Chapter 17 Beau
BEAU
When my phone buzzes again, I can’t contain the grin that spreads across my lips when I see the photo of my niece covered in jam.
Coop smacks me on the back. “That a woman? ’Cause you’re finally smiling.”
Just then, Melissa walks by, looking annoyed. “Please don’t tell me you’re messing around with that McAllister girl.”
Concerned, I tuck my phone in my pocket. I’ve told absolutely no one about what happened with me and Honey, not even my brothers. “Why would you think that?”
“Because she looked like a hurt little puppy when I showed up on her doorstep after that shed fire instead of you.”
No wonder Honey went out with the rich guy. Because she thought I was blowing her off. Well, hell.
If I’m being honest with myself, I wish I’d kissed her last weekend under the bleachers. But I don’t have the answers to how we solve the shit between our families. I just know I’m drawn to her like a moth to a really big fucking flame.
Mel’s still staring at me like she caught me cheating, which is bullshit.
I turn to my locker and get my stuff so I can head out. “Pretty sure Honey was pissed her house could’ve burned down.”
“Whatever.” Mel walks away, and I count my blessings I called that off.
Coop chuckles. “This is why you don’t get involved with anyone from work.”
“Truer words were never spoken.” I don’t feel the need to explain what went down with Mel. It’s no one’s business. I get out my keys. “See you tonight at the high school?”
He sticks his thumbs in his suspenders. “I’ll be the one dressed as a firefighter.”
“No shit. Me too.” We both laugh.
This is good. I can focus on work. Who needs a girlfriend anyway? I’ve got a list a mile long of things I need to do at the ranch. I still haven’t started demoing my bathroom.
But first, I have to show up at the high school Halloween event. When I get there that evening, Chief O’Neill nods at me. “Sorry to call you in on your day off, Beau. Appreciate you stopping by.”
“Not a problem. Happy to help.” I get to play firefighter, entertain kids, and hopefully do a little trick-or-treating with my niece and nephews. It’s all good.
He glances around, like he’s looking for someone. “There’s a kid from the school newspaper who wants photos, so tell everyone to round up by the truck in ten.”
“Yes, sir.”
After we take that group photo, I greet parents and their little ones, who want to look at the truck. I explain what we do and let them flip on the lights.
“Uncle Beau!” Austin screams and races up to me.
I lift him into the air and spin him around. When I put him back on the ground, I scruff his hair. “Great costume, buddy.”
“Thanks. Mommy made it for me.”
I smile. He just started calling Paige “Mommy.” I know that means a lot to her. “You make an excellent Tin Man.”
My sister-in-law, who’s dressed as Dorothy, walks up with Gabe, who’s the Scarecrow. Rhett’s the Cowardly Lion, and he’s carrying Ella, who’s dressed like Toto.
“Y’all look fantastic. Let me get a photo.” I gather my family and take a few pics. “Paige, you’re freakishly talented.” She’s a sewing wizard.
She laughs. “Thank you. This was fun.”
Austin tugs on my arm. “Let’s go inside.”
We trick-or-treat down a long hall. Each room has a different theme. One has spiders everywhere. Another has zombies. One is decorated like a spooky cemetery. My niece and nephews have a blast.
Unable to help myself, I keep looking for a hot little blonde, but never spot Honey. It’s probably better this way.
Because she’s right. Our families hate each other. While my brothers are fine with her, I’m pretty sure her father would lose his shit if he found out she and I so much as talked.
After about an hour, the chief gathers the firefighters together one last time. “Just want to remind everyone about the car wash tomorrow, which will hopefully get us some new turnout gear. Sorry we had to schedule it right after the Halloween party.”
I nod. “No problem, Chief. We’re happy to help.”
I’m about to head for my truck when a fire alarm goes off inside.
Another fucking fire alarm at the high school? What’s going on?
Damn it. All the little kids are in the building. My co-workers and I spring into action. I might not be on duty, but my family’s in there. Hell, Honey is too.
With my heart in my throat, I race inside. It’s chaos. Kids are screaming, and parents are freaking out. Loving and I prop open the front doors, and I yell, “Please walk to the exit. There’s no need to run. The fire department is already here.”
I spot my brother, who’s carrying Gabe and Ella. Paige is carrying Austin. “Are y’all okay?”
Rhett nods. “I smelled smoke down that back hall. I would’ve helped, but I wanted to get these guys out.”
“That’s the right thing to do. We can handle this.” The fire alarm is really loud, and I can see the fear in Austin’s eyes. I lean down to him. “Everything will be okay, buddy. Go home and enjoy some candy.”
He nods and reaches out to hug me. Love this kid.
Rhett pats my back. “Be careful.”
As they walk away, Paige yells, “Call us when you get home!”
I nod. “Will do.”
The guys working this shift deal directly with the fire, while the rest of us help evacuate. After the front of the school empties out, I make my way down the center hallway where the fire hose leads. Black smoke billows out of the teachers’ lounge.
Several firefighters walk out, including Coop, who heads over to me. “Looks like someone left bacon in the microwave and forgot about it. Not sure if there was more to it, since it exploded.”
“Lot of accidents around here lately.” I step around my co-workers as they wrap up their gear. “Great job, guys.”
As I walk into the teachers’ lounge, I scan the room. It’s drenched with water, and the microwave is scorched. That’s not unexpected.
But in front of the microwave, there are odd burn marks. Except they’re hard to see with all the water. I snap a few photos with my phone and make a note to suggest following up with more pics once the water dries.
Then I go looking for Honey.
Because I won’t be able to sleep tonight if I don’t check on her first.
She might’ve said she didn’t want to interact, but since I’m here, I’m gonna consider it common courtesy to check on Baylee’s bridesmaid. That’s reasonable, right?
I poke my head into her office. Honey’s sitting on the table with a pack of ice on her ankle. “What happened? Are you hurt?” I ask.
Her co-worker Trish, the one with the crazy eyes, runs over to me. “She was using a ladder to put up a decoration. When the alarm went off, everyone went nuts.”
“Let me guess. Someone bumped into her ladder.” Kneeling down in front of Honey, I gently grab her ankle. “Hey, princess. You okay?”
Avoiding eye contact, she shrugs. “Nothing a little ice can’t cure.”
That’s when I take stock of what she’s wearing. A form-fitting pink cocktail dress with tiny little straps. Sexy-as-fuck heels. And butterfly wings. Fucking adorable. “Can I take a look? Make sure nothing’s broken?”
Trish, who’s wearing a witch costume, complete with a hairy mole, tuts. “She’s fine. Probably just a sprain.”
“Did the kids get out okay?” Honey asks softly. “I saw Paige and her family earlier.”
“Everyone was evacuated.” I give her a look. “Except you and your friend here.”
Trish gathers her belongings. “I told her we were going to get in trouble.”
Honey bites the inside of her cheek. “It’s my fault. It hurt to walk.”
Trish heads for the exit. “I’m going to let the principal know I evacuated you to a safe zone and see if she needs help taking down decorations.”
Glad to finally be alone, I unstrap Honey’s heel and look down at her dainty little foot. There’s a healthy bruise blooming on her ankle. I gently rotate it one way, then another, stopping when she winces. “I don’t think anything is broken, but you should stay off your feet tonight and ice this.”
“I will. Thanks.” She pulls her leg back and slips off her other shoe. “Can’t walk with just one of these on.”
“How are you planning to get home?”
“I’m going to walk. It’s not far.” She gathers her purse and wobbles to the door, but I can tell she’s in pain.
I should stay away. This woman is likely going to marry that suit and pop out little rich babies. But I can’t stand seeing her in pain.
“I got you, princess.” I reach down and pick her up in a bridal carry. If Rhett could see me now, his eyes would pop out of his head.
“What are you doing?” she asks as she grabs hold of my shoulder.
“What does it look like? I’m carrying you home.” Because that’s what an honorable man does.