Free Loving A Firefighter (Loving Series) by Susan Leigh Carlton

all means, do that.“
    Back in Carrie’s room
    “They see a slight improvement in his condition today, but he had a rough night.  His heart stopped the other night but they brought him back and they have him on a ventilator to help him breathe… I’ll be right back.”  She left the room and returned with a wheelchair after the nurse approved her plan.  “Come on Baby, let’s go for a ride.”  She wheeled Carrie to the elevator and pushed the button for the cardiac floor.  Once there, she wheeled her down to the waiting room.
    Her face lit up like a Christmas tree when she saw the Reynolds ’s.  They stood and Mrs. Reynolds hugged her gently.  Mr. Reynolds smiled and put his hand on her shoulder.  “It is so nice to see you up and about.”
    “Mrs. Reynolds,” Carrie began, her eyes brimming with tears. “I feel this is entirely fault.  Chip didn’t even know Nathan.  He was protecting me.  He yelled for me to run when he saw Nathan had a gun.  I remember he shoved me out of the way and moved toward Nathan and was shot.  When Nathan shot me again, Chip went after him and grabbed him.  He was shot again.  That’s all I remember but the detectives told me he was shot twice more and then Nathan killed himself.  Nathan went ballistic when he saw Chip.  He was stalking me.  He thought it was Chip’s doing but I hadn’t even met Chip until after my apartment was set on fire.”
    “Child, what you’ve been through!  It isn’t your fault.  Nobody told us any of this but Chip is like that.  He’s gone into building looking for survivors.  He’s always been very protective of those he cares about.  It’s a wonder his sister was able to get married with him around.”
    “Well, I care for him a lot and I’m just so sorry he got hurt protecting me.  I just got promoted at the TV station and Chip was going to help me find a new apartment.  I was treating him to dinner to celebrate my promotion.”
    “You didn’t tell me you had been promoted,” her mother said.
    “I just found out about it that day.  I’m going to be a field reporter and will get on-camera time.”
    “Cheryl, it’s time for a visit.  Why don’t you take Carrie in, and we’ll wait here until you get back?”
    “Are you sure?  That’s so nice of you, I’ll only stay a minute so you can get in,” Carrie said.
    Cheryl wheeled her to the door and asked the nurse if it was okay to enter.  She had them gown and glove up and put a mask over their mouths and noses.  Carrie’s mother had prepared her for what she would see.  She wheeled her to the bedside.  Carrie stood, and placed her gloved hand on Chip’s hand.  She said, “Chip, it’s Carrie.  Thank you for saving my life.  Now you have to get well for me.  Hang in there, please.”  She squeezed his hand gently and thought she imagined a squeeze back.  It was her imagination.  He hadn’t  moved since before he was shot the third time.  Eyes overflowing, she said, “Please keep fighting and get better and I’ll be back as soon as I can.  I’m two floors down.  We’re going to go so your mom and dad can come in now.”
    Carrie was crying like a baby when her mother wheeled her back to the waiting room.  She was so overcome with emotion she couldn’t talk.  Mrs. Reynolds came over and hugged her again and said, “God bless you darling.  God bless you.”  All Carrie could do was squeeze her hand.

Chapter 10
    As they entered Carrie’s room, it was apparent someone had been in the room.  There were three huge floral arrangements on the table.  One was from the TV station.  Another was from the station manager and the third was from her supervisor, Mrs. Tompkins.  The note on her card identified who it was from and said, “Get well soon.  Call me when you feel like up to it.”
    Carrie was apprehensive about the card.  She showed it to her mother and said, “I wonder if my new job is gone?”
    “Surely not.”
    “I might as well