Searching for Harmony: A Boston Love Novel Read Online Free Page B

needed to do.
    Forget.
    —
    Walking into the firehouse, I looked around. Everyone was moving about their business like normal. Making my way to the bunkhouse, I tossed my bag onto my bed and dropped down as I let out a sigh.
    Sharp, another firefighter and one of my best friends, stuck his head around the corner and shouted, “Ward, Cap wants to see you right away.”
    I stood and said, “Thanks, Sharp. I’ll be right there.”
    Giving me a quick nod, he turned to leave but stopped. “Preston?”
    Looking back at him, I said, “Yeah, what’s up?”
    When he looked away briefly, I knew what he was about to say he had been struggling with probably all day. Mitchel Sharp and I had started here at Firehouse 37 together. Same day, same scared look in our eyes.
    “It’s okay…not to be okay. You know that, right?”
    Giving him a head pop and a smile, I said, “I know, Mitch. I’ll be all right.”
    Nodding, he flashed me a smile. “Hey, if that ball and chain will let you, let’s hit the club this weekend.”
    Laughing, I picked up my pillow and threw it at him. “Shut the fuck up, asshole.”
    He pointed at me and said, “Truth hurts!”
    Before I could say anything else, he disappeared around the corner. Smiling, I shook my head and headed to the bathroom where I splashed my face with cold water, did a few jumping jacks in place, and made my way to the captain’s office.
    Sitting in the chair, I stared at Captain Ryan. Sitting back in his seat, he finally started to talk. “Ward, I’ve been in your shoes and I know how you’re feeling. So wipe that fake-ass confident smile off your face and let me see your true feelings.”
    My heart dropped as I stared at him. One thing my father always said was, you hold it in. Don’t let your cap see the fear. Fear makes you weak and there is no room for weakness.
    “I’m not going to lie, sir, and tell you that I’m not bothered by the events of the other day. He was a child and his mother pleaded with me to save his life and I couldn’t.”
    Shaking his head, he leaned forward. “No, you couldn’t. And even if that had been Sharp, Wister, myself—hell, any of these guys—no one would have been able to save that little boy. His father died on impact and how the mother didn’t die, I have no idea. I guess God has plans for her. There was nothing any of us could have done different, Ward. You need to get that into your head right now and don’t forget it. Do you hear me?”
    Nodding, I whispered, “Yes, sir.”
    Standing up, Cap reached his hand out to me. I followed his lead as I stood and reached my hand out. “I mean it, Preston. Do not dwell on this. Do not go up and see her again at the hospital, because I know damn well you did because I’d have done the same thing. Don’t get emotionally attached. Move on.”
    Smiling, I nodded.
    “Now, go eat. Wister made lasagna.”
    Walking out of the room, I tried to let his words sink in. There was nothing any one of us could have done to save TJ.
    Fate was in control, and as much as I wanted to believe that, I couldn’t.
    —
    Almost a week after Harmony’s accident, I found myself standing outside the door to her house. Jake had called to tell me Harmony had left the hospital two days ago and was home. I’d only gone back up one other time to see Harmony.
    Not sure why I was even here, I turned and was headed back to my car when I heard my name. “Preston?”
    Closing my eyes, I tried to push away the drop in my stomach when she said my name. Smiling, I turned and faced her. The bruises on her face were slowly fading, but the bright pink cast was a clear reminder of what had brought us together in the first place.
    “Hey!” I said as I walked toward her.
    Grinning, she tilted her head. “Did you ring the bell?”
    Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, I let out a nervous chuckle. “What? No, I thought I had left my phone in the car.” I began patting all around until I felt my phone. “Nope, there it