A Firefighter in the Family

“This is one quick party.”

“We wanted to cement the deal before Karl had second thoughts.” Inga laughed, well aware of her third son’s ability to slide out of things as if he were doused in oil.

“Good point.”

Carol snaked her arm through Randi’s. “Come on outside.”

Randi balked. “I think I’ll stay in here for a bit.”

“Nonsense. Karl and Shellie are out there taking a lot of ribbing. You don’t want to miss this.”

“I’ll—”

“You never win an argument with me, so quit trying.” She leaned close to Randi’s ear. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”

Randi had to laugh. At five foot two, Carol stood a full seven inches shorter than her and didn’t have near the muscle tone. Somehow, chasing a two-year-old around didn’t quite build the body the same way five-mile runs and swimming did. Still, Carol Cooke wasn’t someone ever bested in an argument.

Despite the tightening in her gut, Randi allowed her sister-in-law to lead her onto the deck filled with the scents of grilling shrimp and steaks and the sounds of her family.

The scene unfolded as if from one of those Matrix movies where everyone stops in midmotion. If she were lucky, she’d disappear before they remembered to move. She glanced over and saw her father, a once big and towering man, sitting in his wheelchair.

The wheelchair she’d put him in.

Chapter Three

“Add some shrimp to the grill,” Carol said. “We’ve got one more person who wanted to give Karl the teasing he deserves.”

Will, who was tending the meat on the grill, stared at them for a moment before turning his back and adding more shrimp.

The awkwardness eased gradually as conversations resumed, like the slow receding of a wave back out to sea. Randi wished she could ride that wave into open water, where the expanse of blue gently rolled and soothed.

Shellie crossed the deck and gave Randi a hug. She returned the gesture, grateful for another friendly face. If it weren’t for Eric and the women in this family, she’d be a total outcast.

“Randi, how have you been?” Her father sounded like he genuinely wanted to know, but the deep warmth and vitality his voice used to hold was absent.

“Fine, thanks. You?”

Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they awaited his answer, as if he might suddenly yell, I’m a paraplegic, how the hell do you think I feel? Instead, he said simply, “Okay.”

Randi had to alleviate the tension or she was going to snap. She looked at Karl. “So, you popped the question. I remember saying I would relish this day so I could say, ‘I told you so.’”

Karl offered a half grin. “You’re not the only one.”

He sounded so forlorn that everyone, including his new wife-to-be, laughed.

The laughter broke the tension for a few moments, but when they sat down to eat, it returned. Randi stood to the side, not sure where to sit. She imagined that if she took a seat the brother next to her would move.

Considering they’d not done so during previous family gatherings, she didn’t know why she thought they suddenly would. Maybe it was the fact that a fire and not a holiday had brought her to Horizon Beach this time. A fire that would remind them all of that horrible day when their lives had changed.

But she needn’t have worried. Inga guided her to a chair between her and Carol. A safe zone where she had at least the sliver of hope that she’d be able to eat something.

Though conversations gradually picked up around her, the one topic avoided was her reason for being in town. Her brothers and father had likely picked the fire apart molecule by molecule, but none of that discussion materialized now. Not even Eric brought it up, though she caught him watching her a couple of times with an expression that said he wished he could make it all normal again.

Her mother reached over at one point and patted her hand, a loving gesture but one that fell short of demanding her other offspring welcome their sister with wide-open arms. Maybe Inga loved her while still holding her responsible for her father’s condition. Could the two feelings coexist?

Randi tried to take another bite of shrimp, but it seemed to expand in her mouth with each chew. When she attempted to swallow, it nearly choked her.

She looked over at her father, who was talking baseball with Josh, the second oldest and quietest of her brothers. The Great Avoider, they’d always called him, because he didn’t like conflict. He’d never said anything negative toward her regarding the fire that had ended their father’s career, but he hadn’t stood up for her, either.

They sat outside, so close to the ocean she could hear the tide coming in, but Randi couldn’t draw in a deep breath. How odd to feel she needed fresh air when she was in the midst of it. She stood and picked up her plate.

“Thanks for dinner. It was delicious.” She looked at Karl and Shellie. “Congratulations on the engagement.”

“Don’t leave so soon,” Carol said. “The party’s just getting started.”

“Sorry. I’ve got a ton of work to do.” Randi’s heart cried out for her father to ask her to stay, but he said nothing.

Before anyone could say anything, she hurried to the kitchen, deposited her food and paper plate in the trash. The door opened behind her, but she didn’t turn as she dumped the ice in her cup down the sink.

“I wish you’d stay,” Inga said, sorrow thickening in her voice.

Randi closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry to rush, but I have lots of notes to go over and people to call before the trail goes cold.” She pasted a smile on her face as she turned to face her mother. “Thanks again for dinner.”

The sadness from Inga’s voice crept into her eyes, her mother’s heart knowing work wasn’t the reason Randi was departing so quickly. Inga sighed then went to the refrigerator and pulled out a large plate. “I know how much you love my cheesecake, so I want you to take a slice with you.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I insist. I have plenty.”

Randi watched as her mother placed the generous slab of cheesecake on a plastic saucer with a plastic fork and covered it with cling wrap. She filled a small disposable foam cup with strawberry topping. Randi’s mouth watered at the remembered rich, creamy texture of the dessert.

Inga handed the cup and saucer to Randi and kissed her cheek. “Call me before you go home. Maybe we can have lunch.”

Randi fought tears and nodded. “Okay.” She headed for the front door before she lost her composure. She hadn’t been this shaken in a long time. She was halfway to the street, Thor on her heels, when Eric caught up with her.

“Go on back and enjoy yourself,” she said.

“I’ll take you to your hotel first.” He sounded sad and sorry he’d forced the situation on her.

She stopped walking but didn’t look at him. She didn’t want him to see the tears threatening. “I’ll walk. It’s a nice evening.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah.” Without making eye contact, she lifted onto her toes to give his cheek a quick peck. “Thanks for trying.” She headed for the sidewalk that led back to Sea Oat Road.

She’d gone half a mile when she reached the first public beach access. She took the boardwalk over the dunes and headed for the compacted part of the shoreline where the edge of the waves wet the sand. She kicked off her mules and carried them in one hand as she let the feel of the sand beneath her toes comfort her.

She focused on the sound of the surf and the fresh feel of the breeze and imagined them both carrying her worries away. She remembered that from one of the dozens of self-help books she’d read when the nightmares and bouts of crying after the accident had finally worn her down to where she could barely function.