Chapter 10
TEN
ASPEN
My feelings for Melissa run deep and I can't wait another moment to confess this to her. I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I'm gathering my thoughts in order to tell her this when Barlowe, my squad leader, barges into my room with fire in his eyes.
"Miss Stone, I need a moment alone with Brooks here, if you please."
Melissa looks scared and I don't blame her. Barlowe is fuming mad and I'm thankful he was polite to her. I've seen him angry before and he's ruthless. As soon as Melissa leaves, he starts on me.
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
"I made a mistake, and it almost cost us our lives."
"Do you want to become a full firefighter? Work enmeshed together with the Hot Shots?"
"You know I do, sir."
"Then why do you keep going off on your own, doing what you know perfectly well you're not supposed to do?"
I think about saying these were extenuating circumstances, but that's a bad attempt at a joke and I don't want to enrage my squad leader any more than he already is. So I stay silent and he starts lecturing me on procedures and methods and strategy.
His voice is rather loud and I flinch every time he makes another good point in his speech. A speech I suspect he's been wanting to give me for the longest time. His tone is harsh and his words are very negative.
I might get thrown off the squad and I allow my mind to wander for a bit.
It'll be hard to find as good a fit as firefighting was for me, but I'm sure I can do it.
I have to if I want to build a future with Melissa.
My thoughts run away with me and all of a sudden I hear my squad leader shout at me.
"Are you even listening to me, Brooks?"
"I am." I hurry to assure him.
There's a soft knock on the door and a nurse peeks her head in.
"You need to lower your voice Sir; this is a clinic."
Barlowe has the decency to look embarrassed and I think he's blushing, as he nods to the nurse.
The door is almost closing when someone puts their hand in and opens it again.
It's Melissa and she looks scared. She doesn't hesitate and comes to my bedside immediately and takes my hand and holds it possessively.
"I heard what you had to say to him, Mr. Barlowe, and I understand. It's not all his fault though. He probably hasn't told you it was my fault he got hurt."
"It doesn't matter what you did, Miss Stone. He's a firefighter and he knows procedure. At least I thought he did. It's brave of you to come defend him like this, but this might cost Brooks his livelihood."
I cringe at his words and am grateful when Melissa squeezes my hand in reassurance. I need to talk to her badly.
"Then it's time for you to go. He needs his rest. You've already said your piece."
My squad leader looks startled by the stern tone in Mel's voice, and he purses his lips, but doesn't say anything.
"I'll talk to you later, Brooks. Miss Stone."
He leaves the room and I breathe a sigh of relief. Mel leans down and places a gentle kiss on my lips.
"Thanks for having my back, Mel."
"What are we going to do, Aspen?"
I know what she means, and I hesitate, but the feelings inside me are about to burst.
"We're going to deal with it together, kitten. I love you and I want us to be together forever."
Tears come into her eyes and I worry that I've said the wrong thing.
"Oh Aspen, I love you so much. How could this have happened in such a short time?"
"It was meant to be, Mel. I feel it in my marrow. You're it for me."
"We're going to need a new place to live. I can't go live with you at the Hot Shot's cabin."
"We'll have to wait until a decision comes down from the upper levels at the fire station first."
She doesn't look convinced, and I hurry to calm her fears.
"We can brainstorm in the meantime, kitten."
She seems relieved at my words and pulls a chair next to my bed and sits down, taking my hand again.
"I love to brainstorm. I love planning in general. Things don't always end up happening the way I plan them, but the fun is in the planning."
"We might have to wait for me to get a stable job before we get married and have kids."
I watch as Melissa starts brewing something in that beautiful head of hers. She looks so serious and I just want to laugh with glee at having her here by my side.
"There's need for rangers here for search and rescue. I heard someone mention it a few weeks back."
"There is? I didn't know that."
"You need to talk to the Teagarden sisters. They've got their fingers on the pulse of the town."
"Enjoying your time with Vivian, are you?"
"She's actually pretty great. I'm going to miss her when it's time to leave. Oh god. I forgot I don't have a house anymore."
Her words startle me. She said a house, not a home, and I wonder if it's too presumptuous of me to think I'm her home now. I've got an idea though.
"The fire department might be able to help us with your house. There's a bit of paperwork involved. Do you own the land?"
"Yes. I wanted something of my own."
"We'll rebuild, kitten. What kind of wedding do you want?"
"I think you are skipping a very important part of the process, mister."
"Just humor me. Besides, I'm not proposing from a hospital bed."
Her face breaks out into a smile and I don't think I've ever seen another woman as beautiful as her. This conversation we're having is the most important of my life, where we build a future together. Where we dream together.
"I want a big wedding, Aspen. I've met so many wonderful people here in Black Timber Peak. I never thought I could belong to a community after I was forcibly isolated for such a long time. This is like a dream come true and a lot of people have been a part of making me feel safe here."
Safe, she says, not happy. I vow to myself to make sure both of those needs are met and that we live an amazing life together.
"Okay, I want to know everything. From the flowers to the cake. Give me all the info. Hey, we should make a wedding binder like Monica had in Friends."
"Oh my god, you watch Friends?"
"Best show ever."
"Well, I'm not as manic as Monica was for her wedding. I think between me and my friend Maisie and maybe the Teagarden sisters we might be able to make everything happen."
"Sounds perfect. I want you to have a wedding you'll always remember and keep as the first of the happiest days of your life."
I tug at her arm and she hesitates before agreeing to come into bed with me. I scooch to the side to make space for her and when she lies next to me it's as if we're two pieces that fit each other perfectly. I put my arm around her as she lays her head on my chest.
"I know you're blaming yourself for my injury, but there's no need. Barlowe had it right when he said I know procedure and I knew I was breaking it. When you do that, accidents happen."
"I'm so sorry."
"You need to let it go."
"Okay, just promise me from now on you'll be the best rule follower in the county."
Her words make me laugh out loud. My heart is filled with love for Melissa Stone and I'm going to be so lucky and proud to be her husband.
"I'm not sure I can make that promise. I'll always take care of myself and others, though, to the best of my ability."
"Maybe we should find you a safer profession, then."
"Do you trust me?"
"I do, Aspen. I do."
"Wow, I didn't even need to give you a ring and you're already saying, 'I do'."
"Not funny!"
The doctor comes by and gives us a look but doesn't make Mel leave the bed. He says I need to stay overnight but tomorrow he'll release me. I'm relieved at the news and hold Mel even tighter. We spend the rest of the day making plans and gushing over each other.
I've never met a woman like Mel and my heart is bursting with emotion at having her at my side. I'm not sure what comes next, but with her by my side everything will work out. I'm certain of it.
"I love you, kitten."
"I love you, Aspen."