Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
CASEY
I wandered around, chatting to a few people. Mark and Linda waved me over, and we talked for a bit. Mark grinned at me. “I saw the goliath storming your way earlier.”
“Um, yeah. He, ah, wanted to tell me something.”
“Probie said he was marking his territory.”
I felt my cheeks redden. I really didn’t know what Thorne wanted me to say—or not to say—about us.
Linda slapped his arm. “Stop it. You’re embarrassing the girl.” She smiled at me. “I think it’s great you and Jesse are together. He looks happy.”
“Thanks.”
I saw Cal and Lori waving, so I excused myself and went over to say hi to him. He was friendly as usual, chatting and laughing. He looked over my shoulder with a huff. “Dammit. I told him not to come. Excuse me.”
I turned and saw Chris sauntering our way.
He was leering at me, and it gave me the creeps.
I excused myself and rounded the corner, where there were only a few people.
I looked at the various displays and stopped in front of a wall of recognition exhibit.
I wasn’t surprised to see Jesse’s picture in several spots.
“So, you do have a dress,” a snide voice spoke.
I rolled my eyes, turning to find Chris standing behind me.
“Go away, Chris. I have nothing to say to you.”
“So I’m not good enough to get dressed up for, but you fix yourself up to come here. Hoping to land a firefighter? Someone worthy of your efforts?”
I had no desire to listen to him. I turned to leave, but he made the mistake of grabbing my upper arm, stopping me. “You reject me, then you send some ape after me?”
What was he talking about?
“Let me go.”
Chris narrowed his eyes, opening his mouth, but another voice spoke first.
“You heard the lady. Let her go or I will remove your hand, and I can’t guarantee it’ll remain attached to your body when I do.”
Jesse’s tone was furious. Barely restrained violence dripped from his words. Chris looked over his shoulder and froze. “Shit.”
Jesse strode toward us, his fists clenched, his shoulders back, ready for a fight. His shirt clung to his arms, his face set in anger. Fury rolled off him.
Chris let me go, stepping away quickly. Jesse kept coming, and Chris pressed himself to the wall, almost sniveling. Jesse stopped inches from him. “What did I tell you?”
“To, ah, stay away from her.”
“Do you not understand English?”
“Y-yes. We were just talking.” His gaze flew to mine, pleading.
I crossed my arms, the red imprint of his hand showing.
“It looked like you were hurting her. Threatening her. That makes me very unhappy,” Jesse said. “Very unhappy.”
“Oh dear,” I muttered. “When he’s unhappy, it’s sort of like the Hulk. Look out.”
“I’ll leave,” Chris whined. “I’ll go, and you’ll never see me again.”
“You’ll leave, all right. How, I’ve yet to determine.”
“Honey,” I cooed. “Remember what the therapist said. Breaking people’s bones comes second. Use your words.”
Jesse turned his head, his lips twitching. “I’m trying to use my words. I think I need to go to the second option. I can break his hands really fast. We’ll be gone when he comes to.”
“No,” Chris insisted. “I heard you. I was being a prick. I’m sorry, Casey.” He looked at Jesse. “I need my hands to do my job.”
“Thorne,” I said. “Let him go. After the last, ah, incident, I’m not sure you can stop. And it would be so messy.”
Chris whimpered, shutting his eyes. I had to turn away, trying not to laugh. Jesse leaned on the wall and whispered something to Chris, who nodded really fast. “I won’t. I promise. You’ll never see me again, and if you do, I’ll turn and leave.”
Jesse stood back. “You have to the count of ten to disappear from my sight.”
Chris was gone in five, almost tripping to get away.
Jesse turned to me. “Are you hurt?”
“No. He showed up a couple minutes before you did.”
He rolled his neck, loosening his shoulders. “I wanted to beat the shit out of him.” He paused. “I still do.”
“I assume from what he said, this isn’t the first time you’ve threatened him.”
“Warned him,” Jesse corrected, moving closer. He reached out and wrapped a long tendril of hair around his finger, slowly caressing it between his thumb and finger. “I told him to stay away from you. I let him know hurting you would result in him being hurt.”
“The day we went to the grocery store?” I guessed.
“Yes.”
“You were protecting me.”
He met my eyes. “I always will.”
I touched his T-shirt. “Why did you change?”
“We strip down after we return and clean our equipment. We thought the kids would get a kick out of seeing us in full gear, so we had a fast cleanup and put on fresh equipment. But I still smelled like oil and smoke. We all did. I showered and put on fresh clothes so I didn’t stink when I did this. ”
“Did what?”
He yanked me to his chest and covered my mouth with his.
We returned to the open house, hand in hand. I felt nervous, glancing at Jesse before we rounded the corner. He smiled and pressed a tender kiss to my brow. “We’re good, Pixie.”
I felt the stares as we walked around. Jesse was hungry and tugged me to the refreshment tables.
“The old biddies have done themselves proud,” he muttered.
I elbowed him. “You shouldn’t call them that.”
He laughed and called to one of them. “Gladys, show my girl your jacket.”
She turned and I laughed. Emblazoned on the back was “ Old Biddies Club .”
She turned back and looked at us. “Your girl, eh? Poor thing—stuck with your grumpy ass.”
“He’s not always grumpy,” I said, needing to defend him.
Jesse wrapped his arm around my waist and tugged me closer, leaving his hand resting on my hip. “See?”
“Only about seventy percent of the time,” I added. “He needs to be fed and watered frequently.”
“And probably petted,” another woman interjected.
I nodded, amusement making me giggle like a schoolgirl. “Often.”
They all laughed raucously.
Jesse huffed but grinned. “You better be prepared when we get home. I haven’t been petted in days,” he murmured in my ear.
“No self-grooming?” I asked.
He chuckled. “Nope. Saving myself.”
He piled sandwiches, cookies, and other goodies on his plate. We walked around, him stopping to explain various things to me about the station, how it operated, and the men and women he worked with. I could see how proud he was to be a firefighter.
“Thorne,” a voice spoke behind us.
We both turned to see Chief Fleming there. He smiled at us, shaking my hand. He saw Jesse’s hand resting on my hip, and he grinned.
“Ah, the good mood explained.” He winked at me. “Keep doing what you’re doing, Ms. Lawson. I approve.”
With another grin, he walked away, and I peeked at Jesse. He looked casual and relaxed. He glanced at me, seeing my tension, and he chuckled. “Not sure he’d approve if he knew that half an hour ago, I was trying to figure out how to smuggle you upstairs and into a private shower room.”
“I didn’t know you had those.”
“We do. The station was renovated before I got here. We have private showers, even private rooms, for those who need the alone time. It’s different in a smaller town.
Our beds have partial walls between them for more privacy.
Even our shifts are different. In a big city, the three-on, four-off is rare since you’re so busy, it’s exhausting.
In a small town, the shifts are easier, although Chief is thinking about changing it. ”
“How would you feel about that?”
He shrugged. “I’ll do whatever is best for the station. I like the three-on, four-off, but I’ll adapt.”
I wasn’t surprised by his thoughts. He was always about what was best for the station and the town.
I grinned at him. “You could still do that. Smuggle me, I mean.”
“Nope. We’re going to do some more socializing, then I’ll finish up my shift. You can take Miller with you when you go if you want.”
“Barney has missed him terribly.”
He nodded. “Miller wasn’t overly happy about being here. I think he’s spoiled.”
“He’s easy to spoil.”
He pulled me close and pressed a kiss to my head. “So are you.”
I lifted my head, and he bent, pressing a kiss to my mouth.
A soft, sweet brush of his lips on mine.
I felt the shock from everyone around us.
A quiet ripple went through people, and I knew I was blushing.
Jesse simply looked around and shrugged as if it was no big deal.
Like he brought women here all the time and kissed them in front of his peers and the community.
But I knew that he didn’t, which made this moment monumental.
At least for me.
I had a feeling for him as well.
JESSE
I walked Casey out to her SUV, Miller following us, his tail wagging hard.
He knew he was heading home. I was looking forward to following soon, but it was all hands on deck to clean up after people left.
Especially in case another call came in.
I was glad I had asked for some of my banked time off so I could have an extra day.
Casey was spectacular this afternoon. Not only because of the dress she wore.
It was everything. Her easy forgiveness.
Her poise. Her beauty—not only physical.
It shone from her eyes, the way she spoke with people.
Listened. She really listened. She was gracious and warm.
Engaging. In many ways, she reminded me of Lou.
She had always made me feel seen. Casey had that gift as well.
She slid into the seat, and I leaned in the window, staring at her.
“What?”
“Don’t take off that dress. I want to do it.”
“Okay.”
“Be waiting on my bed.”
“With the dress on?” she frowned. “It’ll get all wrinkly.”
“I’ll iron it for you.”
She looked surprised. “Really?”
I kissed her long and hard. “No. I’ll take it to the dry cleaners.”
She snickered. “Okay, Hulk.”
“Go. Before I lose control and give the old biddies a show they hadn’t counted on.”
“I bet they’d enjoy it,” she countered.
“Not as much as you, Pixie. I guarantee that.” I stepped back. “Go,” I repeated.
“See you at home.”
She waved as she drove off, her words echoing in my head.
See you at home .
I liked that.
Probably more than I should.
I walked into the house, stopping at the smell. Casey was cooking.
In my kitchen.
My house had never smelled so appetizing.
I set down my bag, shaking my head in amusement at the sight of Miller on the couch, Barney asleep between his big paws. His head rested beside the cat’s, and Miller opened his eyes as I went over and rubbed his head. “Protecting your friend, boy?”
His tail thumped against the sofa, and he shut his eyes.
I headed upstairs, taking them two at a time, yanking my shirt over my head.
As requested, Casey was on my bed, waiting, the dress spread out on the comforter and posed in what I was certain she meant to be a sexy way.
But she’d fallen asleep, one leg bent, the other tucked under the blanket I kept on the end of the mattress. She’d rolled slightly, her face buried in the pillow, her hand tucked under her cheek.
She was adorable. Still sexy, but in a sweet, awkward way.
I couldn’t resist taking a picture of her.
I watched her for a while, matching my breathing to hers.
Slow, deep, and even. I felt myself relax, and I knew she was sleeping because she hadn’t rested much while I was gone.
Neither had I, but until now, I hadn’t felt my exhaustion.
I pulled my shirt back on and crawled onto the mattress behind her, pulling her close.
She startled, and I pressed a kiss to her bare neck.
“It’s me, Pixie.”
“I waited,” she mumbled. “Got sleepy.”
“I know. We’ll sleep for a while. Is the oven okay?”
“On low.”
“Okay, baby. Go back to sleep.”
She patted my hand. “Glad you’re home.”
“Me too.”
She was out almost instantly, her little snoring sound starting up.
I pulled her tighter and let myself fall asleep.
It was great to be home.
I woke up alone, sitting up when I realized Casey was gone. I hurried downstairs, finding her in the kitchen. She was standing at the stove, stirring something in a pot. She glanced over her shoulder with a smile.
“The dress is gone.” I frowned.
“I didn’t want to risk it cooking.”
I walked over, looping my arms around her waist and resting my chin on her shoulder. “Good plan.”
I kissed the side of her neck. “I want you to wear it for me when I take you on that date this week.”
“Okay.”
I peered into the pot. “Oh God, onion gravy. You made me roast?”
“Yes.”
“Your reward will be great. Huge. Long. Pleasurable,” I promised.
“I’d expect nothing less.” She shimmied in my arms. “Go set the table.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
We ate at the table, her across from me, Miller sitting close, hopeful for treats, and Barney ignoring us all but sitting on my shoulder, enjoying the view the vantage point gave him of the backyard. I tried putting him down twice, then gave up.
I was rewarded with extra onion gravy on the crispy potatoes Casey had added to the menu.
I was slowly but surely building up a favorite list.
“So the dress was in the totes from the garage?” I asked. “Anything else interesting?”
“Oh my God. Wait until I show you.”
“Can I have a hint?”
“More clothes, a journal, love letters, and an incredible story.”
“Oh yeah?” I asked, biting into a crunchy potato.
“She had a passionate affair with an older man and married him! His family owned this house, and he left it to her.”
“Wow.”
“He died when Lou was still fairly young,” she added, looking sad. “She never remarried.”
“I didn’t even know she was married once.”
“I don’t think she ever talked about it. My mom knew, and she never breathed a word.”
“Why?” I wondered.
She looked at me, her eyes wide. “Lou never stopped loving him. She couldn’t even talk about him.”
“Oh. Ah…” I wasn’t sure how to respond to that.
“You have to read her journal. And I have to get Sims to help me get her ashes. We need to scatter them out back.”
“Out back?” I asked. “In the yard?”
“No. The woods. She even drew a little picture where in her journal on the last page.”
“Why?”
She frowned then met my gaze, hers serious and firm.
“Because he’s waiting for her, Thorne.”