Chapter 3
THREE
MELISSA
The brute firefighter broke my door down! The nerve of that guy. I feel my body fill with outrage and I welcome that feeling because up until now I've been paralyzed by the dire situation I'm in. I mean literally paralyzed. I can't move.
"Miss Stone! You need to come with me."
My first thought is that he is a handsome devil, but I'm letting my anger and outrage fuel me and funnel back my emotions towards those feelings. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. It's worse than I thought.
The devil comes and kneels down before me and looks straight at me. Amber eyes look into my own green ones and I'm sure he's wondering whether someone is home or not. I'm starting to believe I'm not. I do a cycle of breathing to calm myself.
This dude broke down my door. I mean, how much is that going to cost me? I live on a teacher's salary, for god's sake. His mouth is moving, but I can't really hear what he's saying. I frown, trying to concentrate on the movement of his lips. Beautiful, full and kissable lips.
"Miss Stone, are you hurt?"
He puts his hand on my shoulder and it sears me. That's when everything finally comes into focus. His touch. His touch is magic and I want more of it.
"If you are hurt, I need to assess your injuries before we evacuate."
Clearly he wants to help me. At least that's what his words mean. Except…he said evacuate.
"I'm not leaving." I say calmly.
"Miss Stone. The fire is closer than ever. I've evacuated everyone on its path. You're the last one. You need to come with me."
Remember that outrage I was filling up on? It comes back in full force.
"The hell I'm leaving! This is my home. And you broke my door."
"Please be reasonable. We're in a dangerous situation; you need to come with me."
My hands are still clutched around my stomach, but if my eyes were death rays, this dude –-no matter how handsome he is-– would be dead by now. Someone comes in through my doorway. Looks like my neighbor Mr. Brownwick.
"Son, the smoke is getting thicker now. Do you need any help?"
"I'm handling it, Mr. Brownwick."
The old man gives me a curious look and just stands there.
"I'm not leaving my home." I practically shout. I want everyone to know I'm not moving an inch from where I'm sitting.
The firefighter gets up and paces in front of me. The old man is still standing in the doorway and I wish they would leave me in peace.
"Looks like you've already packed, Ms. Stone. That's a good first step." He hesitates. "Mr. Brownwick can you put that suitcase and work bag in the back of my truck? We'll be right out."
I make a sound that's close to a snort. As if he's getting me out of here. Good luck to him. The old man finally moves and takes my things outside. He's taking my things outside!
Rude.
"Miss Stone…"
"You're going to fix that door if it's the last thing you do."
"Melissa. Can I call you Melissa?"
He's still pacing in front of me and my eyes keep following his every movement. I don't know that I want him to call me by my first name, but I've gone back to being speechless. God, I hope I don't start to scream obscenities. It happens sometimes when I'm too worked up.
He would deserve it, though, and I decide right here and right now that I won't be upset if it happens. A car horn blasts through the silence in my cabin and my eyes dart to the window. The old man seems upset and he's making a bunch of hand gestures I can't understand from where I'm sitting.
It takes just that tiny moment as I look outside my window for it to happen. I'm scooped from my couch and thrown over a shoulder. My world is upside down and I start screaming.
"What the hell is wrong with you. Put me down right this minute."
"I'm sorry, but we've got to go."
He marches out of my cabin, with me in tow over his shoulder.
I'm kicking and screaming, but he's got my legs held tightly.
My fists hit his back and buttocks as hard as I can manage, but he keeps walking.
After a few seconds I'm thrown inside the passenger side of his truck, knocking my head in the process.
"Ow! You're hurting me."
"It doesn't matter anymore, Mel. We need to go."
He secures my seatbelt and I know I'm red in the face. My freckles are probably popping out for all to see, and I do what I need to do. I start screaming like a banshee. The firefighter ignores me, closes the passenger door and walks around the front of the car to get inside the truck.
When he starts the engine, I start screaming harder and start pounding the console in front of me like I'm a two-year-old throwing a tantrum. When a hand squeezes my shoulder I jump up in surprise.
"Melissa, dear, it's all right. We're going to be alright."
I didn't realize it at first, but my face is wet with my tears. Shame fills me that this little old lady is handling things much better than I am. I try to get a hold of myself, but some sobbing starts happening.
"Mrs. B-brownwick, are you okay?"
"Yes, dear. This young man helped us evacuate. We'll be safe soon enough."
I start drying my tears with my shirt and a hand appears in front of me, opens the glove compartment in front of me, pulls out some tissues and hands them to me. I tear them from him and start blowing my nose noisily.
He says something under his breath that sounds like "you're welcome" and goes back to his driving. From my house we're only about forty-five minutes away from the main town and I start to do my rhythmic breathing once more.
Something I don't like is happening and I need to deal with it. I remind myself that this schmuck tore my door down and I know I'll sue the fire department because of it. I don't care if this is an emergency situation. He had no right to do that.
Would I have opened the door? That is debatable, and something I do not want to think about right this minute. The ride into town is quiet and my breathing exercise is helping me get a hold of myself. I'll be okay. I just need to remember that I've kept myself safe before.
When we approach the school, I see there are a ton of vehicles parked on the premises. I recognize a few of my neighbor's cars and feel shame that I wasn't more proactive in helping get them down here. Or get myself down here for that matter.
I let my past nightmare overwhelm me instead of taking action. I definitely need to work on that. The firefighter gets as close as he can to the entrance of the covered stadium and there are people ready to help us down and make sure we're taken care of.
Taking a few more breaths to fortify myself and face whatever is coming my way, I hesitate, and startle when my door is open abruptly.
"Let me help you down."
"I don't want your help."
"Are you still angry at me for saving your life?"
"You broke my door."
"I'll fix it if your cabin isn't burnt down in the next twenty-four hours."
I flinch at that, and his face takes on a look of regret when he sees a fat tear go down my face. I'm not ready to let him off the hook, but I do acknowledge I've been a brat, and that's not helping anyone. I see he's got my suitcase and work bag with him and I slowly unbuckle my seat belt.
"Come on, Mel. Let me take you inside so you can get settled."
His tone is warm and his features show sincerity. He's got a hand outstretched for me and I reach out and take it. He helps me out of his giant truck and I start looking around to see if some of my teacher friends are here volunteering.
The handsome devil grabs my arm and leads me inside. The stadium is a big word for our indoor gym like facility, but it can house up to two thousand people and most games can be played inside. It helps a lot when you live in a climate where the cold months rule over most of the year.
Because we're able to have games all year round, there have been many students that have gone on to be discovered by scouts that come visit Black Timber Peak. Before we make it fully inside Maisie is there embracing me and I hold her back as fiercely as she's holding me.
"Oh my god, I'm so glad you finally got off that mountain."
"Actually, I had to drag her out of her cabin, kicking and screaming. I'm Aspen Brooks, I work with the fire department in town."
"Hi, there. I'm Maisie Watters, a teacher here in the high school and Melissa's best friend."
I see Maisie's eyes glimmer with mischief, and I wish her well if she wants to pursue this god/devil that turned my life upside down.
"Melissa, there was no space at Flora's but one of the Teagarden sisters can take you in so you don't have to stay in a cot here."
That makes me uneasy. I don't want to be a burden to anyone.
"Oh, she doesn't have to go to all that trouble. I can…"
"It's already settled. You'll stay with Vivian Teagarden for the next few days."
I give her a wan smile and nod to let her know I accept the offer. I want to do more, though.
"Is there anything I can do to help, Maisie?"
"Actually, you and Brooks here can do me a little favor. I need you to do some welfare checks on some of the families that live at the bottom of the mountain. Gauge their readiness and preparation for an evacuation."
The booming voice startles me and when I look up I see a giant of a man that probably has a senior post in the fire department.
"Phoenix. I thought I might go…"
"This is what I need from you, Brooks."
The blond god's face turns to stone and his lips turn into tiny lines with how tight he's keeping them closed. He doesn't want this job. Because of me, or for some other reason. The nasty, bratty part of me does a little inside dance at this new development.
I don't mind driving around with this hot firefighter if it means he's put out by the task. I'll just call it karma and enjoy myself. Decision made, I turn to my friend.
"Can you put my things in a safe place while I'm away?"
"Actually, let's bring them along. I can drop you off at Ms. Vivian's place when we're done."
That's…kind of him, and I don't like knowing that he's a good person. Honestly, I don't know why I'm being such a little bitch today. It's just something about him that hits me the wrong way, especially since he broke down my door.
I give Maisie a hug and go back to the firefighter's truck with him. This time willingly. I jump inside the passenger seat and buckle myself, all the while watching him watch me. He's wary and I don't blame him.
When he gets inside the car he hands me a bottle of water. I don't know where or when he got it, but I don't refuse the drink.
"Thank you."
"This will take about an hour or two. Are you up to it?"
"I'm fine."
"Mel."
"Why do you keep calling me that?"
"I think it suits you."
His words and tone make me shiver a little and goosebumps burst over both my arms.
"Why are you being so nice to me after the tantrum I threw back there on the mountain?"
"I did break your door down. Were you having a panic attack back there?"
"Yes and no."
"Are you going to keep being nasty to me?"
"Maybe for a little while."
He laughs and the sound is like chimes in the wind. They touch my soul like nothing ever has and I wonder what else I can say to make him laugh again.
"You don't understand. That place is my refuge. A safe haven from…from my past."
"The thought of losing it must be very difficult."
"To say the least."
"The community at Black Timber Peak is very friendly and they are here for you. You'll never lack a home as long as you live in this town, I can promise you that."
"How can you make that promise?"
"I know the town. I know the people. They won't let you down."
I don't know what to say to that, so I focus on opening the water bottle he handed me and taking a few sips.
The cool water goes down my parched throat easily, quenching a thirst I didn't know I had.
The car starts moving and I watch around me as I see people all around arriving to seek refuge at the gym.
My stomach starts to churn once again, but for a different reason.
I think I'm going to have to go back to my therapist. I've been up and down with my feelings and actions throughout this emergency and that's not good.
I've worked hard to improve my mental health, but I guess extenuating circumstances can override all the work I've done in the past.
As we drive back out of town, I take fast, furtive glimpses of Aspen Brooks. He's chiseled, he's strong, and he's kind. Also, he does his job even if it goes against his own wishes. I could learn from someone like that, if I let myself.
For now, though, I'll stay on my toes. This handsome devil looks like he's got women drooling all over him and I won't feed his ego.