When probationary firefighter Bette Maguire is asked to choose between her dream job and the man of her dreams, she instead fights for both of them. Her love affair with fellow firefighter Joe Griffin could end in disaster if their lieutenant (Lt. Patrick Keane) finds out about it and sentences Joe to a transfer and Bette to a civilian’s life.
Employing all her wiles and strength, Bette also needs to protect her fragile position against a woman-hating fire officer, Lt. Harold "Dirty Harry" Briscoe. At the same time, she must integrate herself into the male-dominated lifestyle of the station house or risk being banished from her life’s calling and her life’s true love.
Bette Maguire, 25, (the “e” is silent in her first name; pronounce like “bet”) is an honest, cheerful, and determined firefighter-in-training who pursues perfection, not realizing that actual fires do not follow textbook procedures nor do genuine firefighters always support each other. Bette likes animals; she and her roommate Rose St. Pierre rescue two cats and keep them in their apartment.
Bette enjoys a good joke and excels in many different sports, including basketball and softball. She enjoys jogging and weight-lifting. She is blond and strong with a sensuous big mouth and a body always in motion. Bette is also a loud mouth who finds it difficult to stifle her opinions, which becomes a big problem in a crowded, close-knit fire station.
Although Bette deflects insults with a quick retort, she hides sadness and fear deep within her. Her most important secret is her baby brother’s death in a fire. No matter how hard she tries to forget the memory, it keeps cropping up in her firefighter’s life. A lesser secret is that she is an inventive though reluctant chef, and worked as one in her parents’ restaurant before entering the academy. Bette has a rocky relationship with her parents, who want her to be a part of the family business. She doesn’t have a great record with long-term relationships. Men, although initially attracted to her, tend to shy away from her confidence and career choice.
However, the moment Bette sees Joe, she knows he’s a special guy. He accepts her right away and they enjoy each other’s company. They come to work so well together they can anticipate each other’s moves and thoughts. They enjoy competing against each other; neither will give in.
Joe Griffin, 30, is a smart, careful, yet passionate firefighter, who is intensely loyal to the squad, his lieutenant, and his job. As the oldest of five children, he knows how to make peace, so he plays station house referee, stopping wars of words from moving into wars of fists. He is a natural host to the crew when they party at his cabin in the woods. His face is a warm, expressive door to his soul, his shoulders are broad, and his hands are callused from years of holding hoses and landscaper’s tools.
Emotionally, Joe is searching for one special woman with whom he can share his life; he will not compromise, so he is often without a woman. As soon as Joe meets Bette, he feels attracted to her, an emotion that grows through the story until they are very close friends and more.
Ever the station peacekeeper, Joe cautions his male squad mates to remain open about Bette’s abilities until she gets into the swing of station house life. Meanwhile, Joe’s strong attempts to quiet Bette’s brash attitude begin to bring about a change in her character.