Chapter 39
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Vaughn
For the second time, I pull up at the farmhouse after twenty-four hours of travel, and Gus greets me with a scowl.
Only this time, potted plants adorn the porch, and the bird feeder is filled.
The house isn’t looking nearly as worn, and the old man scrambles down the porch stairs, not a weapon in sight.
“Damn,” Dex drawls. “He’s looking positively chipper today.”
“Least he didn’t greet me with a shotgun this time.”
His head snaps my way, and I hold up a hand. “Don’t even ask.”
I climb out of Dex’s truck in time for my grandfather to walk right into me with a back-pounding hug before he climbs into the back seat of Dex’s truck. “It’s about damn time. Come on. We’ve gotta get a move on if we’re gonna make it in time.”
“Hold up, where are we going?” Dex asks.
“Down to the fire department headquarters. I’ve got a seat at the Public Safety Foundation table. I don’t know where you’ll sit, but there’s bound to be a wall you can hold up, at the least.”
“What the hell are you getting us into, Gus?” Dex asks as my brain misfires.
“Watching Kate graduate from the fire academy. And it’s about damn time too. They had to delay the original date due to a prank gone wrong at the headquarters.”
The drive goes by in a blur.
I’ve been racking my brain with what I need to say to her, how I need to apologize. And I still don’t know if I have the words. Too soon, though, we’re pulling into the station, and Gus nearly runs to the door, leaving the two of us to fend for ourselves.
“You look like you’re gonna puke. At least try to be happy for her, man,” Dex says as he opens the door into a wide bay.
Empty of the fire engines I expected to see, the cavernous space has been converted into a ceremonial setting, complete with rows of linen-draped chairs and a podium on a portable stage.
Strains of recorded processional music begins and half a dozen dudes wearing formal dress uniforms file in from the door leading to the interior of the station.
It’s as they make a turn to march before the audience that artwork on the main wall stops me in my tracks.
My father’s portrait hangs on the memorial wall. The art itself is beautiful, but it’s the way he seems to be looking out at me that almost makes me gasp.
Dex scans the room as we sidle down the wall to the back row. He clocks someone, and I’m just about to search for whoever has caught his attention, when a short, redheaded cadet joins the lineup along the front of the room as the fire chief takes a stand behind the microphone.
He delivers a whole speech that I tune out entirely because Kate is standing up at the front of the room, surrounded by men, the only woman in this class that made it to the end. She’s shorter than all of them, but also more poised and polished than the others.
She radiates confidence. And I can’t help but think that my father is watching over the proceedings, and maybe he will watch over her. Keep her safe for me.
The training captain replaces the chief and goes through all the criteria the cadets had to achieve before he starts calling out names and presenting certificates.
As they grow closer to calling her, I look at Gus. He’s sitting amid a group of elderly women, watching Kate with such beaming pride it makes my heart pinch.
She did that for him. Brought him back to life. Helped heal his loneliness, gave him a new reason to live. But maybe I helped do that to.
“Cadet Kate Hawthorne. Not only did she have the highest written score in this class, she is also the recipient of a Lifesaver Award for going above and beyond during her ride-along. During the course of a structure fire, Cadet Hawthorne, with her team, provided lifesaving search and rescue.”
Jesus Christ. She pulled someone from a fire?
Holy shit, so much has happened while I’ve been away.
I am in awe as the chief recounts the details of the scene.
It’s scary as fuck to think about despite the chief’s matter-of-fact delivery of the event.
Regret burns in my gut that I wasn’t here to get the details firsthand from the heroine herself.
While I’m lost in thought, the chief continues, “It is my honor to present Kate Hawthorne with her Life Saving bar. On behalf of the family and of James County Fire Rescue, thank you for your service, Firefighter Hawthorne.”
Kate’s throat bobs on a swallow as a woman and girl approach and present her with a box. Then the little girl hugs Kate, whose eyes are bright with unshed tears. Gus gives a whoop from his table, and the ladies who are with him stand in ovation for my woman.
And she is mine. If she’ll have me after all I’ve put her through.
Kate shoots a wink at Gus as she steps back into formation.
It’s then, as her gaze sweeps the room, that she sees me.
The connection between us snaps into place.
She sucks in a breath, and her cheeks turn pink.
The tears she’s been so adept at keeping at bay win out as one single tear escapes.
The chief continues calling the names of the remaining cadets, but I only have eyes for her.
And to think I almost missed this moment with her. Almost missed this celebration of her talents and skills.
The chief delivers another motivational statement and declares the commencement over.
Kate is bombarded by people. First there’s Gus, who openly cries and hugs her so hard she finally taps out. Then there are the guys from the fire department, plus their girlfriends, followed by Leo and his wife. I sit back and bask in my pride in her.
As the crowd dies down, I leave Dex’s side and make my way across the room.
“I’m so fucking proud of you,” I say before she can get a word in edgewise. “And I’m so sorry—”
Her finger lands on my lips. “Don’t say you’re sorry for feeling the way you do about my career.”
I capture that lovely finger and brush a kiss on the knuckle. “I’m sorry for leaving.”
She’s so proud and strong, standing there in her dress uniform.
“I learned quickly that while, yes, it might be hard to watch you do this job, being without you would be so much harder.”
“Vaughn, I don’t know if that’s enough of a reason—”
“I don’t need a reason to love you. I do, and it’s all that matters.
” Cupping her face with my hands, I let my mouth run.
“And I don’t know what I want besides early-morning coffee time and Sunday-afternoon checkers, rocking-chair sunsets, long days in the sun, and long winters by the fire.
And I want all of that with you. For as long as we can, together. ”
Her lips part, begging me to kiss them, but I surge forward, needing to confess everything to her while I have the opportunity. “I tried to run away, Vixen, but what I feel for you is undeniable. I love you.”
“Are you gonna kiss her, boy, or stand there yapping and gazing at her like a lovesick pup?” Gus calls from across the room, much to the delight of all the ladies at his table.
“Oh my god,” the lovely flame-haired woman in front of me groans as her cheeks flush.
I stand before her in a room littered with onlookers, pouring my heart out for everyone to see, and I don’t care. I’ll gladly make a fool of myself. I’ll stand beside her and support her if she’ll just let me have the chance. “What do you say, Kate? Can you forgive me? Will you let me love you?”
Her hands clamp around my wrists, and she rises on her toes, planting a kiss to my lips. “Why don’t we finish this at home.”