One Tuesday Morning & Beyond Tuesday Morning Compilation Read Free

flames, and falling ceiling beams weren't responsible.
    The man's engine company had simply responded to an auto shop on fire. For several minutes the proby worked a massive hose reel at the side of the engine, then he climbed back into the cab. His buddies found him not long afterwards, slumped forward, dead of a heart attack at twenty-seven years old. Just five months after graduating top of his class.
    He was the fourth fireman to suffer a fatal heart attack in ten months.
    The bugle rang out its last note, and in very little time, the sea of blue began to break up. Jamie and Jake held hands as they made their way back to his pickup truck and headed home to Sierra.
    Sierra …
    The image of their four-year-old daughter filled Jamie's heart and for a moment dimmed the deep ache there. Sierra had Jake's blue eyes and Jamie's trademark dimples. No one knew where Sierra had gotten her blonde silky hair, but she was a beauty, inside and out. Days like this, Jamie could hardly wait to hold her, to soak in the warmth and hope of her precious laugh. The girl had held both their hearts captive since the day she was born.
    Jamie stared out the truck window.
    Manhattan smelled of warm bistros and cabbie exhaust fumes. It didn't have a downtime. The sidewalks teamed with people as much now as they would on a weekday. She keyed on a couple about the same age as she and Jake, dressed for business, walking briskly toward some lower Manhattan destination. The two exchanged a smile, and for a fraction of a second, Jamie wondered, Do they know about the dead fireman? Do they spend time pondering the fact that men like Jake are willing to die for their safety?
    Jamie shifted and slipped her hand into Jake's. Of course they don't. Unless they know a firefighter or police officer, unless they regularly attend the funerals, why would they? She leaned back in her seat and looked at Jake. The silence between them was heavy, and words didn't come until they hit the ferry docks.
    “When's the last time you had your heart checked?”
    Jake glanced at her. “What?”
    “Your heart.” She swallowed and tried to find a neutral tone. “When's the last time you had it checked?”
    “Jamie …” Understanding flooded his eyes. “I'm fine. There's nothing wrong with my heart.”
    “I'd rather have the doctors decide.”
    “Honey, heart attacks are part of life.” He worked his fingers a little more tightly between hers and kept his eyes on the road. “Not just for firemen.”
    She stared out the window again and let the air ease from her lungs. Did he always have to read her mind? Couldn't she keep even a little fear to herself? He would never be honest with her as long as he knew she was afraid. Every time he sensed her concern, he had the same answer. Not me, Jamie … I'll be careful … nothing'll happen … And now this. There's nothing wrong with my heart …
    They pulled into line at the Whitehall terminal and inched their way onto the ferry. When they'd driven up as far as they could, Jake slipped the truck into park and faced her. His voice was a gentle caress. “I'm sorry.”
    She turned to him. “For what?”
    “For the funeral.” He bit his lip. “I know how much you hate them.”
    A cavernous pit of sorrow welled within her, but she wouldn't cry. She never did, not in front of him, anyway. “It's not your fault.”
    “You could stay home next time.” He reached out and loosely gripped her knee. “Lots of wives do.”
    “No.” She gave a quick double shake of her head. “I'd rather go.”
    “Jamie …” The ferry gave a slight lurch and began to move across the harbor.
    “I would .” She gritted her teeth. “It reminds me what I'm up against.”
    “Come on, baby.” A chuckle sounded low in his throat, one that was weighted in empathy. “When are you going to stop waiting for something bad to happen?”
    “When you work your last shift.” Their eyes met and desire stirred within her. They'd been married nearly a