Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Brianna walked around her classroom on Thursday afternoon, watching the kids draw. She was so glad tomorrow was Friday. She liked her job, but she couldn’t wait to spend more time with Rafe.

Maybe it was time to admit that she’d fallen in love with him. The thought should have surprised her, but it didn’t. Rafe was a special man, and she didn’t want to let him go. She had no idea if he felt the same about her.

In and out of the club, they enjoyed each other, be it a quiet dinner together, cuddling on the sofa and watching a movie, and in the bedroom with or without kink. For once in her life, she felt settled and not like she was looking for something she couldn’t find.

“That’s pretty,” she commented to Penny, who had drawn a butterfly. Brianna turned, and there was a huge bang. She jumped as some of the kids screamed. Fighting to remain calm, to not give in to her own panic, she motioned for the kids to quiet. “Settle down,” she said firmly.

The sound had come from the hallway. Brianna moved to the door of her classroom. She saw smoke. Fire! Again? Her heart pounded, and her palms grew moist. Forcing air into her lungs, she turned back to her students.

“We’re leaving the classroom. There is possible a fire; let’s line up.” She clapped her hands. The kids’ eyes grew wide, but they lined up and held hands. “Everyone, follow Jasper once we get into the hallway.”

“Yes, Miss Brianna.”

Brianna eased the door open to lots of dense smoke, and she could see red haze to her left. This wasn’t like the last time. “Jasper, go to the right and out the back door. Assemble in our spot by the playground. And walk, do not run.”

“Yes, Miss Brianna. This way, everyone.” Jasper’s calm voice helped Brianna.

Was the fire advancing? She couldn’t tell. There was too much smoke. The last of her kids left the classroom, and Brianna followed them out. Her breath came in short pants as she focused on them and told herself over and over not to look back.

Once outside, the kids broke away and ran for their meeting place. “No running,” she yelled, but could she blame them? Twice in as many weeks now, this had happened. Who was doing this?

Other classes were exiting. Brianna focused on her kids. Many were coughing. She caught up with them and started her head count.

There was one missing. Her heart leaped into her throat. She’d counted as they left the classroom. All fifteen had been in line, so who was missing? Brianna counted again and said each child’s name in her head.

“Where’s Andy?”

“He ran back in for his hamster,” Suzie said.

“Jasper, lead everyone over to Miss Ruby.” And to the other children, “Go with Jasper.”

“Yes, Miss Brianna.”

Brianna turned on her heels and ran back to the building. The smoke was thicker now. Her heart threatened to burst from her chest. Oh. My. God. There were flames very near her classroom door. Fighting panic, she raced ahead.

“Andy,” she yelled as she darted into her classroom and slammed the door.

“Miss Brianna,” Andy called. He was curled up in the back corner of the room, coughing.

Moving quickly, she gathered him into her arms.

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t let my hamster get burned.” His voice was raspy.

“I understand.” She glanced at the door. Flames now licked the outside of it. She concentrated on the way the fire moved. Now what? Were those sirens? Fire department? God, she hoped so, because she was starting to panic.

Think, Brianna. She glanced around her room. The window. She’d left it open. Was it big enough? Well, they were about to find out.

* * * *

Rafe jumped into the fire truck with the others as they took off. His gut churned. The elementary school was on fire. Brianna was his first thought. They were the closest to the school, but the chief had already called in two other houses to be on the safe side.

The truck pulled into the parking lot, and Rafe leaped out as it stopped. Flames shot from the roof of the school. Fighting his urge to go find Brianna, he started pulling the hoses from the truck and hooking them up, his eyes darting everywhere.

Tim grabbed the hose. “Go find her.”

Rafe looked at the chief, who nodded. He glanced around, looking again for Brianna, but he couldn’t see her. Then he saw her class standing with another teacher. “Do you know where Brianna is?” he asked.

“She went back inside to get Andy,” one of the kids said.

His heart froze. She ran back into the fire. No… She was afraid. Looking around, he found the principal and ran over to her. “Is there anyone else missing?”

“Just Brianna and Andy. I can’t believe she went back into the school.”

Rafe didn’t hesitate; he ran back to the truck. “Chief, we have a teacher and student inside the school.” He grabbed another hose and headed for Brianna’s classroom.

“Rafe,” the chief yelled his name and put a hand on his arm. “We’ll take care it.”

“But…”

“Rules. You’re involved.” The chief yelled at the others. “Where is her classroom?”

Rafe told them and watched as others went into the school to fight the fire and find his Brianna. Yes, she was his. He was in love with her and couldn’t see his life without her.

Why did that realization come to him now? He glanced at the kids. Many were crying and upset, especially those in Brianna’s class. He couldn’t do anything, so he walked up to the class and began comforting the kids.

He told them Brianna and Andy would be all right. He had to believe that. His fellow firefighters were good. Hopefully Brianna and Andy hadn’t been overcome by smoke. That was sometimes more deadly than fire.

There were shouts, and he glanced over at the doorway to see a group of firefighters backing out. What the hell? He noticed the roof was coming down. Damn. They needed to find Brianna now.

A hand settled on his shoulder, and Rafe jumped, turning to see the other teacher. “I’m Ruby, Brianna’s friend. Parents are starting to arrive, so I need to take the kids to the other side of the parking lot. The parents are frantic.”

“I bet.” He helped her usher the kids around the grass to the pick-up zone as parents began pouring into the area. Several of Brianna’s kids didn’t want to leave.

“We’ll find Brianna and Andy. They’ll be fine.” Rafe assured everyone until their parents arrived.

He had no idea how he was going to keep that promise. Rafe pictured her classroom in his mind. She was mid-way down the hall, two exits at each end of the hallway, and…windows. To hell with standing back. He needed to save his woman. Rafe ran around the side of the building.

Brianna’s shout made his heart race. That’s when he saw a man dressed in a dark hoodie and jeans, holding something in his hand. It was then he realized Brianna and Andy were standing on the ground, outside the burning school, about ten feet from the guy.

She was safe. Relief hit him along with another shot of adrenaline. Rafe shouted at the guy, who dropped what he was holding and ran. Rafe went after him. It wasn’t much of a race even with the gear he wore. Rafe caught up with him and tackled him to the ground. The man tried to buck him off, but Rafe knew how to hold him down.

“We’ve got it, Rafe.”

Rafe turned his head to see Logan and two other officers standing there. He eased up and let Logan take over, then he turned. Where was Brianna? His gaze roamed the area, and he saw her with a team of paramedics.

“I’m okay, really,” Brianna said to the paramedics.

“You should keep the oxygen on, ma’am.”

“I don’t need it.” She pushed the man’s arm away and glanced over at the little boy sitting next to her. “How are you doing, Andy?”

“I’m good, Miss Brianna.” A little pink nose peeked out from the boy’s shirt. “So is Mr. Hammy.”

“Good.” She glanced up and met Rafe’s gaze. “Stay right here.” Brianna stood and walked toward him.

Rafe’s long strides met her before she got more than a few feet from the paramedics. “You should listen to the paramedics,” he said. Would his heart ever calm down?

“As I told them. I’m fine.” Just then, there was a shout, and a blonde woman raced toward the paramedics. “That’s Andy’s mom. Be right back.”

He kept his gaze on her as she talked with the mother and then the father when he arrived. Andy sat there as his parents alternately scolded him, then hugged him and told him he was a good kid. The mother hugged Brianna before she took Andy’s hand and dad took Mr. Hammy.

“Wait,” Andy called out and pulled away from his mother. “Thank you for saving me, Miss Brianna.” The little boy hugged her tight, released her, and joined his parents.

Rafe slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. “Mr. Hammy?”

“The hamster. Andy’s show and tell today. He went back in to get him.”

“And you went in after Andy.” The pieces were starting to come together.

“What else could I do? He’s one of my kids.”

Rafe sighed and released her as the principal walked up to them along with the chief.

“Fire is out,” the chief said.

“Thank goodness,” Brianna said with a shiver.

“Andy is no worse for wear. How are you, Brianna?” the principal asked.

“I’m fine. I’m guess there will be no school for a while.” She glanced back at the smoldering ruins of the school.

“I’ll start working with the school board and find room for our students, but it will be probably a week or more before we can find a places, virtual doesn’t do well for us. Go home, and I’ll be in contact.” The principal walked away.

“I have no idea how I’m going to get home,” Brianna said.

“Don’t you have your car here?” the chief asked.

“Yes, but my keys and stuff are still in my classroom, as I’m sure it is with all the teachers.”

“Where are your belongings located?” Rafe asked.

“Bottom right drawer.” She frowned at him.

“Be right back.”

“Rafe.” She called his name, but he kept going. He rounded the building and found her classroom from the outside and noticed the open window. So that’s how she got out. It would be tight, but he maneuvered through the window, found her bag, and climbed back out.

Brianna was talking to the captain until the captain gestured over her shoulder. She turned to glare at him when he returned with her bag.

“I think I’ll let Rafe drive you home. Rafe, take care of her.” The chief walked away.

Brianna yanked her purse from his hold. “Of all the stupid things to do, go back into a building that’s all but collapsed from fire damage.” She threw her hands up, the strap of her purse snapping. “Ugh.” She held it way from her. “This thing smells horrible.”

Rafe started laughing. He didn’t know what else to do, and honestly, the sheer relief of her arguing with him was like a pressure valve going off. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight.

She returned the hug just as tight. “I don’t know what I’d do without out you, Rafe.”

“I’m here, sweetheart. Forever and always.”

Rafe placed his hand on her elbow. “What about the other teachers?” she asked, glancing around and seeing the mingling.

“The chief will clear the school and help them get their belongings.”

“Okay. Let me go say good bye.”

As much as he wanted to whisk Brianna away, he didn’t. She talked with a couple of the teachers, then hugged Ruby, before making her way back to him. They walked to her car, and she dug her keys out of her purse.

“I’ll drive,” he said, and held out his hand.

She looked him up and down. “In that?”

Rafe glanced down. He was still in his turn-outs. “Easy fix.” He undid the protective gear and watched Brianna’s mouth drop open as he stripped out if it.

“You wear other clothes underneath.”

“Yes. Did you think I didn’t?”

“I didn’t know what to expect.”

Rafe laughed. “Keys.”

She dropped them in his palm after unlocking the doors. Rafe deposited his turn-outs in the back seat before getting in the driver’s side. Within fifteen minutes, they were at his home. Thank goodness, too, because Brianna kept clearing her throat.

“Your turn-outs smell as bad as my purse.”

“I’ll put them both in the garage to air out.”

Brianna looked around. “I thought you were taking me home.”

“I am.” He parked her car in the driveway, then helped her out of the vehicle and into the house. In his mind and heart, this was her home now. They belonged together. Once in the family room, he gathered her into his arms and sat on the sofa with her in his lap.

Rafe took a deep breath. “I was so scared for you.” He wasn’t going to hide his emotions.

“I’m sorry.” She laid her head on his shoulder and relaxed in his embrace. “I couldn’t leave Andy in there.”

“I know you talked with the chief as the paramedics checked you out. What did you tell him?”

“I didn’t know much. Mainly, I told him about seeing the guy you were chasing and hearing a loud bang before the fire started.”

“Damn arsonist,” he muttered.

“Is that who he is?”

“I can’t say for sure, but it’s very suspicious. The chief will keep everyone out until we can investigate.”

“But you said he’d get the others’ belongings?”

He kissed her forehead. “He will, but they’ll do it through the windows if need be. Everyone will be safe.”

“Why not just walk in and get it?”

“In order to prove arson, we need to preserve the scene until the investigation is done.”

“Why the school?”

“I can’t explain that. I don’t know why anyone would want to hurt kids. Do you know of any threats against the school?” It could have been a disgruntled parent, but it wasn’t usual to see an arsonist escalate.

“Not that I know of. The principal would know for sure.” She cuddled closer to him.

“What were you thinking? You’re afraid of flames.”

“I wasn’t thinking. Well, that’s not true.” Her smile was small. “You’ve taught me how, and with the fire cupping, you showed me I don’t need to be afraid. I listened and paid attention.”

“But still.” He tightened his arms around her. “Smoke inhalation kills faster than fire.”

“As you’ve told me before, and I was as careful as I could be. Trust me, I wasn’t about to let Andy or myself die. I have too much to live for.” She lifted her arm, and her palm cupped his cheek. “I love you.”

A jolt shot through his body. “You…love me?” Was he hearing her correctly?

“Yes.” She brushed her lips over his. “I love you.”

“I never expected…” He paused to catch his breath. “I love you too. When I heard you ran back into the fire, I was out of my mind with worry.”

“Oh, honey. Don’t get me wrong. I was scared to death. But during our talks, you talked to me about how fire burns, and I knew what to look for. Unfortunately, it spread before Andy and I could get back out the door. So we climbed out the window.”

“You’re perfect.” He captured her lips with his. “I love you so much. I should have told you before now.”

“We aren’t on a timetable, and we’ve only been together a few months. I didn’t expect it to happen, but today, standing in my classroom with Andy and the fire trying to break in, I knew I couldn’t leave you. You are a sweet, lovable gentleman and the perfect Dom for me.”

Damn, this woman could unman him with simple words. “Enough talk.” He put one arm under her legs and the other across her back as he stood. “Time for us.” He strode to his bedroom.