“These are our fallen. They died in the line of duty.”
Dhillon paused and looked at their faces. Brave people. “Why are you showing me this?”
“See this man?” Jeff pointed to one of the middle-aged men. His uniform was a little different from the others, his photo slightly faded.
Dhillon nodded.
“This firefighter died in a fire, saving a young woman. He left behind a wife and two children.” Ambrose paused. “The young woman he saved ended up getting married a few months later. She and her husband had three children. One of those children became a firefighter. One is an optometrist. The oldest is a doctor.”
Dhillon slowly let his gaze fall over each of the photos of the fallen. Most older, a few way too young. All of them heroes. This was who Riya looked up to. Now, seeing their faces, Dhillon was moved. These people had lives they had planned for. But they had sacrificed all that, willingly. And so had their families. Of course Riya wanted to do her best. Of course she didn’t want to end up on this wall. But she wanted to help people. She wanted to do her part in ensuring that no one suffered what her and Dhillon’s families had.
But Ambrose was still talking.
“I’m sorry. What was the last thing you said?” Dhillon asked.
“The child who became a doctor is working at the burn unit at Hopkins. She’s the one doing Hetal’s grafts.”
Dhillon couldn’t believe it. “Who was the firefighter that saved the young woman?”
Ambrose grinned, pride oozing from him, as he tapped the faded photograph. “That was my grandfather.”
Dhillon was speechless.
“All I’m saying is that life happens,” Ambrose continued. “And death happens. I’m sorry you lost your father. I’m sorry a firefighter’s life was lost that day, too. I’d like to say I can’t imagine it, but I imagine it all the time. We’re a family of firefighters, and we love each other fiercely because we just don’t know when our time is up.
“Desai is a good firefighter,” Ambrose said firmly. “She has great instincts, and she’s selfless. She just needs some experience. She has to trust her team if her team is going to trust her.” Ambrose started to lead Dhillon out, Scout trotting along right behind them. “Listen.” He turned his head to Dhillon, a certain look in his eyes. “I happen to know that the captain has not yet filled out her dismissal paperwork. Get her to come back before he does, and all he has to do is hand back her badge.”
“You want me—” Dhillon pointed at himself “—to talk Riya back into being a firefighter.”
Ambrose stopped walking and faced him. “You tell me. Is there anyone else who has a shot at getting her back here?”
“What makes you think I want to do that? How do you know I’m not relieved that she’s quit?”
At this, Ambrose grinned. “Because you’re in love with her.” He fixed Dhillon in his gaze. “And you would never underestimate her.”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about, but you should not be underestimating any woman,” a female voice said.
Ambrose shook his head and chuckled. “Busted.” Dhillon turned to see another firefighter entering the bay along with a civilian woman. The firefighter was tall and lean, blond and blue-eyed. The woman was equally tall, with brown hair and glasses. They were holding hands. The woman was carrying a tote bag that was emitting tasty aromas.
“Hey, Angie, Bill.” Ambrose smiled and walked past Dhillon to hug Angie.
“Who did you underestimate this time, Jeff?” Angie poked him.
“Probably Desai, the new recruit,” Bill chimed in.
“It’s not me—it’s him.” He flicked a thumb at Dhillon. “I never underestimated Desai. Just had to make sure she could do the job, like any other rookie.”
“Didn’t she go through the academy, like you?” challenged Angie.
“She did,” Ambrose sighed.
“Enough said, then.” She smiled at him.
Ambrose grinned, clearly knowing when he should shut up.
Angie held out her hand to Dhillon. “Hi! I’m Angie. Bill’s better half.”
“Dhillon Vora.” He shook her hand and pointed to Scout. “The vet.”
