The Rescue

THE RESCUE

Brothers of Fire

Book 2

Kathryn Shay

The Rescue

Copyright © 2023 by Kathryn Shay

All Rights Reserved

Smashwords Edition

Published by Ocean View Books

Cover Design by Stacy Stephens

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Table of Contents

Cast of Characters

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Author’s Note

The Brothers of Fire Stories

FRIENDLY FIRE Excerpt

About the Author

Cast of Characters

Main Characters

Noah Keaton—Crystal City firefighter

Chloe Logan—Hollywood movie star

The Brothers of Fire with Significant Others

Captain Jared Zenko (Lacey Roth)

Lieutenant Noah Keaton (Chloe Logan)

Captain Tim Daniels (Ava Daniels)

Lieutenant Tommy Mancini

Captain Adam Stark (Beth Stark)

Captain Carson Taylor III

Noah’s Family

Sons: Liam 7, Bobby and Brady 5, Casey 2

Gina and Ellen and Deana—his sisters

Mark Winslow—father-in-law

Sara Keaton—deceased wife

Chloe’s Colleagues

Al Jenkins—director of the movie

Jackson Kane—her leading man

Isabella Lancaster—actress and friend

Cameron Sloan—agent

Stanley Stroud—bigshot director

Previous Movie—This is Emily

Current Movie filming—Payback

Locations

Brothers&Sisters

Crystal City Diner

Pelican’s

The Elmwood Inn (The Grand Hotel)

Harris Hill

Chapter 1

Ever been up here before? Lt. Noah Keaton asked his crew. Socially, I mean.

The fire call had come in for Harris Hill, the local Glider Club and Social Center where planes could be rented to glide around the county along with flying lessons. Social events like barbeques and picnics also took place here. This time, though, a Hollywood studio had contracted to film a movie there. Noah’s firehouse covered the site.

Nope. This from Will Kirkland, the senior member of Truck 3 after Noah.

Lucy Law, a very competent female firefighter responded, I have. My boyfriend took me here. It was romantic.

Aw…

How sweet…

Of course, the guys teased. But Noah said, I do think it’s sweet. Pay them no mind, Luce.

I can always count on you, LT.

They all sobered as they pulled in right behind Engine 4. Jarek Zenko jumped off his rig and crossed to Noah’s just as he dismounted. Jarek said, Seems like a contained blaze. We don’t know the origin. His team was already getting out two hoses.

Cameras were set up at different angles, people standing around looking at the cabin and various other members of the crew. The buzz of conversation was loud. Added to the rumbling of the firetruck, which was never turned off, Noah could barely hear himself think.

A man rushed to them. I’m Al Jenkins. I’m in charge of this project. I don’t know what happened. The main actors are inside. The camera people got out because they were closest to the door.

Any idea why it started? Zenko asked.

He ducked his head.

The captain said, We need to know, sir.

The fire pit.

"There’s a fire pit inside the cabin? That you lit?"

Jenkins nodded.

How big is the inside?

Fifteen hundred square feet. But the rooms are chopped up. We were filming in the main area.

Let’s go team. He said gruffly, We’ll deal with you later, Jenkins. He headed toward the building, pulling his face mask on.

Noah’s team also donned their SCBA, grabbed tools from the truck and followed him. When they reached the door, they headed inside. Water from two hoses put out the fire in minutes. It had singed the surrounding walls and floor. You and me will check the downstairs, Law. Kirkland and Davidson, go to the second floor.

Zenko said, We’ll take a hose up there ahead of you.

Light smoke filled the air, but it wasn’t too bad. Noah said, I’ll go left.

He walked through a doorway off to the left and Law went right. Noah found restrooms. He opened the first one. Empty. He tried the second and was met with resistance. He pushed. The door nudged forward. Inside he found a woman sitting on the john. She wore a bra and skirt. And by God, he recognized her. Are you all right, ma’am? The fire’s out.

She coughed. Just a little smoke in my lungs.

Um…

I took off my blouse, wet it and put it in front of the door. There was nothing else in here to use.

Smart girl.

She stood. Yeah? How am I going to get out of here?

Noah whipped off his turnout coat and slid it on her shoulders. She poked her arms through the sleeves and did it up. He said, Let’s go. Fires can reignite before we finish the search.

He took her hand. She gripped his. He led her to the living room and through the front door. She sighed audibly when they reached the fresh air and took in deep breaths. Coughed some more. He left her on a bench with the director. Thanks…

Noah headed back inside. Law had found the costar and she’d got him out quickly, too. No victims upstairs. This was one of the easy fires. The team overhaul, searching for hidden pockets of fire that might be hiding in the logs was next up. Noah went back outside.

He saw her still wearing his coat, sitting where he left her. Jarek was talking to the director and producer. Noah crossed to the woman he’d been trying hard to forget after he met her on the sidewalk one summer morning. Where she kissed him soundly. He removed his face covering. Hello, again.

She startled. Then delight filled those green eyes. Hello. I remember you. Despite her dirty hair from the smoke, and the smudges on her face, she was still a knockout.

He couldn’t help a grin. I remember you, too.

I’m Chloe Logan.

As I said then, Lt. Noah Keaton.

Thank you for finding me in there. Getting me out.

You’re welcome. He motioned over his shoulder. Why on earth was a fire pit lit inside the cabin?

Ask the director. Jackson and I told him that was ridiculous. He said they wouldn’t leave it lit for long.

Very, very dangerous.

Obviously. We should have refused to go in and film.

A man came up to them. He was movie-star handsome. Chloe, are you all right? We got separated.

Yes, Jackson, I’m fine. You? He nodded. She gestured to Noah. This is Lt. Noah Keaton.

Jackson Kane. Thanks for all this. We tried to tell Al the fire was a stupid move.

So I heard.

The guy sat beside Chloe and took her hand. She glanced at Noah, seeming uncomfortable.

Why do you have on his coat?

I took off my blouse to block the door gap. There was nothing else to do it with in the bathroom.

I’ll walk you to the trailer.

Before they could leave, Jarek returned. We’re set to go.

I’m waiting until my guys are out.

Sure thing, lieutenant. He left without acknowledging the couple on the bench.

The costar was still holding Chloe’s hand. Noah wondered if their on-screen romance extended into their personal lives.

Jackson stood and held out his hand. Let’s go, honey.

Don’t get carried away, Jackson. She shrugged off his hand and turned to Noah. I’ll be right back with your coat. They headed to the trailers.

She returned just as the team finished, walked up to Noah and handed him his coat. She’d put on a T-shirt. Thanks again. Your firehouse covers this area?

Yeah, we’re a small one, positioned on the east side of Crystal City.

Good to know.

If you ever need us, we’re minutes away. Nice to meet up with you again, Ms. Logan.

She gave him a lush smile. I think Chloe is called for in our situation, Noah. I hope to see you soon. She walked away.

Noah stared after her. Damn, he never planned to see her again. When the dreams about her started right after they met, right after the kiss, he’d forced his conscious mind to…extinguish thoughts of her. But now, the image of her in a skimpy black bra would make that impossible for a while again.

Hell, he had more important things to think about.

* * *

Hey, LT. Did you actually see the star in her underwear? This from Dirk Davidson, the jokester of their small group.

Part of it. He kept a straight face. She’s beautiful.

That’s all we’re going to get?

Yep! Now let’s do some training." Even though he tried to sound stern, his voice always came out coaxing.

Sure thing, LT.

Come on, Dirk, Lucy said pulling him out of the kitchen.

Will Kirkland stayed back. You okay, LT?

Yeah, of course.

You seem a little…lost. You like the movie star?

He shrugged. Women are out of the picture for me these days.

Are they? He seemed concerned even though he knew Noah’s situation.

Would you want to take on my boys?

Your boys are great. Rambunctious, but that’s normal.

I guess. He angled his chin. Let’s get out there.

They headed into the living space. The room was like other firehouses, but smaller since the staff was only a four-person team on each shift. The furniture, dark wine leather, was in good shape, and the floor had been replaced with plank wood when the old firehouse had been resurrected. The scents of furniture polish rose up to them.

But the pièce de résistance was opposite the windows. Will Kirkland’s father had built an entire wall of cupboards, shelves and drawers in fine oak. In front of it was a handcrafted matching wood table, thanks again to Pa Kirkland, that could hold ten. The setup was the envy of most of the other stations.

Before you go over there, Noah said, Put these on. He handed out blindfolds.

God, I hate blindfold drills.

I know you do, Lucy. Nobody likes them. But we’re blinded by smoke in most fires. He swept them with his gaze. "Maintaining orientation in the building when conducting a search is critical for survival. It’s easy to lose your way and become disoriented.