer started chest compressions.
Ronan ran toward the restrooms knowing each facility building was equipped with an AED, an automated external defibrillator. Grabbing the device off the wall, he headed back toward the man, who was still down. “You’re doing great, Spencer keep going until I can get this thing ready to use.”
Quickly scanning the instructions, Ronan grabbed the scissors. “Stop compressions and move,” he ordered and cut the chef’s shirt exposing his bare chest. Ronan applied the electrode pads and felt for a pulse one more time. There was none. “Clear! No one touch him.” Ronan pressed the shock button and the chef’s body jerked with the electricity. Feeling for a pulse, Ronan didn’t detect one. “Clear!” He pressed the shock button again. Seconds later the monitor beeped with the man’s heartbeat. “Thank Jesus,” Ronan muttered. He heard sirens and knew the cavalry had arrived. He was swarmed by the medics and gave a brief description of what he’d done.
Stepping back, Ronan went to his family, who were huddled together on the picnic bench. They were clinging to each other. Ezra was crying. “Are you all okay?” He reached for Ten and Everly, knowing he wouldn’t soon get over seeing both of them flung to the ground like rag dolls.
