Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Two days later

S amantha pulled the car over to a lot designated for first responders helping with the cleanup. The police department, fire department, and city hall had been decimated. Most of the buildings on the street would have to be pulled down and completely rebuilt.

At the last count, twelve people had lost their lives—including the man responsible, Dominic Tennet. A career arson investigator who'd been hiding a dark and dangerous secret for decades. In the coming weeks, no doubt additional cases would be pulled out of the proverbial file cabinets, attributed to him, and then marked closed.

She parked the car and tugged both paper cups of coffee from the cupholders before making her way to where Julio should be.

In the command center, where cleanup efforts were being coordinated from. A series of white canvas tents with the sides rolled up. White folding tables. Clipboards. Two staffers from city hall in office attire, completely out of place in the dust and debris of what was left of the street.

He stood to one side, looking over a table and something spread over the surface—building blueprints. Around him stood four firefighters, their uniforms slightly different than the Benson guys. Each one had RESCUE written across the shoulders of their turnout coats, as well as a name along the bottom hem.

The closest one was CRAWFORD. The other names were FOSTER, RICE, and STEPHENS.

"Coda?" She had told him she was bringing coffee. He'd had an early meeting, and no one wanted to see her for at least a week. Though, she still had a report to write.

The firefighters all turned to her, and she handed Julio his coffee.

"Guys." He squeezed between them and came over to put his arm around her. The coffee ended up on her shoulder. "This is her. My wife." He sounded so proud of her—of them—and the rash decision they'd made to not waste a single moment more.

"Samantha." She'd nearly said, "Jesse" but caught herself. Though, she planned to keep her maiden name for work purposes, given it was easier to say than Espinoza-Vasquez.

The first guy stuck his hand out. "Byrce Crawford. I'm the lieutenant." He had brown hair, slightly damp from sweat, and a swipe of ash on his cheek.

"They're from Last Chance County," Julio said. "Rescue Squad."

"These are my guys." Bryce Crawford motioned to each one in turn. "Eddie Rice." Young, and African American. Movie star handsome.

"Zach Stephens." Also young, and with kind dark eyes. A little smaller than the others, but she figured he was scrappy when he needed to be.

"And Ridge Foster." Darker hair, classically handsome. But with an edge Samantha wasn't sure about. He could play that boy-next-door look, but there was more to this guy. "We've had some personnel changes recently, so we're getting our training time in as a new squad."

Foster lifted his chin. "Nice to meet you."

Julio said, "They came over to help with the cleanup, since we're shorthanded."

"Wow, guys, I know everyone appreciates it." She smiled at them all.

"Especially when I can't do nothin' with this arm."

Her injuries weren't something she was going to talk about. She'd worn a long-sleeved shirt to cover the bandages on her arms, despite the heat. The only thing that helped was working alongside Julio during the day—and then going home with him at night. Wearing a ring on her finger that he'd slid on there in front of the chaplain who'd married them. The same way she'd slid the gold band on his ring finger.

"We've got you covered." Crawford slapped his gloves on his hand. "We'll get to work."

"But…one thing…" The one named Foster seemed hesitant.

"What's up?" Julio said.

"We work with a firefighter that I believe used to work out of Benson FD. Not that she talks much about you guys. I just wondered if you knew her." Foster paused. "Amelia Patterson."

Julio grunted. "She's in Last Chance County?"

The guys all frowned. Zack looked at his lieutenant like a kid brother at his older sibling.

Foster studied Julio. "So you worked with her?"

"That was a bad house. I took over as captain a couple of years ago. Half the squads stationed there went at the same time the captain got canned. Not sure what happened to him after he was fired, though. Probably should've gone to prison." Julio took a deep breath. "Let's just say, if she's in Last Chance County with you guys, then she's in a better spot than she ever was here."

They filed out.

Samantha said, "Any idea what that was about?"

Julio watched them go, then shook his head. "We had a captain who should never have been promoted to that position. One of those kinds of cancers in the organization who spread their poison so far it takes years to grasp the full effect."

"I'm glad this Amelia person got out, then."

He nodded. "Me, too. Fresh starts are good for everyone."

"And second chances." She smiled up at him. Her husband. "Those are my favorite."

He kissed her but didn't linger. There were people around and plenty of work to do coordinating cleanup.

"Bristol called me. She's kinda mad, but only because Romeo got to be a witness and she didn't. But I promised her we'd do the whole vow renewal, white dress, maid of honor thing as soon as we get the chance. Have a big party and invite everyone we know, even the people we don't like—just so we can rub it in their faces."

Julio chuckled. "I like your style."

"I already knew that."

He shifted his hold on her and held up the paper coffee cup. "To forever."

"I'll drink to that." She tapped her cup against his. "Forever."

They sipped their coffee.

He sighed. "Guess we should get back to work."

"It never ends."

Coming in 2025—more Fire & Rescue stories! Continue the saga in Last Chance County! Keep reading for a sneak peek of Rescued Duty, the next release in the Last Chance Fire & Rescue series.