CHAPTER THREE
It was nearly one a.m. but she left a message for Samantha and Abigail, briefly telling them what happened the night before. She said she would return on Monday, taking Thursday and Friday off to recover.
With that done, she showered and crawled between the sheets. She thought she wouldn’t fall asleep but was out before a second thought. When she opened her eyes, it was nearly nine a.m.
“Wow,” she whispered. “That’s kind of nice.”
She looked at her cell phone and saw no messages from work. It wasn’t expected but then again, it would have been nice to at least have someone concerned for her.
She pulled on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, making her coffee and walking into the living room. There was a knock at her door and she froze for a moment. When she opened it, it took her a moment to register the face.
“Captain,” she said calmly.
“Mike,” he smiled. “Just Mike.”
“Okay,” she nodded. “Why are you here? Do I need to fill out paperwork or something?” He laughed, shaking his head.
“No, not at all. I was here to check on you,” he smiled.
He was so damn handsome and charming. He had tanned skin and those blue eyes seemed electric in the sunlight.
There were hints of silver at his temples making him look incredibly sexy for so early in the morning.
But he was obviously much younger than Everest.
“That’s so nice of you. Please, come in. Coffee?”
“I will always take coffee,” he smiled. “But how about I take you for a proper breakfast?”
“I, uh, I need to change,” she said looking down at herself. She still didn’t understand why he was here but she was starving.
“You don’t need to change,” he said smiling again.
He waved his big, callused hands over his own body and Everest made the mistake of looking up and down. He wore loose cargo shorts that hung low on his waist, the NOFD tee-shirt snug against his muscled chest. On his feet were a simple pair of running shoes.
“If anything, you make me look like a bum,” he said chuckling.
“Okay. I mean, no you don’t look like a bum, but okay I’ll have breakfast with you.” She grabbed her purse, locking the door as she left. His huge pick-up truck smelled like soot, whiskey, and something woodsy.
“I should have cleaned this before coming to get you,” he said wiping the dust off the seat. “I don’t have passengers very often.”
She didn’t say anything, securing the seatbelt and looking straight ahead. At sixty-one she knew she was much older than this man. She cursed herself for getting in the truck with him but convinced herself that he was just being kind. This was just a part of his duties.
“Glorietta’s?” she whispered as they pulled into the parking lot.
“Have you been? Some of the best homestyle cooking in all of New Orleans,” he smiled.
He practically ran to the other side of the truck and opened the door, helping her down from the high seat. Her foot slipped on the runner below the door and she fell directly into his arms. He smiled at her, brushing the hair from her face.
“We have to stop meeting like this,” he smirked.
“I-I’m so sorry,” she said pushing back. “I slipped that’s all.”
“Everest, you can slip around me any time you want.” He took her hand guiding her to the door and she stared at their fingers intertwined.
What on earth are you doing, Everest?
Three huge men stood at the cashier, paying their bill.
“Gator? Rush? Is that y’all?” he laughed. “Luke, nice to see you.”
“Mike, what the hell, brother,” said Rush hugging the man with a hard slap to his back.
Everest watched the three giants hug Mike and shook her head, hardly able to believe how much larger they were than him.
He was easily six feet, may six-feet-one or -two, but these guys towered over him.
“Fellas, this is Everest Marshall. Everest nearly went down seven floors with a snapped elevator cable last night.”
Everest thought that was a strange way to start a conversation. When she looked at the men, their expressions were dangerously filled with concern, dark as they looked at Everest, then back at Mike.
“You need help, brother?” asked Gator.
“Maybe. Our boys are looking into it today. I’m just treating Everest to the best breakfast in town.”
“Well, Everest,” smiled Gator, “great name by the way, if you need anything at all and can’t get a hold of Mike, just call this number.
” He shoved a plain white card with a phone number on it into her hand and waved as they left.
Mike steered her to a small table and they were immediately given coffee and hot beignets.
“I didn’t order this,” she said softly.
“It’s part of the service,” smiled Mike. “Everything here is great. Just order what you like.”
Everest leaned back, feeling suddenly dizzy.
“Captain,” she started.
“Just Mike,” he said.
“Mike, I’m confused. Do you do this after every rescue?” she asked.
“Never. You’re my first,” he said smiling his brilliant smile. “Listen, I know I rushed in and just sort of took control. It’s one of my many faults, which I hope you’ll let me show you all of them. I mean, what better way to know someone than to see their faults.”
“Yes,” she whispered, “I suppose so. But I’m still confused.”
“Listen, Everest. I thought you were beautiful before I ever saw your face. I could hear your sweet voice, trying to control the panic and I admired the shit out of that. Then when I saw you and all that beautiful brown hair and big green eyes, I knew I wanted to ask you out.
“Now, admittedly, last night would have been crappy timing. But this morning when I ended my shift, I just couldn’t wait another day. Plus, I wanted to be sure you took the day off.”
“I-I did. I mean, I took today and tomorrow. Mike, you’re being very, very sweet,” she said.
“Oh, oh. The very sweet conversation. You’ve got a boyfriend?”
“No! Gosh, no. I would have never agreed to come to breakfast with you if I did,” she said shaking her head.
“One more thing I admire,” he smiled.
“Mike, I’m older than you. I think a lot,” she said calmly.
“And?” he asked raising his eyebrows. “Everest, I don’t give a damn about age. Let’s get this out of the way. I’m forty-nine. Never been married. No children. No pets. My schedule is too much for them. I joined the fire department after I left the Army, which is how I know Gator, Luke and Rush.
“I’m getting damn close to being able to retire and start a full-time side job of building furniture. It’s what I really love to do.”
“All the dust in the truck,” she nodded.
“Yep. I’ll make sure to clean the truck before next time.”
“Mike, I just don’t know. I’m sixty-one. I was married. Once. No children. No pets. But twelve years is a big difference. I just don’t think,” she trailed off and he watched her closely as she nibbled her bottom lip. “I just think I might be too old for love.”
“Everest,” he smiled. “Please don’t slap me, but that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.
No one is ever too old for love. To be loved.
To fall in love. To have love. It’s a lifetime privilege.
It’s why I never married. I knew that if I couldn’t find someone that was as madly in love with me as I was with them, it wasn’t going to happen. ”
Before she could speak the waitress began reciting the specials. Mike ordered a huge breakfast and she just shook her head.
“Scrambled eggs with grits and ham, please,” she said quietly.
Mike did most of the talking through breakfast. He knew she was scared but he wasn’t about to let her off the hook so quickly. This woman intrigued him, beguiled him.
When he dropped her off at her front door, she kissed his cheek and smiled.
“I enjoyed myself a great deal,” she said. “More than I thought I would.”
“Well, then. Maybe I’ll have to surprise you again.” He handed her a business card with his station phone number and his cell phone. “If you need anything, call me. I work tonight and then Saturday night. I’ll try to come by Sunday or Monday.”
“Mike, you don’t have to,” she said staring at him.
“Tell me something,” he said taking a step closer. “Do you like me even a little?”
“I-I don’t really know you yet.”
“Yet,” he grinned turning and taking off down the steps. “That gives me hope!”