Chapter 17 #2
She pointed to a photograph Shannon must have recently framed, a group of smokejumpers standing in front of the helicopter.
Including Will.
I stopped moving, staring at it as a series of emotions ripped at my soul. I wanted to scream at Shannon, insisting she take it down. I also wanted to revel in the moment, the camaraderie that every smokejumper seemed to share.
“I have a feeling everyone in this town knows how important the work you and your teammates perform is. You risk your lives every day.”
Still caught up in the moment, when I was hit from behind, the feeling as if a boulder has crashed into me, I almost came out swinging. My fist was already clenched and I spun to face whoever dared touch me.
“Jesus.” Axe threw his hands up. “You’re on edge, bro.”
“I just don’t like to be accosted from behind. Bro. Hey, Kenzie. I hear congratulations are in order. Boy or girl?”
“You weren’t supposed to tell anyone yet,” Kenzie threw at Axe. “And it’s still too early.”
“He’s my brother.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. Maybe,” I teased.
“This is supposed to be a celebration. Right?” Kenzie asked, lifting her eyebrows. I already knew her body language well enough. She was challenging me as to why I’d yet to introduce Violet.
“Yeah, well, maybe for the wrong reason. Violet Livingston, you’ve already met my brother Axe. This is his much better half Kenzie Sterling.”
“How quickly this boy forgets. Kenzie Beckett.”
I laughed, sheepishly glancing at my brother. He was all lovey-dovey as usual. I wanted to hate him for being so damn happy.
“Men are like that. Their brains close up at night and you need to re-energize them with stimuli every morning. Like plugging in an electric vehicle.” Violet gave me shade, her lips pursed together. “You’re having a baby? That’s incredible.”
Somehow, the moment felt far too normal. As if she was meant to be here.
With me.
“Thank you. If I can get over the morning sickness, I’ll be great. Axe was right,” Kenzie tossed out, her smile way too bright. “You’ve found the right one.”
“Oh, we’re not together,” we both said at the same time.
Again.
Both my brother and his wife offered each other a knowing look.
“Don’t start with me,” I growled, pointing my finger at Axe’s face.
He promptly threw his hands in the air in a fake surrender. “Who, me? Kenzie is right. Time to celebrate.”
I placed my hand on the small of Violet’s back, which to my surprise she didn’t pull away from. There were more waves, more shouts from various locals holding their drinks in the air.
At times like this, I had to face the realization that there were hundreds of people in this town who would drop everything to try to help me. I also realized that everyone, no matter their age or status in life, needed to believe in a hero.
Then I reminded myself no matter their words or accolades, I would never be anyone’s savior.
Including my own.
As soon as we made it to the bar, Shannon noticed our arrival.
“You finally decided to show up,” she said as she crowded the edge of the bar.
Violet appeared amused, darting her gaze back and forth between us. “I told you I’d manage to find a way to bring her here.”
“Oh, so this was some big plan,” Violet said, laughing as she did. It was good to hear the sound again.
“Just a little welcome to the neighborhood event,” Shannon corrected. “I hope this means you brought that adorable little boy of yours.”
Violet’s face lit up. No matter how aggravating the kid could be, it was obvious how much his mother adored him. “He wouldn’t have allowed me to come without him. He’s around here somewhere with a guy named Rock?”
Kenzie acted like she was shocked, playing the entire part with her eyes opened like a terrified doe and her hand slapped across her mouth. “Oh, no. Rock will eat your little boy alive.”
Instead of asking Kenzie how, Violet looked to me, frowning as she did.
“Don’t look at me,” I insisted. “I’m not his caretaker.”
“Uh-huh. Do all of you go by some crazy name?”
Shannon laughed. “Girl, you have no idea. There’s Raptor. Firestarter. Stinger. The list goes on and on. I think it’s to make up for their lack of manhood.”
“Shannon!” Axe gritted out.
“I can’t attest to that,” Kenzie defended while wrapping one arm around her husband.
While both Violet and I watched closely, the way Violet’s body hummed watching their interaction had my cock aching all over again.
“Don’t worry,” Shannon added. “Rock is a huge teddy bear. I can’t believe some woman hasn’t scooped him up yet. Damon is safe as a bug in a rug in this bar. Everyone in this crowd already thinks of him as family. You too.”
“My kid can be very sweet as well, when he’s not being a hellion on Earth. Plus, I should warn you that his affinity for cheeseburgers is world class. He’s very picky.”
Shannon pulled away, her face highlighting full concentration. But I knew the woman far too well. She had something up her sleeve. “Then I will handle making his double decker ultimate cheeseburger myself.”
“With bacon,” I added.
“With a double helping of bacon.”
“You’re not helping anything,” Violet chided. In turn I shrugged and was rewarded with an elbow in my gut.
“Now, what would you like to drink?” Shannon leaned over once again, asking the question of our guest. Not me.
I was just a dude who came into the bar every once in a while.
As a matter of fact, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been to Ziggy’s.
Sure, after the tragedy and also after the big rodeo. But had I been since then?
I couldn’t remember.
But being here with Violet seemed… right.
There I went again, acting like there was some kind of future between us. Nope. We’d both shut it down.
“Merlot coming right up. I have the perfect bottle for tonight I’ll open just because.” Shannon glanced at me. “I already know what you drink. You do everything exactly the same and have since you were a kid.”
Hanging and shaking my head, I was surprised how relaxed I felt.
Violet was already swaying to the music while keeping a close eye on her son. She seemed content, although I sensed lingering tension. I’d justified my lack of trusting ability and all I could think about was wishing she could place her trust in me long enough to tell me what she was terrified of.
“Ziggy’s is amazing,” she said almost wistfully.
“It’s been around a long time. There are stories in every picture on the wall. See that one over there? That’s Shannon’s husband, Landen. He served as a firefighter in New York when the Twin Towers fell.”
“I can’t imagine what he went through.”
“That one over there,” Axe pointed out, “is the day the smoke-jumping team Landen was on saved the entire town from being swept up by a horrific fire. Started by an arsonist. That guy right there is Stoker Hansen, currently with the forestry service and a Ziggy’s regular.”
“And husband to Jessica Dunn,” Shannon added as she pushed drinks across the bar.
“Oh, my God. She’s like my favorite artist in the world.” Violet was more excited than I’d seen her. Ever.
Shannon chuckled, winking as she looked me in the eye. “Another strong woman, which is needed for these arrogant smokejumpers.”
“Don’t go fixing us up, Shannon,” I told her.
“I heard how you two met. Classic. I’d beat the hell out of him too if I came across him.” Shannon was desperate to fix me up.
With a single eyebrow lifted, Violet slowly tipped her head toward me. “Are there no secrets in this town?”
“Not a one,” Kenzie mused. “Don’t even bother attempting to keep one. It has a way of making it out in the open.”
“We might be a town of over a hundred thousand people, but the longer you stay here, the more you’ll noticed that we’re really smalltown folks at heart. We care for each other. Everyone is family.”
I couldn’t help but notice Violet tensing more than before.
“Which is why,” Shannon continued and pulled out an envelope, “a few folks wanted to contribute to helping you with getting new transportation. Or whatever else you might need while you’re here.”
“Oh, no,” Violet bristled. “I can’t accept.”
“Yes, you can. It’s not much but given you’re stuck living in that shithole of a house owned by one horrible landlord, you’re going to need a few things to make the place feel like home.” Shannon wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
“I’m only here for the summer. Damon has school and I have a job and…” Violet frantically tugged a small strand of hair behind her ear, her face flushing at the same time.
“And an upcoming birthday. You only turn eight once,” Shannon continued.
“When is it?” Kenzie asked, as excited as Shannon.
“Eleven days.” Violet was hesitant.
“Then a party it is!” When Kenzie squeezed Violet’s arm, I was certain the girl was going to jump out of her skin.
Violet looked to me for guidance, her eyes pleading with me. “It’s okay. There are good people in this town. Just go with it.”
She appeared exasperated.
“Thank you. I don’t know what to say. I’m not used to anyone helping me.” Even her arm was shaking.
“I heard you saved a puppy from this man too,” Kenzie continued. “I see Grace. She’s a local veterinarian and owns an animal sanctuary. You might need her services.”
Violet slipped the envelope in her purse without opening it, not resisting as Kenzie pulled her away.
“Be good to her. She’s good for you. I can already tell,” Shannon said, her attention drawn away.
A heavy sigh left my chest and I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off Violet. She was like a fish out of water. Of course Axe hung around, taking several pulls on his beer. Hovering. The man was hovering. “What? Just say it.”
“What are you talking about?” His voice was already riddled with laughter.
I took my time swinging my head in his direction. “You want to say something about Violet.”