The One Who Risked it All (Second Chance Fire Station #4)

1. Elijah

CHAPTER 1

Elijah

I thought about skipping the vow renewal. That I’d even considered missing it probably made me a bad brother and a terrible person. But what else was new?

I was glad Nathan and Rebecca had worked through all their issues–with more than a little help from me, thank you very much. My little pep talk with my big brother was exactly what he needed to pull his head out of his you-know-where. But that didn’t mean I wanted to sit and watch them get all gooey-eyed over each other.

“Well, if it isn’t Minden’s finest pyromaniacs–I mean, firefighters,” I quipped, striding up to Bryce, Jake, and Matteo as they lounged on one of the park benches. The autumn breeze ruffled my hair, carrying the scent of barbecue and laughter from the nearby pavilion.

Bryce was another captain at the department, like my brother, and Jake was his best friend. The two were practically inseparable. Matteo was their rookie. He’d been around for almost two years, so calling him a rookie wasn’t exactly accurate anymore, but he was still the newest guy on the team.

Bryce rolled his eyes. “Har har, Eli. Just because you can’t resist playing with matches doesn’t mean the rest of us have a death wish.”

“Hey now,” I protested, clutching my chest in mock offense. “I’ll have you know I haven’t set anything on fire in at least…” I pretended to count on my fingers. “Twelve hours.”

Jake snorted. “Yeah, and that’s only because you’ve been on duty.”

The firefighter/firestarter joke was a long-running bit at the station, ever since I caught the grill on fire that one time. Well, and that other time with the microwave noodles. But no one had seen that happen.

I was pretty sure, at least.

I couldn’t help but grin, my gaze wandering to the festive scene unfolding under the pavilion. The trees surrounding us were a riot of reds and golds, leaves dancing on the breeze like nature had decided to provide the confetti for the party. Strings of twinkling lights crisscrossed overhead, casting a warm glow on the faces of friends and family gathered to celebrate my brother’s vow renewal. The ceremony at the church had been small and intimate, but it seemed like the whole town was here to celebrate now.

Considering how much the entire population of Minden had been whispering about the separation, it was only right that they came to affirm the newly-reunited couple. Nathan hated all the speculation. I, on the other hand, wasn’t new to that kind of scrutiny. The town had certainly done its fair share of chattering about my indiscretions—real or imagined—over the years.

“You know,” I mused, leaning against the back of the bench beside them, “I’m starting to think these lovebirds are just rubbing it in our faces now. I mean, who needs two weddings? Actually, who needs a wedding at all?” I amended with a smirk.

Bryce, who had fallen head over heels for his high school bestie when she came back to town the spring before last, chuckled. “Spoken like a true bachelor. Some of us actually enjoy settling down, you know.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Okay, okay. Don’t forget to take your dentures out before bed tonight, Grandpa.”

Jake nearly choked on his drink, and I felt a surge of satisfaction. It was moments like these, trading barbs with my fellow firefighters, that made me feel most at ease. But as I watched the celebrating crowd, a familiar ache settled in my chest. I pushed it aside, plastering on my trademark grin.

“Well,” I said, clapping Matteo on the shoulder, “I’m going to see if I can’t rescue some of those cupcakes before Alex sticks his fingers in them all. Y’all have fun.”

As I sauntered toward the pavilion, I allowed myself a moment to imagine a different life, one where I wasn’t just the charming, quick-witted younger brother, but something more. Then I shook it off, determined to lose myself in the celebration and the comfort of my easy banter. After all, wasn’t that what I did best?

I wove through the crowd, my ears perking up as I caught the familiar gruff tone of my father’s voice. Instinctively, I slowed my pace as I passed out of his line of sight.

“I’m glad you came to reason, Nathan. I knew you’d do the right thing and stand by your family.”

“Thanks, Dad. I know it wasn’t easy for you to stand by and give us time to sort it out. But we needed it.” I could see the profile of Nathan’s face tucked behind the wooden column as I eavesdropped.

“Well, now I just need your brother to get his act together,” Dad grumbled, his words piercing through the cheerful chatter around us. “When are you going to talk some sense into him?”

I winced, my fingers tightening around my drink. Of course, Dad would be harping on about me to Nathan. Golden boy Nathan, with his perfect life and his perfect wife.

“Dad, come on,” Nathan’s voice was soft, placating. “Eli’s doing fine. He’s got a good job, he’s—“

“Running around like a frat boy,” Dad interrupted. “He needs to grow up, settle down. Like you did.”

I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to step out and defend myself. But what would I say? That I was perfectly happy with my life? I wasn’t even sure that was true anymore.

My gaze drifted across the pavilion, and suddenly, there she was.

Carla. My breath caught in my throat as I watched her laugh with my sister-in-law, her dark hair catching the late-afternoon sun. She looked… Man, she looked beautiful.

Memories flooded back, unbidden. The way her eyes used to crinkle when she smiled at me. The softness of her hand in mine as we walked through the halls. The electricity of our first kiss, hidden behind the bleachers of the football field.

She glanced up, catching my gaze for a brief moment, and it was like a jolt straight to my heart.

I wanted to go to her. To say… what? Sorry for letting my father’s stupid feud keep us apart? Sorry for pretending I didn’t care all these years?

Instead, I stayed rooted to the spot, caught between the disapproval in my father’s voice and the longing that threatened to overwhelm me. Some brave firefighter I was. I could run into burning buildings without hesitation, but I couldn’t face my own heart.

I plastered on my best charming grin and turned back toward the rest of the party. There was Mrs. Henderson, our elderly neighbor who’d always had a soft spot for me. “Well, don’t you look lovely today! That hat is absolutely fetching.”

And by fetching, I meant the mass of feathers and netting looked kind of like a dead bird dragged in by a hunting dog. But if she liked it, who cared?

Mrs. Henderson giggled like a schoolgirl, swatting my arm. “Oh, Eli, you flatterer! How’s that handsome fire chief treating you boys down at the station?”

I launched into a story about our latest drill, gesturing wildly and dropping in just enough innuendo to keep her entertained. But even as I played up the rakish firefighter act, my eyes kept drifting to Carla. She was laughing at something Rebecca said, her head thrown back, exposing the graceful line of her neck.

Heaven help me, I wanted to nuzzle that spot right where her pulse fluttered. I pushed away the entirely over-the-line thought. Why hadn’t the pull toward her faded after all these years?

I worked the crowd, moving from guest to guest with practiced ease. It was comfortable, this playboy persona I had worn for so long. Safe. But every time I caught a glimpse of Carla, it slipped just a little. The same way it had when we were in high school.

I was in the middle of regaling Jake’s grandmother with a highly-embellished tale of my firefighting heroics when I spotted Nathan and Rebecca off to the side. They weren’t doing anything scandalous – just talking quietly, heads bent close together. But the intimacy of it hit me like a sucker punch.

My brother reached up, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Rebecca’s ear. The tenderness in that simple gesture made my chest ache. Rebecca leaned into his touch, her eyes shining with a love so deep it was almost painful to witness.

I swallowed hard, suddenly aware of how hollow my own laughter sounded. Was that what I’d been missing? That connection, that…belonging?

For a moment, I let myself imagine what it would be like. To have someone look at me the way Rebecca looked at Nathan. To be able to reach out and touch Carla without worrying about family feuds or disappointed fathers or my own blasted insecurities. Or someone else.

It didn’t have to be Carla, obviously. That was why I had tried dating so many different girls. But somehow it never went anywhere, despite the rumors that swirled around town. I’d never so much as made it to the third date with any of the girls I’d taken out.

And as much as I hated to admit it, I was beginning to wonder if it was because none of them were her.

I glanced back toward Carla. The longing was so intense it stole my breath. I pulled myself back to the circle of listeners and jumped into the story my captain, Kyle Parker, was telling.

“…and then I said to the chief, ‘Well, if you wanted a hot date, you should’ve just asked!’” I finished with a wink, covering my momentary lapse with an extra dose of swagger.

But as the group around me erupted in laughter, all I could think was: When did playing the clown stop being enough?

I was saved from my brooding by a tug on my sleeve. I looked down to find my nephew Lincoln grinning up at me, gap-toothed and mischievous.

“Uncle Eli! Guess what?” He bounced on his toes, practically vibrating with excitement.

I crouched down to his level, matching his enthusiasm. “What’s up, little man? Did you finally master that backflip I’ve been teaching you?” Backflip was code for somersault for the five-year-old, but it sounded cooler.

Linc giggled, shaking his head. “Not yet! But I’m gonna stay with Mimi and Papa for two whole weeks!”

“Two whole weeks, huh?” I ruffled his hair, ignoring the twinge in my chest. His older brother, Alex, had shared the news with me earlier at the church, but I was still surprised. Two weeks with my father, the infamous Harold Wells? Poor kid. “That’s quite the adventure. You think Mimi and Papa can keep up with you?” Let’s just say, I had my doubts.

“Mimi’s gonna teach me how to make her apple pie for Thanksgiving, and Papa said I could help him get the garden ready for next year!” Linc’s eyes were wide with anticipation.

I forced a grin, pushing aside memories of my own childhood attempts at gardening with Dad. How nothing I ever did seemed to measure up. Not much had changed in that respect. “Sounds like you’ve got it all planned out, buddy. Just don’t eat so much pie you turn into one, okay?”

As Linc rambled on about his upcoming stay, my gaze drifted across the pavilion. It was like a homing missile, effortlessly finding her in the crowd every single time. Carla. The late-afternoon sun caught her hair. She was laughing at something one of the other guests said, and the sound carried over to me, light and musical.

Before I knew what I was doing, I was on my feet. “Hey, Linc, why don’t you go see if your mom needs help with anything? I’ve got to, uh... check on something.”

I made my way toward Carla, heart pounding. What was I doing? This was a terrible idea. But I couldn’t seem to stop myself.

“Hey there,” I said, aiming for casual and missing by a mile. “Having a good time?”

Carla turned, surprise flickering across her face before she schooled it into a polite smile. “Eli. Yes, it was a lovely ceremony.”

“Yeah, it’s...” I trailed off, suddenly at a loss for words. How do you make small talk with the woman who still haunts your dreams? “The leaves are nice,” I finished lamely, gesturing at the vibrant autumn foliage surrounding us.

Carla raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in her eyes. “The leaves are nice? Wow, Eli Wells at a loss for words. I should mark this day on my calendar.”

I chuckled, relaxing a bit. This was familiar territory – our easy banter, the underlying current of... something more. “What can I say? Your beauty has rendered me speechless.”

It was meant to be a joke, part of our usual back-and-forth. But there was too much truth in it, and I saw the moment Carla registered that. Her eyes widened slightly, and she took a small step away from me.

“You can’t say–“

“Elijah.”

My father’s voice cut through the moment like a knife. I turned to see him approaching, his expression a mixture of disapproval and wariness.

“Dad.” I nodded, instinctively straightening my posture. “We were just—“

“I’m sure you were,” he interrupted, his tone leaving no doubt as to what he thought we were ‘just’ doing. He turned to Carla, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. “Miss Putnam, I believe your mother was looking for you.”

Carla hesitated for a moment, her gaze flicking between me and my father. “Of course,” she said finally. “If you’ll excuse me.”

As she walked away, I felt the weight of everything unsaid hanging in the air between us.

I watched Carla’s retreating form, fighting the urge to call her back. My father cleared his throat, and I turned to face him, plastering on my best carefree grin.

“Quite a party, huh, Dad? I was just complimenting Carla on the decorations. Did you know she made the cupcakes?”

He didn’t buy it for a second. “Elijah, we’ve talked about this. The Putnams—“

“I know, I know,” I interrupted, unable to keep the edge out of my voice. “Ancient family feud, off-limits, yadda yadda. Can’t a guy have a friendly conversation?”

My father’s eyes narrowed. “It’s more complicated than that.”

I knew that. Or at least, I thought I did. But watching Carla all day, seeing her laugh and smile with my family, it was getting harder to remember why we were supposed to stay away from each other. Ever since she and Rebecca became close friends, my world had collided with hers far too frequently, and not at all often enough.

“Look, Dad,” I started, trying to find the right words, “I get it. But don’t you think it’s time to let go of whatever happened in the past? You won’t even talk about it. I don’t even know why I’m supposed to hate their family, because it’s some big secret no one in town will even mention. And this town talks about everything and everyone.”

He shook his head, his expression hardening. “There are things you don’t understand. Just stay away from them. That’s all you need to know.”

As he walked away, I was left with a swirling mess of emotions. Frustration at my father’s stubbornness. Longing for Carla. And underneath it all, that familiar ache of never quite measuring up.

I glanced around the reception, taking in the happy faces of my family and friends. Nathan and Rebecca, lost in their own little world. My mother, fussing over some flower arrangements. And Carla, across the room, laughing at something Jake was saying.

She caught my eye, and a tiny jolt zinged through my chest. But I forced myself to look away.

Time to move on, Wells. For real this time.

I straightened my shoulders, determined to enjoy the rest of the party without dwelling on what couldn’t be. But as I made my way toward Bryce and the guys, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was really ready to let go of the past – or if I even wanted to.