Free Too Near the Fire by Lindsay McKenna

this before, but it isn’t too late to start correcting the situation.”
    A lump formed in her throat. “I don’t want to cause trouble!”
    “Duke is just going to have to learn to handle his prejudice,” he said grimly, opening the door. He gave her a devastating smile.
    “Come on, pretty lady, we’ve got a pair of boots to buy for you. A pair of glass slippers for my princess.”
    Leah hesitantly allowed herself to be drawn into his sudden ebullient mood. As she walked with him toward the store, she felt another bit of the weight she had been carrying since the divorce slip free of her aching shoulders. Stealing a glance up at Gil, she tried not to examine too closely how she felt about him. They barely knew each other, and yet it seemed like they had known each other forever….

Four
    L eah had hoped that by the time her first two months of duty had gone by there would be a change in Duke Saxon’s attitude. Unfortunately, though the other men had warmed to her, Duke remained as hostile as ever.
    She stepped into the front door of the firehouse, giving the dispatcher, Bill Colby, a warm smile. She was looking forward to seeing Gil on duty. She had noted a change in Gil’s attitude as far as she was concerned. It was as if he sensed her need to approach any new relationship slowly. Since that wonderful day in Cleveland, he had not asked her for a date.
    She made her way to the kitchen and started preparing the menu for the day, since it was her turn. She hummed to herself, realizing that she was happy. Despite Duke’s stubborn attitude, everyone at the firehouse was adjusting to having a woman fire fighter aboard. She had to admit that her performance at fire scenes had helped to cement the trust between her and the men.
    Chief Anders came hurrying by, gave her a brief nod, and resumed his pace, hands behind his back. She smiled to herself as she prepared a simple Yankee pot roast, complete with carrots, onion, and plenty of potatoes for Saxon, who seemed to live on them. After putting it in the refrigerator to be baked later in the day, she had just set about making fresh coffee when Gil ambled in. He smiled over at her.
    “You look like a regular house Frau,” he teased as he sat down at the table and spread out some paperwork before him.
    Her face was damp from working over a hot stove and tendrils of hair clung to her cheek. Leah returned the smile as she brushed the strands of hair away. “Believe it or not, I enjoy cooking.”
    “Don’t let the guys hear you say that or you’ll become a permanent fixture in here.” He motioned for her to sit down. “How’s that burn on your neck?”
    She automatically reached up, touching it carefully. Three days earlier she had received the injury at a house fire. “It stings a little, that’s all. Part of my dues for being part of the fire service.”
    “Great welcome,” he snorted, riffling through a pile of reports.
    She sat there in companionable silence with him for a few minutes before initiating a conversation. “Gil, how did you know that front door was going to blow?” she asked, referring to the incident in which she’d been burned.
    He raised his head, meeting her troubled gaze. “I saw the glass bowing outward. The windows in the other rooms weren’t as bad, so I just put two and two together. The heat from the kitchen traveled to the foyer area first. I suppose you’re kicking yourself for not noticing it?” he asked dryly.
    “Yes. I was taught to look for downed electrical wires in yards, windows bowing outward, and to approach a door from the side. Never walk up to it like I did.”
    “Ten lashes with a wet noodle.”
    “Come on, it was a bad mistake!” she flared, folding her hands tightly on the table.
    “It could have been but it wasn’t. It taught you a good lesson—you’ll never make that mistake again.”
    “You got that right,” she returned fervently, shaking her head at her own stupidity.
    “Quit being so hard on