Rescued Duty (Last Chance Fire and Rescue #5)

Chapter 35

Zack’s stomach twisted in knots. He tucked Naya’s letter back in his pocket and grabbed another water from the fridge. The number of callouts today had been enough to distract him.

Until now.

In fifteen minutes, he’d be heading out on a date with Naya. The best way to spend a Friday afternoon. A normal day without running for his life, thanks to the arrests a few days ago that put Roger and Hudson behind bars.

Still, Zack rubbed the base of his neck and moved his head side to side.

This was Naya he was seeing. She’d seen all the good and ugly, so why was he panicking?

Because this was Naya .

One of his closest friends from childhood. A girl who’d turned into a beautiful woman, who somehow saw enough in him that she’d been willing to say yes to a date.

Her kindness and willingness to see through his flaws to who he was becoming stirred his heart. He didn’t deserve a chance with her. But somehow, her once-calloused heart had opened up to him of all people.

He’d read her letter a few times just to make sure this was real.

She might have been the girl who got away once, but he didn’t want to do anything to mess it up now.

Lord, guide our time together today. May our conversation be honoring to You. Show me how I can love and respect Your daughter.

Zack spun the red bracelet on his wrist. A reminder of where he’d been and how far he’d come. He prayed he could show Naya today how much she meant to him. That he wouldn’t take her for granted—ever.

He capped the water bottle and headed to his locker to grab his belongings.

Eddie walked out of the locker room and stopped in the hallway. “Let me know how things go.”

“You bet, man.” Zack gripped his friend’s hand and pulled him in for a slap on the back. “Thanks for everything.”

Zack gathered his belongings, then headed out to his car.

Two kayaks sat perched on his car roof. He had no idea if Naya enjoyed kayaking or had even gone before. It was a gamble, but there was intention behind his choice.

The sun shone, and the unseasonably warm spring temperatures made it a perfect day to enjoy the outdoors.

On his way to pick her up, he passed Ethos. Crime scene tape surrounded the exterior, warning people to stay away from the unstable structure. A few shingles littered the ground, and shards of glass reflected rays of the sun’s light. The gaping hole in the wall where they’d escaped just the other day was boarded up.

How quickly life’s circumstances changed. Yet their lives had been spared, and justice would be dealt.

Ever since their meeting with Wilcox, he’d slept better, knowing Roger and Hudson were locked away. Sure, emotions would threaten to kindle a blaze in his heart. Especially knowing the role Roger had played in his parents’ deaths. But right now wasn’t the time to dwell on that. He and Naya weren’t running for their lives anymore, and Zack didn’t have to worry about trouble following her because of him.

He wanted to stir a different—better—kind of fire with the girl who’d left her mark on his heart. And he intended to make it more permanent than the bracelets they’d exchanged years ago.

Zack stepped up onto Naya’s front porch, and the door swung open before he could knock.

“Are those for us?” Naya pointed at his car, her mouth widening.

“Figured we hadn’t had enough adventures yet.” He winked.

Naya slung a drawstring bag over her shoulder and followed him back down the sidewalk.

He’d told her to wear something comfy, more athletic. Even in sneakers, a T-shirt, and shorts, she stole his breath. And with her hair in a high ponytail, her long black curls cascaded around her shoulders in an elegant fashion.

Zack opened the passenger door for her. “After all the excitement we’ve had, I didn’t want to make today too boring and risk you running off to get caught in the crosshairs of another life-or-death story again.”

Naya laughed. “You can rest assured that won’t happen. I’m ready to live the quiet life for a while.”

“Hopefully this will be a good mix between exciting and peaceful.” Zack grinned.

Fifteen minutes later, he parked by the lake. Zack went to get out of the car but paused when Naya didn’t make a move to unhook her seatbelt.

“You okay?”

She stared out the front windshield, which had a direct view of the body of water. “I don’t exactly have the best memories when it comes to water.”

Given how her brother had died and the situation at the bridge when they’d met again, her hesitancy was understandable. “I thought we could make some new ones. But I don’t want to force you to do something you’re not comfortable with.”

Naya turned to him, her eyes glistening. “Making memories with you seems to be a recurring theme lately.”

One he wanted to continue for a long time.

The tension that had been prevalent a few seconds ago erased itself from her features, and the lines along her forehead disappeared.

“Having a better mindset around this,” she waved her hand in the direction of the lake, “would be wonderful.” Naya unbuckled her seatbelt and pushed open her door. “Let’s go kayaking.”

Zack worked to unhook the kayaks from their perch. They carried them in tandem down to the loading dock.

A few people were out on the lake in their canoes and paddleboards, but the area was quiet overall. Zack hoped the fewer people and distractions would lend itself to good conversation, because he had some important things he wanted to share with her.

Naya waded down the embankment, splashing up water behind her. She climbed into a kayak and Zack followed suit. They both used their paddles to push off the landing.

“Want to race to that island over there?” Naya grinned.

Zack shrugged his shoulders. “Depends on if you’re going to let me win.”

“Not a chance.” Naya dug her paddle into the water and took off.

“Hey, you didn’t say go.” Zack sped after her, following her giggles all the way to the other embankment.

Naya tilted her head back and narrowed her eyes. “You just let me win.”

Zack wiggled his fingers. “No way.” He feigned being out of breath. “You just cheated and left me in the dust.”

Naya gasped. All the while, her eyes gleamed. “I would never.”

They pulled their kayaks out of the water, then sat down on the grassy hill and let the silence lengthen.

Zack fingered the red bracelet on his wrist. He was ready to share what was on his heart.

Naya broke the silence first. “You know I would never leave you in the dust. Or tell lies.” Her expression grew earnest.

“I don’t doubt you. You are a truth seeker. In all the best ways.” Zack clasped his hands together. “I didn’t mean for my comment to come across that way.”

Naya shook her head. “It didn’t.” She sucked in a breath. “My boss asked if I would write a story on your parents’ case. Since I have firsthand information.”

Oh. Was he ready to have his family’s life and the pain of the past become public knowledge for all to talk about? Did this mean she’d gotten the promotion? He’d been so caught up in the celebration yesterday that he’d forgotten to follow up on her boss’s decision. “Are you going to write it?” he asked.

“I didn’t take the promotion,” she said as if she’d read his mind.

“You gave up the offer?” Zack’s eyes widened.

“I don’t want it.” Naya propped her hands behind her. “I gave my boss an alternative offer though. One that reworks my job description but still meets the needs of the paper. Especially since Tucker was fired.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I’ve spent enough time searching to expose the truth.” Naya glanced down at his wrist, and Zack stopped fidgeting with the bracelet. “I have an idea for another hope-filled story. One that has been playing out before my very eyes.”

Zack propped his arms on his knees. “Does this said story involve you sticking around?”

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather go.” Naya bit her lip.

Zack still couldn’t believe this was actually happening—being here, with Naya. Now was his chance.

“We’ve both had lots of people come and go from our lives.” Zack swallowed. Although there was truth to those words, he couldn’t dwell on the past. Not when the present moment glimmered with the prospect of a future reality he didn’t want to risk losing. “And I don’t want us to go separate ways. I want to be someone you can lean on. Someone you can trust and count on to stay.”

Zack reached into his pocket and pulled out the box that held the one keepsake he’d waited years to give back to her.

He opened the lid and held out her red bracelet.

Naya looked at him, then the ribbon, then him again. Tears gathered in her eyes. “Zack, what’s that?” She pointed to the silver diamond infinity band tied to the bracelet.

“We made a promise to each other as teens that we would stick by each other’s side. There may have been some mishaps along the way,” he chuckled, “but it would be an honor to pursue you. To love your fiery, yet compassionate heart. I can’t promise I’ll be perfect, but I’ll point you to the One who is.” Zack pulled out the red ribbon from the box and held the ring. “This is a promise of what’s to come. I love you, Naya.”

“Thank you for showing me what it means to stay.” Naya held out her hand. “I love you, Zack. There’s no one else I’d want by my side.”

Zack unhooked the ring, then slid it on Naya’s finger before clasping the bracelet around her wrist. He leaned in and enfolded his fingers over hers. Then he cupped her cheek with his other hand and sealed his lips to hers.

Naya deepened the kiss and wrapped her arm around his biceps.

He could get used to this unhurried pace with her so close. She gave him strength and reminded him how to fight for what mattered.

Naya squeezed his arm, then pulled back.

Zack used the moment to catch his breath.

“I think this could make a great story.” Her eyes glimmered.

“Oh yeah? How so?”

“Legend has it that those who carry a red ribbon will find their forever family. Though the ribbon may be tangled, twisted, or lost, it can never be severed. And you have shown me where true family lies.” Naya scooted closer to Zack and leaned her head on his shoulder. “It doesn’t matter if our family is related by blood or not, because we’re part of a bigger family.”

Zack stared out at the expanse of the lake. He didn’t deserve any of these blessings. But it was all “Because of Jesus,” he whispered.

“Exactly. His crimson blood has made a way.”

Zack imagined his heavenly Father smiling down at him. Sure, his biological dad would be pleased with him too. But it was what the Lord said of him that mattered most. Zack wasn’t a troublemaking kid but a man with purpose. “What are you going to title this story?”

“I think I’m going to call it Rescued Duty.”

“That has a nice ring to it.”

Zack rested his head against Naya’s and stared at her finger. One day very soon they’d share the promises they’d make to each other with their family, who’d stand by their side.

The rhythmic lapping of the water against the shoreline reminded him over and over of the beauty all around him.

Indeed, he and Naya had been rescued from the fowler’s snare. Now he had the wondrous duty of spending his days showing Naya how much she meant to him.

Zack prayed he could do so for a lifetime.

Thank you for reading Rescued Duty .

Gear up for the next Last Chance Fire and Rescue romantic suspense thriller, Rescued Faith by Lisa Phillips and Michelle Sass Aleckson.

Dive back into the danger—and the romance—of the bestselling Last Chance Fire and Rescue series…

When private detective Penny Mitchell’s latest case takes her right back to the last place on earth she wants to go, she must make a choice—continue running from her past, leaving Last Chance County for good, or stay and ensure that her sister and her kids are safe. Even if that means running into her ex.

Rescue firefighter and notorious playboy Bryce Crawford is supposed to be a different guy now that he’s come to faith, but he isn’t exactly sure how to do that—especially when the woman who broke his heart comes back to town. As if seeing Penny isn’t dangerous enough, they have to work together on a new task force to find the criminals responsible for the recent string of explosions and epidemic of dangerous new weapons on the streets.

Together, Penny and Bryce must set aside their past and race against time to uncover the criminals’ end game…and stop them before it's too late.

Dive into this heart-pounding romantic suspense where danger lurks around every corner and second chances come at a price. Rescued Faith is a thrilling tale of redemption, forgiveness, and the unbreakable bonds of family in the face of adversity.

Keep reading for a sneak peek…

RESCUED FAITH | LAST CHANCE FIRE AND RESCUE #6