His Fire (Snowflake Falls Fire Department #3)

1. Ava

Chapter One

AVA

Mom stops smiling. Her face is pale under her makeup and she fiddles with her right earring. She flinches at the noise of the coffee machine behind us.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier, Ava?”

“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to. You’ve been through enough.” Putting my hand out, I take hers. It’s cold.

She looks out the window. Gingerbread has its windows thrown open, sunlight streaming through onto the pine tables inside. The scent of the pink blossom on the trees washes in on the light, warm breeze.

“We all have, hon. I was hoping he wouldn’t find us in Snowflake Falls. Why can’t he leave us alone?”

I shake my head. “I know, Mom. I keep praying he’ll get bored but you know what he’s like when his pride’s hurt…”

She pinches the bridge of her nose like she has a migraine coming. “This is all my fault. I wish I could go back in time and never meet your stepfather. Then we’d be living a happy life.”

“Silas was okay at the beginning. Almost normal. You wouldn’t have known. None of us did. And yes, I should have told you sooner.”

“If I’d have known he was messaging you, maybe I’d have been more careful. I thought that text was from the bank.” She sounds close to tears.

I squeeze her hand. “It’s okay, Mom. Well, it’s not okay…but we’ll work it out. We always do. Girl power, remember?”

Mom smiles unconvincingly, glancing at her watch. “I better get back to work. Call me tonight, let me know you and Mila are safely home. I think all of us need to be on high alert now.”

She stands and grabs her bag, walking out of the door of the coffee shop. Her eyes dart back and forth, her shoulders drawn up and tense. The contrast to when she arrived earlier, happy and beaming, makes my heart hurt.

There’s an hour before I have to meet my next client, so I sit gazing out of the window, my hands wrapped around my cup. Silas has systematically ruined our lives. Why won’t he let us go? Is it a power thing?

I could dwell on this for hours, but I need a distraction. I get my new fantasy novel out of my bag and open it. The Fae Prince is about to declare his romantic intentions to his former enemy. I’m here for it. Or at least, I was; I’m staring at the letters on the page, but they don’t make sense.

“Hello.”

My head jerks up. Hot liquid spills on my hand as I clench my coffee cup too hard. Wincing, I shake it off.

The big, handsome guy standing in front of me looks concerned. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Taking the napkin he offers me, I wipe my fingers. “Just a little distracted.”

He nods. “You looked like you’ve got a lot on your mind.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Have you been staring at me?”

The hot guy meets my gaze calmly. He’s wearing a black t-shirt, khaki pants, and big boots. I have a twinge of recognition; he’s a firefighter. My sister Mila works at the Snowflake Falls Fire Department as a cook. She’s been happy as a clam recently, since she got together with Chief Brock.

I’m sure I’ve seen this guy without his shirt on, posing for the annual firefighters' calendar. Heat floods my cheeks even though I’m not the blushing type.

“Not staring, no. Observing, yes.”

I cross my arms in front of my chest. Up close, his eyes are deep brown and his hair is black with silvery-gray flecks at the temples. “Isn’t that the same thing?”

“No. And my observations revealed that you’re reading the same book as I am.” He holds up a copy of The Fae Dragon’s Crown . His hands are huge, shoulders broad, big arms heavily tattooed. I’ve seen those tattoos before.

“Well, you have good taste.” My core clenches, surprising me. There are lots of cute guys in Snowflake Falls. But this man is something else. Something extra , as my colleague Iris would say.

“Have you read the other books in the series?” He runs a hand through his thick hair.

“All of them. This is the special edition with the sprayed edges. Books and coffee, my two vices.” A memory pops into my head of him holding a flag above his head for the photoshoot. He’s July in the calendar. I think the guys were teasing him for being a grump, telling him to smile. I just need to remember his name.

“Those are two of the best vices to have.” His eyes crinkle at the corner as he gives me a cute, lopsided grin. It’s the first time he’s smiled.

“I recognize you. My sister Mila works at the firehouse, I know you’re one of the firefighters. But I don’t know your name?”

“I’m Tay. Short for Taylan. And yes, I’m a firefighter.”

“A firefighter who likes fantasy books. Unusual.” I twist my body around so I’m facing him. Along with the scent of flowers on the breeze wafting through the window, I catch the scent of his gorgeous, spicy cologne. My core does that surprising involuntary clench again, my heart skipping a beat. “Don’t you want to know my name?”

“I know your name, Ava.” His voice is deep. He’s so big, towering over me. Intimidating. He’s trying to be friendly, but my amped-up emotions and today’s awful news put me on high alert.

“Right, so you were staring at me. I don’t appreciate creepy stalkers, Taylan. Bye.” Turning back around so I’m facing the window, I wait for him to go.

Taylan clears his throat. “I’m not trying to freak you out. You know who I am and where I work. You’re welcome to report me to the sheriff if I’ve made you uncomfortable striking up a conversation. Or your sister’s boyfriend. My boss. Brock’s the reason I know your name, Ava. I’ll leave you to read your book now. See you later.”

A couple of years ago I would have been delighted to have been approached by a gorgeous firefighter wanting to talk about books with me. Flirting was my superpower. Now, everything’s different. I’m different.

Damaged. Tears prick at my eyes, but I blink them back. I need to hold it together.

He leaves Gingerbread, turning right. He must be headed in the direction of the firehouse. His stride is strong and capable; like nothing would faze him. I stare at his back until he turns the corner. I guess I’m the stalker now.

When I helped at the calendar photoshoot, my colleague Iris and I were giggling about the hot guys. She’s also got a firefighter boyfriend now. Maybe firefighters are on trend.

But I’ve sworn off men. I’ve seen the kind of damage they can cause.

Opening my book again, I take a sip of coffee. My cell phone beeps with a message. That familiar sense of dread rises, acid burning in my throat as I pick it up.

Unknown number: I know where you are, Ava. And you’re all going to pay. I want my money back.

Silas isn’t going to rest until he finds us again. My dream of getting Mom and Mila away, starting a new life in Snowflake Falls, is ruined.

I don’t know what to do next. But I have to think of something.