Free Desperately Seeking Fireman by Jennifer Bernard Page A

didn’t want to go. “Will you promise to tell me if you feel anything unusual? The slightest little twinge or pain or any warning sign whatsoever?”
    Her expression softened into a warm smile. “You’re really a good guy, aren’t you?’
    He shrugged. “I don’t know about that, but when I tell someone I’m going to do something, I do it. And even if I hadn’t told Brody I’d keep an eye on you, you’re eight months pregnant and I’m an EMT, so I’d be paying attention anyway. I checked around, and the only doctor on this island is seventy-two years old. Your go-to guys are the volunteer firefighters, but from what I’m hearing, there might be some holes in their training. In serious cases, your options are a Medevac or a fire boat that takes an hour to get out here. I’m your guy, Melissa. I hope you’re okay with that.”
    “I am,” she said promptly. “Believe me, I don’t want anything to harm the baby. If I was worried, I’d tell you.”
    “And if I feel strongly that for the sake of your health, and that of the baby, we should leave? What then?”
    “I’ll consider it.”
    He pinned her with a narrow stare until she bowed her head.
    “I’ll do what you say. Since you’re an EMT. And Brody trusts you. And the most important thing is the baby.”
    “Thank you.”
    N ITA WATCHED FROM the doorway, clutching her cell phone, feeling as if her heart was cracking open. Even though she had Brody on the line waiting to talk to Melissa, she couldn’t bring herself to interrupt their conversation. Jeb wasn’t even with Melissa, and he was more concerned about her baby than Bradford had been about his own. Would things have been different if someone like Jeb had been by her side? She would have still lost the baby, of course, but would she have completely broken down if she’d had someone as steady and caring as Jeb going through it with her?
    She shook off that useless train of thought. The past was the past, and Jeb was leaving as soon as he could convince Melissa to go. After a quick knock on the door, she walked in and handed her phone to Melissa.
    “It’s Brody. He’s been trying to reach both of you, and he’s going crazy.”
    Melissa took the phone and walked a few steps away to speak quietly into it.
    Jeb dug his cell from his pocket and frowned at it. “No service.”
    “Apparently one of the towers is temporarily down. Angie says it happens sometimes, especially when the storms hit.”
    He glanced out the window, where clouds were beginning to skim across the sky. “Doesn’t look too bad out there.”
    “Brody said he’s been watching the Weather Channel and a big storm system has changed direction. It’s heading toward us instead of out to sea.”
    His forehead creased with worry. “I don’t like that. I don’t like that at all.”
    “Well, it’s a couple of days out. And it might peter out before then, or change direction again. I told Brody not to worry too much, but I should have saved my breath.”
    He gave a ghost of a smile. “He’s going to worry for the next eighteen years. At least. So, how’s the hungry mob out there?”
    “They’re not happy with me. They think I’m stonewalling. One of them tried to disguise himself as a pizza delivery guy. As if I don’t recognize every single one of them.”
    “Are they bothering you? You tell me, and I’ll kick their asses. One or all of them.” The intensity in his voice sparked a thrill deep in her belly.
    “I can handle them.” It was her job. The one thing so far she hadn’t failed at.
    “I know you can. But if you need a little extra muscle, you call on me. Hear?” He looked dangerous, with that scowl emphasizing the severe planes of his face. His hands were stuck in his back pockets, which made his T-shirt strain against the muscles of his chest. Not so long ago, she’d been tracing those very muscles with her tongue.
    “I hear.”
    She wanted to throw herself at him. Get caught up in his strong arms and