Chapter 7
brAND
She's looking at me like I've just broken her heart. Devastation and disbelief dances across her face as she stares at me.
"What did you say?" She can barely get the words out, and there's no missing the pain in her voice.
"He made me promise that I wouldn't let you do what you're planning.
And we both know it's got nothing to do with the museum.
" I stand and look down at her. I'm a big man, and I know I'm built to intimidate, but in this moment, that's not what I want to be.
I just want to be ready to catch her if she falls, because she looks like she might collapse.
"He didn't want you taking over the fire department. "
Her eyes drop closed, and there's an ache in my chest I don't like. One I hate, in fact. Hurting this woman isn't something I want to do.
"He didn't believe I could do this?" She sounds so deflated, it hits me like a punch.
I open my arms and pull her in close. I'm not good at comfort, but she doesn't fight me on it, and when she rests her head on my chest, I wrap my arms around her. That's all this is. A simple hug.
But it feels damn good.
She feels damn good.
Perfect, in fact. Like she was made to be in my arms.
"It wasn't about his belief in you, sweetheart." I shouldn't call her that, but it comes out on its own, and there's no point taking it back. "It was about him wanting more for you. For you to chase the life you wanted away from here."
I'm easing my hands down her back in what I hope is a soothing motion, forcing myself not to hold her too tight or let my palms drop too far below her waist. She's all warm, soft curves against me, and I have this insane urge to do this forever.
Just stand here, comforting this beautiful woman that's been on my mind too much since I first caught a glimpse of her.
"But I've always loved it here." She protests, staring up at me, and there's no hiding the sheen of tears in her brown eyes. "The people are nice; they take care of each other. And it's so serene. I always feel lighter when I come back. I always have."
I know the feeling. It's why I'm here. "He told me that this place was too small for you.
For the dreams you had. And frankly, fighting fires, especially forest fires like the ones we get here, well, that's dangerous.
I know you turned in the required training plan to keep the volunteer fire department open.
Even got a list of raw recruits willing to sign up.
But the training itself is dangerous, much less the work itself. That's what he was worried about."
"I can do this." This time her words are more sure, and I can feel the strength returning to her as she steadies against me. Part of me is happy to see her recovering from this blow quickly, but the selfish side of my brain, and body, liked how she trusted me to support her. Let me hold her.
"I know you can. But there are risks. A lot of them. He didn't want you in danger. And frankly, neither do I."
She steps away and I fight back the instant desire to reach for her and pull her close again.
"Well, neither of you get to tell me what to do.
And if I'm the only one willing to step up, then that's what I'll do.
This town needs a fire department. One active and trained.
Otherwise, everything people have built out there will die.
You know it's true. The county won't let us have these holiday events that draw in so much traffic if we don't have a capable, trained firefighting team. "
I think back to the stream of people that were already starting to clog the streets. In my head, it wouldn't be so bad to send them all packing. Leave me and this place I've grown to love as it used to be.
Except that's the problem. I love this place. And the people here.
They need the income for their families. To keep their businesses open.
Build their own futures.
Her chin tips up, a stubborn tilt I instantly recognize as inherited from the man I knew. I also can't mistake the light of victory that sparks to life in her eyes when I don't argue with her.
Because she's right.
She's won.
And I'm in so much trouble.