LITMIR.BIZ

       CHAPTER ONE

      SALLY DAVIS PULLED her bag and a portable bottle of oxygen out of the back of the ambulance. The heat from the burning abandoned warehouse was almost unbearable. Her work coveralls were sticking to her sweating body.

      This structural fire was the worst she’d seen as a paramedic working with the Austin, Texas, Fire Department over the last year. Her heart had leaped as the adrenaline had started pumping when the call had woken her and the dispatcher had announced what was involved. These were the fires she feared the most. With a warehouse like this, there was no telling who or what was inside. There were just too many opportunities for injury, or worse.

      She watched as the flames grew. The popping and cracking of the building burning was an ironic contrast to the peace of the sun rising on the horizon. She didn’t have time to appreciate it though. She had a job to do.

      Moments later a voice yelled, “There’s someone in there!”

      Sally’s mouth dropped open in shock as she saw Captain Ross Lawson run into the flames. Even in full turnout gear with the faceplate of his helmet pulled down and oxygen tank on his back, she recognized his tall form and broad shoulders. Sally’s breath caught in her chest. What was wrong with him? Her heartbeat drummed in her ears as she searched the doorway, hoping…

      Sally had seen firefighters enter a burning building before but never one as completely enveloped as this one. She gripped the handle of her supply box. Would Ross make it out? Would there be someone with him?

      The firefighters manning the hoses focused the water on the door, pushing back the blaze.

      Every muscle in her body tightened as the tension and anticipation grew. Ross was more of an acquaintance, as she’d only shared a few shifts with him since moving to Austin. However, he and her brother were good friends. More than once she’d heard Kody praise Ross. From what little she knew about him he deserved Kody’s admiration.

      Right now, in this moment, as she waited with fear starting to strangle her, she questioned Ross’s decision-making. Since she had joined the volunteer fire department back in North Carolina, Sally had been taught that judgment calls were always based on the safety of the firefighter. She doubted Ross had even given his welfare any thought before rushing into the fire.

      The loss of one life would be terrible enough but the loss of a second trying to save the first wasn’t acceptable. In her opinion, Ross was taking too great a risk, the danger too high. He hadn’t struck her as a daredevil or adrenaline junkie but, then again, she didn’t know him that well. Was this particular characteristic of Captain Lawson’s one of the reasons Kody thought so highly of him?

      James, the emergency medical tech working with her, stepped next to her. “That takes guts.”

      A form appeared in the doorway, then burst out carrying a man across his shoulders.

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