Shadowed Rubies

2. Max

2

Max

It had been one hell of a morning. I’d stayed out far too late last night to be able to properly deal with the blaring of the fire alarm that pierced the quiet in the fire station that was practically my home.

The sharp edge of pain the noise caused in my pounding head had me lifting my palm up to press against my forehead. Suddenly, I regretted that third glass of whiskey the guys talked me into drinking last night to celebrate Dean’s official engagement. Our friends from school were dropping like flies––I was the last of us that remained a carefree bachelor, and I fully intended to stay that way.

The rest of the fire crew darted around the station, donning equipment and looking as stunned by the shrieking siren as I felt. We’d heard the alarm many times before, but it was always for a drill or non-urgent situation. This morning was different. Something was terribly wrong. I could feel it in my bones.

Despite my significant hangover, I worked quickly and efficiently to get myself and the rig ready to respond to the call for help. Minutes later, when we rolled out of the station, the address that came through on the radio was one that I recognized immediately. Mimi’s Diner, the beloved hub of our tiny town, was on fire.

We raced up Blueberry Cove Street to the center of town and skidded to a stop in front of the restaurant. It was already engulfed in flames. Thick, black smoke billowed from the building. With one look, I knew the historic brick building that housed the diner was a goner. The best we could hope for now was to get everyone out safely and to keep the fire from spreading to the adjacent buildings.

A significant crowd had already gathered to watch the fire. They stared solemnly as the orange flames devoured one of our town’s major landmarks. I quickly scanned their faces, looking for Mimi, but didn’t see her. This diner was practically the woman’s entire life, outside of her niece, Josie, and Josie’s baby boy. This fire was sure to devastate the busybody that loved to take care of us all by feeding us delicious food.

Jogging toward the building, I shouted at the crowd. “Is anyone inside?”

Blank stares greeted me as the other members of our crew got the firehose situated and began working to control the blaze.

Finally, Mr. Clock, one of the regulars for breakfast at the diner stepped forward. In an important voice, he said, “We cleared out the diner. Everyone made it out.”

Relief surged through me that we wouldn’t be dealing with anyone trapped inside the inferno, until Dean arrived. His face was sheet-white and he was out of breath from running as he looked directly at me and asked in a desperate tone, “Did my sister make it out okay? She’s staying in the apartment upstairs.”

Shit. I had forgotten that Mimi sometimes rents out the small studio above the diner.

When I began to bolt toward the stairs behind the building, a woman shouted, “Wait!”

I turned to see what was up and discovered Meg Stark’s pleading gaze. “Dani’s not in there. I just talked to her on the phone.”

Just as I began to relax into the knowledge that no one was inside the inferno that was quickly consuming this building, Meg continued. “But her dog’s inside. His name is Bruiser, and he doesn’t like other males.”

“Great.” I muttered as I turned to go save the mutt. Climbing the stairs two-at-a-time, I second-guessed my life choices that had brought me to this point.

Dogs were notorious for becoming terrified and hiding during fires. I was getting ready to run into a building that was engulfed in flames to save an animal that would likely bite me, if we somehow managed to make it out without the floor caving in and sending us falling to our fiery deaths. Good times.