Amongst The Flames: A Contemporary Christian Romance (Embers and Ashes Book 1) Read Free Page A

the TV and hit the pause on the western I was in the middle of watching. Westerns were about the only part of bed rest I wasn’t minding. Outside of the western rerun channel, I found nothing but weight loss infomercials, how to get rich quick schemes and over-the-top reality shows that seemed anything but real.
    “How’s it going, Brother?” Micah asked.
    “Oh, you know, just lying around doing nothing with my life.” I scoffed.
    He laughed. “I bet it’s a little bit nice to be taking a load off for a while. I don’t recall too many days in the past ten years where you took time off.”
    “You would think it’d be nice… but it’s really not. The medications they have me on make me sleepy all the time… and having the boys constantly bumping my bed is getting old quick.”
    “Well, at least it’s not long term,” He replied. “Couple of the guys and I were talking about possibly stopping by to see you today. We made a big batch of my Chicken Alfredo for you and your family. Plus, Ted wants to see your incision.”
    “I could go for some of your famous Chicken Alfredo right about now. I’m starving! As for Ted… I’m in a cast, so nothing to see for him,” I replied.
    Micah laughed. “Alright, I’ll let him know. So that sounds okay with you and Megan if we come over?”
    “Sounds good to me,” I replied as I thought about that delicious Alfredo sauce. My mouth was salivating at just the thought of it.
    “We’ll be by later this afternoon, probably about three or so. After we get off our shift.”
    “Fantastic! Don’t forget the Alfredo!”
    I smiled as I hung up the phone and continued watching my western. Thinking about the guys coming over made me do something I hadn’t been doing a lot of since I had been bedridden the last couple days —smile. They knew I was dying on the vine being away from the station and knew exactly what would cheer me up.
    Megan came up the stairs and into the bedroom with a laundry basket in her hands. She went over and into the closet. Flipping on a light switch, she asked, “Did you need anything from the store? I’m about to load up the boys and head there after I finish this laundry.”
    Glancing up at the ceiling for a moment, I thought about it and then said, “Get some of those pretzels and that white sugary stuff you put on them. Those were delicious when you made them for the Christmas party.”
    She smiled at me. “Alright,” she replied as she continued putting the folded laundry away.
    “Thanks,” I said as I smiled and continued watching my western.
     

     
    Ding, Dong.
    Looking over at the alarm clock on the nightstand, I saw it was already a little after three in the afternoon. I had forgotten to warn Megan about the guys coming over. I could hear Megan open the door downstairs and I cringed as I thought about how she was caught off guard. She hated it when I did that kind of thing.
    As all the guys came up the stairs, Megan entered the room first, shooting a glare over at me. “Hey honey… a few of your co-workers decided to stop by and bring us dinner…” I could tell she was searching my eyes to see if I had already known about them coming.
    “Oh, wow! What a nice surprise,” I said, trying to save my own hide.
    She nodded as her eyes narrowed on me. Thankfully, Bradley began screaming downstairs and pulled her away. “Duty calls. Nice seeing you all,” she said as she headed out of the room.
    Micah approached my bedside. “You shouldn’t lie to her.” He had a concerned look on his face as he folded his hands together in front of him. Kane put his hand on Micah’s shoulder and pulled him back out of the way to give himself room to get to me.
    “Lay off him, Micah! Can’t you see Taylor’s in enemy territory?” Kane said as he scoffed.
    “It’s not that bad being home,” I replied.
    “Sure, you say that now. But wait until she decides to not bring you some food or wipe your butt or whatever else you have her doing.”