Free Burning Ambition by Amy Knupp Page A

and edging the pink floral pillowcases. The walls were painted a pale pink to match. The furniture was dainty, almost little-girllike. Clothes were scattered on the floor and he tried his damnedest to ignore the silky pink and purple underthings among the jeans and fire department shirts. He did not need to know what she wore beneath her uniform.
    He was still staring as she approached him, pulling on an orange zip-up sweatshirt.
    “Welcome to the Pepto room,” she said.
    Joe grinned, fighting off images of those panties….
    “For my sixteenth birthday, my dad’s treat was to let me have my room redecorated any way I wanted it,” she explained defensively.
    “I never imagined you as a pink kind of woman.”
    “If you wear pink, they never see the knuckle sandwich coming.”
    “And you seem like such a peaceful person,” he said, following her to the kitchen.
    “It’s the brothers. One in particular needed his ass kicked on a regular basis. Thankfully, Anthony lives in Dallas now, and doesn’t make it home much. Here.” She grabbed a plastic container off the counter and removed the lid.
    “Cookies?”
    “Scotcheroos. Baked them today.”
    He took one and bit into it. “You made these?” He couldn’t keep the surprise out of his voice.
    “I can do more than just put out a fire, Captain.” She grinned and helped herself to one. “Not that I bake often. These happen to be my dad’s favorites. Of course, he never made it home to appreciate them.” The smile disappeared instantly, as if someone had thrown a bucket of water over her head.
    “His loss,” Joe said, trying to keep it light.
    “Take a handful. Otherwise I’ll eat more than my share. I made a double batch.”
    He took one more, not wanting to steal the chief’s treats.
    “You don’t like them?” Faith challenged.
    “They’re the best cookies I’ve had in a long time.”
    She went to a drawer and pulled out a plastic zipper bag, then shoved in as many cookies as she could fit. “If you’re lying, you can give them to your dog.”
    “I don’t have a dog,” he said. “And I’m not lying. Let’s go get your dad’s truck.”
    She stuffed another bite in her mouth and nodded, turning serious again. “Thank you for helping us tonight, Joe. You were right, I don’t accept help very well, but…”
    “It’s no problem,” he said, mildly amused by her discomfort. “Middle of the night rescues are what I do. But then, you can relate.”
    She seemed about to say something else, but only led him down the stairs and out the door.
    As they drove back to the Shell Shack, he was hyperaware of the woman sitting just two feet away. Chief Peligni would have to give up the bottle, because this couldn’t happen again. Joe realized he wasn’t capable of spending time with Faith outside the station without his mind going in dangerous directions.
    Thankfully, the drive was a short one. When he turned into the lot, he spotted a small object reflecting light next to the building where the chief had passed out. He pulled up behind Peligni’s SUV and told Faith he was going to check it out.
    A cell phone was lying on the ground about a foot from the rough wood wall, and he bent to pick it up. When he straightened, Faith was right behind him. He ran into her, unaware that she’d followed. He turned and steadied her, and she took a step back.
    “Sorry,” she said.
    “This your dad’s?” he asked, holding it out.
    She took it from him and glanced at the display. “That’s his.” She dropped it in the pocket of her sweatshirt. “He’s like an irresponsible teenager tonight.”
    At that instant, she looked unsure of herself. Just for a moment. Unsure and…so tired. And yet pretty and young with the moonlight illuminating her face. Her eyes darted around as she did her best to act as if nothing bothered her. He wanted to tell her it was okay to be bothered. Against his better judgment, he forced eye contact, feeling a jolt when she finally