Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
TRAVIS
A group of elders from the House of the Seven Prophets eyeball me as I walk past. I give them a polite head nod, but they extend no reciprocal nicety.
I’m starting to see why Faith has bent to their will throughout much of her life.
In so many ways, they and their members run this town.
And they’ve perfected the art of making a body feel uncomfortable.
They have no sway over me, so I observe their tactics with a detached air of amusement. But I worry about Faith and the kind of blowback that’s coming now that our relationship is out in the open. I’m not typically one to agonize over bridges I have yet to cross.
But April’s in full swing, and the Rough & Ready Hotshots just received our first call.
It’s tough to predict what that may or may not say about the upcoming fire season.
Still, I feel nervous about leaving Faith to face these people alone.
After all, we’ve only been together for a month, and I’d like our relationship to be on firmer ground.
Life doesn’t always go as planned, though.
I’m in love with her. There’s no other way to put it, and it fills my heart with an elation I’ve never felt before.
I haven’t told her yet, but those three words are constantly in the back of my mind.
Do I let her know before heading out on my first roll?
Even a few more weeks would help me gauge the rightness of the moment.
But as a wildland firefighter, the clear and present danger of my career makes me think about things a little differently. While I want to minimize her worry, my job’s dangerous. There’s no other way to put it, and I hate the thought of leaving things unsaid between us … just in case.
Of course, I’m back to jumping the gun again.
Although Faith spends plenty of time at my cabin, she keeps putting off a dinner with Birdie.
She’s also hesitated each time I’ve offered to accompany her when she visits her mom in memory care.
I get that there’s a lot of drama swirling around Mrs. Jenkins and seeing one of the “neighbor foster boys” as she liked to call us, in the company of her daughter.
Still, I want to offer my support to Faith through what’s got to be a difficult time.
My foster dad, Wyatt, is getting older, too.
Watching the toughest man I’ve ever known grow frail with age has been one of the most painful things I’ve ever done.
So, I can only imagine what she and Birdie are going through.
Opening the door of Jenkins Feed Store, it does my heart good to see Faith behind the counter in a tight-fitting pair of jeans with a lacy pink shirt. Ever since we got together at the hot springs, she’s been dressing in ways that steal my breath.
Not that she wasn’t heart-stopping before. But I kind of hope she goes back to T-shirts when I’m gone. I’m a possessive motherfucker, and the thought of other cowboys coming around makes me feel like I’ve got heartburn.
“Travis!” she exclaims breathlessly, rounding the counter and running up to throw her arms around me .
I pull her into my arms, lifting her off the ground and twirling her around as I taste her lips, losing myself in her.
Stepping back, I admire my gorgeous woman, saying, “God, you take my breath away, sugar. You’re the most beautiful sight I’ve seen all day, and you smell good and taste good, too.”
“Well, you’re in a fine mood,” she replies, her cheeks bright pink.
“How could I not be after last night and this morning?” I ask, letting my thoughts wander back to the steamiest shower I’ve ever taken. Fuck, remembering the feel of her soapy, slippery, soft body on mine makes my cock jump.
I know I’ve got to change the subject. Or the next thing I know the “Closed” sign will be up in the window, and we’ll be in the back doing more than inventory.
But it’s time. I’ve got to go.
I rub my hand over my heart, knowing this is a moment I’ve dreaded for months. I should keep things light and casual because she doesn’t need to worry about me anymore than I already know she will. This is my job, and going away is a part of the routine. I sure am going to miss her, though.
Her eyes flicker to my firefighter uniform as realization sinks in. Her smile fractures as she asks in a voice that’s lost its upbeat edge, “Are you training today?”
“I wish,” I reply, cupping her cheek with my hand and drinking her in for a long time. I force a smile, working hard to make my voice sound reassuring, “No, sugar, it’s go time.”
Her face falls, and she looks down.
“Faith, baby, it’s going to be okay. I’ll be back before you know it. Keep your phone handy, and I’ll call when I can.”
Her light brown eyes are wide and tear-filled as she stares up at me, and I’d give anything to have more time with her. Even an hour to hold her and make her understand everything will be okay .
But fires don’t wait for feelings. Letting out a long sigh, “I love you” sits on the tip of my tongue. I don’t know if it’ll reassure her or make her nervous I’m moving too fast, though.
Her sexy voice pulls me back from my thoughts. “Do you know how long you’ll be gone?”
This question has always represented the beginning of trouble in my relationships. Nevertheless, I hope it’ll be different this time.
I say, “A roll typically lasts anywhere from two days to two weeks.”
Her eyes look disappointed by the fuzzy answer. It’s the best I can give her.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I know the time for dilly-dallying is over.
“I’ll call when I can, but like I already warned you, if they put us on direct lines, depending on the movement of the fire and how things go, I might work thirty-six hours straight.
If I’m not calling, that’s why. But don’t for one moment think you’re not on my mind.
You’re my world now, Faith, and that’ll never change. ”
I pull her into my arms, hearing a tiny sob escape her. I can tell she’s trying to be brave, too. It’s tough no matter how you slice it.
Our lips communicate the desperation and longing we both feel better than any words, and the taste of salt on her lips lets me know she’ll miss me as much I’ll miss her.
“Goodbye, my love,” I say quietly, letting her know without a formal declaration that I’m all hers.