Into the Fire (First Responders 3)

He backed out of her driveway and headed for home.

Ally spent two hours at the vet clinic, talking to Dr. Swan and helping with the daily care of the animals kept in the kennel area, showering them with pats and love, cleaning cages and making sure they were all fed. All the cats were doing fine and were ready to be adopted, and other than a few singe marks the dogs seemed to be doing well also. Even Moose had been found, cowering under a hedge about half a mile from the shelter. The biggest problem now was housing. The clinic simply wasn’t set up for this many animals in addition to their patients. And because of her mother’s allergies, Ally couldn’t take any of them home.

She stopped by the meds counter where Dr. Swan was looking something up on a computer. “Lindsay,” Ally said, “I don’t know how to thank you. Keep a tally of what I owe you, and I’ll look into getting some foster homes organized until the dust settles.”

Dr. Swan flapped a hand. “We’re happy to help. Don’t worry about the charges. We’ll work something out for the treatment and I won’t charge for the board.”

Ally’s throat tightened. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to. And that’s all I want to hear about it.”

“Y

ou’re an angel.”

Dr. Swan took off her glasses and put them down beside the monitor. “What happened yesterday was just horrible. I think Pam’s already fallen in love with your Maltese cross, by the way. Once we’ve cleared them all, it wouldn’t surprise me if she adopted him.”

“Please thank your staff for me. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.”

The clinic door opened and Ally peered down the hall. Her stomach did a somersault as Chris stepped inside. What on earth was he doing here?

She held back for a moment, trying to slow her breath. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him since last night. Even dealing with her mother’s histrionics and a fair number of what-were-you-thinking moments, there’d been a glow lit inside her. Her muscles had been limber and relaxed post-orgasm, and she’d gotten through it all without losing her cool or worse, crying—which was what her parents probably expected of her.

But the memory, even hours later, was so fresh that she was afraid she’d try to play it cool and fail miserably.

His deep voice asked for her and she heard the receptionist answer that Ally was out back.

“Someone to see you? A hunky fireman no less. I heard he saved you yesterday.” Dr. Swan’s voice was teasing.

Ally hoped she wasn’t blushing. “You know Chris?”

Dr. Swan put her glasses back on. “I’m thirty years old and single and this town isn’t exactly bursting at the seams with good-looking men. Chris Jackson is hot. My ninety-eight year old grandmother would notice.”

No mention of their past, so either Lindsay hadn’t heard or was kindly avoiding it.

The receptionist came around the corner. “Hey, Ally, someone to see you.”

“I’ll be right there.”

“You’re blushing,” Lindsay remarked.

“Only because you brought up his hotness,” Ally replied, then realized she’d just inadvertently confirmed that she, too, found him attractive.

Oh, hell.

She lifted her chin and strode into the waiting room. “What are you doing here?” she asked cheerfully, pushing the wisps of memory from last night’s episode to the back of her mind.

“We were able to get you your purse. It stinks, but you won’t have to cancel all your cards or get new ID.”

“That’s great.” Her wide smile was genuine as she reached out to take the bag. “Thanks. That’s going to save me a lot of headache today.” It really did stink, so she gestured towards the door. They went outside and she dropped the bag on the grass. It could use an airing out, though she doubted it would ever be usable again. She’d have to take the cards out and simply throw away the rest.

“How did you know I’d be here?”

He shrugged. “The animals are here. I figured it was the first place you’d come today.”

“You were right. Dr. Swan’s been so awesome, but I know this is putting extra strain on her staff and space. I’ve got a list at home, and hopefully some of our foster families will be able to step up.”

“I don’t think that’ll be a problem after today,” Chris said, reaching into his back pocket. He took out a folded-up newspaper clipping. “This was on the front page of today’s paper.”