Authors: Louise Behiel
Three o’clock came and went. As did four. He’d slept after work, got up at eleven and drank a pot of coffee since, so sleeping wasn’t an option. His nerves were strung so tight with caffeine you could play them like a guitar.
The street and her yard had been quiet – as they should be. There’d been a couple of cars go up the alley earlier, but nothing for the last hour or so. Normal for this neighborhood.
He’d made the trip from bedroom to kitchen and back again at least a hundred times. Each time he approached the bedroom window, his body tensed, probably because this window gave him a broader perspective on Andie’s back yard.
Everything was quiet. Too quiet.
Eyes burning with strain, intent on the sounds of the night, Gray felt like a peeping Tom. Regardless of how it felt, if it kept Andie and the kids safe, it was worth it.
He sniffed, then checked his watch on the way back to the kitchen. He’d make another couple of tours through the house, then check their two yards. The sun would be up in about an hour, which meant he’d go outside to check the yards only a few more times, once right before hitting the hay. He’d grab a couple of hours of sleep before work.
Rubbing away the grittiness, his fingers gouged his eyes. They were burning. He sniffed again. Burning!
He spun on his heel and ran outside, letting the door bang behind him. Running across the yard, he vaulted over a couple of post holes.
He stubbed his fingers on the gate then yanked it open.
The acrid smell of smoke burned his nostrils.
His garage was dark. So was hers. He ran past it, further down the alley.
His senses registered the flames even as he searched for the culprit.
Giving up on the footsteps echoing down the graveled alley, he hurried to the small fire burning against Andie’s garage, flipping open his phone as he ran. Punching in nine-one-one, he kicked the pile of rags and small pieces of wood away from the building.
Stomping out the flames, he gave the address to the dispatcher. Then realized there could be other fires burning around the house.
Heartbeat kicking into high gear, Gray took off running.
He raced around the house, returning to the yard. Out of breath, he leaned against the deck railing. Weak with relief, he sucked air into his burning lungs.
He wouldn’t think about what might have happened if more fires had been set. If he’d been sleeping. If his nose wasn’t so sensitive to smoke.
The fire hadn’t damaged much. The outside wall was of the garage was scorched by the flames but it looked as if he’d got to it before it was seriously damaged. The house appeared undisturbed. Thank God. He had to lean over, palms on his thighs to catch his breath. And to support himself because relief had nearly taken his legs out from under him.
Pushing himself erect, Gray pulled the hose from Andie’s back yard and set it in front of the blackened garage foundation. He turned on the tap then made sure it faced the wall, soaking it thoroughly, before going to the back door.
He had to wake Andie before the fire department got here. Those guys didn’t fool around. They’d be arriving with two or three units, all with sirens wailing. And he was damned glad for it.
After knocking a couple of times, he stepped back a bit and waited. In a couple of minutes, Andie slid a finger between the vertical blinds, peering into the back yard. When she saw him, her face relaxed and she unlocked the sliding door.
“Gray? What are you doing here? It’s the middle of the night.”
He stepped inside and took her into his arms. “Sweetheart - .” He could hear the sirens in the distance. “Listen, there’s been some trouble.”
Andie pulled away from him. “Trouble?” He hated to see the fear flickering in her eyes.
He nodded. “I think I got it all, but someone set fire to your garage.”
“Fire?” She pushed out of his arms and looked to the back yard all at the same time.
“It’s okay. It didn’t have a chance to take hold.” He held on to her, needing to reassure himself that she was all right.
She swiveled in the direction of the sirens. “Did you call the fire department too?”
He nodded. “I think you’d better call the police. This wasn’t an accident.”
“Not again.” Her breath hitched and her eyes clouded.
“Tell them somebody tried to torch your garage and the fire department’s already been called.” The reflection of their flashing lights swirled colors on the walls of the kitchen. “They’re already here.” He kissed her quick. “I’ll go tell them what happened. Have you got a key for the garage?”
She tipped her head toward the lone key hanging on the wall beside the door, a question notching her brows.
“To save them the work of knocking down the door.”
He grabbed the key and hurried out back, then waved down the truck in the alley. No doubt they’d have another unit on the street, which gave him a deep sense of gratitude.
Between them, they’d have the whole neighborhood awake in the next five minutes – which didn’t upset him a bit, even if it made it harder for the cops to tell who’d set the fire. He could tell them it wasn’t any of the old foagies – the footsteps had been moving too fast. Unless that wasn’t the guy who set the fire.
***
She closed the door behind the officers and turned to lean against it. “I think I’ve done this before.” Andie pleated her terry robe with her fingers. “Although last time I was dressed better.
Billy and Chloe were watching the police cruiser pull away, and Jamie snuggled on Gray’s lap. Bonnie’d stayed at her mother’s again.
“I doubt they noticed.”
“No, of course not.” She dropped into the chair next to him. “There’s no way to thank you for tonight.” A cold shudder swept down her back. “God knows what might have happened if you hadn’t been watching.”
“The important thing is that you and the kids are all right. And you are okay. Right, tiger?” He spoke to Jamie who nodded slowly.
“See, even this guy’s okay.”
“Thanks to you.” She ran her hand across Gray’s back as she turned to the living room, where the television was blaring an infomercial for jewelry. “Come on folks, time to go back to bed.”
“Ah, we’re not tired.”
“I know. But it’s too early to get up. Take a book to read and hit the hay for another hour or two.”
Andie listened to their whining, glad for the opportunity since tonight could have ended very differently, then walked Billy downstairs. She picked up his ball equipment, which never seemed to make it further than the stairs.
“I know. I know. You don’t like to read. Tough. You can read or sleep but I don’t want to see your cheery face for a few hours.” She checked the action-hero clock on the desk. “Let’s say nine.” She smoothed his sheets and kissed his cheek, leaving the lamp on, and shutting off the overhead light on her way out. “See you later.”
Upstairs, Jamie slept soundly, his head lolling against Gray’s chest.
“I’ll take him to bed.”
Gray shook his head and rose. “I’ll take him,” he whispered.
She lifted Chloe and led the way down the hall. After she pulled back his covers, Gray laid the relaxed little guy in his bed. After he took the dead weight of the softly snoring six-year-old, Andie pulled the sheet up and smoothed his hair from his face, then settled Chloe in her bed.
As soon as they returned to the kitchen, Andie poured them another coffee.
“Jamie handled tonight really well.”
“I thought so too.”
“He’s not very far from talking and playing like other kids, is he?”
“Professionally, I’d say these things take time and we can’t get our hopes up too early. Personally, I have to agree. He’s making great strides. The firemen really caught his attention tonight - enough so he left me talking to the police in the living room while he went out to the deck.”
“He stood on the lawn while they were rolling up their hoses.”
“I didn’t realize he’d gone so far. That’s great news.” She covered her yawn with the back of her hand. “Sorry.”
“Nothing to apologize for.” He checked the clock on the stove. “It’s probably a good idea for us to catch a few more hours of sleep too.”
“I don’t think I can go back to sleep.” She shook her head. “Not with the excitement and all the coffee. But you should get some rest. You’ve been up all night.”
She slid her hands up his arms, gratitude almost overwhelming her. If he hadn’t been keeping an eye on them, the garage would have gone up in smoke and who could say what would have happened to the house. She shivered. Things could have ended very differently.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“How much sleep have you had tonight?”
“Enough.”
“Phooey. You were up when...” A sudden thought jarred her. “How come you were up? How did you know about the fire? That’s the opposite side from your house.”
“I was up.”
Now she knew her earlier suspicions were correct. “Were you keeping an eye on us?”
“If I said I spent some time tonight with my eyes on our back yards, what would you do about it?”
“After I gave you whatfor, I’d be incredibly grateful.”
“Could we skip the first part and go straight to the gratitude?” he asked, snuggling her against him. He bent, his lips tasting hers. “I’ve had enough stress for one night.”
“I guess it would be okay to skip the first step,” she whispered against him, relaxing into his embrace. It didn’t seem to matter what happened, having Gray nearby made her feel safe. Protected.
***
They were sitting on the sofa, with Andie snuggled against his side. They both knew they were too emotional to get into anything heavy, so they’d come in here to relax. He’d have to get up and go to work soon, since he could see daylight between the drapes, but he was too comfortable to move. Just a few more minutes sitting with her relaxed against him, her soft breath snuffling regularly, then he’d go to his place. He laid his head against her and relaxed, enjoying the feel of her snuggled against him.
“
I’m not tired.”
“
I know you’re not, pumpkin. But it’s time for bed anyway.”
“
Why is Geordie still up?”
“
Because he’s older than you.”
“
Isn’t he tired?”
“
Not yet.”
“
I hate being the baby of this family.”
“
Someday soon, you won’t be a baby anymore. You’ll be a fine young man with babies of your own.”
Her cool hand smoothed his forehead. “Mommy loves you, Greggie. You’re my favoritest five year old in the whole world.”
“
I love you too Mommy.” He reached up to hug her tight. “Lots and lots and lots. All the way to the stars.”
“
I love you more.”
“
I love you most.”
“
Have a good sleep sunshine.” She kissed his forehead then sat up and watched him.
He turned over on his side and relaxed letting sleep claim him.
Gray woke up and wiped away the tears coursing down his cheeks. He’d always wanted this mommy. Always wanted the love and closeness they’d shared. What a lucky little boy. Even if it was only a dream.
***
“So guess what I found when I came home this morning?” Bonnie’d only been home a few minutes but she knew Dina’d want to hear her news before she went to work.
“What?” Dina’s voice was instantly alert.
“I found Gray and Andie cuddled together on the couch.”
“No way.”
Bonnie polished her nails on her jeans. “Did so.”
“So what do you think is going on with them?”
“I think it’s pretty obvious. They’re falling for each other.” She smiled, glad to know Andie was finally getting a life. “Hard.”
“Think so? They don’t know each other very well.”
Her bedroom door banged open.
“Did you hear about the fire?” Billy stage whispered to her.
“Get out of here squirt, or I’ll call Andie.”
He kinked his head in that know-it-all way he had and said “Fine. But if I leave I won’t tell you about the firemen who were here last night.”
“What firemen? What are you talking about brat?”
“Firemen? What’s going on Bonnie?”
“Nothing, Dina. Billy’s telling me some tall tale about a fire.”
“It’s not a tale.” He scrunched up his face and balled his fists. He hated being accused of lying. “Somebody tried to burn down the garage last night.”
“No way!” Her heart stopped and her eyes slid closed. No, please God, not a fire.
He nodded. “Come outside and see if you don’t believe me. If you hadda been here, you’d have heard the fire trucks when they came.”
“What’s he saying Bonnie?”
She narrowed her eyes, trying to scare him into honesty. “If you’re lying to me, I’ll make you
so
sorry.”