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The Fireman's Bride - Prologue

Jocelyn Turner shut her car door, purse in hand, and paused to draw a breath before turning around towards the fire house. As uncomfortable as it was, she had to be here, one last time before she headed out.

That in mind, she steeled herself as best as she could, and walked slowly past the twin fire engines parked outside, and made her way around back to Chief Macarthur Benison's office.

The door was ajar, so she hesitantly knocked before entering.

"Jocelyn! It's good to see you," Chief Benison boomed from within. He stood, and held out his arms to her, wrapping the woman in a brief hug. "How are you feeling, my dear?"

She gave a wavering smile, more of a reflex than emotion. "Fair, I suppose."

She took a seat in front of his desk with purse in lap, intending to open it.

In the background, she could hear the all-too-familiar sounds of the men's laughter and conversation, as they sat around waiting for the next call. Momentarily distracted, she cocked her head, listening. A stab of pain shot through her heart as she realized what she was doing, who she was listening for. Her throat constricted, and she could feel the sob rising from it.

Chief Benison suddenly cleared his throat, startling her enough to stop herself from losing control.

"I'm glad you came by. You know you're always welcome hereyou know you are part of the family," he stated warmly.

Nodding, Jocelyn briefly met his eye, and then fixed her eyes on her purse, unzipping a compartment to remove a slip of paper.

"I just wanted to give you this before I go. It's my forwarding address, in case you need to mail me any other paperwork."

Chief Benison nodded in response, looking misty-eyed himself, as he accepted the paper.

"Sorry to bother you, Chiefoh hello, Josie!" Vic Richards stuck his head inside the doorway in order to talk with Chief Benison, but changed that into a greeting to his former friend's widow.

Joceyln sighed, comforted by the sight of him. Vic and his steady girlfriend Amanda had shared so many dinners and occasions with her and Adam that it was hard not to think of Adam without thinking of Vic. Even when it was just the two of them at home, Jocelyn would hear countless stories of Adam's day, many of which contained Vic's and the rest of their squad's antics. So it was natural for Vic to accompany the Chief when he came to tell her of Adam's tragic death.

She shuddered, trying to block out that memory of a month ago, in order to get through these few minutes she had before

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