26. Travis

travis

. . .

L eaving Cass for the afternoon hurt more than all of the other times. We spend every night together that we’re not working, which unfortunately is only about once every two weeks. It isn’t enough; I’ve wasted enough years without her and want more than occasional nights together. With Christmas almost upon us, the urge to ask her to marry me is unbearable. Cass moving in is the next best thing.

It’s pouring rain and the roads are slick. Thankfully, we haven't had any vehicle accident calls yet. Whenever there’s a call with a truck skidding off the road, I worry it’s Cass, Dad, Pop, or Caleb and his family. I’m grateful everyone is staying in today. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt out there.

I’m tossing chopped onions into chili for the guys when the alarm blares. I swear I manifested it or some shit. I should’ve known not to jinx us, even if it was only in my head and not aloud. Turning off the burner on the stove, I rush to my gear, dressing quickly as information is barked at us.

“Woman, mid-thirties. Made it out of the shop; having trouble breathing. EMTs on their way. She contained some of the fire caused by a dog knocking over a candle. Should be an easy run because of the rain.” He rattles off the address and my heart stops.

Cass .

Inferno .

Our floral shop.

“Harrison, you’re staying behind.”

“The fuck I am!” I growl.

“Stay here, Travis. Your girl and Inferno will be fine,” Chief barks back. “I know you want to help, but I have to assess the damage before I can let you anywhere near it.”

My worst nightmare has come to fruition; I’d never forgive myself if I wasn’t first on the scene to help someone I love. “I can’t sit here with my dick in my hand while Cass?—”

“She’ll be okay, so will the shop.” He braces his hands on my shoulders. “Trust me, Travis.”

“I’m coming. I’ll leave my gear and I won’t enter the shop, but I have to know she’s okay.” I rush to my cubby and snatch my keys to my truck from the hook. Chief’s shouting at me, but I don’t give a fuck if I lose my job.

I peel out of the station and call Cay as I follow the engine to the shop.

“Hey, man, how’s it?—”

“Inferno knocked over a candle or something, and there’s a fire at the shop.” I choke back a sob. “Cass was in there. They say she got out, but I’m on my way now.”

“Fuck! Is she okay? I’m on my… Fuck, fuck, fuck . I can’t leave right now, I have the kids, and they shouldn’t be near a fire. I’ll call Pop to meet you. ”

I can’t lose her.

“I’ll call Pop as soon as I get there. The EMTs should be rolling in any minute and if she needs to go to the hospital, they may be gone with her by the time I arrive.”

“Okay.” He blows out a shaky breath.

As I pull up, there’s faint smoke coming from the back of the building; it’s been burning for a while, but the rain has helped to keep it contained. Depending on his long it took her to get out, her lungs could be struggling. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you in a minute once I figure out what’s going on.”

“Take care of my sister… Please.” His voice is strained. Hell, so is mine.

“I will.”

We hang up and take a quick glance around, searching for the ambulance. It’s nowhere to be found, but Christina, who works next door, is sitting with Inferno. I rush over to her, my questions coming out in rapid succession. “Where’s Cass? Is she okay? Did the ambulance take her?” Inferno barks. “And you, mister, don’t think we are going to sweep this under the rug.”

He falls to his belly, snout on his paws. Christina takes a deep breath. “It’s okay, Travis. She made it out. She tried to smother the fire, even used an extinguisher, but it was too fast and trapped her inside for a minute. Inferno saved her, helping your girlfriend find a path out of the shop. The ambulance took her to the hospital.”

I glance between her and Inferno; I need to get him home to watch for side effects, but Cass…

Fuck, Cassidy isn’t my girlfriend, she’s so much more. I’m going to spend the rest of my life with that woman .

I swallow my feelings and ask, “Would you be able to do me a huge favor and drop Inferno off with a friend of mine? He was just at the vet and had a round of vaccines and started new medication. I’m supposed to monitor him, but?—”

“Of course, just send me an address. Zachary is so great, isn’t he?”

“Yes,” I manage through my clenched teeth. “The best.”

I pull out my phone to text her Caleb’s address, then let him know about Inferno and Cass. After thanking Christina profusely, I climb into my truck and drive to the hospital. I click my hands-free button. Having learned my lesson with texting Cassidy nonsense when Chad was injured, I opt for a call.

Pop picks up on the first ring. “Hey, son. Cay told me what happened. How’s my girl?”

At calling me son, I fucking break, tears threatening to fall from the corners of my eyes. “Pop, she’s at the hospital. Will you meet me there?”

“Of course. The fire chief called me too. It sounds like she’s stable, but your shop isn’t. I’m so sorry, Travis. Are you okay?”

“No,” I admit, my eyes becoming glassier by the minute. “The shop is the least of my worries.”

“Cass is stronger than both of us combined, and she’s in good hands.” I hear the roar of his truck starting. “I’m on my way there. I’ll see you soon.”

I wipe away my tears on my shirt, willing them to stop but they don’t. “Okay, see you in a few.”

Five minutes later, I’m parked in a visitor spot and out of my truck in an instant. Running through the front entry, I make my way to the check-in counter, barking at the woman behind it, “Cassidy Rogers.”

She types for a moment. “And your name?”

“Travis Harrison.” I take a deep breath. “I’m sorry, I’m worried about her. She came in by ambulance and I need to know she’s okay.”

“I don’t have you as an emergency contact, sir. Are you family?”

My face falls. “No.”

“I’m sorry.” She glances at the SLFD logo on my shirt. “You know I can’t disclose any of her medical information, but I can let her know you’re here once she’s been moved to a room for observation.”

“And if I was family?”

“Then I would be able to give you an update.”

Fuck .

“Thank you.” I take a seat in the waiting area, rubbing my hands down my face. If I hadn’t waited years, she would be my wife, and I could see her. My self-loathing is cut short when the automatic doors open and Pop rushes in. “Pop!”

He glances around for a second, relieved when he spots me. I stand, and as I reach him, he wraps me in a tight hug. “How is she?”

“They won’t let me see her or give me an update—I’m not family.”

“Bull fucking shit. You’re my second son as far as I’m concerned, even if you don’t marry my daughter. You are family, Travis.” He claps me on the back twice before releasing me. “Now, let’s go see how much trouble our girl got into.” Leading me back to the check-in counter, he greets the woman significantly kinder than I did. “Hi there, Paula. My daughter, Cassidy Rogers, was brought in not too long ago. Could you give us an update?”

“Of course, sir. May I see identification?” He shows her his driver’s license and she types something on the computer. “She is having trouble breathing, and is on oxygen, but is in one of our observation rooms. Would you like to see her?”

“That would be great, thank you.” As a man who spent years in the Navy, I’m not surprised he is able to remain calm and collected. When Caleb’s submarine was hit while doing repairs, Pop’s faith never wavered that Cay would be okay. Today is no different.

The woman gives us visitor badges and we make our way to room four hundred. I pause before entering. “What if she doesn’t want me here?”

“What’s that, son?”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. But… what if Cass doesn’t want me here?”

Pop chuckles. “She texted me a few hours ago about how excited she is to move in with you.” He pulls out his phone and shows me their text thread.

Cassidy

You were right.

I know.

What was I right about this time?

Travis asked me to move in with him.

I said yes.

Oh. I thought you were going to tell me he finally proposed.

If he did, I would say yes.

I’m really excited! Have you seen the lake house? Even if he lived in a cardboard box, I would be happy, but that house? It’s like he remodeled it just for me.

Because he did. I helped him fix up the porch swing and he thought he was being slick asking me what your opinion was on various updates.

That man loves you, Cass. I’m happy you’re happy.

I chuckle to myself as I blink away my tears. She’s mine and would say yes. “Thank you.” My words are barely above a whisper.

“Go on in. I’ll wait here.”

“No.” I shake my head, handing him back his phone. “You’re her father.”

“And one day, you’ll be her husband. Go ahead.”

He opens the door for me and I step in. My breath is stolen from me. Cass is hooked up to oxygen and an IV drip, the beeps of the monitors filling the space. The distinct smell of smoke lingers, smudges of soot are still on her cheek. I’m at her side in an instant, carefully taking her hand in mine.

“Hey, baby, I’m here.” I kiss her knuckles, one at a time. She groans, squeezing my hand as she wakes. As she’s about to take off her oxygen mask, I stop her. “No, Cass. Keep it on. How are you feeling? Scale of one to ten.” She squeezes three times, coughing twice. “Fuck. I’m so sorry. I never should’ve left Inferno. ”

Shaking her head, she mimes writing with her free hand. After a quick glance around, there’s no paper or pen that would work, and I pull out my phone for her to type in my notes app. When she’s done, she hands it to me.

It wasn’t his fault. I forgot about it when I was in the back room. It was an accident. How is he? How is the shop?

“You are my number one priority right now.” She frowns and taps the screen again for emphasis. I sigh and give in. “Inferno is at your brother’s, and I haven’t checked about the shop, but last I heard, it isn’t looking good. There is likely smoke damage, and I’ll call the insurance tomorrow to see what can be done. Fuck, Cass.” I kiss her palm and place it on my cheek. “I love you so fucking much. I’ve never been so scared in my life.” She tries to speak but I growl, “Stop. Your lungs need to heal.”

Cass chuckles, making her cough a couple times. She takes the phone and types again.

I’m sorry you were scared. I hope you know I am so in love with you, Travis Harrison.

Tears sting my eyes as I lift out of my seat to kiss her forehead and whisper, “You’re mine, wildcat.” As I’m about to sit, I tell her, “Pop is here. Want to see him?” She nods and I make my way to the door, opening it. “I’ll give you two privacy. I’ll be in the waiting room, but I’m not leaving tonight.”

Pop moves to the side of her bed and leans in to whisper something. She nods and he insists, “We’ll add you to her emergency contact list, so if she’s here for a while you won’t have any trouble. Go home and take a shower, son. It’s been a long day. I’ll stay with her until you get back.”

“Are you sure? I can?— ”

“Yes. I’ve got your girl.” He winks and I can’t help the small smirk tugging at my lips; she is my girl. I leave them be and rush home for the fastest shower of my life.