Some Cowboys Brave the Flames (Keagans of Copper Creek #10)

Chapter 18

18

Charlie

C harlie sat on the front porch. She scowled at the clear blue sky. Not a single cloud, gray or otherwise, floated by. Each day that passed without rain had begun to put her on edge.

She hadn’t meant to let it get to her. Normally the weather had no effect on her mood.

But that was before she’d started dating Ash—before she’d started dating a guy who thought it was fun to jump into the middle of a fire.

“You keep scowling like that and your face is going to stay that way.”

Charlie rolled her eyes. “So I’ve heard.” Her gaze dipped to where Carter was moving toward her with Daniel at his side.

The older of the two was still just as stone-faced as ever. He’d always been quiet, thoughtful even, but now he seemed to be in a bad mood just like the rest of them.

Well, except Carter.

Daniel pushed past her without a single word, but Carter stopped a step from the top and glanced upward toward the sky. “What’s your problem?”

Charlie motioned to the sky. “Just look at it.”

He glanced upward again, then tilted his head when he turned his focus to her once more. “Looks like a beautiful day.”

“Exactly,” she ground out.

He pulled his hat from his head and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to explain why that’s a bad thing.”

She leaned her elbows on the porch railing and placed her head in her hands. “No rain. It hasn’t rained since that storm over a month ago.”

“I’m sure we’ll get some rain soon,” Carter offered, still sounding just as confused as ever. “The crops will be fine.”

“I’m not worried about the crops,” she said softly. “I’m worried about Ash.”

Carter grew still and understanding flooded his countenance. “You’re worried about the fires.”

She nodded. Her concern was more than draining. She’d been having a hard time sleeping, and any time she saw a fire announced on the news, she couldn’t help but worry that Ash would be called into action. That fear was all-consuming no matter what she did to try to forget it.

“Charlie…” Carter’s voice was calm, laced with empathy but also a hint of something that made her feel like he thought she was overreacting.

“Don’t talk down to me, Carter. We both know that Ash’s job is dangerous.”

“Well… yeah, but?—”

“No buts!” She wanted to scream, but she knew he’d probably think she was crazier than he already did. “Ash has one of the most dangerous jobs out there. Did you know that there have been thirty-two smoke jumper deaths?”

His brows shot up. “This year?”

She blushed and looked away. “Well… no…”

His expression flattened. “In how long, Charlie?”

Charlie chewed on her thumbnail. “In eighty-four years,” she said quietly. “But that’s beside the point.”

Carter sighed. “Okay.” He climbed up to the top of the porch and sat down. “I’ll humor you. Yes, his job is dangerous. And so are other jobs. How many rodeo cowboys die in a year? Have you looked that up?”

She shook her head. “Because it doesn’t matt?—”

He pulled out his phone and held up a hand. She watched him look up the stats on his phone. “One to two die a year, Charlie. You’re aware that we compete in the rodeo occasionally, right? We’re more likely to die from an accident on a horse than he is from his job.”

Her brain had a hard time processing what he was trying to say. She didn’t want to listen to him. She didn’t want to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“Ash has a tough job,” he said. “No one is going to tell you otherwise. But it’s something he’s been trained for. It’s not like he’s going off to war or something.” He turned to his phone again, then lifted it to show her the screen. “See? Look at the job with the highest fatality rate.”

She dipped her gaze to the screen. “Logging?” she said, her eyebrows raising.

He nodded. “Farming and forestry have high numbers too, but I don’t see you yelling at me to stop working here.”

The knot in her throat lessened somewhat. She’d grown up on a ranch. She was familiar with death and the risks involved with the job. Somehow, they didn’t seem nearly as bad as Ash’s job.

Her stomach still churned, however. While Carter had seemed to help settle her heart, he couldn’t completely take away the fear. Ash was good at his job. She had to keep reminding herself of that. He’d never been hurt before.

Charlie nodded and offered him a small smile. “Thanks, Carter.”

“No problem.” He got to his feet and gave her another worried look. “It’s already tough enough to keep a relationship strong. Don’t let your fears get in the way of something good.”

She watched him while he studied her. Then she finally asked, “Why are you okay with Ash and me dating?”

He shrugged. “You’re an adult, Charlie. Maybe it was my own issues that I dealt with, or maybe it’s because I moved away when you were younger, so I didn’t have to see you start dating. Either way, I don’t see how it’s any of my business who you want to date. Now, if he was abusive…” He frowned. “Then you can bet I wouldn’t let that continue.”

She bit back a smile. “He’s teaching me how to protect myself.”

He startled. “What?”

“Self-defense.”

“Why?” he said abruptly. “Did something happen?”

Charlie looked away.

“Charlie,” he said, darker this time. “What happened?”

She glanced at him quickly, then looked away. “There was a guy at the park who wanted to take me out… and he wouldn’t take no for an answer.” Charlie didn’t miss the way Carter’s hands clenched into fists at his sides.

“Who is he?”

“He didn’t do anything, but it was enough to make Ash worry.” She lifted a shoulder as a smile tugged at her lips again. “So he’s teaching me how to protect myself.”

Carter relaxed but only slightly. He surveyed Charlie for a moment, then nodded. He didn’t say anything more before he slipped inside. She wouldn’t be surprised if he told everyone else in the house about what she’d said. And at this point, she didn’t care. All she wanted was for them to see Ash the way she did.

Charlie pulled up to the firehouse in town and parked her car. She’d only been here once since she’d started dating Ash. He’d needed to come pick up his paycheck, and since his boss oversaw this station, too, this was where he needed to be. Occasionally he took shifts on call, and that was why she was here tonight.

She tugged at her sundress, smoothing her hands down the front even though there were no wrinkles to be seen. She’d paired it with her favorite cowboy boots. He’d said he wanted her to visit—a sort of impromptu date.

At first, she’d told him they should take a raincheck. She didn’t mind if they had to get together another time, but he’d insisted.

Charlie moved to the front of the fire station and then opened the door. The first thing she noted was the savory smells of meat, vegetables, and spices. Her stomach growled. Wherever he’d gotten food from, it smelled divine.

She moved farther inside and came across a man lounging on a chair near some stairs that presumably led up to where the firefighters slept. He glanced up, then did a double take and rose to his feet.

He had dark hair and dark eyes. He wasn’t as built as Ash was, but he looked like he could drag someone from a burning building if he had to. In his hand was a book that he’d snapped closed. “You Charlotte?”

A smile stole across her face. “You can call me Charlie.”

He thumbed over his shoulder, matching her smile. “Ash told me you’d be coming. He’s upstairs.”

“Thanks…” she drawled, her voice expectant as she waited for him to introduce himself.

“You can call me Blaze.”

She cocked her head.

“It’s a nickname.”

“I figured as much.” She pointed to the stairway, and he nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, Blaze.” With each step she took, the smell of the food got stronger. By the time she’d crested the top, she realized why.

Ash hadn’t simply ordered food for them to share in their small firehouse kitchen; he’d cooked it.

Charlie gasped and moved with quick steps toward him. Ash’s back was to her, his focus on whatever he was finishing up at the counter. She tapped her finger on his back, not sure if it was appropriate to give him a hug at the fire station. “Hello, handsome.”

He jumped, and then his shoulders relaxed. “There you are,” he said.

All her concerns melted away when she was with him. He made her feel safe despite the fact that he had a job she hated.

Ash turned to face her. Then he smiled and reached for her hands to hold them. She leaned forward and kissed him with her whole heart. When she pulled back, she tilted her head. “I missed you today.”

He chuckled, dragging his knuckles along her jawline. “Not any more than I missed you.”

She shivered from his touch, and he bestowed one more kiss to her lips. “I’m never going to get used to that,” she whispered.

“Good. Because I’m never going to stop.”

She kissed him back, reveling in this moment just like she had the rest. Then she glanced around them at the small table that had been covered with food. There was a salad, some rolls, and a steak with steamed vegetables and a baked potato. It looked and smelled mouthwatering.

“It’s… not what you’ve been teaching me… but it’s what I do best.”

Charlie smirked at him. She could hear just how nervous he was, and she wanted to throw her arms around him and tell him that this meant the world to her—that he’d fixed her something special.

“I did …” he started, then chuckled. “I used some of the information I’ve learned from you—when it came to the rolls and how to cook the vegetables. I hope it will taste as good as it smells.”

She placed a hand to his cheek. “It’s perfect. I’m sure of it.”

He moved to the table and pulled out her chair. Then he returned to the counter to retrieve their drinks. Ash placed a tall glass of lemonade before her, then took his seat.

Candles flickered on the table—something she hadn’t immediately noticed. The whole setup was the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her. Sitting on the edge of the chair, she stared at him, realizing just how much she loved him. Part of her had wanted to bring up his job—what with the lack of rain lately. But she didn’t want to spoil their date.

Ash had pulled this whole thing together, and she was going to enjoy every last second of it.

He reached for her hand and grasped it tightly. “I love you, Charlie. I want you to know that.”

She blinked. While she knew she loved him, and she’d figured he felt the same, this was the first time he’d said it so pointedly. “I love you, too,” she rasped. “I think I’ve loved you since that night in the rain.”

He smiled. “Me too.” Ash shifted in his seat and settled back against it. “When I look to the future, I can’t see anyone but you.”

Nothing could have made this night more perfect than it was right now.

This time he leaned forward, his expression serious. “I’ve waited for you this long, and I’ll wait as long as you might need. But I plan on marrying you.”

She sucked in sharply. It was a confession that should have scared her. She hadn’t even dated anyone seriously before to think about marriage.

And yet all she could feel was a solid warmth that caressed her, protected her. Yes , it seemed to say. She could see him in her future as well. Charlie leaned forward and touched his face, placing her palm to his cheek. “I’m looking forward to it.”

His eyes danced, and his teeth flashed in the biggest smile she’d ever seen him wear. “Good,” he whispered. “Now, eat up before it gets cold—or Blaze comes up to steal your plate. He’s threatened as much more times than I can count.”