“Just so you understand that Kevin’s situation is not the same as yours. I’m not abandoning him,” she said softly. “I would never in a million years walk out on my son.”
“If he hardly ever sees you, it’s the same thing,” Sean insisted, clearly still drawing comparisons with his own background.
“I love my son.”
“I’m sure you do. I even believe my mother loved me. That doesn’t change the fact that she was gone.” He regarded her with sudden urgency. “Please think about what I’m saying. I was only a year older than Kevin when my folks walked out. It’s not something a kid ever gets over.”
“I’ll keep it in mind,” she promised. “And I’m not just saying that. I really will.”
Sean’s intense gaze held hers. Finally he gave a nod of satisfaction. “That’s good, then.” But, as if he feared he’d given away too much, his expression suddenly went blank. “We should probably try to catch up with Hank. I imagine he’s wondering what happened to us.”
Deanna laughed at that. “I doubt he or Ruby even realize we’re missing.”
Sean’s lips twitched, and then a slow grin spread across his face. In that instant the last of the tension between them was finally broken. “All the more reason to catch up with them,” he said. “They’re liable to forget that they have an impressionable kid tagging along.”
“Does Kevin strike you as a boy who allows himself to be ignored for long?” she asked. “He’s probably boring Hank to tears with a million and one questions about being a fireman. Ever since the day of the fire, it’s all he’s talked about. If he could sign up now, he would.”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than the siren on one of the engines split the air with its loud wail.
“A call?” Deanna asked worriedly, glancing around for signs of men rushing to pile onto the trucks.
“Nope. I think Hank just showed Kevin how to turn on the siren,” he said, leading the way to the truck in the next bay.
Instead of Kevin in the driver’s seat, though, it was Ruby. Kevin was sitting next to her, giggling.
“Told you that would get them over here,” he said, pointing to his mother and Sean as they approached. “Can I do it now?”
Hank turned and winked at them, then returned his gaze to Ruby. “If Ruby’s willing to give you a turn, go for it, kid.”
Ruby didn’t budge. “I don’t know. I kind of like it up here. I understand why you guys get off on this kind of thing.”
“It’s not driving the truck that does it,” Hank explained patiently.
Ruby regarded him doubtfully. “So you don’t get some macho kick out of making all that noise and tearing through the streets?”
“I never said that. But we make noise and tear through the streets to get to the fire faster,” Hank said. “It’s not some macho game. We’re trying to save lives and property.”
Ruby nodded solemnly. “Then it’s the danger? You like putting your life on the line?”
“It’s not as if we deliberately risk our lives for the fun of it,” he retorted, his genial expression suddenly fading.
“No, for the thrill of it,” Ruby corrected.
Hank regarded her with obvious exasperation. “It’s about doing a job. If we do it right, there’s only a tiny, carefully calculated risk involved.”
Ruby grinned. “Then all those medals for bravery I heard about inside, you didn’t really deserve those?”
“Oh, brother,” Sean muttered. He turned to Deanna. “Want to grab Kevin and go out for a soda or something? My shift’s over, and I have a hunch those two will be arguing about this for a while. Ruby’s pushing all of Hank’s buttons. His wife left him because she thought he was a danger junkie.”
“Ouch,” Deanna said. “Maybe I ought to warn her.”
Sean shook his head. “Don’t. His ex was right, and so is Ruby. He needs reminding occasionally.” He met her gaze. “So, how about that soda?”
Deanna knew the smart thing would be to refuse, but she couldn’t seem to make herself say the words. She simply nodded, then added, “But you’re not going to get Kevin away from here till he gets to turn on that siren.”
“Good point.” Sean climbed up on the opposite side of the truck, whispered something to Kevin, then helped him to reach the button to turn on the siren. Ruby looked vaguely startled, but she never tore her gaze away from Hank. He looked equally captivated, despite his apparent frustration at the turn their conversation had taken.
“We’re leaving now,” Deanna announced.
“Whatever,” Ruby said.
“I’ll get Ruby home,” Hank said absently.
“I’m perfectly capable of getting home on my own,” Ruby shot back. “I walked over here, didn’t I?”
Hank shot a bewildered glance toward Sean. “Was that offer an insult? I thought I was being a gentleman.”
“Don’t ask me,” Sean said. “Everyone knows I don’t understand women. You’re the expert.”
“Hah!” Ruby muttered.
“I heard that,” Hank said.
“I meant for you to hear it.”
Sean chuckled. “Okay, children, play nice. The grown-ups are leaving now.”
He scooped Kevin up and settled him on his shoulders, then beckoned to Deanna. “Let’s get out of here before we get caught in the crossfire.”
“I don’t get it,” Kevin said. “Ruby really, really likes guys. How come she’s been fighting with Hank the whole time we’ve been here? She hardly even knows him.”
“Sometimes people just don’t hit it off,” Deanna said.
“Then how come she’s staying here instead of coming with us?” Kevin asked, his expression puzzled.
“He’s got you there,” Sean said, amusement sparkling in his eyes.
Deanna frowned at his obvious reference to the sizzling sexual chemistry between their friends. “I don’t think there’s an explanation that’s suitable for a five-year-old, do you?”
“How come?” Kevin asked.
“You’ll understand when you’re older,” Sean told him, winking at Deanna.
“But I need to know now,” Kevin persisted. “My teacher says you gotta ask questions if you’re gonna learn stuff.”
“Hard to argue with a
