Free Sizzle (St. Martin Family Saga): Emergency Responders by Gina Watson Page A

running wild. She pushed back toward the wall. Something big was in that water, she knew it. She wrapped her arms around her knees and peered, unblinking, into the darkness.
    When she heard his voice and saw his searchlight, she was instantly relieved and it was all she could do to sit still and wait for him on the countertop. His big body stood in the doorway, and he shined his light on her.
    “Ready?”
    She sagged in relief. “God, yes.”
    He held his left arm open, indicating she should climb right on him. He kept the light turned to the floor. When she put her arms around his neck, he pulled her into the warmth of his body. She delighted in his warm strength and was so close to his face she could smell his aftershave and the tinge of sweat on him. He started wading through the water, but almost immediately Eve felt his already hard physique stiffen as he transferred the light to his other palm. With his free hand he reached down, and she heard the distinctive sound of Velcro as he opened and then pulled something from a pocket. He became as still as a hot, sun-drenched desert.
    Loud and sudden bursts of gunshots rang out in the kitchen. The sound blistered the quiet, and Eve instinctively screamed and grabbed her ears as she burrowed her face into the niche between his chin and neck. She smelled gunpowder and after a moment turned in his arms to see what had happened. The bright light highlighted the now dead and floating carcass of an alligator. She gasped and buried her face into Clay, clinging as tight as possible.
    He carried her through the kitchen and the hallway to the living room, where the bucket waited in the window. He climbed up with her in his arms and signaled to someone outside. The ladder started to move and once it cleared the house, hard-driving rain stung her face and back. She yelped and nestled deeper into the safety of his body at the same time he turned to shield her from the brunt of the rain. A few moments later, the ladder jerked, and her world turned on its axis. Lifting her head, she realized he was leaning forward, ready to dismount the ladder with her in his arms. He smiled at her—the sweetest sight she’d seen in hours—and indicated with a nod that she should ease her hold on him. She reluctantly let go and watched as he climbed down and then turned to pull her free. She was shoeless, and he passed her to another man—Jack, she saw, smiling at him—who helped her get seated in the front seat of a very large fire truck. He was busily punching buttons and even with the storm she could hear various motors come to life as he reset the giant ladder that had helped them. Clay climbed in and joined her while Jack joined Ruth in the back.
    Eve made sure Ruth was all right as Clay started the arduous task of getting them all to a safe location.
    *
    When they pulled in to the high school, Clay exhaled the breath he’d been holding for what seemed like miles. He’d saved them; they’d survive now.
    Jack had the medics bring a gurney out for Ruth, which was quite a production in the rain and wind. Eve stood waiting by the truck. He watched her, unable to turn away, noting that she was barefoot and still wore the leisurely attire from earlier. Except now she was soaked and he was able to confirm that she was definitely not wearing a bra. That wouldn’t do. She couldn’t go into the school looking the way she did. He jogged to the back of the engine and rummaged around until he found a BRFD T-shirt and sweat suit. The suit was large, but she could draw the string. He walked around to her.
    “Here, put this on.”
    She took the shirt and put her arms through the holes, pulling it over her head before he handed her the pants. She pulled those on and cinched the waist tight. He passed her the sweat shirt, saying, “In case you need it.”
    Her gray eyes held a solemnity that froze him in place. She touched his bare arm, laying her whole hand against his skin, and heat sizzled beneath her