Chapter One

Innocent, Minnesota--on the North Shore, May

Beau Collins raced into the burning warehouse unhindered by the shouts of “Stop!” behind him. He gripped his ax, geared up to hack through any obstacle positioned between him and the child screaming within the deteriorated and abandoned building.

The high-pitched cries sounded close, just on the other side of the crumbling wall.

Beau watched as the flames licked upward to the ceiling; there hadn’t been much of a roof before, and what little remained was rapidly consumed. There were mere minutes for him to rescue his charge.

Beau knew time was critical and crashed through the nearest flame-engulfed doorway. He didn’t heed the fire as the blaze crawled along his flame-resistant coat, searching for an opening. Beau continued his search for the now-distorted wail. When he finally found the baby, the tiny object was in a cradle of fire. Beau retrieved the small bundle quickly and ran toward the nearest exit, holding the swaddled infant within his coat, sheltering the child from the hot temperatures.

Once Beau reached safe haven outside, he was greeted with resounding cheers.

CRASH! Beau looked behind him to see the roof collapse within the structure of the warehouse.

“Collins!” Beau twisted back to see Chief Ralph Wicks charging toward him. The chief looked a hell of a lot hotter than the fire Beau had just left.

“Yeah, Chief?” Beau smiled

“Don’t ‘Yeah, Chief’ me, you numbskull! You know, I expect that kind of hero complex from a rookie, but not a ten-year veteran! What in the Sam Hill were you thinking?” the chief bellowed strongly enough that ash flew off the ends of his handlebar moustache.

“I was trying to save a victim.”

The chief spit on the ground, “Yeah, well, looks like you came out empty, doesn’t it?”

Beau reached into his thick coat to pull out the now-silent baby, “No. I didn’t.”

“Give it here.” The chief gestured for Beau to come closer.

Beau tentatively handed the child over.

Once the chief touched the white swaddling, he pulled back. “Damn thing is too hot!”

“Is it?” Beau asked.

“Yes.” Chief reached out and swiped the bundle out of Beau’s hands. The baby crashed to the ground. The swaddling fell open, revealing the charred and mangled plastic doll. Its melted voice box rolled away.

“That child is well past being alive!” The chief dug in.

“We don’t know for sure. A real child could still be alive,” Beau protested.

“You hit the nail on the head there, didn’t you, Collins? Real being the key word. There was absolutely no reason to go into the building. These exercises are not the real world and certainly not worth risking your very ‘real’ hide over.” The chief pointed at Beau as if to emphasize his point.

“I’m sorry, Chief, but I have to disagree with you.”

“Oh really?” Chief Wicks folded his hands over his chest and wrinkled his caterpillar-like moustache. “This I have to hear.”

“These drills are to prepare for real fires with real people, correct?”

“Yeah?”

“Well, then, isn’t my job to risk my life to save the good citizens of Innocent?” Beau’s voice rose with pride on the last note.

His fellow firefighters let out a rowdy cheer.

“Smart-ass,” Chief Ralph muttered before facing Beau’s fan club. “Just so the rest of you don’t get any hotheaded ideas, I’m putting Collins here on cook duty for the next month.”

They cheered again.

The Chief looked over at him and whispered. “When I say ‘stop,’ you damn well do it. I don’t need you getting hurt during a practice run. Hopefully cooking for a month will remind you not to risk life and limb.”

“And the fact my mother helps when I do the cooking?”

“Has nothing to do with it.” The chief winked before walking away.

Beau walked toward his fellow firefighters. “Does he honestly think Brigit Collins’s cooking will deter us?” Chase Bridges sauntered over toward him.

“Well, since she only cooks when it’s my turn, maybe it will.” Beau shrugged his shoulders.

“Nah. We’ll just encourage you to take more risks.” Chase slapped him on the back.

The air whooshed out of Beau’s lungs, and he coughed.

“Sorry, dude. You okay?” Concern etched Chase’s features.

“I’m fine,” Beau croaked.

“Let’s take a look.” Chase pulled Beau’s jacket open to reveal a charred shirt with bright pink skin beneath. “We should take you to the ER.”

“Nah. It’ll be fine.” Beau pushed his hands away.

“Well, at least put some ointment on it when you get home and go in if the burn gets worse.” Chase turned to leave.

“Sure.” Not possible. The burn would be gone by tomorrow morning.

“So are you ready for CPR class tomorrow?” Chase asked.

“Crap! What time?” Beau stopped in mid-stride.

“Seven-thirty.” Chase continued toward his car.

“I’m scheduled ’til eight at The Hotel.”

“So get out of it.” Chase stopped and shrugged his shoulders.

“Can’t. Besides I’m the only chef they’ve got at the moment.”

“Show ’em your burn. Better yet, get a note. I know a cute little nurse at County Memorial who can hook you up.”

“Maybe it’ll be slow.” Beau wished the statement was true.

“With the tourist season right around the corner?” Chase sounded doubtful.

“Technically we have another week.” Beau started walking again.

“True.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll figure a schedule out.” Beau jumped up onto the last fire truck.

“Okay. I’ll just meet you there. You should get that burn looked at, though. You’re damn lucky it wasn’t worse.” Chase tapped the engine on the side so they could head back to the firehouse.

Luck had nothing to do with it, but Beau wouldn’t say so. He didn’t need anyone to know his secret. The town of Innocent didn’t need to know he would never be burned. Beau Collins was fireproof.