Hot As Blazes. Dani Jace

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СКАЧАТЬ your nurse friend, if you like. You have a hundred dollar credit from the huge tip you left me.”

      A drunk Bobby had to have brought up the nurse who was only his captain’s daughter who needed a favor. He’d see to paying him back. “That was for the gas hog.”

      “Broncosaurus.”

      He grinned at the reminder of Bobby’s nickname for the truck. “So, how is your brother?”

      “Acting like a butthead at the bar last night. I haven’t really talked with him since he grilled steaks for Sarah and me.”

      “Appears to be on the fast track to matrimony.” He pushed away his plate.

      Jo snatched the tab as the server laid it down. “You think so, too?”

      He scrubbed his chin. “I’ve never seen him so tied up with a woman, even while you were in college. We haven’t golfed all summer.”

      “He should get back to doing guy stuff in a bit.” She laid cash on the counter and stood.

      “More like years from what I’ve heard.” He walked with her to the door and out into the parking lot. “So, what are you doing today?” Could he talk her into surfing?

      “Job hunting. Bartending isn’t going to cut it, especially If I have to start paying rent.”

      “For the cottage?” He frowned.

      “I’ll have to pay him something, if he moves out. It is half his.” She unlocked her truck.

      “You could get a roommate.” He opened her door.

      “Yeah, six-foot four, sporting a six pack and nice guns. Oh, and some awesome Husky blue eyes. Know anybody capable of filling my order?”

      He rolled his lips to keep from grinning. “I hope you guys don’t ever think of selling the place, Jo. I’d have to mortgage my life away to buy it. There are just too many good memories.”

      * * * *

      Apologizing to Ray set Jo’s day off on a good note. His acceptance proved he cared for her, faults and all. After filling out a county firefighter’s application, she signed up as a volunteer responder or volly. Already certified in pulmonary resuscitation, she was exempt from the CPR class.

      Even though her legal issues were resolved, she provided her former probation officer’s name and number. If accepted, she would be required to pass a written exam as well as the grueling CPAT or Candidate Physical Abilities Test. Seven months of training at the fire academy would follow. She debated calling Ray, for help, but decided to wait to see if she was accepted.

      Monday afternoon of Labor Day weekend, she neared the end of her last lifeguard shift for the season. The usual humidity was lacking as a bright azure sky spanned from horizon to horizon. Local surfers swarmed in full force.

      “You staying, Jo?” A regular paused with a huge cooler on his shoulder.

      If they broke out the weed like last time, she’d leave. Even being around illegal drugs was the last thing she needed after probation. “Maybe.”

      “Come on, it’s the last one. We’ve got a bonfire permit and everything. You don’t need to bring anything, but your sweet self. Who knows if we’ll be lucky enough to have you stationed at Coquina next summer?” A smile warmed his face.

      “Thanks.” Would she even be a lifeguard next summer?

      The party intensified as her shift ended. She returned to her truck for a change of swimsuits. Although she wasn’t law enforcement, the red suit put the partygoers ill at ease. From her ever-ready bag of clothes, she retrieved her favorite bikini―a little lime green number with ornate gold rings. After changing in one of the stalls, she received a couple of wolf whistles on her return to the beach.

      A surfer named Jazz tossed her a cool one from a boat-sized cooler as she chatted with regulars. Others dug a pit and before long, a warm fire glowed.

      As waves reached their peak, so did the surfers’ rowdy banter. The urge to join the surfers topped her need to finish her beer. She turned to retrieve her board and stood nose-to-nose with Cindy.

      She retreated a step and silently cursed.

      “Joanne. Wow! Didn’t know you’d come home.” The DD cup former schoolmate smirked. “Guess there wasn’t much to do after losing your spot on the circuit.” She’d been one of the clique chicks hot after Ray. Thankfully, he never gave her a second look.

      “Actually, I’m happy to be home.”

      “So, I hear you’re playing lifeguard, again.” A hand on her hip emphasized her mocking tone.

      “You know it’s amazing how some athletic people can’t swim a lick. So, how’s OBX’s number one volleyballer?” With your shredded knee?

      “Coaching.”

      “Ahh…a lot of people say they like coaching better than playing.” No athlete ever wanted to quit competing. Age and injuries were a competitor’s enemies.

      “It’s fine.” Her lips pursed. “Hey, I saw Ray the other day having lunch with some blonde nurse at the hospital. Are you guys still friends?”

      “Last he told me, he was doing twins.” Jo dipped her shades then winked. “You know Ray will never settle to one woman.” With a beer bottle salute, she moved into the crowd, and left Cindy slack-jawed.

      Her heart rate slowed as she approached the water. She’d hated high school because of bitches like her. Jo’s best girlfriends were surfing competitors she met along the east coast.

      Guess Bobby’s attempt to rile her up by mentioning the nurse was true. Crap. She had no one to blame but herself.

      The surf beckoned. Nice three and four footers rolled in with minimal chop. She dumped the rest of her beer and grabbed her board. Before she reached the water, a surfboard minus rider bulleted into the air from the shallows. A headfirst wipeout.

      She scanned for the surfer. Adrenaline pumped away any alcohol effects as Jo rushed into the water. Nearby surfers had a surfboard under the victim by the time she reached him. She held his neck stable as they brought him ashore. “Call nine-one-one!” She checked for a pulse. Weak and thready. No respiration. Carefully, she tilted his head back and started CPR.

      A woman claiming to be a nurse forced her way through the crowd and started compressions while Jo did the breaths.

      No one had ever died on Jo’s watch. When sirens pierced her concentration, she didn’t know how long she and the nurse had been doing CPR.

      The EMTs chugged over the dunes carrying their gear, and relieved her. In a full sweat from exertion and terror, she welcomed them. After finding no pulse, they unzipped a portable defibrillator, and placed its pads on the young man’s bare chest. As current raced through his body his torso jerked.

      Unable to tear her gaze from their efforts, she hugged herself in the chilling breeze. A warm sweatshirt covered her shoulders from behind. She bobbed and hands steadied her.

      From СКАЧАТЬ