Blaze

Blaze Blueberry Grove Firefighters #1 Arie Ray Copyright Copyright © 2023 by Alicia Butler All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission, including information storage and retrieval systems without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or events and places is purely coincidental. Cover photo: Firefighter Montreal, Shutterstock Editing: Linda Seed Originally published as a Kindle Vella story © 2021 Author's Note Dear Reader, This story deals with themes of grief and loss. Please be aware some scenes may be traumatic to some readers. There are references to the death of a parent, as well as losing an animal. Both incidents happen prior to the story’s beginning, but both are remembered throughout the characters’ on-page experience. There is also a brief mention of off-page false pregnancy/pregnancy loss. There are on-page depictions of death and injury to both animals and humans in this book. Exercise caution and self-care where needed. Should you need help coping with any of the themes in this book, please turn to: SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 Or seek help via your local mental health entities. Dedication For all the girls who gave up on one true love the hard way… Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Epilogue Next in this series Also By Acknowledgments About Author Chapter 1 Olivia“Did you see the posting?” Jeremy asks, leaning over my shoulder as I pull my bag from my locker. I take my stethoscope from my neck and toss it into the tote, turning to see the gleam in his deep chocolate irises. “Don’t you have a shift to run?” “You could too if you went for it,” he badgers, the joyful lilt of his voice mocking me. “Tell me you’re at least considering it.” Stretching my neck, I sigh with annoyance. “I am not.” “What?” Catching me by the shoulders, he persists. “Liv, you’re perfect for this.” “I doubt that,” I reply, rolling my eyes. “Besides, I didn’t get into this profession because of paperwork and managerial monotony. I’m here to—”“Save lives, keep children from suffering,” he groans. “You’ve said it all before, but don’t you see how much more of an impact you could have if you were running things? Look at this place,” he demands, spinning me to face to the break room window, where I have a full view of shift change chaos. “Days have been a nightmare for a long time now, and with Jordan leaving, you can change that. Don’t you want your machine to be well-oiled?” “I have no doubt they’ll hire someone with the right credentials to bring order back to this place,” I state, pulling my tote over my shoulder and opening the door. “But it won’t be me.”“Just think about it,” he encourages, following behind me. “I have,” I assure him. “The answer is no.” Pausing by our time clock, I key my four-digit code and wait for the printout of my hours. “But I will come in tonight, if you need me,” I offer. “I’m going to hold you to that.” He smiles, draping his own scope over his broad shoulders. “What’s on your agenda for the evening?” “Same old, same old.” I dig my car keys from my bag and give him a quick hug. “Call me if it gets crazy.” Following the crisp, white hallway to the exit, I step into the warm summer sunshine, allowing it to wash over my face and basking in its glow. Inhaling, I take the clean Arkansas air deep into my lungs, a necessary step in acclimating into the world after twelve hours of walking hospital halls. Making the trek across the parking lot, I find my car and sink into the driver’s seat, and drive home. Ignoring the constant ache in my lower back, I pull into my slot in the double garage, turn off the ignition, and watch the headlights fade against the cement wall. Sighing, I throw my keys into my tote and press the button to close the garage door. Barely registering the rumble in my ears, I step onto the concrete floor and stretch my toes against the padded inserts of my already-worn sneakers.Shoes should be a tax deduction for nurses. God knows we never keep them for long.Making a mental note to order another pair before these fall completely apart, I step into the house.“You’re home,” my father calls, his voice just audible over the six o’clock news. “I was getting worried.” “Sorry, Pops. Long day,” I answer, carefully placing my shoes on the rug and taking the time to make sure his steel-toed work boots are perfectly lined up as well. “Have you had dinner?” “Nope. I was waiting on you,” he calls. I consider my lack of energy and the effort required to make a well-balanced meal. Checking the time, I turn to the freezer and pull out the leftover lasagna I froze a few weeks ago and place it on the counter. Setting the oven to preheat, I finally make my way to the living room. Kissing the top of my father’s bald head, I pick up the socks from his chair arm and backtrack to the laundry room. “And how was your day?” “Not too bad,” he says, turning down the television. Watching me tidy my