C.C. Coburn - Colorado Fireman

Adam groaned. Will and Louella had, in Adam’s opinion, an unnatural relationship. Will didn’t mind hanging out with Louella and, stranger still, she didn’t mind hanging out with him.

He and Will were opposites. Will loved everyone and they all loved him. So did their animals. Adam had always found social situations difficult and preferred his own company, much like his older brother Luke, who ran the family ranch.

A camera flash went off in his face just as Louella swooped in again. “You put that in the paper, Ken, and you’re dead,” Adam growled through clenched teeth.

“Hey, your ugly mug will be all over the paper tomorrow,” Ken said. “Human interest, you know.”

“Or porcine …” Will said with a grin.

“Go away. Both of you,” Adam said. “And take her with you.”

“Come on, Lou. I’m sure we can find someone who appreciates your affectionate advances.”

Adam watched as Louella trotted off behind Will, her bright red boots contrasting with the snow. She paused and glanced back at him. “Don’t even think about it!”

Louella snorted and turned to follow Will.

“Darling!”

It was his mom again. Adam sighed. “Spare me from women,” he begged skyward.

“You don’t like women?” the mother with too many kids asked. She was holding one of her kids—the toddler he’d rescued. He was perched on her hip, but looked way too heavy for someone as small as her to be carrying around.

“He comes from a family of brothers,” his mother said, completely ignoring the fact that Adam was about to answer for himself. “Unfortunately, he doesn’t relate to the opposite sex very well.” She offered her hand to the woman. “I’m Sarah O’Malley, by the way.”

Adam wasn’t about to tell her he related perfectly well to women. Just not to bossy ones. Like his mom. And Lucy. And now this nosy woman with black spit all over her sneakers.

“Carly Spencer,” the woman said, giving her own hand to his mom to shake.

“So nice to meet you, dear, in spite of the circumstances,” Sarah said. “Of course I blame his father,” she continued. “The male decides the sex of the baby. After five boys I said enough! ”

Lucy had returned to check on Molly, since the vet hadn’t arrived yet, and chuckled at his mom’s remark. Adam saw Carly Spencer’s mouth turn up in a smile. She’d be even prettier if she smiled more often. Still, she didn’t have much to be happy about, since her home had just gone up in flames.

“Ouch!” he yelped as Lucy reached over and prodded him.

“She’s only trying to help, darling,” his mother pointed out. “If you can’t be more civil, you’ll never find anyone to marry you.”

“Sometimes your conversation defies logic, Mom,” he muttered through the mask. He pulled it away from his face so she couldn’t mistake his words. “And I’m not looking for a wife,” he said, hoping she’d go away. And take the Carly woman with her.

“Oh, my God, you’re gay!” his mom said, as if this was a revelation that explained everything—his unmarried state, his aversion to moving back to his hometown, possibly even the cause of global warming.

“Not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course,” she added quickly.

“I’m not gay.”

“You’ve never had a relationship.”

“Trust me, Mom, I’ve had relationships.”

“With women?”

“ Of course with women! Mom, seriously, you’re acting weird.”

“I just want to ensure the continuation of the O’Malley line.”

“Last count, you had seven grandkids. The O’Malley line is safe.”

“But …”

Adam forced himself to sit up. “Once and for all, Mom. I am not gay! ”

Everything seemed to freeze—the chattering of bystanders, the whine of emergency vehicles, even the sound of water gushing from the fire hoses.

Heads swiveled in Adam’s direction. His colleagues, several of whom had stood down now the blaze was under control, turned toward him and stared. Louella snorted.

The television crews zeroed in on a developing human interest story. The Carly woman shifted her kid to the other hip and smiled.

Adam groaned.

His mom looked as if she wanted to argue further. Adam lay back down, replaced the oxygen mask over his face and closed his eyes.

Moments later, he heard his mother huff and go off in search of someone else to pester.

“Your mom seems concerned about you.”

“She’s concerned about everyone. Unfortunately, she’s insanely overprotective of me.” He wanted to assure her he wasn’t gay, but what was she to him? No one important. Just the mom of a kid he’d rescued. He’d never see her again after today. What did it matter what she thought about his sexuality? What did it matter what anyone thought? Even his mom.

“You’re the youngest?”

He opened an eye. “How’d you guess?” He felt he had to at least try to be polite, since this woman had just lost her home. In reality, he didn’t want to talk to anyone right now. Especially anyone of the female sex. Between his mom’s nagging, this woman’s nosiness, Lucy’s brutal treatment, Molly the dog and Louella the pig slobbering on him, he’d had his fill of females for the day. What he really wanted was to take a long shower, have a beer and maybe watch a hockey game on TV with his dad. His dad rarely talked, never nagged. Mac O’Malley, patriarch of the O’Malley clan, was probably his best friend in the world. Pity Adam would never be able to talk about the night Rory Bennett died, even with Mac.

“Mothers have a special place in their hearts for the baby of the family.”

Did this woman ever shut up? Adam wondered. He was so sick of being called the baby of the family.

“Ma’am?” Adam was thankful when his captain’s voice intruded. He wanted to sleep instead of being surrounded by chattering people. Most of them women. “Your kids have all been cleared by the paramedics. You’re good to go.”

“Thank you. Thank you for everything,” she said. Then her lip quivered.

Oh, no, here come the tears, Adam thought.

Sure enough, the woman started to cry.

“Hey, there,” Lucy said, patting her back. “Your children are fine.” She pulled out her cell. “Who can I call for you? Do you have family nearby or friends you can stay with?”

The woman shook her head and staggered away.

Adam had never seen anyone look so desolate in his life. And he’d seen a lot of sorrow during his years in this job.

“Oh, my goodness.” His mom appeared out of nowhere and went to comfort the woman. She glared at Adam over her shoulder, as if he was the cause of her misery.

Adam strained to hear what they said to each other, then gave up. Lucy had given him the all clear, and Martin had released him from duty for the rest of his shift. It was time to head home and hit the shower. He sat up and glanced around. There were even more spectators than when he’d brought the dog down the ladder.

He could see his brother Matt conferring with the television crew. Matt was nodding his head. He turned in Adam’s direction and waved. Then he smiled. Matt rarely smiled.

As a youngster, Adam had held out for praise and encouragement from his big brother. He’d come to learn that exuberance wasn’t Matt’s way. A wave and smile would be all the compliment Adam could expect.

He stood too quickly and stumbled, but was caught by Matt’s strong arms before he hit the ground. “Hey, easy there, kid,” he said. “Sit down for a bit.”

Exhausted, Adam could only shake his head. “Need to get out of here. Take a shower.”

Molly was still lying on her back playing dead—except her tail was wagging. Matt bent down and rubbed her tummy. She rewarded him with a squirm of pleasure.