Read Safe in the Fireman's Arms for Free Online Page B

base.
    “That’s not exactly what happened, though I suppose the details don’t matter, do they? Let’s talk about you.”
    He said nothing.
    Undeterred, Maggie pasted a smile on her face. “Senior?”
    Short nod.
    This was worse than the blind dates her parents had set her up with. If she’d learned anything from those disastrous experiences with scholarly types who were inflicted upon her with her parents’ high hopes of a future academic progeny, it was that open-ended questions were the ticket.
    “What are your plans after high school?”
    “College.”
    She sighed, and continued, refusing to be defeated. “Major?”
    “Engineering.”
    Ah. Gotcha, you little brainiac.
    “Biomedical, civil, environmental, electrical, computer, mechanical, energy?”
    “Electrical and computer engineering.”
    “Great. I double majored in agronomics and earth science at UC Davis. Recently finished my doctorate.”
    His jaw slackened. “You don’t look like...”
    “What? A smart girl?”
    Beck’s face turned solid red from his neck to the tips of his ears, which peeked out from his mop of hair. “I, uh...sorry.”
    Maggie laughed. “Please, I’m flattered. Most people don’t think I look like a professor, either.”
    His Adam’s apple bobbed. “You’re a professor?”
    “Was. Physical science. I’m currently between jobs. And to be clear, I’m an assistant professor.”
    “Why teaching, when you could...” He gestured with a wave of a skinny arm.
    “Oh, you know. Sometimes it’s easier to go along to get along. Ironically, as it turns out, I like teaching.” Maggie lowered her voice. “But I’ll tell you a secret, someday I’m going to open my own nursery. I’m thinking about my own line of honey. Organic lavender, too.” She shrugged. “I don’t know how or when, but someday.”
    A smile spread on the kid’s narrow face.
    Yes! The barrier had been breached.
    “So, anything in particular I need to know about your hours, Beck?”
    He shook his head.
    “What do you do around here?” Maggie asked.
    “I handle most of the computerized repairs. Before your uncle left I rewired the shop’s security alarm system. Now it can be set remotely.”
    “Really?”
    “Yeah. Bob, uh, Mr. Jones isn’t into digital stuff.”
    “So, do you get a lot of computerized repairs in Paradise?”
    “No, but we get a lot of people stopping by for computer help.”
    “Uncle Bob dispenses computer advice?”
    “No. I do. Mr. Jones doesn’t even have a computer.”
    Maggie laughed. “Now that sounds like Uncle Bob. So, do you charge for this advice?”
    “No. It’s free. I’m like a tutor.”
    “A tutor? I like that. Maybe we can share the workload.”
    Beck grinned. “Sure. Yeah.”
    “How many hours are you working in the summer?”
    “Three or four hours a day. Four days a week. I’m taking a few online classes, as well.”
    “All right. Works for me. I’m closing up shop here shortly.” She met his gaze. “I’ve got an appointment Thursday around eleven. Think you could come in then and cover for me for a few hours?”
    “Sure.”
    “And we can talk some more, maybe work on your schedule?” she added.
    His eyes lit up. “Yeah. That’d be sweet.”
    “Sweet it is.” Maggie stuck out her hand. “So I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    “Yeah.” He shook her hand. “Thanks, Ms. Jones.”
    “Maggie. Just Maggie.”
    “Um, Maggie?”
    “Yes?”
    He adjusted his glasses with his thumb and forefinger. “Chief MacLaughlin was wrong.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “The 2003 Ford F-150 was recalled for suspected engine fires caused by a cruise control switch.”
    Maggie’s mouth opened as his words sank in. “What?”
    “Apparently, the problem is that the brake fluid leaks through the cruise control’s deactivation switch into the system’s electrical components, leading to corrosion and producing a buildup of electrical current that causes overheating and, in your case, fire.”
    “You know this,