I love you. Easy words to say, but when a man meant them, there was nothing more important in the world. He had known that he was strongly drawn to Annabel. Even though he hadn't wanted to admit it, he had felt something for her right from the start When he had acted on his impulse and kissed her, their mutual response had told him that there might be more to it than a simple attraction.
But it was only today, when he had looked at her after the accident and realized how she might have been badly injured or even killed, that he had started to come to grips with his true feelings for her. He could conceive of nothing in the world worse than something bad happening to Annabel.
Yes, he loved her. There was no doubt of that in his mind. He had finally admitted it, not only to her but to himself as well.. And wonder of wonder, glory of glories, she had told him that she loved him, too.
But that left a large question looming in front of them.
What now?
****
"The sawbones says I hit me head on a tree when I went tumblin' off that wagon," Patsy told them as he sat in his hospital bed, propped up by several pillows. "Ye'd best go-back to the park, Cole, and see if the tree's damaged. I'd hate to have the City o' San Francisco dock my pay over it."
"But you're all right now?" Cole asked.
Patsy waved a hand, "Oh, aye. 'Tis fine I am." He leaned forward and added in a loud whisper, "They're only keepin' me here 'cause the nurse there won't let me go. Sure and she's sweet on me, I'm thinkin'.".
The nurse, a solidly built redheaded woman in a starched white uniform and cap, snorted loudly and said, "He's delusional. That's reason enough right there to keep him in the hospital for observation." She added to Cole and Annabel, "And I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave now."
Patsy wiggled his eyebrows. "Is it time for me sponge bath, darlin'?"
The nurse rolled her eyes. "You can come back and see him again tomorrow . . . if I haven't killed him by then."
Cole and Annabel left the hospital room, and Annabel felt a warm tingle go through her as Cole took her hand while they were walking down the corridor toward the lobby. She had enjoyed meeting Patsy; he was friendly and full of blarney, of course, but she could tell there was a deep, genuine friendship between him and Cole. He had flirted shamelessly with her, calling her "Cole's beautiful Amazon," which had caused Cole to clear his throat and blush. Annabel had enjoyed that thoroughly.
But not as much as she enjoyed having her fingers twined with his now. On impulse, she squeezed his hand, and he squeezed back. The warmth inside Annabel spread.
Lieutenant Driscoll and several other firemen from Engine Company Twenty-one were waiting in the hospital lobby, along with Mrs. Noone and Mellisande. The lieutenant stood up as Cole and Annabel came into the room. "How is he?" he asked.
"As feisty as ever," Cole replied, and relieved smiles broke out on the men's faces. "He's worried, though, about losing the race."
"Well, the next time you see him, tell him not to be concerned about that," Lieutenant Driscoll said. "Chief Sullivan was here a few minutes ago. He told me that the Oakland wagon was disqualified for causing the collision. The race was awarded to the San Francisco department. We won every event this year!"
Cole smiled at the news, but he didn't look as if he really cared all that much about the outcome of the competition, Annabel thought. She could understand that. It was more important to him that his friend was all right
Lieutenant Driscoll turned to Annabel and grew more solemn. "As for you, young lady, it's a good thing the Oakland department hasn't gotten wind yet of what you did—otherwise they'd probably be yelling that we should be disqualified for having a ringer on our teams."
Annabel smiled. "I don't think they'll make too much fuss, even if they hear about it, Lieutenant They won't want to draw a lot of attention to the fact that they were beaten by a team with a woman on it"
In spite of his serious attitude, the lieutenant chuckled. "You may be right, Miss Lowell," he said. "Just don't ever try anything like masquerading as a fireman again."
Annabel started to point out that she wouldn't have to masquerade as a fireman if she was actually a member of the San Francisco Fire Department. She reined in the impulse in time. This wasn't the right time or place for such a suggestion—but sooner or later, Cole and all the other firemen would have to deal with the fact that she had done just fine in the competition.
Lieutenant Driscoll turned to Cole and went on, "We'll stay here for a while longer and see if they'll let us in to visit Patsy. Why don't you escort Miss Lowell home, Cole."
Cole looked at Annabel. "I can do that," he said. "That is, unless you've already made other arrangements. . ."
"I'm sure Mrs. Noone would be glad to give both of us a lift," she said.
"Absolutely," the elderly woman chimed in. "Come along, you two. Cole, you'll be dining with us tonight" She held up. a gnarled hand to forestall any argument. "And I won't take no for an answer."
Cole smiled. "Guess I don't have any choice, then."