Begin Again

S. J. Lynn

Begin Again

By: S. J. Lynn

Published by: S. J. Lynn

Copyright © 2017 S. J. Lynn

In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting s.jlynn@yahoo.com. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

Editor: Write Divas

Cover Designer: ebooklaunch.com

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjlynn.author/

Subscribe for updates: http://eepurl.com/bE-qkj

Other Books by S. J. Lynn

Through the Fog

The Heart’s Shrapnel

Walls of Ainsley (Book 1)

Heart of Ainsley (Book 2)

Acknowledgements

For those who like to simply enjoy a love story/clean romance.

Love is power. Love is everything.

Table of Contents

Other Books by S. J. Lynn

Acknowledgements

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 1

Maggie

“A little higher with the leg lift, Amy. You can do it.” I made sure to smile at Amy, the six-year-old with bouncy auburn curls and a light pink tutu as she struggled to keep up with the other girls. She was adorable with her petite stature, short legs, and round stomach that made all the other girls her age seem much older and slenderer against her portly physique. Amy stretched her leg as far as she could on the barre, stumbling a few times while she grunted her frustration. She huffed out a breath and pouted.

“I can’t, Ms. Warner. My leg is just too short,” Amy said, showing her discontent. The other girls giggled.

“Hush, now,” I told them gently before walking over. “What are we once inside my studio?”

“Ladies,” they all said in unison.

“Very good. Now, continue with your stretches, please.” Leaving them to it, I kneeled beside Amy. She was sitting on the floor as she held her knees to her chest and rocked back and forth. I suppressed a laugh at the adorable scowl on her porcelain face. “Amy. Are we having a bad day?”

Amy sniffled. “Yeah.” She sulked, wiping the back of her hand over her nose.

I shifted and took a seat next to her, while looking around at the other girls who were all managing the exercise as perfectly as any six-year-old could. I turned to Amy. “You want to tell me what’s wrong?”

Amy peeked up from out of the corner of her eye as if unsure, and I nudged her side, causing her to giggle.

“Well?” I asked.

Her face sobered. “Jenny said I couldn’t be a ballerina because I’m not as pretty as you, and I’m too fat.”

Ah, Jenny. She was the tallest of the seven girls in my class and probably the most proficient, but she was a bully. I’d have to have a talk with her parents later after class, which was something I dreaded unless it was for a good report. Either way, Amy was suffering and something needed to be done.

“She did? Well that wasn’t very nice of her, was it?” Amy shook her head and rested her chin on her knees.

There was only one thing to cheer her up. I leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “That’s not what Mr. Pickles says about you.”

Amy’s head shot up and looked around before finally setting her bright brown eyes on me. “You’re being silly, Ms. Warner. Mr. Pickles can’t talk.” She giggled.

I feigned surprise. “What? And why ever not?”

“Because he’s just a cat. Cats can’t talk.”

“Really? No! Sure they can…you just have to believe.” I tapped her nose with the tip of my finger and her eyes lit up with wonder.

“Mr. Pickles talks to you?” Her little body leaned toward mine as she eagerly waited for a response. Kids were so innocent, and I loved being around them, feeling the energy and hope they had for everything.

“Don’t tell anyone.” I winked. “It’s just our little secret.”

Amy nodded, and I got up. Meltdown averted.

The hour flew by with me introducing them to new techniques and breathing exercises. When it came time for the girls to leave, I asked that Jenny’s mom stay behind. It always made me feel judgmental somehow and condescending, but it was part of my job. If one girl was suffering, all were suffering. And I didn’t get paid just to teach warmups. Parents expected results, wanting their children to make it out of this small town.

“Well, I’m sorry, Magnolia. I’m not sure where my little Jenny gets that attitude. It most certainly isn’t from me.” Caroline held her manicured fingers to her chest. She was only two years older than me, clocking her at twenty-eight. If there was one thing Caroline did right, it was drama, which usually came with a whole lot of lying to put up a front. It wasn’t that I cared. I was here to do a job.

“Well, maybe just have a talk with her. I’m sure everything will be fine after that.”

“Yes, I’m sure, too,” Caroline drawled, her mouth stretching wide in a fake smile. “Uh, tell me Magnolia—”

“You can call me Maggie. Everyone else does.”

Caroline huffed and playfully tapped my shoulder. “Everyone…listen to you. You’re back in your home town of Magnolia Springs, Alabama, little lady. You’ll always be Magnolia May Warner to us.”

I smiled, but only because I had nothing else to say. I was glad to be back in some ways. I’d always loved this little town. It was postcard beautiful. Small and quaint and maybe a little behind the rest of society, but that’s what made it special. Everyone knew everyone else, which in times like these I hated, but usually it was just one big family who looked out for one another.

“The rest of the girls’ parents want you to know how thankful we are that you are here just in time for the upcoming summer festival. You are coming, aren’t you?”

“You know, I—”

“Oh, you must.” Caroline clasped her hands together. “You can’t do all this hard work and not reap the reward.” It wasn’t hard work. I loved being with these girls. I loved ballet. Dance was a way of expression and these days, my only outlet. “Plus, Trina has been asking me to get you to bring your famous pies.”

“We’ll see, Caroline,” I told her as we walked to the door. Caroline wasn’t finished. She called for Jenny and turned to me.

“Listen, why don’t you come to lunch with me and a few other friends from old times? I know you probably haven’t been getting out much with…” I closed my eyes, waiting, while also praying for her to not go any further. “Well, you know. But really, it’s been like almost a year, honey, since that happened. And I know you’ve only been back a week, but we’ve been eager to catch up.”

My stomach knotted. “Yes, I know.” I forced a smile, doing all I could to remain in one piece while Jenny came over to her mom. “You did great today, Jenny.” Jenny beamed as she said her thanks. “I’ll see you Thursday, okay?”

“Okay. Bye, Ms. Warner.” She waved goodbye and I waved back as she and Caroline walked down the hall and to the right.

Once they were out of sight, I shut my door and locked it, turning to lean my back against the hard surface. I blew out a breath. “You can do this. You. Can. Do. This.”

I heard a soft meow and felt a hairy ball of fluff against my legs. My cat purred, happy everyone was gone. I knelt and gathered him into my arms, immediately scratching behind his ears. My last trip here I’d found him on the side of the road. It was raining and he was just a kitten, his little coat drenched. My fiancé wasn’t so happy about him until I brought him home and gave him a bath, his Russian blue coat shined against his bright green eyes. We both fell in love with the little one.

My heart sank as I walked over to place Mr. Pickles on the window ledge of my studio apartment. It was a shock to me that it sat empty all those months I’d been away. But I was glad it was still mine. The drywall of my last apartment couldn’t compare with the red brick here and the light wooden floor. The area was large, and thankfully had a bedroom and bath, though small, in separate rooms. The kitchen was small, but it allowed me to have all this extra space for my dance classes. I had no other choice—bills needed to be paid.

I stared out the windows that made up one entire wall, allowing me to look out over the town of Magnolia Springs. There was a beautifully landscaped park everyone held town picnics in. The start of every season the town would throw a festival in celebration. My family and I would attend every one, getting comatose from all the sugary baked goods and barbecued pork. Of course, that was before my mother moved away. Those were memories I’d cherish. But these days I hated where my apartment and job were. I hated that the park across from me was in view of the firehouse where my fiancé had worked and where he died. And I hated that I couldn’t look out my own window without seeing the reminders that my life was forever changed.

It was getting dark, but kids still played and lovers still sat huddled on the benches holding hands as they talked about their futures. I bit my lip and turned away. That was me not so long ago. I also had been naïve in thinking my whole life was ahead of me and that the man next to me would be a part of it, but I was wrong. I got the modern fairy tale—where happy endings only existed in books.

Chapter 2

Maggie

It was late spring and the sweet fragrance of magnolia trees filled the warm, crisp air as I walked through the park to my destination. I’d missed all the varieties of blossoms that beautifully painted the town when I was living in the city. This tiny part of Alabama was a pallet of color with its many shades of pinks, yellows, purples and white that were wonderfully accented by the vibrant greenery. I’d never been a city girl, other than trying to be this past year. But despite that, it didn’t quite feel like home anymore.

“Magnolia Warner, is that you?” a familiar voice drawled, and I turned around to see the face it belonged to. Marybeth.

“Marybeth, hey. How are you this morning?”

“Oh, still alive and kickin’. But you called off today. Is everything alright, honey?”

Marybeth was like a mother to me, but she was also my employer for job number two as a waitress, for which I was thankful she took me back. The middle-aged woman was a friend to everyone and loved her customers as if they were family—that included her staff. I’d started working at her diner at sixteen and never regretted it. It was just a small place, like everywhere else in this little town, but it was a favorite for all. It was simply called Marybeth’s.

“Yeah, I’m really sorry. Were you able to find someone?”

Marybeth drew closer and gave me one of her bear hugs. I latched on tightly and allowed her concern to comfort me. “Now, don’t you bother yourself with such nonsense, you hear?” She pulled back and I unwrapped my arms from around her. “I was just worried and was about to call you, in fact, before I took the deposit to the bank, when I saw you.” She looked up at the big red building and her eyes softened, her mouth slanting down in a frown. “Oh, that’s right. I completely forgot.”

“It’s alright.”

“No, I should have remembered you telling me a while back that you had to come here for Josh’s things. Would you like me to go in with you, sugar pie?”

As much as I would have loved to have had her support, this was something I had to do on my own.

“Thanks, but I’ll be okay.”

The pity wasn’t leaving her expression and it made me feel vulnerable—like people could tell what we were talking about. Not that everyone didn’t already know.

“Alright, honey. You give me a ring if you need anything. Or stop by later for some of your homemade apple pie and ice cream.” She winked.

Despite my heavy heart, I smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you, Marybeth.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie. Well, I should let you go. See you soon.”

“Yes, see you soon, Marybeth.” I waited a little before turning around and looking up at the fire station. I’d spent the whole week I’d been back looking across the park at it, afraid to step inside. It just stood there, taunting me to come over. I exhaled and looked down the street at everyone laughing and coming in and out of the little shops.

It was now or never.

I pushed open the glass doors and felt the conditioned air as I made my way to the office. I was well aware of the other unit where all the action happened and I was not going to put myself through that.

“Excuse me, sir, is the chief in?” I asked the first person I came to. He was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt so I wasn’t sure if he worked there or was a visitor.

The man smiled. “I haven’t seen him yet, but I can ask the guys.”

“I would really appreciate it. Thanks.”

“Not a problem, ma’am.” He gestured with his head. “Follow me.”

A surge of fear spiked through my stomach, all the way up to my chest. My throat tightened. “Oh, um…I don’t need to go in there.”

The man raised his brows and looked at me, then the area where the firetrucks were held. “No, ma’am. That’s the apparatus bay. We’re going to the workout room. That’s where the guys are.”

My cheeks reddened and I felt immeasurably embarrassed by first assuming he was taking me to the room with all the firetrucks, and then by hearing he wanted me to follow him to where guys were working out. I just wanted to speak with the chief, grab what I came for, and leave.

I threw a thumb behind my shoulder toward the front door. “I can just wait outside, or—”

“It’s not a problem. It’ll be quick. Besides”—he grinned—“I’m sure they won’t mind.”

I nodded, giving in. “Lead the way.”

It wasn’t long before the glossy gray speckled floor had led us to the workout room. I could hear the clanking of heavy machinery.

As the guy went in and yelled something to the others, I waited outside the door, my heart beating wildly. There was brief laughter before he came back and waved me in.

I first noted brick walls that matched the rest of the building. Next, I saw there wasn’t a lot of equipment, which I imagined was on purpose so the men had more room to work out together. There were the typical treadmills, stepmill and spin bike, along with an adjustable bench and a few other machines that were no doubt necessary to what they did for a living.

“Well, hi there,” another one of the men said as he came up to me and shook my hand. A few others followed, while some remained dutifully on their machines trying their best not to look my way.

They knew Josh.

“Hi,” I offered lamely. What was I supposed to say to a room full of half-naked men? The guy who spoke was handsome and probably knew it, too. He had thick black hair and a muscled chest that went beyond my liking, but he was nice. He must have started working here after I left.

“Heard you’re looking for the chief,” he said, grinning. “He won’t be back until later, but you’re welcome to stick around here.” The other men were still staring, and I felt an uncontrollable need to step back and regain my personal space. I knew it was all harmless fun to them, and I used to banter back and forth, but things had changed, though I’d always been shy. Still, I’d always love and respect them.

“No, that’s okay. I—”

“Leave her alone, Neale.” I looked over at the man the voiced belonged to. He was handsome, and I hated that my heart jumped at first glance. Tall and tanned, he was bare-chested and slick with sweat that accentuated his abs. He had the body of a true cowboy and looked as if he could have been one. He wasn’t bulky. He was lean and toned. Just enough muscle to suggest he did hard labor. His hair was a thick sandy-blond that was longer on the top and shorter on the sides, and his blue eyes were like the ocean; dark and mesmerizing. Something about him seemed familiar, though I couldn’t pinpoint why. He looked to be a little older than me.

This was a small town; I was sure I’d seen him around somewhere.

“I was just introducing myself. No need to get all bent out of shape,” Neale said, grinning, as he picked up a towel and wiped at his face. He went back over to sit on a bench, immediately lifting the weights with his legs.

I swallowed and faced the cowboy. “I’m sorry to bother you all. I told the one guy I’d wait outside, but he brought me here.” I bit my lip as the familiar stranger locked his assessing eyes on mine. Bold? Or just extremely attentive? “Anyway, the chief was expecting me. Well, I thought he was, but maybe I got the day wrong. I’ll just—” I turned to leave, but the cowboy firefighter stopped me.

“No, you’re right.” I turned and faced him. My heart leapt again. Why did I have to find this guy attractive? “He had something he had to rush out and handle, but I know why you came.”

My throat tightened at his admission. He knew?

“Follow me,” he said as he walked past me out into the hall and down where I first came in. He smelled like fresh rain. Wait. Why did I care what he smelled like?

We came to a door with a plaque that read ‘Chief Hickman.’ I remembered the chief. A kind guy. Dedicated to his job…like Josh.

The man opened the door and gestured for me to enter. Once inside, I stood awkwardly off in a corner and waited as he rounded the large oak desk and bent to pull open a drawer. He still didn’t have a shirt on, and I wished he would have grabbed one. “I’ll be right back, Maggie. I just have to unlock the cabinet in the other room. One second.”

He disappeared out of the office and I thought about his use of my name. Did I say my name? I didn’t think I did, but my emotions were all over the place. I dropped the thought.

He came back carrying a brown box that had a white tag with my fiancé’s name scrawled across the front: Josh Jeffries.

“Everything is in here,” he said as he set it on the desk. I wondered what his name was, but was too consumed with staring at what was left of Josh. It was surreal with how much that man had touched my life and those of others, him being a hero, that everything he achieved all fit snug into one little box. I reached a hand out and tentatively felt his uniform, charred from his last failed rescue. I briefly heard the clearing of a throat. “I’ll give you a minute.”

“Thanks,” I croaked mindlessly as my shaking hands lifted the uniform and rubbed the fabric gently with my thumbs. Memories of us on his parents’ lake surfaced and I struggled to keep my tears at bay. Josh was a man that every woman wanted. He was kind and greatly cared for others—a weakness that got me from the start. He never thought of himself and would always put himself on the line for his job. A cry escaped my lips and I sniffled, tenderly putting his uniform aside. His hat wasn’t in there. We’d used it for the funeral, burying it with his body. His family, along with the fire department, made the ceremony beautiful and a representation of who Josh was. They honored him well.

The box had other little things in it, such as a flashlight and a spare T-shirt that had California written on the front. I’d gotten it for him on our trip there, shortly before he passed. I brought the T-shirt up to smell it, wanting—hoping—it still smelled like him after all this time. His cologne was very faint, but I still felt as if he were holding me and saying everything was going to be alright. I draped it over my shoulder and continued searching through the box, smiling when I found the picture of us from that summer on the lake. He had insisted we take it. I didn’t want to because I’d always hated having my picture taken, but I did so anyway. I was laughing as he whispered into my ear, making me blush at what he’d said. Whenever I thought about it, my cheeks still reddened. Everything else was typical things you’d have in a locker, and so I neatly packed it all back up.

“I’m done,” I told the guy as I poked my head out the office. He was patiently waiting with his head down, his back against a wall, and a distraught look on his face. My heart sunk. Sometimes it was hard to think about others suffering from Josh’s loss because my loss was so great. But these were men who’d gone through burning buildings alongside him. They lost a friend. “Thank you for giving me some time.”

He nodded, but his tanned face stayed grim.

“You’re probably wondering why I’m just now grabbing this.” Why was I trying to explain myself?

“It’s none of my business,” he said in a soft voice but offered a polite smile. “We all grieve in our own way…or so I’m told.”

“Were you and Josh close?”

He cleared his throat and grabbed the back of his neck as if working out some kinks. “Yeah. You could say that.”

Yep. I wasn’t the only one taking Josh’s death hard, and the thought somehow humbled me. “Well, I better get going and let you get back to…”

“Yeah, let me grab this for you. I’ll take it to your car.” He strode past me and picked up the box.

“That’s not necessary. I walked here. I just live across the park.”

He stared down at me with those sad blue eyes. “I’d like to help.”

“Um…” For a moment, I couldn’t speak. I shouldn’t have been having feelings of attraction already, especially with someone in the same field that killed my fiancé. I was just confused. That must have been it.

“Please,” he said.

Whether it was my emotions from seeing his obvious pain or from being back home where common courtesy was a trademark, I didn’t know, but I wanted to take him up on his offer. “Okay.”

“Alright. Don’t you go anywhere.” He smiled.

He went back to the doorway of the workout room and yelled to the others that he’d be back in a short while, and we walked in silence to my place. I noted that he’d put on a shirt and was grateful. Like me, I was sure he was familiar with how the town liked to gossip.

“You live here?” he asked, surprised, once we got to the front door.

“Yeah, I’ve only been back a week, but I’ve lived here before.” We made it up the stairs and down the long hall of apartments before we got to mine. I heard him mutter something but was unable to make it out as I focused on trying to unlock my door.

“Need help?” he asked from behind me.

“It’s this stupid lock. It keeps giving me fits.” I huffed out a breath and heard him set the box down behind me.

He touched my shoulder with a gentle hand. “Here, let me help.”

I moved aside and watched as he wiggled the key around and eventually used some of his body strength to nudge the door open.

“Careful. Don’t hurt yourself,” I said. Don’t hurt yourself? I could have smacked myself in the face. The man ran into fires for a living.

He peeked over his shoulder at me, and a smile teased the corners of his mouth. “I think I’ll be alright.”

My cheeks flushed and I worried he could see. “I really need to contact the landlord and get this fixed,” I said as I moved past him and into my apartment. He leaned against the doorframe.

“I could fix it for you,” he said.

“Oh.” I waved a hand. “That’s not necessary. I’m sure he’ll want to do it himself.” No, he wouldn’t, I thought dryly. He’d already done so much and was busy with other people’s apartments.

“It’s not a problem. I know the landlord…plus, I live here, too.”

I stared at him. “You do?”

He laughed. “Yeah, for a couple of weeks now.”

“Weird,” I said, biting my lip. “I haven’t seen you.”

His eyes flicked to my mouth briefly before he pulled his gaze back to meet my eyes. “I’m always flying out of here. Plus, I work long hours, so I’m never really home.”

“Right,” I said, crossing my arms. I would never forget that. Josh would often leave at the drop of a hat. “Well, like I said, I’ve only been back a week, so…I never got your name, but you seemed to know mine.”

He stared at me, hesitating as if he was unsure he should say. This might be a small town, but I couldn’t place him, though I knew he must have grown up here. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d seen him around.

“Name’s Luke. And I knew your name because the chief said it when he told me you’d be stopping by.”

I blinked, trying to process his answer. It was a valid response and I had no reason to suspect anything else. “Oh, that’s right. You did tell me that earlier, didn’t you?” I looked at the floor, embarrassed.

“It’s alright. I’ll let you get back to your day. And I’m sorry about your loss.”

“Thanks, Luke. Same here.”

“See you around?”

“Yeah, see you.”

He nodded and left. I picked up the box and put it on the bed before going to the window and leaning against it. Luke was jogging across the park to the firehouse, his head down.

He lives in my building, I reminded myself. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Not because I had a bad feeling about him, but because I’d have to see him from time to time. Why that bothered me, I wasn’t sure.

Either way, I needed to somehow find the strength to let go and move on from Josh. But how?

Chapter 3

Luke

The four men were rowdy after saving yet another life. His name was Binky and he was a calico. It wasn’t anything exciting, but it made for a somewhat eventful day, which they loved. I, however, tended to grow restless these days. I needed my mind wrapped around something intense so there was no option of thinking about things I didn’t want to.

“Marybeth’s?” Neale suggested as we drove down the dirt lane from Mrs. Wilson’s. Her cat had been stuck in the magnolia tree in her backyard twice since I’d been back. It wasn’t anything unusual. This had happened for years, and it seemed that nothing changed in Magnolia Springs since I’d come back. Had it not been for my mom, I’d be long gone, back in Texas where I’d made a life for myself away from this one.

“Not many options available anyway,” I said as we stopped at a light.

“Dude, it has the best food in town. Or have you forgotten?”

I shot him a look. “I think my mind still works.” The light turned green and we drove about a quarter of a mile before turning in to Marybeth’s.

I parked the fire apparatus under a stretch of trees along the side of the building, and we hopped out. The bell Marybeth kept on the door handle chimed as we made our way in and found a table. We’d seen one near the window and headed straight for it, wanting to be able to see outside in case something happened that would need our attention.

“Coffee?” a waitress asked, popping her gum and winking at us. Liz. She hadn’t changed all that much in a year’s time, except she was pregnant, and I wondered if standing on her feet for the long hours I knew she must work was a good thing.

“Yes, please,” I told her, and the other guys lifted their mugs.

“Nice to see you finally make your way over here. It’s been a long time, though I’ve seen you around here and there and at the funeral,” she said.

It was still hard to process. “Yes, I’ve been busy since I’ve been back.”

“Well, glad you’re back home. Someone will be with you shortly to take your orders. I’ve got to leave for the day. Family gathering.” Liz smiled and disappeared into the back.

I leaned my elbows on the table and rubbed my face.

“I swear to God if Mrs. Wilson calls again for her stupid cat, I’m going to cut that tree down myself,” Greg said. The other men agreed.

“That’s just how it goes in this field. You’ll see soon enough,” Neale responded. Greg was a new volunteer, and though he seemed to have the drive, it was obvious he was looking for city action. The small-town life wasn’t for him.

“Does anything exciting happen in this town?” Greg asked. “Big fires?”

I took a sip of my coffee, not wanting any part of the conversation.

Neale laughed. “Man, you’re in the wrong town.”

“I know sometimes you have big fires. What town doesn’t?” The table quieted and I sensed everyone’s eyes on me as I took another sip of my coffee. “What?” I looked up and right at Greg as he continued on, completely oblivious. “I know you had a pretty bad fire about a year ago. Heard it was terrible.”

“Greg…” Neale warned.

Greg frowned, not understanding. The fact he hadn’t done enough research into what he was talking about pissed me off. He was in this for the thrill. There wasn’t anything wrong with that in general. After all, you had to have some love for fire to put yourself in one, but it was the desire to save lives that should be a fireman’s main drive.

“There was a big fire,” I said to Greg. “We lost one of our own in it.”

Greg’s brows raised. “Ah shit. I’m sorry,” he said as I saw someone out of the corner of my eye approach our table.

“Ready to order?” My eyes snapped to the waitress. Maggie? She was glancing around the table at everyone but me. She appeared nervous as she bit her lip. Why? She’d done it earlier, and all my blood shot to between my legs.

Neale was the first to give his order, and she skillfully took the others until I was the last one. Her eyes wouldn’t meet mine.

“And you?” Her pencil was tipped up, ready to scribble my order. She still could barely look at me. Did she know?

I watched her for a little while before I answered. “Cheeseburger, no pickles. Fries and a root beer, please.” When she laughed, it came as a surprise, and I waited for her to say what she found so funny. She shook her head, biting on that dam lip of hers again, and shyly looked up.

“Sorry,” she said, waving a hand. “It’s nothing.”

Don’t ask, Luke. Just let it go. Don’t get involved by taking an interest, I told myself. It’s too bad I never listened. “Doesn’t sound like nothing.” I smiled, ignoring the childish snickering from the men.

She was beautiful. She made me think of spring. Her hair was long, light blond, almost white, and wavy. Her eyes were an ice blue. Her dimples made her appear almost childlike...innocent.

“More coffee, darlin’,” a customer yelled out. I twisted in my seat to see who it was.

Old man Larry.

“I’d better get that,” Maggie said, smiling before she left to fill his cup. I knew Larry. He was old, but loved the ladies. Maggie was no exception.

“Shoot, man. I think you’ve got yourself some competition,” Neale said, slapping me on the shoulder. The guys laughed.

I picked up my mug and took a sip. “Nah, Larry’s got it in the bag,” I joked.

“That your girl?” Greg asked.

I sat my coffee down and looked at him. “I don’t have a girl.”

Greg raised a brow. “Mind if I have a go at her, then?”

I didn’t answer. It wasn’t for me to say. Still, didn’t mean I liked it.

“Well, I’m goin’ to hit the head. Back in a jiff.”

Greg got up from the table, and Neale shot me an apologetic look. Usually it was Neale who razzed me. Sometimes he could be a prick, but he was a loyal friend.

As soon as Neale turned around to talk with Brent, I glanced at Maggie. She was still at Larry’s table. I muttered a curse under my breath, turned back around, and stared into my coffee cup. It wasn’t supposed to bother me that other men, no matter what age, flirted with her. I had no claims. I didn’t even know her. Not really. But it was a small town, and if she wasn’t seeing anyone at the moment, she soon would be.

When the chief told me Maggie would be stopping by to get Josh’s things from the firehouse, my heart nearly stopped. I wasn’t sure why, because I was expecting it—well, I was expecting his things to be sent to her, not her moving back. I still wasn’t sure if I was thrilled or hating it.

“Doing anything later, man?” Brent asked as Greg returned.

I leaned my elbows on the table and rubbed at my eyes before taking off my hat and readjusting it. “Same old.”

“Need any help?” Neale asked. “I’m free. You know I said I’d help out since your dad passed. You can’t do all that ranch work yourself, plus work our hours at the station.”

No, I needed all the hours I could get. “Yeah, I know. I think I’m good for now, buddy, thanks.”

“Sure thing, pal,” he said.

“Christ, where’s that waitress?” Greg said, glancing around. “It’s not that busy in here. Shit.”

This Greg guy wasn’t going to last much longer if he didn’t watch his mouth. His comment earlier about Maggie still grated on me.

“Sorry about that,” Maggie said as she brought the large tray with our orders and set it down halfway on the edge of the table.

“You get lost back there?” Greg glanced at all us guys, trying to rouse a reaction. None of us laughed.

Maggie blinked at him and her smile fell. “Oh, no…sorry, I just…it’s been a long day, and—”

I reached over and placed my hand over her wrist. “It’s fine,” I told her. She nodded, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. My eyes flitted to Greg. “Right, Greg?”

Greg laughed, nervous. He wasn’t sure why we weren’t in on his little show. “Just teasin’.”

“Thank you,” I told her. I’d have to say something to her later, and Greg could bet his last paycheck that I’d be talkin’ to him.

Maggie grabbed her tray and left to refill drinks.

“Talk to her or anyone else like that again, and you and me are going to have some words.”

Mouth full of food, Greg mumbled, “I was just messin’ with her.”

“Well, enough. We’re firefighters, not damn jocks.”

“Alright. Alright. I’m sorry. Jesus.”

I sent Neale a look and he did the same. The chief must have been feeling off the day he hired this yank.

The rest of lunch was eaten quick and in silence. Maggie came around once to refill our drinks. She didn’t hold the smile she had earlier, but to her credit, she tried. We all respectfully declined dessert, though remembering the pie Neale grabbed for me from here the other day made me regret my decision.

“I’ll meet you guys back in the truck,” I told them as we went to the door.

“You got it,” Neale said.

The place was starting to fill up, and I knew she’d be busy, but I couldn’t leave without a real apology.

“Excuse me, Marybeth?”

Marybeth turned around from the counter, placing a hand on her hip. “How ya doin’, baby? What can I do for you? Was the food alright?”

“It’s all I thought about when I was away.” I winked.

“Oh, stop, Luke. You spoil me.”

“Hey, did Maggie leave early? I needed to talk to her.”

When Marybeth grinned, I knew I was in trouble. Neither I nor Maggie needed this kind of attention. And by tomorrow—maybe even tonight—rumors would be started.

“I’m sure she’s around here somewhere.” Marybeth turned and looked in the kitchen. “Maggie,” she yelled. “She’ll be out in just a moment, sugar.” She grabbed a pot of coffee. “Gotta keep ’em hot,” she said before sauntering away. I laughed. Marybeth was old enough to be my grandmother, and despite being a portly woman, she had no insecurities. The men ate it up.

“Yes?” Maggie asked. Her head was down as she came out from the kitchen, tying her apron behind her back. I didn’t have time to get a good look at her earlier, but even her uniform looked good on her petite frame. She was tiny but had curves in all the right places. But her personality was her best adornment. Her eyes widened when she finally looked up and saw me. “Is everything alright?”

I could kick Greg. “Everything is fine. Just wanted to apologize for earlier, that—”

“It’s okay, Luke. Really.”

“No, it’s not. Greg’s new and obviously not from around here, but he asked me to speak on his behalf and say that he was sorry.”

Maggie shook her head, her ice blue eyes peering up from beneath her dark lashes. “Tell your friend, apology accepted.”

That was easy. “You always this nice?”  

She shrugged and offered a small smile. “I guess it’s just easier.”

“Nah, I think it’s just who you are. Never change.” I tipped my hat at her and walked out into the warm spring air. Her beautiful face stayed with me for the rest of the day and into the night, and I wasn’t so sure I could keep my promise to her ex.

Chapter 4

Maggie

“Thank you for having lunch with me, Maggie. It means so much to have you back.” Karen sat teary-eyed, sipping on her sweet tea outside Honey and Biscuits, the only other diner in town. It was smaller than Marybeth’s, if that were possible, and the food not as great. But, then again, I was partial.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. It’s just been…” I wanted to say it’d been difficult, but I was speaking to my ex-fiancé’s mother. She knew it was difficult. She’d lost a son.

Karen reached a hand over the small table. The large umbrella that hung over us shielded the sun from her eyes. She looked tired and like she’d aged ten years since I saw her last. “I can’t imagine losing my partner. If Mike were gone, I’d be so lost. How are you holding up, honey?”

I smiled at her, my eyes clouding with tears. “I don’t know.”

“Aw, you know you can come over anytime. I’d love to have you. Mike would, too. You’re still a daughter to us, no matter what.”

“Thank you, Karen.”

She sat back in her chair and brought her sunglasses down over her eyes. I suspected it had more to do with hiding her tears than shielding the sun. Karen was always a strong woman and didn’t like to show weakness in more than little doses at a time—she always had to keep it together for the family, as she’d said many, many times.

“Are you coming to the summer festival?” Karen asked.

“I might.”

“Honey, you must. It just wouldn’t be the same without you. Plus, those little girls are going to want their teacher there. Besides, you and Josh loved going to these things.” Realizing what she’d said, she brought a hand to her mouth. “Listen to me.”

“It’s okay,” I told her. “Josh was the life of the party. I know people will be missing him.”

Karen leaned in again, resting her elbows on the table, and stared at me for a few seconds before speaking. “Magnolia, as Josh’s mother, I think if anyone could tell you this, it’d be me. Honey, you have to move on. It’s what Josh would want. He wouldn’t want to see you so down and wasting your life. You’re a talented young woman.” I had to turn away and focus on something else. “You’re so beautiful and full of life. It’s what he loved about you. Smiley Maggie, remember?”

Smiley Maggie. I remembered how Josh would nibble at my ears right after he’d call me that whenever I was feeling sad, just so I could laugh. It made me laugh now. “Yes, I remember.”

“Come to the festival. Be with those who love you. Start over. Believe me, there’s no one sadder than I that my boy isn’t around anymore and that he didn’t get to live out his life with the woman he loved…but nothing would give me more joy than seeing you live for him.”

 I looked back at her and put a hand over hers. “Thank you, Karen. And I’m trying. I really am, but it’s hard.”

She squeezed my hand in hers. “Best thing is to always stay busy and be open to new possibilities.”

When I didn’t say anything, she said, “Men.”

Despite myself, I burst out laughing. Leave it to Karen to make me laugh over something personal like that.

“I guess we’ll see,” I told her, though I wasn’t so sure I’d ever be with another man. Josh was everything I wanted. And as fast as he came into my life, he was just as fast going out.

“You bet, and on a more serious note, how are you handling the news about Marybeth? I’m so sorry you have this on your plate as well.”

I sat up straighter. “What’s wrong with Marybeth?”

Karen’s mouth opened. “Oh, I thought you knew. Marybeth can’t keep up the diner.”

“Is she sick?” I felt like I could vomit. Not her, too.

“Goodness, I hope not.” My shoulders relaxed. “No, she can’t afford to keep it open. Besides, she’s at retiring age, anyway.”

Marybeth hadn’t said anything to me. Had she shown any signs she was closing down? I couldn’t think of anything to suggest so. But, knowing her, she would try to hold off as long as possible because of my losing Josh.

“I should probably see how she’s doing and if there’s anything I can do.”

“I’m sorry to be the one to have to tell you. Honestly, I was worried about you. I know you have two jobs to help support yourself. If you need any help, honey, Mike and I will be more than happy.”

I offered her a polite smile. “And I thank you for that, but I’ll be fine. Really.”

Vick and Nancy strolled by our table with their poodle, saying their hellos. Karen got up and put some money on the table. “Breakfast was a joy.”

I stood and came around to hug her. “Thank you. It was good seeing you again, Karen.”

She hugged me tight. “Same here, baby. Don’t be a stranger.”

“Too small of a town to be,” I said, leaning back and smiling at her.

“There she is,” Karen said, tapping at my nose. “I’ll be praying for you, sweetheart. And I hope everything works out for you.”

We finished saying our goodbyes and I went back to my apartment to prepare for my afternoon classes. On the way, I stopped in front of Luke’s door. Last night I’d seen him walking across the park. Turned out he lived on my floor. He wasn’t there and so I left to get ready. It was hard to focus being threatened with the possibility of losing my job. I’d have to find something else.

A trip to the local market and one movie selection later, I was set for my night in. After the events of yesterday, plus having lunch with Josh’s mom earlier, I wanted to lie in bed in my comfy clothes, snuggled with Mr. Pickles and a pint of low-fat ice cream, and forget about the world. Maybe I’d go crazy and eat the entire thing.

I lay back with my cat nestled on my lap and hit play. Sleepless in Seattle. Now there was a love story. I was at the best part, where they were to meet at the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day, when my cell phone rang. Disappointed, I hit pause and answered, not bothering to check who it was.

I should have.

“Magnolia May Warner, what are you doing tomorrow?”

I cringed, not only because it was Caroline, but because she insisted on always using my full name.

“I don’t know. I’m working at the diner and then I planned on maybe cleaning my apartment.” It was the only thing I could think of that didn’t sound completely lame. Truth was I was still breaking in to this town after being a year away. And with everyone knowing my business, hiding didn’t seem like a bad idea.

“Oh, good. You’re not busy,” she said. “Listen, I’ve got to be out of town for a few hours, and Jenny is wanting to go to that thing they do every year at the firehouse.”

I bolted upright, sending my cat flying off the bed. She wants me to take Jenny to the firehouse? Does she not know who she’s asking? “Caroline, I would love to take her, but I really—”

“Oh my gosh, thank you! You’re an angel.” What the heck just happened? “Listen, I really appreciate it. She’s been wanting to go for a while now, and I didn’t have the heart to tell her she couldn’t go.”

Or you could take her. I sighed. Now I was just being selfish. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! It’s tomorrow at three.”

“Okay. That’s the time I get off, so I’ll shower, get ready, and be at your house as soon as I can.”

“Perfect.”

We hung up and I nervously bit my nails, my movie no longer of interest. I was supposed to be done with the firehouse and now I was going on purpose. And for several hours.

My thoughts turned to Luke. He’d be there, wouldn’t he? Wasn’t this for the whole crew and town? Not that I cared one way or the other if he was.

I grabbed my pillow with both hands and leaned forward, pressing my face into it. Why did I say yes?

***

I still didn’t know the answer to that question as I walked hand in hand with Jenny up the steps to the fire station. Families were already there and children dragged their parents along, eager to be a fireman for a day.

“Come on, Ms. Warner. We’re going to be late,” Jenny said as she excitedly pulled me toward the door.

It was busier than I thought. People were everywhere. But what did I expect for a small town? Any time there was an event, that’s what you did for the day. No questions.

“Okay, I’m coming,” I told her as she continued to drag me down the hall. I caught several questioning stares. They wondered why I was there or maybe if I’d finally moved on. My throat tightened. I couldn’t do this.

“Jenny—”

“Hey! Welcome to the annual firemen’s ball. I’m Angela,” a cute blonde said. “Are you guys excited?”

“Hi, um…” How could I get out of this with the teenage girl and Jenny looking expectantly at me? You can do this, I told myself. “Yes, we’re excited.”

“Oh, good. Ya’ll are going to have so much fun today. We have live music, barbecue, and a lineup of firemen later that you won’t want to miss. You’ll be able to bid for the sexiest one.” She winked at me.

I will not be doing that. “How much is entry?”

Angela snapped out of her fireman daze. “Oh, right. Thirty-five for adults. Twelve for children.”

“Okay.” I dug in my purse for some cash and handed it to her.

“Awesome. Now, there’s plenty for the little one to do if you want to venture on your own. The event is all day, ending at ten tonight.”

Another girl about the same age came up behind her. They giggled and looked behind them. Curious, I stepped to the side and peered inside the firehouse. Luke was dressed in full attire and was putting his firefighter’s hat on as he talked to a group of guys.

“Oh my gosh,” Angela squeaked. I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. “Okay, Susanne, leave. I’m busy.” She turned her bashful stare to Jenny and me. “Sorry.”

“You have a crush?” I asked, pretending not to know which fireman caught her eye.

Her cheeks reddened. “Luke. I’m too young for him…well, not really. I’m eighteen. So who knows, right?”

I remembered what it was like to be her age, with nothing but boys to cloud my mind. I smiled. “Who knows?” A line had formed behind us. “Well, we’re going to go inside now.”

“Gosh. Right, I’m sorry.” She ushered us inside and whispered, “Don’t forget about the bidding later. They’ll be shirtless.”

I had to laugh. “I’ll keep it in mind.” Luke was still talking with the guys and I quickened my pace, trying to get past him. I wasn’t there to admire firemen.

“Hey, there’s Maggie,” some guy yelled. Crap. I turned and faced them. My gaze briefly landed on Luke before Ernie. Ernie and I had a lot of the same classes together when we were in middle school and often hung out afterward with our friends.

“Hi, Ernie,” I said.

He gave me a hug, the unexpected gesture catching me off guard, and I glanced at Luke who immediately looked away.

“How have you been, girl?” I loved Ernie. Always had. He was the friend everyone could go to, but despite all his good qualities, he’d still not managed to find himself a woman to settle down with—a dream of his.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, briefly glancing at Luke again. He hadn’t smiled and looked as if he was upset all of a sudden.

“Just bringing Jenny here to enjoy the day.” Jenny smiled widely at Ernie. “Her mom wasn’t able to bring her.”

Ernie frowned. “Okay. Yeah, I’m sorry about Josh. Some of the guys said you’d stopped in. Sorry I wasn’t here. I was off duty. Didn’t know you were even back.”

“I didn’t tell a lot of people.” 

“Hey, it’s alright. Just glad you’re back.” Ernie’s gaze lingered on my face and something I’d never noticed before registered. Did he like me, like me? He cleared his throat. “Anyway, I need to get back to work, but…let’s get together soon.”

“Um…” Dang it. I looked at Luke again. “Yeah, Ernie, sure. That’d be great.”

He waved to the guys and left down the hall. I stood awkwardly, not knowing what to say or where Jenny and I were supposed to go.

“Ms. Warner,” Jenny whined. “I want to go have fun.”

“Okay, we’re going,” I said to her before addressing the guys who were standing there not saying a word. I turned to Luke. “Can you recommend a starting point?”

Luke nodded. “Not a problem. Glad you both could come.” He smiled, but his brows were set in a straight line as if he found the words difficult to say.

“Thank you.”

“What’s your name again?” he asked Jenny. I was glad the attention was off me, even briefly.

“Jenny,” she said with excitement.

“Jenny. That’s right. What a beautiful name.” He knelt in front of her before giving me a knowing wink. Whatever bothered him seemed to have been pushed aside. “You want to be a firefighter when you grow up?”

“Yes! I want to ride in the big trucks.” Jenny removed her hand from mine and told him all the reasons she loved the idea of riding around in a cool truck all day. Kids had such sweet innocence.

“Well, the trucks are pretty cool. But before my buddies and I ride in one, we have to suit up properly. Would you like to check that out first?” Luke stood. He was so tall.

She bobbed her head, eager to be whisked off and be a hero for a day.

“Neale,” Luke shouted. Neale was talking to a crowd of families, holding a fire suit, and explaining the material they were made with. He held up a finger to the group before coming our way.

“Yeah?” He looked at me and stuck out a hand. “Hey. Maggie, right?”

“Yes, nice to see you again.”

“Likewise. Whatcha need, bud?” he asked Luke.

Luke tilted his head at Jenny. “Have room for one more?”

My gaze snapped to his. He was passing Jenny off to Neale? Why?

“Always have room for pretty ladies,” he said, and asked Jenny to follow him. Too excited for the experience, Jenny didn’t bother looking back.

“Is she—”

“She’ll be taken care of. Neale’s a good guy. He’ll keep an eye out for a bit until he’s done taking them around the building,” Luke said.

“Oh, okay. It’s just she’s not my child, she’s Caroline’s.” Ugh, why did I need to say that? Does it matter that she’s not mine?

“I thought she looked familiar. Yes, good ole Caroline.” His look was almost comical, as if he was trying not to make a face.

Had they dated? “What?” I asked.

“That woman’s a piece of work,” Luke said, and the guys laughed. “Mind if I show you around?”

Well, that was a quick change of subject. “Oh, um…I don’t really need…”

“Right. You already know the ins and outs. I forgot.”

A few awkward seconds passed. As much as I didn’t care to be in this place, I didn’t want to be rude. Besides, I was there, so it wasn’t like I could escape. “Actually, that would be good. The chief probably added some new touches.”

“A little,” he said. “Are you sure? You can hang out in the break room for a bit.”

“No, that’s okay. I’ll go.”

“Alright, back to work,” he told the guys before we walked away.

We made it a few steps before Amy spotted me, all smiles as she bounced up and down. “Ms. Warner!”

I knelt with open arms and she ran to me. I scooped her up and kissed her cheek. Her grandparents, Marie and Gus, came over to greet me.

“Magnolia, I didn’t know you’d be here today,” Marie said.

“Yeah, Caroline asked me to bring Jenny. She’s out of town and couldn’t make it.”

“Oh, that’s a shame.” Marie looked tired already and I wondered how long they’d been there. It couldn’t have been long because it had only recently started, which wasn’t a good sign for Amy.

“How are you both doing?” I asked them.

“Feeling our age,” Gus said.

“You guys planning on being here long? I can watch Amy and bring her home later. It’s not a problem.”

“I want to go with Ms. Warner. Please?” Amy grabbed her grandfather’s leg and gave him her best heartbreaking pout.

“If she says it’s okay. She wasn’t planning on babysitting you.”

“It’s fine. I brought Jenny, too,” I told them.

Gus and Marie said their goodbyes and left for home.

Luke was waiting with his arms crossed.

I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “Um, maybe I’ll just take her to find Jenny. I know you weren’t planning on this.”

Why was I so nervous around him?

“Ms. Warner?” Amy’s whisper was barely audible, but when she pushed against my thigh I knew she needed to tell me something. I knelt next to her. She cupped a hand against her mouth, not wanting Luke to overhear. “I don’t like Jenny.”

I almost laughed. And so did Luke at her not-so-subtle comment.

“Would you like to come with me and”—he glanced at me briefly—“Ms. Warner to look around?”

Amy hopped once. “Yes. But by myself. Not Jenny, too.”

“Amy,” I said in disbelief. Usually it was Jenny I had to correct.

“It’s alright. Amy must know about the three-person capacity on the apparatuses,” Luke said when Amy frowned and bowed her head in shame.

Three-person rule? Really?

I looked at Luke and he winked.

“Yeah, only three people can ride at once. Right, Amy?”

She grinned, nodding. When Luke held out his arms, she ran straight to him and he picked her up, setting her on his shoulder. He looked at me. “You heard the lady. Only three can go.”

I stared in disbelief, trying to contain myself from smiling, when I really should have called him out on his bluff. Though I wasn’t Amy’s parent, I tried to teach all my girls values. But somehow being around this man made other petty things like that seem not as important.

And what did he expect me to do with Jenny?

He waltzed up to Neale, holding onto Amy’s hands as he carried her on his shoulders. Neale patted him on his arm and waved at Amy before they headed back this way. Jenny stayed with Neale.

“All taken care of,” he said smoothly. “You ready?”

“Come on, Ms. Warner. You have—you have to hurry, because all these people are here and they want to ride the trucks, too.”

How could I resist her? “Fine. You both convinced me.”

“Hey, Chace. Just getting back or taking off?” Luke asked as the guy came around the truck.

“All done. She’s yours now,” he said before walking away.

Luke opened the door.

“We’re supposed to pay for this, right?” With all the people that had shown up, it only made sense they’d want a fee to take the trucks out.

He faced me, with Amy smiling down. “I’ll handle it.”

“Oh, okay,” I whispered as he helped Amy off his shoulders and into the truck.

“Come on, lady. Hop in.” At Luke’s request, I went around but hesitated with my hand on the handle. What was I doing? I wasn’t ready. But Amy never got to do things like this often. Shoving my trepidation aside, I hopped in. I’d never ridden in one before, and the first thing I noticed was all the equipment, electronics, and buttons.

“Ready?” Luke asked.

“Yes! I want to drive,” Amy said to Luke, who then had her sit in his lap.

“Alright, Amy. You ready?” he asked as he blew the horn alerting others of our departure.

Amy squealed in delight. I peeked at Luke who was grinning and laughing at her enthusiasm. He seemed to really enjoy this and not mind that Amy took the wheel—though he had to help guide her.

“Look, Ms. Warner. I’m doing it. I’m driving a firetruck.”

“Yes, good job, Amy,” I said.

Luke turned his head and smiled at me before turning back to assist Amy. While they did a loop around the park—thankfully keeping the ride short—I did my best to relax. The sound of a firetruck horn, even just the sight of a firetruck, always sent me into a panic. My mind always went to Josh, picturing how he must have suffered.

I felt a hand on mine and looked at Luke. He mouthed, “Are you okay?” and I nodded. He’s a fireman who loves his job. Don’t ruin his day, I scolded myself.

It was cute watching him with Amy. He was a natural with kids, and I wondered if he had any.

Luke parked the truck and we got out.

“That was fun,” Amy said. “Do you get to drive this all the time?”

“I do,” Luke said, walking out of the garage to the front where all the tables were. They were filled with food. “You hungry, little one?”

“Yes. I’m starving.”

Luke made a place for her to sit with other children, including Jenny who paid no mind to me, that were being watched by other members of the community. Several of them I recognized and waved to.

“How long are you staying?” Luke asked as we stepped away and out of earshot.

“I don’t know. I was told I had to stay at least until the firemen bidding.” I smiled when Luke rolled his eyes.

“My least favorite part of the whole day.”

“I don’t know.” I nodded at Angela who was by the dessert table, giggling with her friend. “Seems to be a fan favorite to some.”

Luke followed my gaze and shook his head. “Girls that age don’t care for what’s important.”

I was intrigued by his comment and wanted to ask him what was important, but let it go. I needed to stay neutral where he was concerned. A man like him looked easy to fall for.

Someone called for Luke. “Um.” He flitted his gaze from me to Amy. “I—”

“It’s okay. Go,” I said.

“You sure?”

I laughed. “Yes. We’ll be fine.”

He looked unsure, but before he could say anything else, Ernie came over. “You having fun?” he asked.

Luke’s frown was back.

“Yes, I’m having a nice time.” I couldn’t believe those words were coming from my mouth, but Luke had managed to make me forget, if only for a little while.

“Well, stick around, cuz the ladies’ favorite event is fast approaching.”

“Let me know if you need anything,” Luke said to me before he left.

Ernie stuck by me for the majority of the night. It confused me as to why I wished it was Luke instead. After all, I should be more comfortable with Ernie, seeing as he was an old friend. But every now and again, I’d catch myself with a wandering eye, hoping to spot Luke out of the crowd.

I needed to leave, and now.

Chapter 5

Luke

“Would you like me to oil your hard muscles?” Neale said in his best feminine voice.

“You’d suck at being a woman,” I told him as I rubbed baby oil over my front.

“I guess that’s why I’m not, then.”

“Yeah, guess not.”

“You alright, man?” he asked.

I grabbed a towel and wiped my hands. “Yeah, why?”

“It’s pretty obvious someone pissed in your cheerios.” Neale came up next to me and leaned against the wall. “Something up?”

I threw the towel in the utility sink, shot him a look, and headed out the door.

“Dude, whatever it is, you can tell me.”

We got in line with the other crew and I turned to face him. “Nothing. Let’s just get this over with.”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot…your favorite part of the night is coming up.” Neale crossed his arms. “To be honest, I don’t know why any of us volunteer. You’re clearly the favorite.” When he pretended to make kissing faces, I shoved him backward.

“Maybe I paid someone to pick you as the winner.”

“Hey, I’ll take what I can get. The last time I had a real girlfriend was two years ago. When she said she was bi, I didn’t know she meant polar.”

“Ready?” the chief asked.

“Hey, Chief?” Neale asked. “How come you aren’t entering?”

Chief Hickman laughed. “And make you guys look bad?”

The backyard was packed. I’d done this event many times, and every time I did, I dreaded it even more.

“Alright, Magnolia Springs, get your bids ready for your favorite fireman. You know the rules. You’ll walk down the line and stand in front of the fireman of your choosing. You may feel his chest and give him a kiss—let’s keep it family friendly,” the announcer said.

Not wanting to think about it, I scanned the crowd for a shy blonde. Was she partaking or just watching? I found myself wanting both to happen.

Fifteen minutes in, and many bids in my line, I was starting to grow impatient for it to end. But then I saw her, walking down the line of men, biting on her lip and only sneaking peeks. Amy was pulling her, leading the way. Despite myself, I laughed. Amy stopped Maggie in front of me.

“I want to bid on Luke. He’s nice,” Amy said to Maggie. Maggie looked up at me. Her cheeks had a beautiful blush to them. She was nervous, and I understood why.

“You bidding on me?” I asked to try and ease her discomfort.

“Yes, we are!” Amy shouted and handed me her ticket. “That means we get to kiss you, but you have to pick me up, because I’m too small.”

Maggie laughed. I reached for Amy and brought her to my face so she could kiss my cheek.

“Ms. Warner’s turn,” Amy said. I sat her back down and faced Maggie. She nervously glanced at the other guys before turning back to look at me.

“Ms. Warner,” I addressed her. Maybe because she didn’t pick Ernie and he was watching, I don’t know, but I grabbed the sides of her face. Her mouth parted and I leaned in. Our mouths just inches apart, I hesitated and gazed into those bright eyes of hers before my lips descended on hers. She gasped, and it was the sweetest sound.

“Whoa, shield your children’s eyes,” the announcer’s voice said in the background. “This is a first.”

The sound of clapping and whistling snapped me out of my daze and I drew back. Maggie stared at me with wide eyes. Her hand went to her mouth and she peered around at the crowd.

“Come on Amy. Let’s get Jenny. It’s time to go,” she said quickly.

What the hell was I thinking? “Maggie!”

She was already across the park.

“Respect, man,” Neale said as he patted me on the back. My gaze caught Ernie’s, who frowned. I didn’t want to explain myself, so I walked past him, not caring that the event wasn’t over.

“That was some kiss,” the chief said a half hour later as I straightened the break room.

I tossed the full trash bag by the door to take it out later. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“No? Well, I’ll say this then. Your stunt raised us double what we made last year. Well, any year.”

Was he seriously turning what I did into something positive for him? “Really, Chief?”

He raised his hands. “Just sayin’.”

I peeked at the clock. “I’m out.”

“Time for you to clock out already, huh?”

“Yeah, I’ll see you later.” Without another word, I left and headed for the ranch. I’d told the chief I’d stay until the event ended, just to support the day, but I couldn’t. I needed to be alone.

***

My flannel stuck to my back, and sweat poured down my face. It was hot for spring. Usually the weather didn’t get this hot for at least another month, but it was humid.

I removed my shirt and wadded it in my hands to wipe at my brow before tossing it to lie on the stall door.

“Cut it out, Cowboy,” I told my childhood horse as he started to chew on the ends of my shirt. He was a black stallion, eighteen years old, and still in good shape. I rubbed his mane as he nuzzled into me. Though he was technically mine, my dad took care of him the most. I suspected Cowboy knew something was wrong when my dad stopped coming to feed him a few weeks ago.

“Hey, buddy,” I whispered, petting his muzzle. My thoughts turned to Maggie. She was just as beautiful as she always had been. I was glad to see city life hadn’t changed her, and was surprised to hear she’d packed up and left just as I had done. She still wore those dress sandals to make her taller. Not that she was short, but I’d clocked her at five feet five, and to my six-foot-three build, that was small. Her smile could capture any man’s heart. She was a woman you’d marry and have lots of babies with.

“And off-limits to us, buddy,” I said, patting Cowboy before grabbing the broom to sweep the hay back under the stalls, clearing a path.

I’d always known I’d get the ranch one day, but I never expected it to be so soon. When my dad died of a heart attack, it came as a shock to everyone. He was a healthy man. Worked on the ranch most of his life. He was fit. But he did too much. Now the ranch was mine to take care of. I didn’t mind. It was a lot of work, which I needed. The work kept me busy and out of trouble, though I’d only ever acted stupid a few times in my life. I had a good mom to thank for that. She’d raised me right, I’d like to think. But she was no longer living on the ranch, which was how Cowboy came back into my life.

Money was tight. Dad’s life insurance made sure to pay off most of the ranch, but it wasn’t enough. Plus, there were his funeral expenses to take care of, which I didn’t want on my mother’s shoulders.

I walked past the herding sheep and over to the tree my father was buried under, and sat down. His stone read: Jimmy Easton. Loving father and husband. April 29th, 2016.

I removed my hat and scratched my head before leaning back against the tree. There were a lot of acres on this ranch, and a lot of animals. But I loved it. I just hoped I could keep it.

“I’m doin’ my best, Pops.”

***

It was around midnight before I came strolling into my apartment building. My muscles ached and I needed a beer to unwind. When I came up the stairs to the second floor, I opened my door but didn’t enter. I turned my head to Maggie’s apartment. She was playing music. It wasn’t loud enough to wake the neighbors, nor was it anything I knew. It was classical and maybe a little bit R&B.

What is she doing in there? Maybe because I was tired, or because I felt the need to apologize, I found myself wanting to go to her. My hand gripped the door handle, and I shut my eyes and swallowed, trying to clear the thoughts of what she might be doing at that exact moment.

“Go inside, Luke.”

Her door opened and I snapped my head in her direction. For a minute we both stared at each other, with her music playing in the background. It was a while before I noticed she was carrying two trash bags.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hey.” I let go of the handle and turned toward her.

“I didn’t disturb you, did I? With my music?”

“No, I’d just gotten in.”

“The event?”

I shook my head. “No, I was at my father’s ranch.”

She moved closer, and I rushed to grab the trash bags from her.

“Here, let me.”

“Thank you. Sometimes I hate living in a building on the second floor.” She laughed softly.

We walked downstairs and out the front door, then down the alleyway to the dumpster in the back. I’d never thought much of it before, but there wasn’t a working city light back there. Despite this being a pretty safe town, it made me nervous to think of her going out here at night.

“You usually take your trash out this late?” I asked, tossing her bags inside the dumpster. We started walking back toward the front entrance, and I stuffed my hands in my jeans pockets.

“I try to take it out in the mornings, but sometimes I get so busy I forget. Plus, I just dropped the girls off at their homes about an hour ago. They wanted to stay, being that they only ever stay for the duration of their classes before bolting out the door.”

“Class?” I said, looking at her briefly. “You in college?”

“Oh no, I teach ballet in my apartment.”

Ballet? I’d forgotten Josh said she’d taught dance. “Something you do often?”

We rounded the corner and walked up the stairs. One of the hallway lights flickered, ready to burn out.

“Uh, yeah.” She crossed her arms and I had to pull my eyes away and focus on my boots instead. She looked good tonight, changed in a summer dress, white with tiny flowers. Her hair was curlier than I remembered she used to wear it. “I have classes twice a week here. It helps pay the bills.”

Two jobs. Was she hurting for money?

“Marybeth doesn’t hire full-time?”

When she looked away and started messing with her hands, I knew something was up. “Yeah, I’m full-time now, actually. But it doesn’t look like I’ll have a job there much longer.”

She bit her lip and I had to pull my eyes up to meet hers. “That sounds serious. Everything okay?”

“Oh, I don’t know if I should share her business. I didn’t even know about it until yesterday morning.”

I’d have to check into it tomorrow.

“Well, I hope everything’s okay.”

“Me, too.”

We stopped at her door and she looked up at me with those big blue eyes. But not for long.

“I should probably go,” she said, gesturing inside her apartment.

I nodded. “Me, too. Good night, Maggie.”

“Good night, Luke.”

I went to turn, but stopped. “Maggie?”

She turned back around. “Yes?”

“About earlier…that was inappropriate. I want you to know I’ve never done that before, so…maybe the heat got to me.” The heat? Jesus, Luke.

“It’s best if we just forget about it.” Her response took me by surprise for some reason. But what was I hoping? That she’d just laugh about it and invite me inside? She wasn’t that kind of girl. “Good night.”

She stepped inside and closed her door, and I stood there wondering how I was going to handle being so close to her and not touch her. If I believed in karma, I’d say it came back to bite me.

Chapter 6

Maggie

Karen was right. Marybeth didn’t have the proper funds to keep the diner open, which meant I needed to go job hunting. There were a few possibilities. Nothing I really desired to do, but I didn’t have much of a choice.

The post office had good benefits, but it was Monday through Saturday, from open till close. It would take all my spare time and I couldn’t give up on the girls. They loved their classes, and I loved teaching them. I thought of Amy. Out of all the others, I felt like I would be letting her down the most. She came from a difficult situation. Her parents both had died in a tragic car wreck and she now lived with her grandparents. They were both wonderful people, but they weren’t doing so well healthwise and so they looked forward to having time alone.

I grabbed the application for the post office position and walked through the glass door where a cluster of papers hung on a bulletin board on the wall. Deciding it wouldn’t hurt to look, I went up to it. Some flyers were for lost animals. There were a few announcing the summer festival, which reminded me that I was supposed to be making pies. I scanned over a few more ads before one captured my attention. It was for immediate hire, three days a week, afternoons. I thought it over. It seemed like something I could do. I skimmed through some less important details and right to what it all entailed: Outside work. Good with animals. That’s all that was said.

I bit my lip. Was I good with animals? I was good with my cat, but he pretty much took care of himself. I lifted the post office application in front of me and stared back and forth between the two. One was the more mature decision, and the other, for fun. Mature? Fun? Josh would’ve laughed if he were there with me. I always did this—overthought everything.

I sighed. Everything I did, everything I looked at or thought about, reminded me of him. I couldn’t see that changing. At least not anytime soon. I loved him.

With not much time left before I’d be out of a second job, I grabbed the flyer off the board and took both home with me. Whichever one gave me the job first was the one I’d take. I just hoped it was the outdoors one. If not, I’d have to make the girls’ dance lessons in the late evening or weekends.

***

Showered, shaved, and makeup free, I got dressed and headed to what could possibly be my new job. I picked fun, deciding not to even fill out the application for the post office or calling about the other position. Karen’s words about me living my life because that’s what Josh would have wanted kept nagging at me in the back of my mind. So I was doing this for him…and a little for me, too.

I didn’t own a car. When I moved back from the city, knowing I was home for good, I sold it to pay a few months’ rent and for the renovations the landlord did for my dance floor and ballerina barre. Besides, the town was small and, if I wanted to, I could walk everywhere. But the address given for the outside job was just a little over a half mile. Hence, my bike.

I hopped on and pedaled down the street. Nerves ate at me.

The directions said to turn down Vine Street and the place would be the last lane on the left. As best as I could manage, I veered around potholes. With any luck, I’d get there with tires that weren’t punctured.

A lake was off to my left and I wondered if the people I’d hopefully be working for owned it. It stretched on a ways and I spotted the dock. It took me back to younger years when I was a little more carefree.

The ranch came into view. I stopped and enjoyed its beauty. It was breathtaking. There were animals of all varieties and every group had its place. Whoever owned this ranch took care of it.

A yellow house with a porch that wrapped just the front stood off to the side. It had a welcoming atmosphere. I couldn’t imagine anyone not wanting to work here.

The sound of hooves smacking dirt had me looking to my left. I brought my hand up to shield the sun from my eyes. A big brown horse, its shiny coat glistening, galloped free, sending a flock of birds shooting to the sky in search of another resting place. I laughed in delight at the beauty of it all.

“Wow,” I whispered.

A door slammed shut and I faced in the direction of the sound. Someone was on the porch, their shirtless back to me. After getting off my bike, I walked the rest of the short distance.

“Hello,” I said, waiting for the man to turn around. He was wrapping a water hose around its reel, and I could see the muscles twist and pull in his back. When he finally turned around, I couldn’t believe who I was seeing.

“Maggie?” His eyes flitted to the bike nestled at my side, and his brows knitted in confusion. I’m sure my expression read the same.

He was the last person I expected to see.

My mind snapped to alert. “Uh, hi.” I inwardly groaned at my lack of ease.

“Everything alright?” he asked before turning to grab a white hand towel off an old rocking chair to wipe at his forehead. My eyes immediately wandered over his bronzed chest and down his abs to where his happy trail disappeared into his light-colored jeans. They were dirty and had a few holes in them.

He tossed the towel over his shoulder and came down off the porch and up to me. His brows were drawn together, his mouth a straight line, serious and full of concern, but he had an easy walk.

“Maggie?” he asked again. His brows were still snapped together in what must have been a signature scowl of his. It was the same look magazines tried desperately to capture and only a few men could pull off without appearing gruff.

Oh. Right. He asked a question. “I…this is the ranch you work at?” The thought didn’t even enter my mind when I saw the ad yesterday.

“Yeah, I work here.” Crap. “What brings you by?”

“Uh…” I looked off to the side, then back at him, wondering if I should say anything. He probably thought I was there to talk about what happened yesterday. “There was a job for this place listed back in town. I thought I’d check it out.” His eyes bored into mine. He was the most intense man I’d ever met. I felt trapped underneath his gaze. “You know what? This probably isn’t for me anyway. I should go.”

Eager to leave, I flipped my bike around, nearly causing me to fall, and started walking down the dirt lane. My steps were fast and sure. How on earth did I manage to pick the same ranch his father owned?

“Hey, Maggie.” His voice had me rooted to the ground. I didn’t turn around, but I heard steady footfalls as he jogged up behind me. “Where are you goin’?”

I bit my lip and shut my eyes. I could almost hear the wheels turning in my head and feared he could sense my trepidation of the possibility of working alongside him. But maybe we wouldn’t be working together. He was a capable man. He probably did all the heavy-duty work for his father, and so we’d barely see each other. Right? Plus, I really needed the money.

Think of the girls.

A smile eventually teased the corners of my mouth, and I looked back at him, feeling completely silly. “I have no idea.”

He assessed me where I stood. Is he checking me out? Or is he sizing me up for the position? I hadn’t known him for long, but the latter seemed more likely.

He didn’t gaze at me long, and I was relieved.

“Well, the ranch is back this way.” He pointed a thumb over his shoulder. “You’re going in the wrong direction. Plus, word on the street is that you’re looking for new work.”

That’s right. Marybeth’s. I did tell him that. Too late to back out now. “That’s true. Your father around?”

“In a manner of speaking.”

“I don’t know what that means.” I laughed. “Anyway, he’ll probably take one look at me, laugh, and send me home. So, really—”

“No, he won’t,” he said emphatically, his confidence leaving me with questions.

“How do you know?”

“I know him pretty well. I think you’re exactly what he’s looking for.” The last part sounded so personal, and when my eyes shot to his, he held my gaze.

My cheeks heated. “Oh, I doubt that. Compared to you, I’ve got nothing going for me.” I didn’t mean to gaze at his chest. What was wrong with me? It was that kiss. I thought about it all night after I went to bed. It was mind-blowing. His lips were soft and for a brief second, I’d found myself enjoying it.

When he crossed his arms, the lines and ridges of his muscles magnified.

Wanting to put us back on neutral ground, I laughed, not able to believe the show of insecurity I had around this man.

“I don’t know about that.” He finally smiled, melting away the tension. “Looks like you’re cutting sleeves here.” I didn’t know what he meant by that comment either until he reached out and touched my bicep, careful not to linger for long.

I laughed and smiled shyly at him.

“Come on.” He nodded toward the house. “I’ll get you something to drink and show you around.”

“You really think he’ll hire me?” I asked, hopeful, as we went up the porch. There was a hint of desperation to my voice and I prayed he didn’t notice.

“I do,” he said, holding the door open and allowing me to pass by.

My worries were put on the back burner as I looked around. It was a typical farmhouse, outdated and in need of repairs. I didn’t know if his father didn’t have the necessary funds or if he just didn’t care. But I loved it. It had its charms that only older homes had. The papered walls were tinged yellow, though once white, with small purple flowers. The place smelled of cedar, musty paper, and spring. The windows were open, reflecting beautiful rays of the sun, and panels of sheer lace danced around each one. The wooden floors, beaten and battered, were original, and an old-fashioned pellet stove sat in the middle of the living room. I loved how at ease I felt there. Like it was home.

Luke went straight to the kitchen with me trailing behind him. He reached in the fridge, took out a cold bottle of water, and handed it to me.

I smiled and took a big gulp, a drop of water spilling down the side of my chin. I didn’t realize I was so thirsty.

“Thanks for the water,” I said, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

“You’re welcome,” he drawled, leaning up against the beige counter and crossing his ankles. He folded his arms at his chest, and it made me slightly more comfortable with the fact he wasn’t wearing a shirt. But with his brown ball cap, snug jeans, and cowboy boots, he looked the part of a true rancher.

He kept looking away, as if uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure when his father would be back, but I hoped it was soon.

“So,” I said, putting down my bottled water before shoving my hands in the back of my shorts pockets, “if I get hired, what would I be doing? You know?”

“Have you done anything like this before?”

Darn. He would ask that question first.

I shook my head. “Just a teacher of ballet and a waitress all of my life.” The admission had me feeling slightly embarrassed. Here was a guy who did hard labor and saved lives for a living. What I did for income didn’t even come close to his jobs.

“You say that like you’re ashamed.”

I looked down at the floor and studied my boots before looking back at him. “I was just thinking how that must sound to you. What you do is important.”

“Do you like what you do?”

I seriously thought about his question. “Yeah, I do.”

“Then it’s important.” He smiled and dimples formed on his cheeks. It further softened his boyish features, taking away from that sexy scowl of his. “Ready for me to show you around?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright, follow me.”

***

Luke

I had no business hiring her. We’d have to work together from time to time and that wasn’t a way to keep an eye out while still creating distance. You broke the barriers of distance when you kissed her in front of the entire town.

It was a surefire way to shoot myself in the foot. She hadn’t brought it up again, and I wouldn’t either.

Neale would get it when I saw him next. I knew it was he who’d made the ad. He didn’t trust that I had everything handled.

Heck, maybe I didn’t.

I laughed to myself as I watched her go ahead of me. She looked as though she was ready to go horseback riding or to a country music concert. She had on a brown pair of cowgirl boots that lengthened her dancer’s legs. Despite myself, I followed them up to her dark jean shorts and white cotton T-shirt. Her hair was left flowing as it usually was, and I found myself wondering what it would feel like to run my hands through it. What impressed me was she didn’t have an ounce of makeup on. It showed me that, while she liked to look nice, she wasn’t afraid to get a little dirty—she came prepared to work.

She was small and couldn’t do a lot of heavy lifting, which was what I really needed. But I could do the heavy work and she could take care of the little things that were tedious. We’d be a team. It would save me a lot of time.

Now you’re just reaching.

She looked back over her shoulder at me, a soft smile on her lips. The soft breeze blew a few strands of her hair against her face, and I swore I could love this woman.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “It’s just up here to your right.” I pointed. I was taking her to the stalls first. Ladies liked horses, right? And I knew she’d love Cowboy. It was a jerk move, but if she got cold feet about working with me, Cowboy would surely fix that.

“Wait right here,” I told her. “I’ve got to open the door.” I’d closed it earlier so the ducks would stay out. Having just cleaned the stalls and the walkway, I wasn’t fixing to do it again.

I grabbed the door and pushed it open. It was heavy and didn’t open easily—another task that needed attention.

“This here, as you can see, is the horses’ stable.”

She walked past me, and her perfume wafted through the air. She smelled like honeysuckle and a hint of cherry. If I had to guess what her scent would be, that would be it.

I followed her.

“Oh, wow. Beautiful horse,” she said as she walked straight to Cowboy. “Boy or girl?”

“Boy. So he might feel a little emasculated by that term.”

Her hands stroked Cowboy’s head before running down the front of his muzzle.

“Sorry boy. What’s his name?” she asked. Cowboy started to nibble at her hands, and she laughed. Her laugh was a shot of endorphins to my system.

I reached out and petted him, too, careful not to touch her. “Cowboy.”

She looked at me, continuing to stroke his mane. “Cowboy,” she said, testing the name on her lips. “I like it.”

“I think he secretly likes it, too.”

She laughed. “It suits him. What’s the name of the one I saw running just a while ago? The brown one?”

“Ah, that’d be Penelope. She’s got more energy than this guy.” Cowboy neighed. “Don’t get soft on me now,” I told him.

“Well, she’s beautiful, too.”

“I’m glad you like her.” I loved how this girl always had a smile on her face. It was refreshing.

The rest of the tour was done in a rush. The more time I spent around her, the more I could see her there forever.

I showed her all the animals, the chicken coops, where the food was kept, who got what, and told her what times she’d be needed, being that the exact hours weren’t listed in the ad. She grasped it all, not asking me to repeat anything.

“Are you sure he wouldn’t need someone in the mornings?” she asked as we walked back to the house.

I lifted my hat enough to scratch the top of my head. “I think he’d feel like you were doing enough,” I said, glancing over at her before she grabbed her bike and released the kickstand.

“I’m not so sure about that. It’s just you and him? I mean, if he hires me, I’d be happy to come in some mornings.”

She’d done great today—didn’t complain about any of the tasks mentioned to her. It was time to ease her worry. I felt like a prick for not mentioning it this long.

“You got the job.”

Her brows creased and her mouth thinned. “You can’t hire me.” She laughed. “Your dad would kick your butt. He hasn’t even seen me yet.”

God, I loved that smile.

I removed my hat and shook it once, nervous for the first time in a long time. I was thirty years old and felt like I was on my first date. “You might hate me after this”—I winced as I smiled up at her—“but it’s just me here.”

Her smile slowly fell before reappearing. “What?”

“I own this ranch. Just recently, though. It was my father’s. I’m sorry, that was stupid of me not to tell you in the beginning. I just—”

“No, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Though, if I knew you were the boss, I would have faked all of my experience I have with ranch work,” she teased.

I didn’t know what I was expecting, maybe her to go stomping off down the lane. Slap me, even. I’d have deserved it. But, no, she wasn’t that kind of girl.

I smiled. “You’ll be just fine, Maggie.”

She smiled back and bit her lip. Her brows creased. “So…last night you said you worked on your father’s ranch and now you said it was your father’s. Is he…?”

“He’s right over there.” I pointed to the big magnolia tree with the single stone.

“Oh, Luke, I’m so sorry. Was it recent?”

“About two weeks ago. And I know he’d be fine with you working here if he were alive. Again, I’m sorry. I don’t know why I lead you to believe...”

“Hey, it’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

God, I’m an idiot. “Well, anyway, thanks. I guess talking about it, let alone accepting it, is harder than I thought.”

She nodded. “I can get that. So who was your father? If you don’t mind my asking.”

It shocked me she’d forgotten, but it had been a while.

“Jim Easton.”

“Jim Easton…Jimmy?”

I nodded. “Yeah, that’s what everyone called him.”

A sound of disbelief escaped her and she gazed around the ranch, shaking her head. “I can’t believe I didn’t remember this place. My parents would buy eggs from here at least twice a month when I was just a little girl. It’s changed a lot since then, a lot bigger, but your dad and mom would sometimes bring me out to play with the animals. I loved it.”

“I remember,” I said before I could take it back.

Her eyes searched my face. “Oh.” She looked down the front of me, and my stomach muscles tightened. “That’s why you seemed familiar to me. You’d be helping your mom with her chores. I only ever got to sneak a glance at you here and there. Haven’t seen you since. Well, until recently.”

Wrong. I’d seen her around all the time. She’d either have her nose in a book, be practicing her twirls, or she would look my way but not really notice. Her mind was always preoccupied. Just like my life. It was rare I left the ranch when I was younger, and as soon as I turned eighteen and became a firefighter, that was my new life. I ate, slept, and breathed the firehouse. Still did, but these days my devotion was divided with my new reality. Josh came into her life pretty young, and they started to date officially when she’d turned eighteen. He was my age at the time—twenty-two. I’d always made sure I stayed away from her. Not hanging out at any parties she went to or any social gathering. I’d had it bad for her since she was just eleven years old. She never knew. Today was proof of that.

“Yeah, I tend to stay pretty busy with work. Don’t really do a lot of social things,” I told her.

“I’m sure I’ve seen you in town, but it just never clicked until now. I feel really bad.”

“Don’t.” I put my hat back on. “Like I said…I’m not always in the social scenes.”

“All work and no play?” she teased.

“Guess so.”

“Well”—her eyes went heavenward—“I’d better start back for town. I have a class to teach.”

“Let me take you,” I said, ready to go to my truck.

“No, Luke, really, I don’t mind. It helps me clear my head.”

“Are you sure? I will be going into the fire department later anyway.”

“Yeah, I’m sure. Thanks, though.” She got on her bike. “See you around?”

“See you around.”

“And, Luke?”

“Yeah?”

“It’s really nice to see you again.”

“You, too.” I waved and she turned her bike around, heading down the dirt road. I wasn’t ready for her to go, but we both had other obligations.

Before I could change my mind, I called out to her. “Hey, Boots!” The bike stopped and she peered over her shoulder. “Come in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.”

I heard her laugh before she pedaled away, her hair blowing in the wind, and my heart going with her.

Chapter 7

Luke

Last night while my teammates were fast asleep in our little dormitory-style sleeping quarters, I lay awake. Usually this never happened, unless I’d just come back to the station from a difficult rescue that involved horrific outcomes. But it was almost noon and I still had her on my mind.

Neale strolled into the equipment room, whistling.

“If you’re this happy, you’re not doing enough,” I said as I continued wiping down all the equipment. It was the least favorite job by everyone’s account, but it was part of the territory.

“Done with the trucks. Came to bug you.” He propped himself up to sit on the counter while he grabbed a half-deflated football and tossed it back and forth in his hands.

“You’ve succeeded.” This kind of banter was an everyday thing with all us guys. It kept our spirits up.

“I do my best. What do you have planned after your shift?”

I glanced at the clock. “You mean in another twelve hours? Haven’t really thought about it.” I had thought about it, a lot. After I finished a twenty-four-hour shift, like the rest of the firefighters here, I had forty-eight hours off—which I’d spent working at the ranch as of late. The only difference was that Maggie would be a part of it this time.

“Group of us are going to the lake day after next. Kegs, grilling out, maybe some tag football, where we’ll then proceed to sing ‘Kumbaya’ by the fire.”

I laughed and tossed my rag over the leg bench. I walked toward Neale and got in the cupboard for some window cleaner. “Well, if ‘Kumbaya’ is happening…”

“Hey, man,” Neale said, his tone serious. “I know you’re really busy now, and if it helps, I’ll stop by tomorrow morning and help out at that ranch, maybe free up some time for you the next day so you can go.”

I turned away and went to the window, spraying the cloth. “I’ll keep that in mind, but I think for now I’m good.”

“Dude.” I heard him come up next to me. “You trying to kill yourself early like your pops?” I sent him a look and he lifted his hands, palms up. “Sorry. Too soon.”

I started wiping the glass. “Don’t worry about it. But, nah, I have some help now.”

“Well, hell, man. Who? One of the guys here? Because, if so, that’s awesome.”

I didn’t want to say anything, but Neale had a habit of dropping by. Better to tell him what his meddling had done.

“Maggie,” I said as I walked away to the recreation room where we kept our fridge. A few of the guys were eating their lunch. “Hey guys.” I opened the door and took out a bottled water. Neale was right back beside me.

“Maggie? The hot blonde that you said you’d keep at a distance, which I now know to be your ex-best-friend’s girl—the one you locked lips with? That Maggie?”

“Yep,” I said, and chugged the water before tossing it in the trash behind me. After grabbing a slice of pizza, I tossed it on a paper plate and went to the table. Neale, of course, followed. “Neale, relax. She needed a job. I wouldn’t have hired her if she didn’t, but she came all the way out on her bike wanting the position—the one you’d advertised.” I took a bite of pizza and glanced up to find Neale grinning at me.

“How’d you know?”

“Who else would interfere in my life?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Your mom’s pretty chill. Well, sorry, man. I was doing it for a guy to help you out, not a woman. You can always say no.”

“She needed a job. I had no other choice.”

He scoffed. “If that’s what you want to tell yourself.”

“Neale,” I warned. He knew not to press. He knew everything. In fact, the whole reason he was hired was to replace Josh. Our friendship quickly grew, and on one of my many nights of heavy drinking, I spilled my guts.

“Hey, man, who’s arguing? Not me. I’m proud of ya. It’s about time you got over your stupid demented theories and went after the girl you’ve been crushing over since you were little.”

“That’s not what this is, so don’t make it out to be, alright?”

“Alright. I’m done. I’ll leave now before this turns into us swapping stories of our childhood crushes.”

“Good,” I said as he stood. “I don’t want to hear anything else about it.”

“Sure thing, lover boy. I have a feeling, though, that you’ll be thanking me later.” He winked and left the room. A couple of the guys at the table looked at me.

“Don’t ask.”

***

I awoke earlier in the day to get a good start on the animals and clean up around the house a little before Maggie stopped by at three. Since I got off work at midnight, I thought about going back to the apartment where I could stop by her room and offer to take her in, but I remembered she had her class this morning.

She was due any minute and so I wanted to make sure the horses were safely locked in their stalls. They needed to be fixed. The wood was starting to rot.

I’d add it to my never-ending list.

The door was left slightly ajar when I checked on them last night so I just walked in. When I saw Maggie already in there, petting Penelope and talking to Cowboy, I stopped in my tracks and watched her with them. The horses were drawn to her, and she to them.

She’d listened to my request. She had on a pair of jeans, work boots, a flannel shirt, and her hair was loosely in a ponytail at the top of her head. She glanced around as if sensing I was there.

“Luke, hey.” There was that smile I’d been wanting.

I walked up to her. “You’re here a little early.”

“Yeah, I got done teaching my class, went over to check on Marybeth, and decided to just come a little early. I haven’t been here long, I promise. Maybe since around two forty-five.”

“It’s not a problem. You could have come inside, though. You didn’t have to stay out here with these rascals.” I patted Penelope on the side of her neck and she nuzzled my arm.

“Oh, I know. Just wanted to say hi to them.” Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink and she looked away.

“Well, are you ready to get started?”

She shifted, facing me. “Yes, I’m actually really excited.”

Her eagerness to learn astounded me. “Alright, we’ll start with the basics. You already know where I keep all the food.”

She nodded. “So what will I be doing?”

“A little bit of everything, but spring is calving season. So you’ll help with the daily feeding and caretaking when they are born, help clean them up. We’ll eventually wean them from their mothers and move them from pasture to pasture.”

“So why do we need to feed the cattle if they have grass?”

I looked at her while we continued toward the cattle. “The grass isn’t quite green enough yet for them to graze. So we’ll have to feed them every day until then, but I already did that earlier.”

“You did? What time did you start?”

I laughed. “Early.” We got to the gate and I stepped on the metal bar and leapt over. Maggie’s eyes went wide and darted to every single one of the cattle.

“We’re going inside?”

I rested my arms on the fence. “Yes, are you okay with that? You’ll be with me.”

“Oh, okay.” She sounded unsure, the eagerness from earlier not so prominent.

“Ready?”

She bit her lip then nodded. “Yes.” She was determined.

“Alright, Boots. Hop on.”

Maggie braced her hands at the top of the fence while stepping on the bottom bar. She lifted her leg and started to climb over. I kept my hands up, ready in case her landing wasn’t successful. With as much ease as she could manage, her feet hit the dirt, and a grin formed.

“Not bad,” she said, pretending to dust off her hands.

I smiled thinking about the view I had, while having the same thought. “I think I might have a true ranch hand after all.”

“Let’s not go that far.” She looked behind me and I turned to face the cattle. It wouldn’t be long before they’d give birth. More cattle meant more work, and I wondered if she could handle it.

“I already have the hay chopped and bagged over there,” I said, pointing along the fence on the outside, “along with pelleted grain.” I looked back at her. “So, in case you wondered, no, you do not come in here to feed them.”

“Is this for all the cattle?”

“The hay, yes, since they aren’t able to graze a lot yet. But mainly this and the grains are for these ladies here. They need a lot more nutrients and energy for their growing calf. And since the average cow needs between twenty and thirty pounds of hay per day, it can get a little much.”

“Wow, that does sound like a lot. So why are we in here, exactly?”

“Just checking to make sure they are doing well. They can go into labor any time now.” I started walking, but didn’t hear any movement behind me. I looked over my shoulder and found her rooted in the same spot. She looked scared. Her wide eyes flashed to mine.

“Are they going to be mean? Since they’re pregnant?”

“Nah, cows are pretty tame. They can be skittish if not used to people, but these ones are fine.”

“Okay.” I watched her tiptoe around all the piles of excrement. She looked up, bashful.

She was beautiful.

“Maggie, never come in here alone, okay?” It was a dumb thing to tell her, given how uncomfortable she was, but I had to make sure she knew the rules. Her getting hurt on my land was not something I wanted—her getting hurt at all was not something I wanted.

She half smiled. “I’ll try to resist.”

I didn’t remember her ever joking. Then again, I’d never really got the chance to be around her like this before.

We approached the cows and I looked them over, making sure they were handling themselves well. They were a little sluggish, but that was to be expected at this point in their pregnancy. Maggie stayed off to the side as I continued my inspection. I was stalling in asking her to Neale’s party tomorrow. Despite my talk to myself earlier, I wanted her to come.

***

Maggie

Luke led a busy life—a demanding one. I watched him with the cows. He looked them over with precision. He was focused, but he still took the time to talk to me and fill me in on what he was doing. I could see he was tired, but the strength he possessed was too strong for him to give in.

“How often do you work, Luke?” I asked as we started toward the gate.

“Here?” He hopped back over the fence and I did the same.

“Here and at the fire station.”

He was silent for a little while as we walked through the pasture. I wasn’t sure where we were going next, but was content to just be near him. Several times throughout the afternoon I caught myself staring at his naked chest. Guilt tugged at my conscience.

“Well, the ranch is an everyday thing. No sick days,” he said, looking my way and smiling. “The fire station…long hours, but I get a couple days off in between.”

“That sounds like a lot.” That sounded like torture. And the fact that he had to train me on his days off somehow didn’t make me feel good.

“It’s life. Come. I’ll show you the rest of the chores, and then, if you’re lucky, I’ll take you to meet Cheyenne.”

I wasn’t sure if Cheyenne was an animal or a person, but all I knew was that I was having a good time. And it felt good.

He took me to see the goats, pigs, and then the ducks. He told me they would also be ready to start hatching their eggs soon, and I couldn’t wait.

“So what do you think?” Luke asked, wiping at his forehead as we walked back toward the house. “This for you?”

I stared out at the land. The sun was starting to set behind the budded trees. It was peaceful here. “Well, I always have loved it here, and the work seems simple enough.”

“You’ll probably be sore for a little while.”

“Maybe.” I did a lot of stretching at home and when I taught dance, so muscles were always being worked, but my upper body was another thing. “I didn’t keep you from doing other things, did I?” I knew there were other chores he probably should have been doing, but instead had chosen to stay.

“Nothing that can’t be done later. Here she is,” he said, causing me to look ahead where a black truck sat off to the side of the house. It was parked next to the fence under a big tree. “This here is Cheyenne. She’s a seventy-eight Chevy.”

I laughed. “Very nice.” It was a nice truck. I didn’t know a lot about vehicles of any sort, but I could tell he kept it in good shape. Of course, men usually did.

“I told you she’d like you,” he said as he pretended to lean in and whisper to the truck. Then he straightened and walked around to the other side and opened the door. “Well, you’re in luck. She likes you, too. So much so, she’s okay taking you home.”

I came around the front where he was leaning on the door, waiting for an answer. “You name everything?”

“Yes. Now hop in, Boots.” He stepped aside and I got in with a little added help from him. It felt strange being touched by another man, even if it were innocent.

I sat back and watched him as he rounded the front of the truck. Who really was this Luke Easton? Did he have a girlfriend? And why did I feel so comfortable with him?

He got in, reached in the back for a shirt, and pulled it over his head. Then he put the truck in gear. “I’ll pull up by your bike and put it in the back.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s not a problem.”

After he stopped to retrieve my bike, setting it in the bed of the truck, we started for town. I absolutely loved the drive on the way there, how it was surrounded by colorful trees and an open sky. He had his own beautiful oasis out here. But as we drew near our apartment building, I could see something was on his mind. He grew quiet and his smile drew into a frown.

I found myself watching his hands as he shifted gears. Then my gaze traveled up to his tanned forearms that were lightly dusted with fine golden hairs. Realizing I was staring once again, I whipped my head to look out my window, forcing myself to instead focus on the streets of Magnolia Springs.

We pulled up to our building, and I opened my door, but Luke made no attempt to move.

“Well,” I said when he continued to say nothing. “Thanks for the ride.” With one foot out the door, I went to hop out, but he stopped me.

“Maggie.”

“Yeah?”

He took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. “There’s a group of us going to the lake tomorrow. I thought since you were just back in town, maybe you’d want to go do something.”

“Oh, um…” Was he asking me out? No, we didn’t really know each other.

“Think about it,” he said, finally looking at me.

“Yeah, I’ll think about it. I can’t make any promises because I work at Marybeth’s tomorrow, but…”

Luke draped an arm around the headrest of the passenger seat. “When is she shutting down?”

“Soon. I think at the end of next week.”

“Someone’s already interested in the diner, I take it?”

“Yeah, from what she said. It won’t be the same.” And that was the truth. Marybeth’s had been around forever and her food could outshine Paula Dean’s.

“No, it won’t.”

We stared at one another.

“Well, I better let you go.”

“Here, let me get your bike.” He opened his door and came around to the back of the truck, pulling down the tailgate. He reached in and grabbed the bike with one hand.

“Thanks,” I said when he placed the bike in front of me. I grabbed it by the handles.

Luke took a deep breath and smiled. “Okay, well, it’s tomorrow at three. You should come.”

I nodded, but didn’t answer yes or no. The lake on a weekend was sure to have a big crowd, and I didn’t feel ready to get back out there. I stepped back, away from the curb as Luke slammed the tailgate shut and went around the truck. He waved before getting in and took off. I waved back and stood with my bike, watching him drive over to the fire station.

I couldn’t go tomorrow. I’d be telling the town I was okay with Josh’s death, when I wasn’t. I’d never be okay. And I couldn’t hurt Luke by giving him the wrong idea.

Mind made up, I leaned my bike against the side of the building and headed inside.

Chapter 8

Maggie

“Two crab burgers, fries, and one country-fried steak with extra gravy,” I said as I slammed the order ticket on the counter, piercing it on the metal rod. It was almost one in the afternoon and I thought I’d pass out from exhaustion.

“Thanks, Maggie,” Donte, our cook, said as I went to check on drinks. More customers walked in, taking the last of the seats available. With the knowledge of a new takeover in the works, and one week to go, everyone wanted to get another meal in in case it was their last. Which only made more work for me, but I couldn’t complain. The tips were pouring in and Marybeth would get the send-off she deserved.

I was sweating as I went to the back to use the restroom. I needed a minute to regroup. Turning the tap on cold, I leaned over the sink and splashed my face. The cool water felt good on my heated skin. Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes and braced my hands on the counter, looking into the mirror.

I look like a complete mess.

My hair was coming out of its bun so I quickly redid it and stepped out. Three jobs were getting to me, but soon it would only be two. 

I pushed through the swinging door, and Donte yelled, “Order’s up.”

“I got it,” I said as I went to grab the plates.

Donte hurried over. “Hey, you okay?” His face was etched with worry. I smiled at him and my shoulders relaxed. Donte was an Italian sweetheart to ladies over forty-five and like an uncle to me. I respected him and he always had my back.

“Yeah, just tired.”

“Maybe you should go do something fun later and take a load off. You’re always working.”

I smiled. “Pot calling the kettle black.”

“Someone had to keep this place running as long as it possibly could.” He winked. “It wasn’t all Marybeth.” He was right. While Marybeth was the owner and also a cook, she relied on him to cook and help with the accounts. They were a team.

“Don’t let her hear you say that,” I teased.

“Someone’s asking for you,” Marybeth said as she deposited empty glasses on the window ledge. She turned to me with an arched brow and a knowing smile.

I frowned. “Me?”

“Her?” Donte asked at the same time.

I shot him a look. “Why is it such a surprise that someone would be asking for me?”

“Because you’re a recluse. To have someone asking about you, they need to know you exist. And since you never do anything, it seems unlikely they would.”

I gaped at him and reached through the window to lightly tap him on the shoulder. “Donte!”

He shrugged, bringing both palms up. “Hey, I only speak the truth.”

“Get back to cookin’, Donte,” Marybeth said with a laugh. “Men. Now, why is Luke asking for you?” There it was, that glimmer in her eye she always got when she was about to discover something juicy. I needed to stop this before it got out of hand.

I grabbed the plates off the counter, balancing one in the crook of my arm and two in my hands. “Probably just asking about the lake later.”

Before she could say anything, I turned around and took the food to its waiting table.

“Enjoy,” I told Paul and Ruby.

Marybeth came up beside me. “Darlin’, that’s great news. Are you going?”

I smiled at Dennis and Randy, who came in every day to eat lunch before going back work, before I went to the kitchen. Grabbing the empty ketchup bottles, I sat them on the counter and started to fill them.

“I can’t go. I’ve got a lot to do,” I said as she followed me in, her hand on her hip.

“Can’t go where?” Donte asked.

I smiled and rolled my eyes. He was a nosy little thing, but I loved him. “Nowhere.”

Marybeth waved a hand. “Pishposh. This girl has been asked to go to the lake later and she isn’t going.”

“By who?” Donte asked, holding a greasy spatula in the air.

Marybeth came closer and leaned in as if it were a secret. Though it kind of was, and here she was telling Donte. “Luke Easton. The hot fireman every girl from here to Chattanooga wants to settle down with—the one that kissed her.”

“The blond?” Donte asked.

“Yes, that one,” Marybeth said.

“Yeah, you should say yes,” Donte said as he went to flip burgers on the grill.

“Guys, thank you for your concern, but I’m not interested.” Marybeth scoffed, but I continued. “Besides, he’s only asking to welcome me back. Everyone is going. It’s not a date.”

“Would you listen to her, Donte?”

“I’m listening.” Donte walked up to me, his spatula pointed at my face. “You need to go. Go have fun. Be young and free.”

“Oh, speakin’ of the handsome devil.” Marybeth started for the kitchen window when I saw Luke standing, looking in. “Hey there, sugar pie. You get enough to eat, son?”

Luke’s smile was packed with charm, though I could still see the slight rings under his eyes. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.” He looked up at me. “You have a minute?”

“I—”

“She most certainly does,” Marybeth drawled. “Now, you don’t want us listening to your conversation, so—”

Luke intervened. “It’s nothing, just—”

Marybeth waved a hand. “No, no, no. It’s alright. You two go to the back here. Just through this door. Come on, Luke.”

Luke sent me an apologetic look before rounding the corner and coming into the kitchen. Marybeth never invited anyone in her kitchen unless they worked there, and I thought Luke knew that, which made it even more awkward.

“Back here,” I said, waving him over. It was better to take him back in the room than to have him standing in the middle of the kitchen, uncomfortable.

The room was small and only used to stock food and do some paperwork for the business. It wasn’t used for congregating, even though it was only two people.

“That Marybeth is somethin’,” Luke said, taking off his hat. He ran his fingers through his hair to tame it down, but didn’t put his hat back on. I looked him over. I was womanly enough to admit that he looked good in his fireman’s uniform. It was casual but sexy with his dark cotton pants, light gray shirt, and red suspenders.

“Yeah, sorry about that.” I bit my lip, not sure what else to say, and looked around the cramped room. Was it always this cluttered?

“So I realized I probably put you on the spot yesterday about going to the lake. I know you’re busy and still…you know. But if you do go, we’d all love to have you.”

My heart warred with my head, something it did often. I didn’t want to say no when Luke was so kind. What would be the harm in having some fun?

“It’s not that I don’t want to go—”

“She’ll go!” Luke and I both faced the door where Marybeth could be heard through the crack. “I’ll take her.”

Luke opened the door. “Only if Maggie wants to go.” He turned to me. “I’ll be there at three. If I see you, great. If not, that’s okay, too.”

He walked past Marybeth, and she quickly came in the room and shut the door. I stepped back to offer her more room when she took my hand.

“I know this isn’t my place, but you should go. It doesn’t have to be for Luke. It can be for you. You’re such a beautiful woman,” she said, reaching out to place her hands on my shoulders. “Live again. It’s what Josh would want.”

My eyes stung with tears. “It’s so hard. I don’t want to let him go.”

“No, never.” She wrapped me in her arms and I rested my head on her chest, needing to be held. “Josh will always be with you as long as you remember him. He was good for you in the time you had each other. No one is denying that, but you have to move on for you. Okay?”

I stepped away and wiped my nose with the back of my hand, nodding.

“Is that a yes? You’ll go?”

“I’ll go.”

“Oh!” Marybeth clasped her hands together as if thanking the stars. “I just knew this week was going to have something good come from it. I told everyone it would.”

“But I don’t get off until four today.”

“I’ll call in Trina. She’s always lookin’ for extra hours. Don’t you worry about a thing. Go home and get ready. I’ll be by to pick you up.”

Throwing caution to the wind, I thanked her and went home. To say I was nervous was an understatement. After I finally got my lock to cooperate, I rushed in and went straight to my closet to browse through all my clothes. I quickly realized nothing was in there that I’d wear to a lake, so I searched my dresser. It was hot out and I needed something light and airy.

After minutes of debating, I went with a light pair of cutoff jean shorts that were high waisted. They fit nice and snug, and I paired them with a white cotton sleeveless V-neck. I couldn’t believe I was doing this, and that I was excited. I wasn’t even aware I was smiling until I turned and caught a glimpse of Josh’s things sitting in a box on my dresser. With slow steps, I walked over to the box and grabbed Josh’s shirt, smelling his faint scent.

My heart ached. How did people move on after such a loss? They did it all the time. And here I was holding on to a dream.

Marybeth was right, and so was Josh’s mother. I had to keep going. The world wouldn’t stop for me.

Smelling his shirt one last time, I neatly folded it and placed it back in the box. I knelt and shoved my shoes to the side on my closet floor, making room as I sat the box down. It was a start, and I knew if I needed to, I could always come back to it.  

I checked the clock. Marybeth would be there soon. Last minute, I decided to wear my bathing suit underneath my clothes before I rushed from the room, grabbed my white Converses, sunglasses, beach hat, and my bag with various things I’d need for later.

***  

Luke

The grill was on, slabbed with burgers and hot dogs. Everyone looked like they were there, minus Neale who was on his way with the kegs. I went and picked up a few packs of beer to hold some of us over until it arrived, along with some soda and iced tea I brought from home.

While the food was going, I grabbed my towel and wiped at my forehead. It was hot today and I was thankful for the pavilions. But that sun didn’t bother me. I was always out in it.

A group of people were already hitting the volleyball court, which reminded me that Neale was also supposed to bring a football and flags for later.

I took a healthy sip of my beer when I saw her. She was over by the dock, searching the area. Looking for me?

Damn, I was screwed. Did she know how she looked in those shorts and shirt? You’d never know she had curves like that. She was always so modest. Then again, summer clothes for women were almost always a bittersweet thing for a man. Especially when the man needed to keep his eyes forward.

“Dale, would you watch these? I have to meet someone.”

“Sure thing, bro,” Dale, one of my firefighter buddies said, grabbing the spatula from me.

I jogged over, but stopped when I saw Neale and a few of the guys bringing in more stuff. Ernie was with them, and I didn’t miss the lingering stare.

“Hey, man. Meat going?” Neale asked, setting the keg down at his feet.

“Yeah, I’ll be back in a minute.”

“You have stuff to get? I can set this down with the food and come back to help you.”

“Nah, it’s not that,” I said, bringing my hand to rest at the back of my neck. Neale frowned and looked over where my attention was directed.

“Holy shit, man. Those hips…”

“Watch it,” I warned him.

He lifted his hands. “I’m a guy no matter what, dude. It’s my job to notice. You better get to her before some other punk does.”

I pretended to punch him in the arm before jogging over to her. Her hair was extra wavy and was bright in the sun.

“Maggie,” I yelled and she turned to face me, her hand over her eyes despite the fact she was wearing sunglasses.

“Hey,” she said with a shy smile. I noted that she was carrying a bag and offered to take it for her. “Thanks.”

“I’m over there with the food if you want to walk with me.”

“Okay.” We started our way over and I knew she could see what I was seeing. Several eyes were on us. I looked over my shoulder at her, giving her an encouraging smile. She smiled back, but if she weren’t wearing sunglasses, I’d know it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Is here okay?” I took her to the nearest tree by the pavilion, where I could selfishly keep an eye on her. Since she was there, and I asked her to come, I felt somehow responsible, and a little protective.

“Yes, thank you.” Once I put her bag down, I relieved Dale from the grill.

“Can I get you something to drink? We have beer, soda, juice, I think, and some sweet tea.”

“Tea sounds good. I’ll get it, though.” She hopped up off the ground where she’d laid a pink towel down and came over by the drinks. “Cups?”

“Down here sitting on the bench. Sorry, I don’t know why they aren’t out on the table. Sounds like Neale had something to do with that.” That got her to smile a genuine smile and I found myself relaxing. I wanted her to have fun today.

She surprised me when she sat on the bench where I was grilling. “Do you need any help?”

“Nah, almost done, then we can eat and do whatever.” Do whatever?

“Sounds good. I’m starving.”

“How’re those muscles of yours today?”

She took a sip of iced tea. “A little sore. Nothing too bad.”

“I imagine the type of dance you do has something to do with that.” Jesus. It was hard to talk normal around her sometimes—especially when she looked like that.

“Ms. Warner!” Amy, in a frilly pink and yellow bathing suit, ran up to Maggie.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Maggie said before she hopped off the bench and grabbed Amy in her arms.

“Can you go swim with me? No one else wants to. They’re playing in the sand. They don’t like water.”

“Aw.” Maggie held the little girl close, gently running a soothing hand over her back. “Of course.” She glanced at me as if asking permission. I waved her away, gesturing toward the lake with my spatula. “Sorry,” she whispered.

“Go have fun.”

“I need to get out of these clothes, Amy, so wait here a minute, okay?”

“Okay, Ms. Warner.”

Maggie glanced at me once more before going to her bag. Amy climbed on the bench and sat on top of the table, staring at me. I didn’t mind kids. In fact, I loved them, but the way Amy was looking at me had me wondering what was on her mind. Did kids pick up on attraction?

“Do you remember me? Ms. Warner is my teacher,” Amy said as I chopped onions.

“Of course, I remember you.”

“Good. Because I remember you. You took me in the firetruck. Ms. Warner teaches me stretches and twirlies. I like the twirlies the bestest. But she does it better than me.”

This girl was full of energy. “I’ll bet by the end of the class you’ll be a pro.”

I shouldn’t have glanced over. Maggie had already taken off her shorts and was midway pulling her shirt off. She had on some dark red crocheted bikini underneath that looked too good with her recent tan.

“Kick me in the balls.” I quickly turned to see Neale holding a football and gawking at Maggie.

“Neale.” I nodded toward Amy and his eyes widened.

“Sorry. Talking about…this,” he said, lifting the football in his hands. Amy only blinked.

“Smooth,” I told him.

“Hey, how was I supposed to know?” Neale started messing with the hamburger buns.

“You ready, Amy?” Maggie put some white robe-looking thing around her, clutching it tight. I didn’t know whether to be happy about that or disappointed.

“Yes!” Amy quickly came off the table and reached for Maggie’s hand, and the two of them started walking to the lake. Eventually the cover-up was tossed aside, while they both splashed around in the water. I envisioned her and I in there together, her legs wrapped around my waist and me kissing her neck…

“You are so screwed,” Neale said.

Yeah, I know I am.

I laughed and pushed him. “Food ready?”

He turned the music up louder. “Not too much longer. Then we can eat and start having some fun.”

I glanced back at Maggie and saw that Ernie had joined her and Amy. My spirits fell.

Chapter 9

Maggie

The water was perfect. How long had it been since I went swimming? Too long.

Ernie had just left after asking me out. It came out of nowhere, and I was surprised he’d done so.

Amy started rubbing at her eyes.

“You tired, honey?”

She nodded. “Yeah.”

I laughed and picked her up in my arms, and she laid her head on my shoulder. She was done. I grabbed her towel and draped it over her as I took her to her grandparents. They were already starting to pack up.

“Leaving?” I asked.

“Yes, dear. We’re both beat. And it looks like this one is, too. Thanks for playing with her.” Gus was a sweet guy, but he’d aged so much in the last year.

“Not a problem. I had fun. See you tomorrow?” I asked Amy.

She only nodded again and I passed her over to Gus and waved goodbye to Marie.

After grabbing my cover-up, I made my way toward the pavilion where others were gathered making their plates. Luke was digging some water bottles out of the cooler when he spotted me. I smiled and he smiled back.

What bothered me was knowing that I could like this guy. But I didn’t think I could go through another heartbreak, and by the same fate.

“No way, is that you, Maggie?” At the sound of her high-pitched squeal, I turned and gave a tight smile to Caroline.

“It’s me.”

Caroline was wearing a big floppy hat, huge sunglasses, and a multicolored wrap to keep her white skin from burning. I suddenly felt underdressed and thought about putting my cover-up back on, but the breeze felt too nice.

She looked me up and down. “Just as lovely as ever. I bet the guys are lovin’ you,” she said lowering her voice along with her sunglasses to peek at me over the rims. I knew coming here was a bad idea. Everyone expected me to move on like nothing had happened…and I simply wasn’t ready. “Luke seems to.”

“No, don’t be silly. He only invited me to get me out and around everyone again. He’s being nice.”

“If you say so…though he hasn’t been back that much longer either.” She cocked her head to the side in thought. “Come to think of it, I think he left right around the time you did. Shortly before, actually.”

For once, Caroline had something to say that I was curious about. Luke said he’d recently moved into my apartment building. I’d just assumed it was to be closer to the fire station. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. Everyone was confused. He just…well, like you, up and left. Except he went to Texas from what I hear.” That was odd. Maybe he had another job opportunity. “Poor thing.” When she looked at him, I did the same. “If it weren’t for his daddy dying, I don’t think he would’ve come back.”

“Maybe he wanted to try the city,” I said.

“Luke? In the city? He’s always been a country boy. No, it’s something else. The man never stops working.”

She was right about that. But what she’d told me made me wonder if something happened to make Luke leave in the first place. Maybe a woman?

I was about to excuse myself when I felt a soft, warm touch on the back of my arm. “I made a plate for you,” Luke said. “Hey, Caroline.”

Caroline’s eyes went wide and her jaw dropped before Luke steered me around.

“Thank you,” I said.

“I figured she’d be up to something. She’s not called Crazy Caroline for nothing.”

“That’s what everyone calls her?” I shot my gaze to his and saw him trying to hold back a smile. “That wasn’t very nice, you know?”

He winked. “I know. Here, I didn’t know what you’d like so I grabbed you everything.” And grab me everything he had. A cheeseburger, hot dog, potato salad, baked beans with bacon…there was no way I would be able to eat even half of it. “There’s a seat over there by me.” He pointed to the back bench where several of the guys in his firefighting team were. “Or you can sit wherever.”

His face turned serious and I wondered if he was nervous. The thought that it could be because of me made me blush. “That’s fine. Thank you. You really didn’t have to make me a plate.”

He shot me a sideways glance. “My mom would kill me if I didn’t treat a lady this way.”

I laughed as we both walked toward the bench. “How is your mom?”

Luke waited for me to climb in before he did. “She’s okay. I wanted her to come, but she has bad knees. Said they were acting up, so…” He shrugged, acting like it didn’t bother him, but I could tell it did. It hit me even more that he was probably always alone after he left the fire station. Aside from doing this type of thing on occasion, he seemed to stick to himself.

“Do you get to see her much?” I took a bite of my hot dog and moaned at how good it tasted. I was starving. I peeked up and found Luke staring at me. Embarrassed, I brought a hand to cover my mouth and mumbled, “Sorry.”

He shook his head. “Don’t be. Glad you like it. Uh, anyway, no…unfortunately, I don’t get to see her as much as I’d like. Too busy.”

Caroline’s words came to mind.

“Why did she move from the ranch? The home is beautiful.”

“I didn’t want her in that place. It needs too many updates. Plus, she didn’t like the reminder of my father.”

When he took a bite of his burger, I placed my hand on his forearm and rhythmically stroked my thumb in hopes of providing comfort. He looked down at where my hand lay, and I immediately removed it.

“She gave it all to me,” he continued as if nothing had happened, “and I promised to fix it up and take care of everything.”

“How? You’re so busy now.”

He shrugged. “Any spare time I get.”

“You’re a hard worker, aren’t you, Luke?” It wasn’t really a question. Luke stared into my eyes.

“I need it.” His words held all sorts of meaning, but what, I wasn’t sure.

A few of the guys yelled Luke’s name, wanting him to confirm some story about how Ms. Thompson always tapped them on their butts when she saw them. It made me laugh knowing she’d do something like that. Luke mentioned she’d done it several times to him.

His leg would occasionally touch mine, making me stiffen. Each time, I’d look up at him, and nothing would register on his face that he was even aware. So, if it wasn’t a concern to him, it wasn’t a concern to me. By the end of our meal, we’d completely relaxed our knees next to each other.

“Bro, you, me, and the guys. Flag football. What do you say?” Neale tossed the ball back and forth between both hands.

Luke looked at me as if asking for my permission. I lifted a hand and laughed. “Go right ahead. I’ll be fine.”

“You sure?” Luke asked.

“I’m sure.”

“Hey, if you want to join in a game afterward, we’d love to have ya,” Neale said. “But us boys, I must warn you, can get a little rough.”

Me playing flag football with a bunch of big men? I wouldn’t stand a chance. “Maybe some other time.”

“Suit yourself. Come on, guys.” As Neale took off, the rest of the crew behind him, Luke turned to me.

“It won’t take long, I promise.”

“Hey, I’ll be fine. I brought a book, so I’ll lie out. Get a tan.”

He smiled. “Okay. Be back soon. Have some fun. Wear sunscreen.”

“Yes, sir.”

I watched him run toward the guys, a grin spreading on my face. He was so excited to play and it made me happy knowing he was doing something that didn’t involve work. Why it made me happy gave me pause.

As the sun beat down on my back, pleasantly warming my bones, I found myself peeking over the top of my book at Luke. He was an expert at retrieving the ball and weaving himself through the other guys. I’d laugh at every touchdown when he’d celebrate his victory by hollering and bumping chests.

People didn’t act this carefree in the city. And, boy, I’d missed it.  

It was starting to get dark out. Luke raised a finger to me, indicating he had one more game to play. The beat of a Luke Bryan song played through the radio, and I got up, grabbed a bottled water from the cooler, and walked along the lake. In the city, I didn’t get to do any of this. My life consisted of work, sleeping, and trying to forget. The anniversary of Josh’s death was fast approaching, and I wasn’t sure how I would handle it.

“Hey,” Luke said, coming up from behind me. Even with the sun down, I could tell he’d got a nice tan.

“Hey. That was some pretty impressive wins you had there.”

He raised a brow. “So you were watching?”

I playfully rolled my eyes and he laughed.

“Sorry we took so long.” He stepped in alongside me.

“You looked like you could have used the fun. And I didn’t mind. I was reading a good book.”

Luke put his hands in the pockets of his shorts. “Oh yeah? What was it about?”

The wind blew a soft breeze, cooling my heated skin. I grabbed my hair, bringing it around to one side of my neck, and crossed my arms. “Hope. And a woman’s journey to find true happiness.”

When Luke didn’t say anything, I glanced over at him. His gaze was out to the dwindling crowd. I watched with him as families started to pack their things and round up their children.

“Thank you for inviting me. I had a really great time.”

“Me, too. I’m glad you came.”

A yawn escaped me, and I held my hand to my mouth. “I’m so sorry.”

“Are you tired? I can take you home. Marybeth isn’t here anyway.”

Marybeth. I’d forgotten about her. “Oh, jeez,” I said, dropping my hands to my sides. “I guess you’re right.”

“I just have to help pack up, and then we can take off. Alright?”

Within fifteen minutes Luke had everything taken down and packed. I’d offered to help, but he told me to wait in his truck, where I sat listening to the soft melodies playing in the background.

***

Luke

I couldn’t pack up fast enough. Maggie was waiting, and I could tell she was tired and probably wanted to get home.

“That should do it, man,” I told Neale and thanked a couple of the other guys as I headed to my truck. I put some leftovers and the cooler in the back and came to the front. I was about to open my door when I saw her fast asleep, her legs curled beneath her.

She looked good in my truck. At home.

With careful movements, I got in and started the engine. Maggie didn’t budge. I tried to search my memory about whether she’d put any sunscreen on. I didn’t think she had, and if not, she was going to be sore in the morning.

I pressed lightly on the gas, driving in the yard around the pavilion to get back on the road. There was a lot going through my mind, like how good and natural it felt having her by my side, and how wrong it was to feel the way I did. I didn’t deserve her. Heck, I didn’t even deserve to be alive.

She softly moaned, her body leaning toward me until she was resting against my shoulder. For a moment, I was stunned. But when I felt her shiver, I didn’t even think twice as I brought my arm around her. She snuggled into me and my chest tightened. It was a good thing she threw that cover-up back on over her bikini. Having to touch her soft skin while she was holding onto me this close would have been torture.

But I couldn’t have her…no matter what Josh made me promise.

I flipped on my brights as we traveled down the dirt lane to my ranch. I didn’t have the heart to wake her, which was what I would’ve had to have done if I took her back to her place. My doors were always left unlocked.

Driving around the side of the house, under the big magnolia tree, I parked and killed the engine. I was careful as I opened my door and got out. I slid her over the leather seats and into my arms. She mumbled, making me still. When I was sure she was still fast asleep, I took her inside. I’d worry about closing my car door later when I went to gather my things.

With her safely in my arms, I held her tight against my chest as I carried her up the stairs. With every step, the old boards creaked. Damn this old house.

Down the hall past the bathroom was a guest bedroom. I used my foot to nudge open the door and walked her to the bed. I didn’t want to put her down. She felt good in my arms. I couldn’t help myself. I leaned forward and kissed her forehead, inhaling her perfume—it reminded me of cherries and honeysuckle, sweet like her.

The corners of her mouth lifted into a smile. “Josh…”

I took a sobering breath at the sound of her voice and my body lost its heat. I felt ice cold. Laying her down on top of the quilt, I went to the closet, grabbed another quilt off the shelf, and draped it over her.

“Good night, Magnolia,” I whispered.

After unpacking my truck and putting all the food away, I took a cold shower to try and clear my head, but it did little to tame my unease. I hated having to keep secrets, and one this big was eating me alive. I had to tell her, but how? There was never a good time to shatter someone’s heart…especially when it was someone you’d loved your whole life.

Wrapping the towel around my waist, I crossed the hall, making sure her door was still shut, and went to my room. I sat down, staring at the wooden piece of furniture like it would bite me. If there was a perfect time to lose myself in alcohol, it’d be now. But for the past several months I’d made one my limit, and I’d already had one at the lake.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, and ran my hands through my damp hair. Not wanting to put it off any longer, I quickly opened the drawer and retrieved the letter. I removed it from the envelope and scanned the words, already knowing what it said.

“Damn it, Josh. You just had to make this so much harder, didn’t you?” Frustrated, I tossed the note back in the drawer and slammed it shut. Reaching over, I turned off my lamp, and fell into a fitful sleep.

Chapter 10

Maggie

My eyes fluttered open and tried to adjust to the dark. I knew it was still early and that the sun wasn’t even close to rising for the morning. So why did I feel rested?

I took note of the bed. It was a lot more comfortable than my futon. Is that a cow mooing in the background? I jolted upright and looked around, clutching the covers against my chest. With what little light was available to me, it was clear this wasn’t my studio. Instead of brick, there was floral wallpaper. My mind searched for the last thing I could remember. I was waiting in Luke’s truck, and…I must have fallen asleep. This was the farmhouse. He didn’t take me home. Why?

I needed to get him. I had a class to teach today. Not my usual practice to teach on a Sunday, but with the talent show being at the festival, the girls needed to put in extra recitals.

Tossing the covers to the side, my bare feet touched the wooden floor. I wrapped my arms tightly around my waist, feeling slightly chilled. Oh God, I should have changed out of this bathing suit. And to think Luke had to carry me like this. My wrap hardly left anything to the imagination.

I hadn’t any clue as to the exact time, and felt bad for waking him up. He probably didn’t get much sleep. My first step out into the hallway made a loud creaking noise and I scrunched my face. There was a door that was wide open and one that was cracked—I went for that one.

“Luke,” I whispered and listened for any movement. “Luke?”

I bit my lip, deciding what the appropriate thing to do was. It wasn’t in my nature to just go waltzing in a man’s room early in the morning. He could be…indecent. I brought my hands to my face. You can do this, I told myself before pushing his door open.

“Morning.” The voice came from behind me and I jumped, yelling out. When I spun around, I tripped over my feet and stumbled back onto the floor, landing hard on my backside. “Maggie!” Luke reached for me, and I took his hand as he brought me to my feet. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I’m okay. I thought this was your room,” I said awkwardly.

He furrowed his brows. “It is. You need something?”

Did I need something? “I, um…”

“You’re wondering why you’re here and not at your place.”

I nodded.

“I didn’t want to wake you. So I brought you here. Come on, let’s get some ice for that.”

Short and to the point. As we inched closer to the bottom of the stairs and rounded the corner, I could smell something cooking. Was he making breakfast?

“What time do you have to be back?” he asked as he reached into the freezer and took out an ice pack. He handed it to me and I took it, feeling both embarrassed and unsure.

“Um…eight.”

He gestured for me to take the stool at the breakfast bar. It looked like an addition compared to the rest of the furniture.

“Well, it’s a quarter till seven. When you’re done eating, I’ll take you straight back.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, placing a plate of bacon and eggs on the counter in front of me. It smelled amazing.

“I can get Marybeth to come and get me if you can’t, though.”

“You think that’s a good idea?”

I made a face. “Yeah, never mind.”

When he sat down at the bar next to me, I stiffened. “Besides, I have to get to the firehouse. I’m on duty today,” he said, and took a hearty bite of his eggs.

“Okay.”

“That Amy. I can tell she likes you a lot.”

I smiled and wiped my mouth with the paper towel he’d set in front of me. “Do you like kids?”

“I wouldn’t mind having a few running around here someday.”

I couldn’t piece together if he meant his kids or just having kids over on the ranch, so I moved on. “Yes, Amy and I are close. She means a lot to me.”

“I can tell. It’s good she has you.”

I shrugged. “I just want to be there for all my girls.”

“They’re fortunate to have you,” he said. We stared at each other, his gaze eventually resting on my mouth. Did he want to kiss me? Nervous, I took a drink of my orange juice.

We finished our breakfast. He stood and grabbed his plate and offered to take mine. When I handed it to him, he said, “Well, I should probably get you home.”

“Thank you for breakfast. That was really sweet of you.” I tried to locate my Converses I’d worn to the lake, but didn’t see them anywhere.

“My pleasure. If you’re looking for your shoes, they are over there.” He pointed to the back door, and I went over and put them on.

“At least let me help with the dishes before we leave.”

“What’s the point in making a woman breakfast if the man’s just going to turn around and make her do the dishes? Let’s go.”

I laughed and followed him outside to the truck. He opened the door and took my hand to help me in. We made it back with ten minutes to spare. I thanked him for the ride and making me breakfast before going inside, not liking what I felt. I missed him already.

***

Luke

As soon as I walked into the firehouse I was ticked. The trucks were dirty and nothing was in its place.

“Whose turn was it to clean up in here?” I yelled to the group of guys who were throwing a ball back and forth. Greg caught it and slammed into the side of the truck. My blood temperature rose.

“Greg. Office. Now.”

I heard him mutter a few curses and ask what my problem was. The chief wasn’t in his office, which he never usually was—always one to be active and almost never at a desk—so we went in there.

“Close the door,” I told him. He was scowling and looked like he wanted to tell me off, but he turned around and closed it.

I laid my palms on the desk. “Isn’t it your turn to wash the trucks and clean the area?”

He shrugged. “Yeah. So what? I still have until noon.”

Unbelievable. “You’re going to clean inside, as well as outside, both apparatuses and the room in under four hours? All of this should have been done yesterday before the new crew came in.”

“Alright, man. Chill. What’s your problem?”

I came around the desk and stood in front of him. “My problem is that this job you’ve chosen is not for messing around in. You’ve signed up to save lives, and a significant part of that is keeping the equipment up to code. Do you understand my problem now?”

Greg’s nose flared as if he had to rein in his temper. “Got it.”

“Now get out there and do your job. Playtime is over.”

Greg swung the door open and stalked out of the office just as Chief Hickman came in. He frowned when he saw Greg and shot me a curious look. “What’s all that about?”

“I lost it when I saw the trucks weren’t done and neither was the room.”

I heard his chair squeak and looked at him leaning back. His arms were crossed at his chest. “Saw that. Greg’s a flighty guy who doesn’t take much stock in the seriousness of any given situation, let alone his job as a fireman. And I rely on you to help me out with that. Nice to see you are.”

I rested against the wall and ran my hands through my hair.

“What’s eatin’ ya, son?”

“Nothing. I was out of line. It won’t happen again.” I headed for the door.

“Easton.”

My hand touching the doorknob, I looked over my shoulder. “Yeah?”

“Josh’s anniversary is coming up, as you know.” At the mention of Josh’s name, I tensed. “And I think it would be best for you to take some time off.”

I turned and faced him. “Chief, that’s not necessary.”

He shot me a look. “I wasn’t asking.”

“I need to work.”

“Luke, your father passed just a few weeks ago. Now, I know you’ve got the ranch to tend to, and it’s calving season, if I’m not mistaken.”

“I need to be here. The men are counting on me.”

“You saying I can’t run this place?”

“No, I didn’t mean that. Sorry, sir.”

“Listen,” he said as he laid his arms on his desk and leaned against it, “perhaps the best thing for you right now is to just have some time for yourself.”

“Sir, I need to be here. You don’t know—”

He held up a hand. “I know exactly what happened. You got sloshed one night and Josh had to come in and do your job for you. And because he had to come in and do that job, in your place, it was him that died and not you.” I bowed my head, not wanting to look at him. “Let me tell you somethin’. This job, like most other jobs, has its risks. You all know that when you sign up. You were stupid one night, and someone else had to pay the consequences. It sucks, but it happened. And I will not have you overworking yourself on this job because you feel you have something to prove. You hear me, boy?”

One of the many things I respected about Hickman was that he was hard-hitting, but with a velvet hammer. He cared about his team. “Chief.” I searched for the right words. “Being here, and keeping busy, it keeps me levelheaded. And I do owe it to Josh to serve in his place and be what he can’t. This is my lifeline.”

“Get a new lifeline.”

“Sir?”

“Luke, I won’t tell you again. Go home. You want to work? Work on your ranch. Have fun for a week. Meet a girl. We’re done here.”

“You’re telling me I’m not to come back for a full week?”

He started scribbling on some papers. “Yes. This is a small town. You and I both know there’s not a lot that goes on, so we’ll be fine. I’ve got plenty of capable men.”

I stared at him like he’d lost his old mind.

He looked up from his paperwork and raised his brows. “That starts now.”

Without another word, I left his office and went into the break room. Greg was making himself a sandwich, and with the mood I was in, I could have knocked him to the ground for not doing as I asked. But I wasn’t that guy, though sometimes my anger chose to get the better of me.

“Goin’ somewhere?” he asked with a mouthful as I opened my locker for some of my things.

“None of your business.” I shut the door, walked out, and got in my truck, slamming a hand against the steering wheel.

What the hell was I supposed to do for a full week? The chief’s words came to mind, along with Josh’s in his letter. That led me to Maggie. I peered in the rearview mirror at her apartment. Her curtains were open, and I could see a small group of little girls twirling around in pink tutus. I wanted Maggie, but I wasn’t sure how this was going to work. Her fiancé was dead because of me. How could I expect her to be okay with that when I wasn’t?

My cell rang, snapping me from my thoughts. “Yeah?”

“Luke, oh, I’m so glad I caught you.”

“Hey, mom.”

“Hey, honey. Your uncle is throwing a family reunion together on Wednesday. I told him you would likely be at the fire station, but wanted to check with you.”

“Wednesday? An odd day to have a gathering.”

“Yes, but I guess they are getting ready to renovate their home, and so it would be a while before they’d be able to have anyone over.”

“I don’t know, Ma. I’ve got—” Screw it. “Never mind. I’m actually free that day.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear until her screams stopped. I laughed. My mom was always the excitable one of the bunch.

“Well, this is just perfect. When was the last time you and I’ve gotten to do something together with family?”

“A long time, Ma.”

“So will anyone be joining you? Neale, maybe? I know he loves to eat and is a big fan of Lenny’s wings.”

I looked in my review mirror again. Maggie was doing some sort of routine, from what I could tell. Even from there I could tell she was smiling, enjoying herself. “I have someone in mind.”

Chapter 11

Maggie

The girls surprised me. With only a few minor corrections, they were ready for their big day at the festival. I helped them gather their things and saw them off out into the hallway when Luke caught my eye. He was coming out of his apartment.

“Bye, Ms. Warner,” the girls said in unison as their parents toted them off.

I waved at them and waited by the door when Luke started to come my way. He looked like he’d had a rough morning and I wondered why he was there and not across the street.

“You weren’t sent to detention for being late, were you?” he asked.

I laughed. “I wasn’t late, remember? Besides, only one of my students was here waiting when I got in, so I’m safe.”

“Good.”

There was a tightness around the corners of his eyes. “Is everything alright?” I gestured to the two duffel bags at his feet. Was he going away?

“Yeah, I’m just…I’ll be at the ranch all week. The chief said he was giving me time off.”

“The ranch? Did something happen?” I stepped closer to him and crossed my arms, waiting for his reply. His stare lingered on my face.

“No,” he whispered. “All’s well.” There was something in the way he said it that told me everything wasn’t fine. But I didn’t know how to help a man like Luke. He didn’t seem the type to need help from anyone, or ask for it. It made me feel small. “Going to Marybeth’s today?”

“Yeah, you?”

“Nah, I plan on doing some things around the house. Probably be moving there completely within a few days or so.”

“Oh.” I mentally kicked myself for sounding so disappointed. “Well, it makes sense now that the ranch is yours. You don’t need an apartment.”

“No, guess not.” He paused. “Maggie, wou—” He shook his head. “I’ll see you in a couple of days?” he asked as he picked up his bags. He wanted to ask me something else, but then changed his mind. I couldn’t describe the disappointment I felt. It was new.

“Yeah, I’ll be there.”

“Alright.” He winked and walked off. “See ya around.”

I leaned against the doorframe and watched him leave. I didn’t want to like him and still found it hard to accept. But I’d been sad for so long, and Luke was the only thing that seemed to make me forget, even if only for a few seconds.

***

“…so then I said, you aren’t hurting me none,” Larry said, finishing a story about him and some woman who’d recently left him. I filled all four men’s coffee mugs and waited for the laughter to die down before asking if they needed anything else. “What’s new with you, Magnolia? What would you say to dating an old man like me?”

Larry was only half joking. Putting on my best smile, I pretended to consider his proposal. “I’m afraid I couldn’t handle you.”

He laughed and the other guys joined in. “What can I say? I’ve always been too much for the ladies.”

Excusing myself, I went to the back. But someone touched my shoulder.

“Magnolia?” I turned around and saw the chief. I hadn’t seen him since the day of Josh’s funeral.

“Chief Hickman,” I said as we gave each other a hug.

“You know to call me Russ. How are you? I’m sorry I wasn’t there the other day when you stopped by for Josh’s things. But Luke said he helped you with that?”

“Yeah, he did. I appreciated it.”

“Good. Glad to hear. What’s new with you? Still dancing?”

I always felt ashamed when I had to answer that question. “No, but I do teach dance.”

“No? Why not? You were so good.”

“I guess too many things have changed for me to keep my joy.”

“Aw. Well, at least you haven’t given up completely.”

He was trying to compliment me, but I knew he still didn’t understand. “Need a table?”

“Yes, actually. I had to skip breakfast.”

I walked him over to an open booth. “You skipped breakfast? That’s not good.”

“You’re tellin’ me. Imagine having to do what I do when you’re feelin’ faint. Not a good combination.”

It wasn’t my place, but I was concerned about Luke. I knew the chief never just sent men home if there wasn’t a good reason. “So I saw Luke just a little while ago.”

“Oh, that’s right. You both live in the same building?”

“Yeah. Coffee?”

“You betcha,” he said, lifting his cup.

“Anyway, that was really sweet of you to give him time off for the ranch.”

I searched his face and saw the briefest of frowns. “Well, you know I try to take care of my crew.”

He took a sip of his coffee, and I knew the conversation was over. Others loved to gossip, but Hickman wasn’t in that circle. “Okay, I—”

“Where are you going to be working now that Marybeth’s is closing? Still going to work here?”

“No, I think the new owners want everything new, including the people.”

“That’s a shame.”

“Yeah, but I found another job, so it’s okay.”

“Oh yeah? Where?”

Whether I should say or not was difficult to decide, but maybe he’d open up some more about Luke. “On the ranch…with Luke.”

His eyes widened. “You don’t say?”

“Yeah, it’s nice because he needed help, and I needed another job. I didn’t know at first that was his ranch.”

“Yeah, the boy’s father passed about a few weeks ago now. Stubborn, if you ask me. Doesn’t really like to seek help from anyone, but…”

“Well, I really appreciate him allowing me to work there.”

“I’m sure he loves having you there.” As if he knew he’d said something he shouldn’t have, he quickly picked up his coffee and took another sip.

“What can I get you to eat?”

Hickman smiled, appreciating my change of subject. “Give me the farmer’s breakfast.”

“You got it,” I said, tapping my pencil on the notepad.

“Magnolia—Maggie?”

“Yeah?”

“Maybe check in on him?”

I couldn’t believe he asked me to check on Luke. Maybe Luke wasn’t dealing with his father’s death like he wanted everyone to believe.

“Sure. I’ll do that.”

***

He wasn’t expecting me. I had no reason to be there today, but there I was, changed into my working clothes and riding down his lane.

As I drew closer to the house, I could hear the loud cries of cattle. He must have been rounding them up.

I hopped off my bike and went in search of the noise. He was in the back and riding Cowboy. They were running back and forth, and for a moment I was confused about what Luke was doing. Then it clicked. He was herding the cows to another location. They eventually bunched together loosely and he turned in some zigzag motion to keep them all moving in a straight line.

I was impressed at his abilities, though he was born and raised on a ranch, so it should have come as second nature.

My gaze zoned in on him sitting on his horse, shirtless as always. At every movement Cowboy made, Luke’s body molded with him, and the muscles in his back pushed and pulled against each other. I’d always been attracted to a hardworking man, and Luke was no exception.  

I heard him call out to the herd and saw him grab something in front of him to wipe at his forehead. Thinking he might be thirsty, I went inside and got a bottled water from the fridge to take to him. I was just in time. He closed the gate as I reached him.

He caught a glimpse of me, and I smiled. “Maggie?”

“Thought you could use a drink.” I handed it to him, and he took a generous sip. He wiped at his brows with the back of his forearm.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He stared at me, as if waiting for an explanation why I was there. “I thought maybe you could use some help. At no charge.”

“Well, that’s not happening. You aren’t working for free.” He walked past me and Cowboy stayed by the gate. I caught up to him.

“No, really. I’m not accepting a dime from you today.” He stopped and I almost crashed into his back.

He faced me and smirked. “Are you arguing with me, Boots? I think that’s a first. I’ve never seen you argue.”

I scoffed. “I’ve argued.”

“When?” He crossed his arms, still wearing that handsome smile.

I stumbled over my words. “When I feel it’s necessary.” 

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. Anyway, I saw Chief Hickman at the diner.”

His smile faltered. I’d said too much. “Hickman, you say?”

“Yeah, he just needed lunch.”

He shook his head, but smiled. “I bet he did. Well…are you ready to get dirty?”

I furrowed my brows and he gestured for me to follow him. Knowing he couldn’t see me, I stuck my tongue out at him and laughed.

“Are you laughing at me?” he asked as we came to the gate he’d first taken me to—the one by the cows about to give birth.

“Nope.”

“Sure.” He placed his hands on the gate. “I just saw that one of my first-calving heifers is ready to calve. I think she started labor early this morning, from what I can tell, so she’s in need of some assistance. Think you can handle it?”

A raindrop splashed on the tip of my nose and was followed by a steady downpour. I raised my hand over my brows to see Luke.

“Here,” he said as he took his hat off and placed it on me. I stared up at him, feeling ridiculous for being vulnerable. “That’s better,” he whispered.

Our eyes remained locked, and I wondered if he was going to kiss me. I wanted him to. He leaned in and I parted my lips, when a cow started to moo. Luke closed his eyes as if needing to rein in his emotions.

“The lady calls.” He opened the gate and I went through. The heifer he spoke of was lying on the ground in a far corner away from the others. She looked in distress. “She’s definitely ready.”

“How can you tell?”

“She’s no longer pacing. Quick, let’s get to her.” We ran over to where she was, my feet sticking to the mud. The rain was coming down hard.

“Luke, what can I do?” I yelled so he could hear me through the heavy rain.

“She’s not going anywhere. So we’ll have it here instead of putting her in the headgate.”

“Okay.”

Luke looked left to right. “Maggie, I have some gloves that I laid by the trough. You should be able to reach and grab them.”

“On it!” I rushed to the trough, bent down in the mud, and reached for the gloves. I went back to Luke. “Here.”

“Thanks.” He pulled them on, and they stretched all the way to his elbows. “I’m going to try and pull it out, so maybe stand up by her head. If she kicks, I don’t want her kicking you.”

I did as he asked and prayed the cow wouldn’t kick him either. I knelt and rubbed at its neck, not sure if this was something you were supposed to do, but I needed to feel like I was doing something.

Luke reached inside the cow and felt around. “Well, it’s not breech, thank God.”

Craning my neck, I tried to see what was happening. A yellowish sac was hanging out of her.

“Maggie, in the barn, there’s some rope. Bring it to me.”

I took off as if the cow’s life depended on it. I might have been born and raised a country girl, but any kind of farm work wasn’t where I thrived. I was a dancer. But something about this was exciting. Out of breath, I looked around the barn and eventually saw the rope resting on a hook. I grabbed it and ran back.

“Here,” I said as I tossed it to him. He caught it with one hand and started looping it around the calf’s feet and just below the knee. Luke grunted as he pulled on the rope. When the cow rested, so did he.

He started to pull again and they both were at it roughly thirty minutes before the calf came out. When it did, it came out on top of Luke.

“Luke!” I rushed over and helped push the calf off him. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” he grunted. I helped pull him up.

“Thanks.” He placed a gloved finger into the calf’s nose. “Just making sure the amniotic fluid is all out…there!” He removed his gloves, bent over, and rested his hands on his knees.

“Is there anything else I can do?”

“Just get the gate for me. I’ll carry the calf to a pen with some clean straw, move the mother in, and then we leave her alone so she can bond with her little one.”

With the rain not showing any sign of letting up, it took us longer than probably what was normal to get the calf and mother together.

“I bet you’re sorry you came over,” Luke said as we entered the house. We were both soaked to the bone.

I took his hat off and tried combing my fingers through my hair in an effort to make it look somewhat presentable. “Well, I wasn’t expecting that, but I’m glad I could offer what little help I did.” I gave him his hat.

“Thanks. And you helped more than you know. Going back and forth, while trying to help birth a calf…you saved me a lot of time.”

“Well, glad I could help.” We stood awkwardly in front of one another, both unsure what to say or do. And I couldn’t very well stare at his glistening chest all night. “I should probably go. It’s been a long day.”

“Go ahead and get cleaned up first. I’m sure I have something you can put on.”

I thought it over. I was pretty miserable in these clothes. “Okay.”

“I only have one restroom so I’ll wait until you’re done.” Upstairs, he grabbed me a long shirt and an old pair of sweats. “These were mine from, God, years ago. I was a lot thinner then. Here.”

He tossed them to me and showed me where the towels were. I loved his bathroom. Original wood floors that were varnished with a cherry glaze. The walls were half wallpaper and half wooden paneling. Gold, buttercream, and lace. It was fresh with a delicate feminine flair. It had a single clawfoot tub with the showerhead coming straight from the wall.

Not wanting to keep him waiting, I got in and washed as fast as I could, while I thought of Luke and what was budding between us. I was falling fast, which scared me.

After stepping out, I quickly dried off and dressed in the clothes provided. They were baggy but comfortable.

Downstairs, I called for Luke and didn’t hear him respond. The television was on so I walked farther into the living room and found Luke sprawled on the couch, fast asleep. I shook my head and laughed.

I had nowhere I needed to be tomorrow, and although I didn’t want to make sleeping over there a habit—we’d be the talk of the town—I didn’t have the heart to wake him. Not after the day he’d had. There was still something up with him being given a week off, and I suspected it wasn’t because of the ranch. I removed the blanket on top of the couch and draped it across him. I thought again about waking him up. Who wanted to sleep in wet jeans all night?

“Luke?” I whispered.

“Hmm?” It was more of a mumble. I couldn’t do it. After turning out all the lights, I headed upstairs and went to the same room he’d put me in the night before.

My eyes grew heavy, and I thought of what I’d need to say to Luke in the morning.

Chapter 12

Luke

I fell asleep on her last night. Fell asleep. I only wanted to rest my eyes for a few seconds and then the next thing I knew, I’m waking up to the sound of a rooster.

I could have kicked myself. She’d never want to come over again if I kept making her stay the night without asking. She was probably furious. But when I woke up to a blanket draped over me, I couldn’t help but think she wasn’t too mad.

Today would be a busy day, as would tomorrow and part of Wednesday. I had projects that needed to be finished. Like this porch. I’d been up since six trying to tear it all apart so I could build it again. The tearing down was nearly done when she poked her beautiful head out the door.

“Morning,” I greeted her. Her sleepy eyes told me she didn’t get enough rest and I felt bad for it possibly being from all my racket.

“Morning.” Her brows furrowed. “What are you doing?”

“Knocking this porch down. Then I’m going to rebuild it.” I looked at the pile of rotted wood. “At some point.” Maybe I’d head into town later to pick up some lumber. “Be careful,” I told her when she stepped on the door ledge. She looked good in my clothes and I wanted nothing more than to walk up to her and wrap her in my arms, feeling how good she felt against me. Needing to rid myself of that image, I adjusted my hat and worked at picking up the discarded wood.

“I washed your clothes,” I told her when I went to pick up more wood. She was staring at me, probably wondering why I wasn’t jumping to take her home. That was simple—I didn’t want her to go.

“Thanks.”

“Do you have to work today?” I found myself saying. There were things that I had yet to do, but damned if I wanted to spend all my time with her. Screw it. The chief wanted me to relax and have fun. I would.

“No, not today.”

I threw the last of the wood on the pile and walked to the door where she was still standing. “When was the last time you had some real fun?”

***

This wasn’t fixing my porch, but it was much better. After she’d changed, I’d taken her down old dirt roads like I used to do when I was a kid. The puddles were filled from yesterday’s rain, which was perfect for mudding.

And, God help me, she was loving it. “Hold on,” I told her when I backed up the truck and gunned it, successfully hitting the puddle, causing it to splash against the front and sides of the truck. Maggie squealed with uncontained laughter as she held onto the door handle with one hand, the other resting on the seat between us.

I hit the brakes and opened the door.

“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice breathless.

“Unbuckle your seat belt, because it’s your turn to take the wheel.” I winked at her and hopped out. When I got to her side, she was holding onto her seat belt for dear life. I opened her door. “Come on.”

“I am not doing that,” she stated.

“Why not?”

“Because I’m…I dance and wait tables for a living. I’ll topple the truck over.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Maggie, I’ll be with you and guide you through all of it. Trust me, you’ll be begging me every week to do this.”

She scrunched her face. “I can’t.”

I reached around and placed my hand on the button of her seat belt, leaving it resting there. Her body went poker straight and she gasped. She blinked twice before meeting my gaze. Her sweet breath fanned my face. “If you try this”—I pressed the button, hearing it click—“I’ll go to one of your dancing classes.” Her face lit up. “One,” I repeated.

“You’d really do that?”

I removed the seat belt from around her front. “If that’s the price I have to pay.”

“A firefighter-slash-rancher who also does ballet—the women will go crazy over you.”

“First off—” Before I thought on it too much, I grabbed her face in my hands. She gazed at my mouth but didn’t say anything, so I leaned closer and pressed my lips to hers. Her lips were so soft and I wanted to stay there forever, but I leaned back, my hands still on either side of her face, and peered into her bright eyes. “They don’t matter. And second, you’re in my seat.”

Her face went from surprise to her lips thinning as she tried not to laugh. A different reaction than the first time I kissed her.

She scooted over to the driver’s side, and I planted myself in her place. I’d worry about the kiss later. She wasn’t making an issue of it then, so I didn’t either.

“You ready?” I asked. She white-knuckled the wheel, and I reached over and placed my hand on hers. “Relax. You’re just driving.”

“Into puddles. I’ll ruin your truck.”

“Look at me.” I waited for her to turn her head. She eventually did. “This truck is the same one my dad used when he’d do this with me. Every summer when it would rain, he’d take me out and we’d go riding. Now, I might not have been scared like you, but I was overambitious.”

“You wrecked it?” she asked, almost hopeful.

I laughed and removed my hand. “No. I did really well.”

Her face fell. “So how’s this supposed to make me feel better?”

“It’s not. I just wanted to tell the story.”

“You idiot,” she said as she slapped me on the chest.

“Now, let’s get serious. This is Cheyenne we’re talking about after all. And this is what she likes to do for fun.” I feign seriousness. “Show her a good time.”

Maggie laughed and rolled her eyes before staring out her window. “Fine.” She brought the truck around and drove down the lane.

“Okay, this should do it. Back up in the grass and go back.” She put it in reverse, and I forgot to tell her there would be a little dip. When the truck started to go down the little hill, she panicked and cut the wheel too hard. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, the other way.”

“Oh my gosh! We’re going to roll over!” Her hands worked at the wheel, and instead of braking, she hit the gas and we shot backward even farther.

“Hit the brakes.”

“I am!”

“Your other brake.”

She hit the pedal and we stopped. I ran the back of my arm over my brow. That could have gone bad.

“See, I told you. I shouldn’t be allowed near machinery.”

“You did good,” I lied.

She shot me a look.

“You did…okay. Is that better?”

“A little.”

“Alright, Boots. You’ve got this. It’s not that big of a hill. This truck can handle it. Head straight and go back to the puddles.”

“I don’t think that’s wise.”

She still gripped the wheel as if, were she to let go, she’d fall in a deep hole. “Maggie,” I said as soothingly as I could, “relax your hands.” She carefully loosened her grip. “Good. Now take a deep breath and take this baby up the hill.”

After she released a cleansing breath, she shook her head as if to tell herself she had this, and hit the gas. The truck bounced around.

“Cut the wheel.”

She cut the wheel and we were back on track. But instead of moving forward, she leaned her head against the seat.

I took pity on her. “I can take over if you’d like.”

“No.” She straightened and gripped the wheel once more. “I can do this.” Putting the truck in gear, she gunned it.

We moved forward and she plowed ahead, successfully hitting several mud holes while managing to spin the truck around. The mud went flying. She laughed, clearly enjoying herself, and then braked.

I was impressed.

“How’d I do?” There was excitement in her voice that I hadn’t heard before, and I was glad I could be the one to help put it there.

“I think you’re ready to go pro.” I hopped out and went around the front. There was not one spot of the truck that wasn’t covered in mud. And it was all her doing.

Maggie scooted back to the other side, and I hopped in.

“Well?” I asked.

“That was amazing!”

“See.” I put the truck in gear and drove back down the now-torn-apart lane. “I told you you’d love it.”

I took her to town to grab lumber. She requested to stay in the truck and I knew it was because she didn’t want us to be seen together, which I could understand. But after the fun we’d had this morning, I’d hoped we’d transition our relationship to something better.

One of the stock clerks helped me load the wood in the back. I thanked him and gave him a tip.

“I don’t know about you,” I told her when I got in, “but I’m starving.” She didn’t say anything so I looked at her. She was looking out the window and biting her lip. “Maggie?”

Her head whipped around. “What?”

“I asked if you were hungry.”

“Oh, um…yeah, but I think I should just go home.” She looked out her window again.

She had a nervous energy about her and I knew not to press. Her apartment, or rather both our apartments, were just a few blocks away. Without a word, I drove her there.

I wasn’t going to get mad. I had no entitlement to her. She was Josh’s girl. He loved her and would bring her up all the time, wanting me to ‘meet’ her. I’d never had the guts to tell him I’d known her for a long time. We grew up in the same town, for goodness’ sake, but with me living on the ranch, I pretty much stayed there all the time. And meet her? Somehow that felt like a betrayal. How could I hang out with Maggie and pretend I didn’t want her? Pretend I hadn’t been in love with her since I was a kid? I couldn’t. So I made excuses after excuses.

I thought he couldn’t tell.

I was wrong.

In the letter he’d written, he expressed it all too clearly that he knew I loved Maggie. I almost fell to my knees when I read that. He knew. It was months after his death before I could wrap my head around that. How he continued to be my friend knowing this said a lot about him as a person. But to give me his permission to be with Maggie and make me promise to care for her…it was messed up.

If she knew…

I parked in front of the building, but Maggie didn’t move.

“I want you to know I had a really nice time today,” she said.

“Is everything okay?”

She gave me a sad smile. “Yeah, I just need some time alone.”

“I can respect that.” I glanced away, unable to look at her. If I did, I’d want to say more.

“Luke?”

“Yeah?”

“You still owe me that dance.”

I turned my head to find her smiling at me. “I’d hoped you’d forgotten about that.”

“Not a chance,” she said as she opened the door and got out. “Tomorrow?”

I nodded. “Tomorrow.”

She walked to the front door, and I sat in my truck wondering what just happened. I wasn’t sure, but she wanted to see me again. Of course, it was to pay me back for today, but I couldn’t wait.

Chapter 13

Maggie

Caroline stood with her designer bag and French-tip manicure pointing to the stage. “Those need to go. I want lilies in the background. They are my baby’s favorite and will go just wonderful with her dark eyes.”

Bill, our town maintenance man, gently brought her arm down. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. We’ll get it all taken care of, Caroline. Your daughter is going to shine above them all.” He winked at me.

In the short time I’d been back, it was apparent to me that these two liked each other. But Caroline would never admit to it. Bill was decent looking, but not her usual Ivy League college guy. He had dark hair, green eyes, and was tall. Nice and a huge jokester. Everyone loved him—Caroline not excluded.

“Ugh, it better be.” She stared him square in the eyes. “Last year’s debacle was horrendous. Nothing good was planned and the whole town was put into a giant coma. That will not happen this year.”

Bill smiled at her, trying to hide the humor that threatened to surface at any minute. “Yes, Doll Face.”

“Don’t you dare call me Doll Face! I’m not a floozy.”

“How about you be my girl, then?”

Caroline’s mouth dropped and she gasped. “Dream on, William!” She pushed at his chest and brought her purse to rest on her shoulder. “I’ve had enough stress for the day. Now—” She looked at me and her eyes widened at the realization I’d caught the whole thing. “Hello, Magnolia.”

“Hi.”

“Can you believe him? What a Neanderthal.”

“He’s doing his best to make everyone happy,” I told her kindly.

“I guess only time will tell. Anyway, I’m off. I need to pick up Jenny so we can go shopping for our outfits.” She waved a hand. “See you later.”

Bill folded his arms as he watched her leave. “That woman has it bad for me.”

“Oh, it’s clear as day.” I humored him.

He faced me. “So what about you? Taking part this year?”

“Yeah, actually. I’ve been helping the girls with their dance routine, and Trina has requested pies.”

“Oooh, it will be a good day after all.”

I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes.

“You know, with you being back, I haven’t gotten a chance to ask how you were doing—kind of hard when you’re loved by everyone.”

“Maybe, but your words are overly generous.”

“Nah. Listen, I know that this time of year has got to be hard for you, but I’ll tell you that we’re all glad you’re back.”

Moved by his words, I touched his arm. “Thanks, Bill. I’ve missed you all as well.”

The sirens sounded, and Bill and I turned to the fire station as the trucks pulled out and zipped down the street. My thoughts strayed to Luke. I was worried, but had no reason to be. Right? He was given the week off. Still, maybe I should call him.

“Probably someone’s animal. That’s all it ever usually is.” Just as he spoke, his face twisted with regret. “Sorry, Maggie.”

“Oh, it’s fine,” I waved his troubles away. The fact was Josh hadn’t died from a typical call of an animal needing saved. It was a house fire, and he’d gone in to save a child’s life. He was supposed to be off that day, but he’d gotten a call and flew out of the house. It was the last time I’d seen him. He died being a hero. “Well, I should get back. I just wanted to check on things here.”

I couldn’t leave fast enough. When I raced across the street to my apartment, I ran inside and up the steps. My hands shook as I tried to unlock the door. The darn thing wouldn’t budge. I kept working at it, jiggling the key until there was a satisfactory click, and rushed inside.

I grabbed my cell phone and went to dial Luke’s number when I realized I didn’t have it. Why didn’t I have it? The man had kissed me twice, and I still hadn’t been able to digest the fact that I was completely fine with it this time, but I didn’t have his number?

The fire station. Someone had to be there. Thankfully, that number was already programmed in.

My lip was almost numb by the time I hung up. Someone was always there at the station, but had to be outside the office. Grabbing my purse, I opened the door and was about to step into the hall when I saw Luke standing in front of my doorway. At the sight of my obvious distress, he frowned.

“You okay?” he asked.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and held him tight. When his arms reciprocated the gesture, my eyes welled with tears.

“Hey,” he whispered. “What’s the matter?”

I wanted to answer, but couldn’t find the words to express how I felt. With careful steps, he moved us inside, arms still laced around each other, and shut the door.

“Tell me what’s wrong, Maggie,” he asked again. It felt so nice being held. I didn’t want to let go…and that worried me. Realizing this, I unlocked my arms enough so he could see me. His hands went to my face.

“Nothing. It’s stupid.”

He shook his head. “Not to me. Tell me.”

I looked into his eyes and found a trusting soul. “Every time I hear the sirens…” I couldn’t bring myself to say it—to voice the fear the resounding call of death made me feel. “Anyway, I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I was worried you had to go.”

I forced myself to look at him. His brows were together, his eyes sad. But his face reflected a man who was strong. He leaned in and kissed my forehead. He spoke softly. “No, I didn’t have to go.”

Feeling stupid, I wiped at my eyes. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I called the chief. He said it was a motorcycle accident and that they didn’t need me.” When he frowned, it almost gutted me. He was disappointed he wasn’t asked to go along. I remembered enough about Josh’s time being a fireman to know it wasn’t customary for off-duty firemen to assist on a job. Still, I was glad he was there and safe.

I stepped back and away from him. “So what are you doing here?”

“Well, since I was already in town, I thought I’d finally fix that lock of yours.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s fine.”

He laughed. “I’ll be right back. Need a couple of tools.”

When he closed the door behind him, I brought my hands to my face and let out a breath. What was going on with me? It was because of those kisses. Had to be. I was just confused, that’s all.

Except I’m not.

***

Luke

I didn’t come to fix her lock. I came to see her, and the lock was just an excuse. When the chief said I wasn’t needed, it angered me. Not at him, but because I didn’t know what to do with myself. Would it be like this every year at the approaching anniversary of Josh’s death? If so, I’d work myself to the ground.

If I hadn’t gotten drunk that night…

My apartment was nearly cleared of all my things, apart from a few articles of clothing, some food, and minor odds and ends. Grabbing the tools, I went back to Maggie’s. She hadn’t brought up the kiss—either time—and I couldn’t tell if that made me disappointed or glad. I didn’t know what I was thinking. She made me feel alive again. Since I’d been spending time with her, it was as if my head was finally above water.

Her kitchen was off to the right, and I found her making coffee. With her back turned to me, I took time to admire her brown summer dress and the loose braid she’d done for her hair.

She turned and caught me staring, and she smiled before reaching for a jar of sugar. “Coffee?”

It wasn’t my common practice to make a woman’s place in the kitchen, and I’d never do that, but Maggie looked great in one. “Yeah, that’d be great. Thanks.”

I sat my tools down on the counter, and she came around and handed me a green cup with a black and white cat on it. I scrunched my face. “You better hope no one comes over that I know.”

Maggie laughed. “Hey, that happens to be my favorite cup.”

“Alright, I can suffer through the humiliation,” I teased and winked at her. Her cheeks were beautifully flushed. Because of me? Whatever reason, the look suited her.

“You know, little Amy would be upset if she found out I let someone else drink out of our special cup.”

I took a sip of the hot, flavorful coffee. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

She bit her lip trying to hold back a smile, but failed miserably. If I didn’t focus on fixing her lock, I’d find myself getting into all sorts of trouble.

“Well, I better…get started.”

“Yeah.” She waved a hand idly in the air. “Here, I’ll take that.”

I gave her the cup and she sat it on the counter. I removed the door handle and found the keyhole to be unaligned as if someone had tried to bust it off. This gave me pause. Had someone tried to get in there?

“While you do that, I’m just going to call my mother really quick to check in.”

“Right. How’s Heather doing? She still living in Tennessee?”

“You remember.”

I placed the handle on the floor and faced her. “Of course I remember. Her and my mom were practically best friends.”

“True. Yeah, her and Dale are still going strong. Plus, his business is booming, from what I hear.”

“You haven’t been there in a while.” It wasn’t a question.

“No, and I want to. Just”—she shrugged—“a lot going on. I’ve been pretty busy.”

“You think you’ll go soon?”

“Not soon enough. I’d ask them to come here, but funds are tight despite his salary. It took a lot to get the business up and running.”

“I can certainly understand that.”

She twisted the ring on her forefinger round and round and I felt bad for asking about her mom. I didn’t know much, but I knew from what Josh had told me that Maggie’s real father had passed years ago. Eventually Heather married Dale and left for Tennessee. Josh told me Maggie was completely torn over it.

Wanting to cheer her up, I said, “You ready to humiliate me some more?”

“What?”

“I’ve got a debt I owe,” I reminded her.

“You’re really going to do this?” Her look was unsure.

“Honey, I made a bet, and you followed through on your end.”

“I did, didn’t I?”

“You sure did.” I nodded to the handle on the ground. “Hey, real quick, you wouldn’t happen to know if anyone tried to break in here when you were gone, do you?” I’d rather it be that and not someone trying to get to her.

She frowned, but soon her eyes widened in acknowledgement. “That was the landlord. He said he lost my key one day when doing the renovations and had to improvise. Said he fixed it, though.”

“I don’t know about fixing it, but he bent the inside.”

She looked in the direction of the kitchen before walking over. “I think, now that you’ve brought that up, there’s a new handle under the sink he told me about when I first moved back in. He was supposed to fix it…here it is.” She cut the packaging open with scissors and brought me the handle.

“Perfect. I’ll put this one on.”

“Well, I guess if you’re still going through with this ballet lesson, I’d better change into something more appropriate. Be right back.”

I watched her scurry off through the big living space and behind the brick wall. Must be her bedroom. That must have been the renovations she was referring to, because none of the apartments had separate bedrooms. The bed was in the middle of the whole room. But I was sure people would do anything for her. I would. Even dancing.

My mind traveled into the next room where she was changing. I pictured her in there, what she was doing, and a small screw fell from my hand. “Jesus. Okay, Luke, focus.”

Lock secure, I tossed the scraps in the garbage can.

“How’s it looking?” she asked as she strolled across the room in a black leotard and a tiny black skirt. My eyes focused on the pink ballet shoes that wrapped up her ankles to her long, shapely legs. When I eventually pulled my gaze to her face, she was removing her hair band and shaking out the braid.

“Let’s try it out.” I almost rushed to the door. This was a bad idea. I handed her the key and told her to step outside the apartment while I closed the door. I heard the lock unlatch, and she was in, in a matter of seconds.

“Oh, you have no idea how happy this makes me. I won’t have to worry about getting locked out of my apartment.”

“Glad I could help.”

Maggie walked to the large window that overlooked the park and closed the blinds. Maybe it was to save my dignity, or to keep the town from talking, but I didn’t mind. The room slowly darkened as she pulled on the string. I locked eyes on her. Each time she caught me watching her, she’d look away, bashful. But she had nothing to be bashful about.

Several lamps were lit, creating a warm atmosphere. She turned on her stereo and the rhythm of a slow R&B song sounded through the speakers.

“You ready to pay up?” she asked, coming to stand before me.

“As ready as I’ll ever be. Who is this?”

“The singer? Anthony Hamilton.”

“It’s a nice song.”

“I think so, too.” She smiled and nodded toward a long barre that sat in front of the window. I followed her. “So what would you like to learn?”

I sucked in through my teeth. “You’re the teacher. Lead the way, Ms. Warner.”

She giggled and I wanted to bottle that laugh for rainy days. “Well, we can start with the basics, seeing how you’ve never done this before.” Her brow raised and she sent me a questioning look.

I raised my hands, palms up. “No, I’ve never done this before. I swear.”

“Okay, so, being that you aren’t in the appropriate attire, your range will be limited. So put your arms out like this.” She demonstrated what she’d like me to do. “And then take your leg out like this.” I watched her easily extend her leg before her and then move it to the side, her poise impeccable. There was no way I’d be able to do that.

I tried and failed. Before I could even get my leg high enough, I lost my balance and fell. Maggie laughed so hard she could barely breathe. Rising off the floor, I grabbed my hat and placed it back on my head.

“Never said I’d be good at this,” I told her.

“No, I know. It’s just…”

“What?” I humored her.

Her hand went to her mouth as she tried yet again to contain her laughter. “I still can’t believe you offered to do this, and that we actually are.”

I scoffed. “You’re doing this, not me. I’m a hard labor kind of guy. Moving my body the way you do is not in my genetic code.”

“There are plenty of guys who do ballet.”

“Well then, they have more of a slender body than me.”

We kept up what she called basic ballet—basic for an expert. I, however, did more observing than doing. I couldn’t help it. I didn’t think she’d like to admit to this, but every so often I’d see her get lost in the motions. It was obvious to me that she loved to dance.

“When did you stop dancing?” I asked.

She brought her leg off the barre. “Sometime last year.” When her eyes clouded, I knew it was because of Josh’s death.

“You miss it? The dancing, instead of teaching.”

She looked around the studio and shrugged. “I find more joy these days in teaching the art to others. I guess I don’t really think about it too much. I’m usually too busy, and after I’m done teaching a group of little girls, I’m exhausted.”

The sound of a tiny bell jingled, and I looked over by her bedroom door where a gray cat pranced toward Maggie. She bent and scooped it up, nuzzling its face.

“Hey, buddy,” she cooed.

“This guy have a name?” I reached out and patted his head.

“Mr. Pickles.”

“Mr. Pickles?”

“Yes. That’s why at the diner when you said you didn’t want any pickles, I laughed.”

I remembered that. At least now I had a reason why my hate of pickles entertained her so much. “I see.”

She kissed the cat on the head and sat him down.

“So,” I continued, “you’re not busy now.” She frowned, not understanding. “Dance.”

“What? No—”

“Come on. Show me how it’s done.”

The current upbeat song switched to a soft melody from a Spanish artist. I walked over and tuned the dial up louder, then went back to her.

She brought her hands to cover her face before she squared her shoulders, extended her leg, and pointed her foot. For a while, it was evident she was too aware of my presence. She’d catch my eye and then would mess up. Nothing noticeable to me, but she’d apologize for her misstep. Before long, right about the middle of the song, she’d forgotten I was there as she commanded the floor. She was all elegance and grace. Her body and the passion she displayed drew me in, and before I realized it, I was right behind her. So close I could smell her scent. She sucked in a breath but kept moving, despite our bodies nearly touching. At the finish of the song, her back still to me, I brought her hair off her shoulder. She looked up at me, her eyes alight from the dance, her rediscovering a lost love. She was breathtaking.

I touched her cheek and leaned in, giving her an opportunity to stop what I was about to do. She remained still and so I went the rest of the way.  

Her lips were warm and inviting. I could lose myself into her honesty, because what she didn’t say with words she said clearly in actions.

I groaned and broke the kiss. “I have to stop or I’ll never quit,” I whispered against her mouth. She smiled and brought her hand to her lips. “Was that okay?”

She nodded, and all the worry I held released.

I brought my forehead to rest upon hers. “Come with me tomorrow.”

“Where?”

“My uncle’s. He’s having a reunion.”

She blinked, and her brows formed a deep V. “I don’t know…”

I caressed her cheek. “It doesn’t have to mean anything.”

I waited for her to answer. “Okay.”

I told her it didn’t have to mean anything, but it meant everything to me. Including the inevitability of the real story about how her fiancé died.

Chapter 14

Maggie

Luke’s uncle lived about twenty minutes out of town, way back in the woods. The ride was spent mostly in silence. I could tell Luke had something on his mind. Thinking it could be me was concerning.

Yesterday turned out to be a day of revelations. One I would cherish forever. He’d reminded me of my love for dance, and I could never thank him enough. Or maybe I loved it so much because I’d shared it with him. Last night I realized, once Luke left, that I’d never danced in front of Josh…not like that. I’d always gone to the studio. That thought troubled me.

I glanced over at Luke. He wore his favorite brown hat that was showing signs of its years, a white T-shirt cut off at the shoulders, and light faded blue jeans that fit him just right. His eyes were fixed on the road.

He peeked out the corner of his eye, winked, and rested his hand over mine in the seat between us. I curled my fingers around his. When I looked back at him, he’d returned his focused stare on the road.

“You can tell me what it is,” I said, hoping he’d know that he could tell me anything.

He smiled and squeezed my hand. “I know. Everything’s fine.”

“Are you nervous about seeing your family?”

One of his shoulders popped up. “I guess it’s been a while for me, too.”

Once again, I thought of Caroline’s words. “Someone said you’d left about a year ago.”

He gripped the steering wheel and looked out the driver’s side window. “I did.”

Man of few words. “Just to get away?” I asked as we came to a rolling stop.

“Something like that.” He put the truck in park and climbed out. I didn’t want to pry, but I also couldn’t stop worrying about him. When the chief asked me to check up on Luke, it told me that something was a matter with him.

I hopped out of the truck and we walked side by side down a stone pathway that was lined with beautifully hedged boxwood shrubs. It led to an old but large brick colonial house that was hugged by strings of ivy. The front of the home overlooked a well-manicured yard with various flowers and lawn furniture. A fire pit was at the center.

As we neared closer, loud laughter erupted.

“Full house,” Luke said as we came to the door that was wide open. He was right. Off the bat, I counted at least ten people. My stomach twisted. This was Luke’s family, and it wasn’t until then that I realized how personal this was. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.” How bad could it be?

“Luke!” a woman screamed, and I recognized it to be Paula. Her auburn hair was slightly shorter than the last time I saw her, but she was still the same bubbly personality she’d always been.

“Hey, Mom,” Luke said warmly as they embraced. I made sure to keep a good enough distance back so they could have their moment. It was obvious they didn’t see each other much.

“Oh, my boy. I’m so happy you came.” She let go and her eyes found me. “Maggie?” Her gaze bounced from me to Luke. I could tell the wheels were turning in that head of hers. “Oh, what a surprise. I didn’t know you were coming. Come here and give me a hug.”

I walked toward her and she hugged me so tight I lost my breath, and it was nice. This was what I missed in the city, this southern hospitality. “Hi, Paula. I hope it’s okay that Luke brought me.”

“Hope it’s okay…listen to you. Luke, you should have said something,” she said under her breath.

“And have you get all riled up?” he teased.

Paula laughed. “Well, come on inside. All the family is here and eager to see you, honey.” She turned to me. “And I can introduce you to some family that’s from out of town.”

As soon as we entered, the attacks came. Hug after hug, we made our rounds. I already knew Luke’s uncle Lenny and Aunt Lisa, and his cousins Tammy and Jeffrey, since they lived not far from town. Everyone else was a stranger, but with all the love they’d shown, it was like I’d known them all my life.

“Luke, come outside. I have to show you my new ride,” Jeffrey said.

“Not for another two years, buddy,” Lenny cut in.

Luke turned to me, his hand briefly touching my shoulder. “You going to be okay?”

“She’ll be fine,” his mother said. “Now go.”

I offered a reassuring nod to Luke. Before he disappeared, however, he raised five fingers to me, telling me he wouldn’t be long. Lenny followed him out.

“Are you Luke’s girlfriend?” Tammy asked. She looked to be maybe fourteen. She was beautiful with long curly brown hair, green eyes, and a wide smile.

“Oh, um…” Paula looked at me expectantly, and I prayed for Luke to return and intervene at any moment. “We’re just friends.”

“Aw. I really was hoping. He never has a girlfriend when he comes to visit.” Tammy frowned.

“Tammy, go outside and wait for us by the fire,” Paula said. Tammy rolled her eyes, but dutifully obeyed. “Sorry about that. She’s never been one to filter her mouth.”

“That’s okay. I’m sure everyone that sees us together is wondering the same.”

Paula raised an inquisitive brow. “You both hanging around each other a lot, then?”

I shrugged. “Sort of. I help him at the ranch.”

“Oh?”

I could tell by the way she said that she hadn’t been told, and I felt bad for being the one to do it. Maybe Luke didn’t want anyone to know. “Speaking of, I’m really sorry about Jimmy. It’s still hard to believe he’s gone. I have fond memories of him from when I was a child.”

A shadow crossed her face. “That man never knew when to quit.” She sighed and went to the sink to rinse her mug. “I worry constantly about Luke. He’s always been a hard worker, but since he came back from Texas, with his father’s death, he’s been working nonstop. Gets it honestly.”

“I haven’t been back that long, but from what I’ve seen, he never takes a break.”

“Well, I suppose he has nothing going on to make him want to slow down.”

I frowned, not understanding.

“Luke’s always been a sweet boy. Always cared about others, always doing things to help out. But he values family, which is why I’ve yet to see him with a girl. In fact, when I asked about bringing a girl he’d be seeing over to meet me, he’d say, ‘I’ll bring a girl over when she’s special enough to me.’” As if realizing what she’d implied, she hurried to change the subject. “Tea?”

“Yes, thank you.” Was that true? Did Luke consider me to be special to him?

Paula gave me the glass of ice cold tea, and I graciously took a sip.

“Oh my gosh, silly me. I’m going on and on when I haven’t even asked how you were doing. How long has it been?”

She was talking about Josh. “Coming up on a year.”

“Oh, honey. How are you getting along?”

“Better as of late. I think being busy helps.”

Paula nodded. “It certainly does. “You know—and I might be out of line—but I think you and Luke could be good for each other. Hanging out as friends,” she said in a rush.

I had to laugh. I adored Paula. Always had. There was no way I could be mad at her for insinuating anything between Luke and me. Still, I didn’t even know what he and I were. “Yeah, I—”

“You girls aren’t gossiping like old hens, are you?” I hoped Paula couldn’t hear my sigh of relief at Luke’s entrance.

“Your mother doesn’t gossip,” Paula said.

“Yes, you do. Everyone here does.” He smiled and kissed her on the cheek, and then turned to me. “You ready to eat? They built a fire.”

I stuffed my hands in the back pockets of my jeans. “Yeah, that sounds good.”

“You coming, Mom?”

“Oh, I will in a minute. Just prepping a few things.”

“Well, here, let me—”

She shushed Luke. “You two go and be with family. I got it.”

Luke rolled his eyes, causing me to laugh. “Fine, let’s go.”

Several minutes later, Paula joined us as everyone sat on bales of hay and talked about childhood memories. My favorite was hearing that Luke had a pet rock until he was seven. He tried to deny it, but his aunt wouldn’t hear of it.

“Don’t believe a word these people tell you,” Luke said to me. We sat on the same bale of hay when everyone else sat on their own. Paula said there wasn’t any more, but I knew differently. I’d seen rows of them in the little shed on our way in there. And as I sat watching her, I knew she was trying to bring Luke and me closer.

I shook my head. “Never. I swear.”

“Good.”

“So, Maggie, was it?” Jeffrey asked, and all eyes turned to me.

I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “Yes.”

“What’s a girl like you doing with a loser like him?” Jeffrey gestured toward Luke, who picked a stick off the ground and threw it at him.

“Watch it,” Luke warned.

“We work together,” I said.

“No way. You’re a firefighter?” Tammy asked with teenage excitement. Side by side, I could see an uncanny similarity between the two cousins. Twins?

I laughed. “I’m afraid I’m not brave enough for that.”

“Sure you are,” Tammy exclaimed.

Jeffrey lightly shoved her. “You aren’t.”

The two of them started scrapping back and forth, and Luke leaned in to whisper in my ear. “I think you’d make a great firefighter.”

“Me and burning buildings don’t mesh well.”

“Well, you’d at least look great in uniform.” His eyes held mine and for a moment no one else was around.

“Get a room,” Tammy shouted, and everyone erupted with laughter. Except me. I was a little embarrassed.

“Leave Maggie alone, Tammy,” Luke said.

“You leave her alone,” Jeffrey mocked.

“Kids, knock it off and go play,” Linda told them.

“Play? We aren’t little,” Tammy interjected.

“Tammy,” Linda warned.

Tammy rolled her eyes and sighed. “Fine. Let’s go, Jeffrey.” They stomped off, leaving just the adults.

Luke and I spent most of the time talking to Steven, Mindy, and Lisa. They were siblings of Paula’s, along with Lenny. This was the first time I’d gotten to speak with them since I’d been there and they were a joy—extremely funny and filled with their own little adventures.

“So why’d you skip off to Texas, boy?” Lenny shouted over to Luke.

I heard Luke sigh before he removed his hat in the way he always did and put it back on. “Needed to get away.”

“Get away? From what? You have everything you need here.”

“Lenny,” Paula said.

Lenny shrugged. “Just wondering.”

“Just wanted a change. Besides, I’m back, aren’t I?” If I wasn’t mistaken, I could have sworn I witnessed some bitterness laced in his words.

“Only took your father dying to do so,” Lenny chimed.

“Lenny!” Paula stared, shell-shocked.

Luke jumped to his feet and walked over to where Lenny sat drinking a beer. I hadn’t even noticed he was drinking. “Don’t you dare talk about what you have no clue about.”

Lenny took a swig and said, “Just making conversation. Or do you have something you want to hide from your lady friend?”

Luke’s fists balled as if he was struggling not to deck his uncle. I’d never seen him so riled up.

Lenny stood, putting them nose to nose. “Got something you want to say?”

“You’re drunk,” Luke spat.

“You’d know a thing or two about that, wouldn’t you?”

“Shut up.”

“What’d you say?” Lenny stepped closer.

I had to intervene. This wasn’t my family, and I didn’t know what was unfolding between the two, but I did know I didn’t want to witness a showdown. Besides, this was a family reunion.

I stepped up behind Luke. “Hey, let’s go for a walk and cool down.”

“Yeah, you better listen to the lady.”

Luke’s jaw hardened, his eyes not moving from Lenny’s. “Mom, get Uncle Lenny some coffee.”

Paula immediately got up and went inside. I lightly tugged on Luke’s arm and drew him toward the back of the home.

His movements were stiff. I rubbed his arm. “You okay?”

He didn’t answer for what seemed like forever. “Yeah, sorry about that,” Luke said as we walked along a tiny path in the garden. “I didn’t know he’d had a few to drink. I would have taken you home.”

“He didn’t bother me. It’s you I think he’s gotten to.”

Luke stopped and faced me. “His comments—”

“You don’t—”

“I used to drink…a lot, actually. Not all day, every day. But sometimes several days in a row. I’ve made it a point to only have one beer.”

I crossed my arms, pleased he felt comfortable enough to talk to me about this. “Is it hard to be around others who drink?”

His brows pulled together in thought. “Sometimes. But usually the sight of alcohol angers me. I guess it just depends on my mood.”

“Did something bad happen because of your drinking?” It wasn’t my place to pry, but maybe he needed a confidant.

He peeked up at me through hooded eyes. “Nothing good ever comes from drinking too many.”

I guessed that was my answer. “Luke?”

“Yeah?”

“What are we? Who am I to you?”

His brows shot up before frowning again.

He placed his hands in his front pockets, but took them back out and grasped my face. I was expecting the kiss, since it was so easy for him to do so. The kiss was soft, with long strokes of our tongues. My stomach fluttered with butterflies, and I felt as if I was being lifted off the ground. When he pulled away, my knees nearly buckled.

He peered into my eyes. “You’re what I never had, but always wanted. You’re you.”

Chapter 15

Luke

I was out of my ever-loving mind to tell her she was what I’d always wanted. Always? As if I secretly wanted her to know everything—the truth. Well, I did, but not today, and certainly not at my uncle’s home in front of everyone else.

“Is that okay?” I asked when she didn’t respond.

Her eyes started to well with unshed tears and she nodded.

“Yeah?” I asked before bringing her in and embracing her. I knew this was a big step for her. It was for me, too. We stood there, hugging each other like it would be the last time—or maybe it was just me not wanting to give her the option to let go. “Are you scared?”

“A little.”

Her honesty always got to me. It was an admirable quality. One that I could use a lot more of. “Me, too.”

“Do you know how many people are going to go crazy over this?”

“Let them.”

She laughed. “Easy for you to say.”

“Yeah, maybe. Well, we should probably get back or they’ll wonder where we are.”

“Okay.” She loosened her arms from around me, and I took her hand as we made our way back.

“Go sit at the table and leave Luke and Maggie alone,” Linda told Tammy and Jeffrey when they asked us if we wanted to hike through the woods.

“Maybe later, guys. Are you ready for the best wings around?” I asked Maggie. Lenny could be a real jerk, but he could cook like no one else I knew.

“That sounds really good. I’m starving.”

We sat at the table, and I set my gaze on Lenny, making sure he’d cooled off, while also apologizing. If he wanted to continue, I’d make him take it inside away from Maggie. I wasn’t looking for a fight, but if the situation called for it, I wanted to be prepared.

While Linda served us, I reached for Maggie’s hand underneath the table. She looked at me shyly beneath her lashes and I winked at her. When I looked up, I caught my mother smiling at me. She loved Maggie. Always had, and it meant the world to me, but she didn’t know how wrong it was.

We enjoyed a pleasant meal of wings, garlic parmesan fries, fried pickles, and coleslaw. Mom had made her famous sweet tea.

“Hey, I called in at the fire station earlier because I couldn’t get a hold of you and the chief said you had the week off,” Mom said. It seemed this family reunion centered around me and only me.

I wiped my mouth with a napkin and cleared my throat. “That’s right.”

“Okay, it’s just unusual for you to take any time off. I was actually happy to hear that you had,” she said.

“Yeah, I figured it would allow me more time to get things squared away and take care of things on the ranch. You know it’s busy this time of year.”

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing you have Maggie here to help.” She smiled at Maggie. So that’s what they were talking about. I knew my mom all too well and she had plans for Maggie and me. I needed to warn her.

“Hey, Mom? I need to talk to you about some things at the ranch if you don’t mind…inside.”

“Oh, sure, son.”

“It’ll just be a few minutes,” I told Maggie. “If he starts”—I gestured toward Lenny—“come and get me.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m enjoying all this food.”

I almost kissed her in front of everyone, but thankfully stopped myself.

Once inside, I shut the door.

“Okay, now you have me really worried,” Mom said.

“You were already worried?”

“Yes, you’re stiff today. It’s not like you…especially around family.”

We sat on the sofa in the living room, and I adjusted my hat. “I didn’t think it was so obvious.”

She placed a hand on my thigh. “What is it, Luke? You might be a grown man now, but I’m always your mother. And I know something is bothering you. Is it your father? Because you can tell me.”

I squeezed her hand. “No, Mom. I mean, I miss him, but I think other things are crowding that out.”

“Well, that’s not good either.”

“No, I guess not.”

“You and Maggie seemed different after you came back from your short walk,” she said with a knowing grin.

I laughed. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. First kiss?”

“Mom, I’m not a teenager.”

“I know. Well?” She nudged me.

I gave in. I always gave in when it came to my mother. “I asked her out…sort of.”

She did an audible intake of breath. “That’s wonderful! You’ve loved her since you were kids. What took so long?”

What took so long? “She was engaged.”

“Oh, you know what I mean. Before the engagement. It’s like you two just went your separate ways.” It was hard to pinpoint what story she was reading from, because it wasn’t mine.

“Maggie didn’t really notice me. She was in her own world, remember?” And I wasn’t saying that unkindly.

“She did tend to stick to herself, didn’t she? Despite being popular with everyone.”

I nodded.

“So? What’s the matter?”

As best I could, I started from the beginning. “You remember Josh Jeffries, right?”

Mom frowned. “Yeah, that’s Maggie’s fiancé that died.”

I rubbed my hands together slowly. “You didn’t hear what happened to him?”

“Well, I…I was told it was on the job. I don’t like to think about it too much being that you do the same thing.”

“Well, it wasn’t just a case of him dying while trying to save someone. He died because of me.”

“Luke—”

“It’s true. That’s why I got pissed when Uncle Lenny hinted about me being a drunk…because that’s exactly how it happened.”

“What do you mean?”

I took a deep breath. “I was supposed to go in that day for work.” When I looked at her, I knew there wasn’t any need to continue.

“Oh, honey…”

“And now”—I shook my head—“I’ve not only taken his life, but I’m also taking his girl.”

She shifted next to me and brought her face close to mine. Her next words were not even close to what I was expecting. “You have got to stop this.”

I frowned and she continued. “You have always taken on way too much. Your dad and my financial situation, my care…your dad’s death. I can’t imagine having to live with always making other people’s problems my burden.”

“Mom, I take care of you because I love you.”

She smiled. “And I appreciate that, but you’re still young and have the rest of your life ahead of you. I had my time. Now I just want to grow old with tons of grandchildren all around me.”

“Jumping the gun, aren’t you?”

“Perhaps.” Her smile faded. “But you did not kill this man.”

“Mom—”

“Luke, I will not listen to this nonsense again.”

“Did you not hear what I said?” I paused. “Josh went in on my shift—I didn’t even ask him to do it because I was so messed up that night when he went to check where I was after the chief called him. That should have been me that died.”

“Why have you been carrying this pain around all by yourself? Is this why you left for Texas?”

“Yeah. I couldn’t deal with myself or the people in this town that were mourning. I needed to keep busy…and busy wasn’t here.”

“I’m so sorry, honey.”

“There’s more. I guess you could say this was the main reason I left.”

“What is it?”

“I’d received a letter.” I explained that it was from Josh, before he knew I’d be the one to end his life, and what it asked. Mom remained quiet the whole time. “So that complicates everything when it comes to Maggie. What should I do, Mom?”

“You tell her. It doesn’t have to be right away, though.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“Well, do what’s right. You’ll know when the time’s right to tell her. It shouldn’t be thrown out like it’s a statement about the weather. That’s a huge shock to the system.”

I spoke my biggest fear next. “She’s going to hate me.”

Mom wrapped an arm around me. “If she’s anything like I remember, she won’t hate you.”

I wanted to believe that, but how could she love the man who ended her future?

“Well, we should get back out there,” I tell her.

“You’re right. Your Uncle Lenny is probably going off about the best way to cook a duck.”

We stood. “Thanks for listening, Mom.”

“Of course. Luke, I’m not going to sugarcoat what happened. It was an awful thing, and to say I’m disappointed in you is an understatement. But you’re my son, and I know you’re a good man. You just messed up.”

She was heartbroken. It was written all over her face. But I expected nothing less. And I knew this was only a taste of what I’d have to witness when I finally told Maggie tomorrow.

***

Maggie

“Luke, I don’t know what I’m doing!”

Levers. That was all I saw when I looked around me. I was in a red backhoe with a loader, courtesy of Luke, and I was to help move bales of hay to the destinations he wanted.

He must have liked seeing me a basket case.

“Whoa, whoa, stop, stop!” He raised both hands, waving them around.

“What?” I was officially in panic mode at the fear in his voice.

“Brake!”

What did Luke tell me to do when braking? All thumbs and two left feet, I managed to successfully put it in park. My heart raced, unsure what it was that I’d done for him to need me to stop. I knew it wasn’t my speed. These things didn’t go that fast. Though it was possible I could have run over something.

He climbed the machine, and I’d braced myself for a verbal lashing when he kissed me on the lips. His smiling face was inches from mine.

“Hi,” he said. Hi? That was it? He said nothing else as he climbed back down, leaving me a confused mess. “Okay, keep doing what you’re doing. You’re doing great.”

I couldn’t be mad at him. He was adorable and sweet, despite setting my nerves ablaze. I rolled my eyes when I caught him laughing, and made like I was going to run him over. He quickly stepped off to the side, his mouth open in shock. Then I stuck my tongue out at him.

The morning went well. I’d offered to start the day with him, despite the fact I was not supposed to be there until the afternoon. Why not? I was off at Marybeth’s and I had no classes. What else would I do? Besides, I wasn’t needed to help the festival prep today. It was already fast approaching, just two days away.

We checked on the calves—yes, plural—that had been born last night. Thank goodness all turned out well, given that we hadn’t been there to assist.

“It’s pretty hot out,” Luke said as we left the gate. He yanked it to make sure it was secure. “Let’s cool off. Sound good?”

“Cool off? Are we finished?”

He tilted his head to the side and closed his eyes briefly. “No…but this is kind of work.”

“Oh yeah?” I laughed. “What does this work, but not work, involve?”

“You. Me. Some soap and water”—he paused, his eyes hooded—“and two really dirty horses.”

I slapped him lightly on the side of his arm. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

“What? You’re the one with the dirty mind, Boots.”

“You’re the one who sets me up for it.”

“Well, I must say, I do like this secret side to you,” he said as we walked around the house to the water hose outlet. Luke removed the hose from its reel and hooked it up.

“Don’t like the way I am normally?” I faked hurt.

He screwed the nozzle and peeked up at me. “I love the way you are.” His unexpected words made me blush. He didn’t say he loved me, but it felt as if he had. But when he spoke further, I put it behind me. “Soap should be on the porch.”

“Speaking of porch, it’s coming together nicely.” There we go. Easier ground.

“Thanks.”

“When did you do more of it?” I asked as I started to walk away.

“Early this morning.”

This man never stopped.

After Luke carried the buckets, and I grabbed the soap and sponges, we each took a horse: him with Cowboy, me with Penelope. I liked this. It was relaxing and enjoyable—or maybe it was enjoyable because I was with Luke.

I kept catching myself going for long moments without thinking of Josh—almost like it was getting easier. I felt as if I were abandoning him, though. Would this ever change?

Something cold and wet ran down my back. I gasped from the chill and turned to see Luke holding his sponge and laughing.

“What was that for?” I dipped my sponge in the water and tried to toss suds onto the front of his shirt but he backed away.

“Almost, but not quite,” he teased before dunking his sponge and soaking the front of me. I looked down and saw that my shirt was drenched. My bra was completely exposed underneath. When I looked back at him, he did an innocent shrug. “Guess you shouldn’t have worn white.”

“That’s it.” I took off after him, and he whipped around to run ahead of me. I chased him back behind the house, past the chicken coop where we sent them all scattering away, and down toward the barn. I saw him disappear inside so I went in after him. He wasn’t there.

“Luke? You better come out and face me like a man.” With slow steps, I crept down the walkway along the wall so he wouldn’t jump out of nowhere and scare me. There were just enough gaps through the stalls for me to peek inside. I couldn’t find him.

Darn. I’d have to get closer to see if he was crouching. Though the joke would be on him if he was. “Anyone hiding in a horse’s stall deserves to have poop on their boots.” My throat started tightening in fear he’d pop up and grab me. Growing braver, I came closer and peered through the gaps. Hmm. Maybe he went—

More cold water trailed down my back. Startled, I whipped around and wrung my sponge, successfully dousing him. “Gotcha!” I said before spinning on my heels, trying to flee. But he was too quick. He came behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist before swinging me around.

“Not fast enough,” he whispered in my ear, sending chills down my spine. My breathing started to slow as I became aware of how close he was. Up until now, all we’d done was kiss. And mainly it’d been him. Could I do it? Be the one to initiate this time?

This is me moving on.

I slowly turned and faced him, resting my hands on his forearms. He looked down at me, his smile gone. His eyes explored my face, landing on my mouth. The intensity from his gaze pulled me in, and I rose on my tiptoes. When his lips found mine, it was easy to turn into a puddle at his feet. He started slow, as if he were experiencing our kiss for the first time. Then it grew more familiar. He walked me backward until my spine pressed up against the stalls. His hands gently skated down the sides of my arms, causing my skin to tighten.

There was no ranch, no animals, and no Magnolia Springs—there was just Luke and me.

He broke the kiss. “Go out to dinner with me.”

Did I hear him right? It was hard to tell. “What?”

“Go out to dinner with me. Let’s dress up and leave all of this behind for a day.”

My lovesick haze waned. Something was off with him, as if he wanted to run away. “Luke? Are you okay?”

“Yes,” he said emphatically, and took my hands in his. “I care about you and I just feel like we’ve done nothing but work.”

I laughed. “We went to the lake and your uncle’s house. We’ve taken some time off.”

“Those don’t count.”

“Why not?”

“Because that was before you were mine and I was yours.” When I looked away, he asked, “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, you didn’t say anything wrong. I guess…” I shrugged, not knowing what else to say.

“Too fast?”

“Yeah.” When his face fell, I wanted to take back my answer, but something stopped me. “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. I don’t want to rush you into anything.” He kissed me on my forehead, and moved away from me to bend and pick up both our sponges. When he left the barn I ran frustrated hands down my face.

What was wrong with me?

Chapter 16

Maggie

I’d been baking all day. I’d like to say it was because I was excited about the festival on Saturday, but really it was because of what tomorrow brought: the anniversary of Josh’s death. It wasn’t fair. Here I was, not knowing what to expect when I moved back, and having found this great guy—one that I’d apparently known for years. And he was amazing.

So what was my struggle?

My doorbell rang and I used a damp rag to clear my hands of flour. “Coming!”

It was Caroline. What did she want?

“Well, hey, girl. Can I come in?”

“Sure.” I gestured for her to enter.

“Well, well. I see you’re getting a head start for Saturday.” Caroline walked past, admiring the six pies that sat cooling on the counter.

I laughed. “If I don’t start now, I’ll never be done in time.”

“Ooh, is this lemon cream?”

She started to reach out and touch it, but I lightly swatted her hand away. She stuck her tongue out. “It is, and it’s off-limits until the festival.”

“You’re no fun.” She exaggerated an eye roll.

I rounded the counter and start kneading dough. “So what brings you by?”

“Oh, a little bit of this. A little bit of that.” I shot her a look that said I knew she had something in particular she wanted to talk about. “Okay, fine. What is this? You come back and suddenly you know everything?”

“What’s on your mind, Caroline?”

What she did next surprised me. With what little space was left on the counter, she rested her elbows, laid her chin in her hands, and sighed. “Love.”

I nearly choked on my own spit. “Love?”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t pretend like you don’t know who I’m talking about. Stupid Bill!”

“Stupid Bill?”

“Yes, William. Ugh, why of all people is it that greaseball I have to find irresistibly…” She paused, staring at nothing. “Attractive.”

Okay. Either this was some joke, or she really was finally confessing her secret crush that we all already knew about. “Well, it’s not like he’s not a good-looking man,” I said.

“But he’s just so…well, not me.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? You two can complement each other.” I set to rolling out the dough.

She waved a hand. “Oh, what do you know?”

I straightened. “I’m sorry?”

“Listen, no offense, but Luke’s practically following you with his tongue dragging on the ground—a man that many women desire, by the way—and you aren’t doing a darn thing about it.”

I sat the rolling pin down and parked a hand on my hip. “I…do so…do stuff about it.” Wait. Why was I defending myself?

“No, missy, you don’t. You work and twirl all day when you should be appreciating the gift that’s being sat before you.”

All I could do was huff out a breath.

“You want to be happy? You want to move on?” I lowered my head and she softened her voice. “Then you hold on to the person that’s going to get you there.”

I sniffled and wiped at a stray tear. “He makes me forget about him.” I stared up at her and she frowned, reaching out to wipe what I assumed to be flour off my cheek.

“Darlin’, isn’t that the point?” she asked.

Was that the point? If so, why did that make me feel so guilty?

“I don’t want to let Josh go.”

“You are looking at it the wrong way. You act as if letting him go means letting him go.” I frowned, not understanding her point. “Listen, bottom line, don’t let his death mean a prison sentence for you. You really think all of who Josh was and what he accomplished adds up to a memory that shackles his loved ones to him? No.”

I was floored. Of all the things people had told me, it was Caroline’s words that gave me an awakening. “I never looked at it that way before.”

“That’s because everyone only sees me as a spoiled, rich southern belle.” She winked.

“No—”

She held up a hand. “No need to say anything. I know. I’m not always the easiest person to be around, but I do have a heart.”

I smiled. “Well, thank you for telling me what I needed to hear.”

“You’re welcome. Now”—she looked at the pies—“finish up here and go and have some fun…with you-know-who.”

Caroline walked to the door and stepped out into the hall. Before she closed the door, she peeked her head back in. “And, Maggie?”

“Yeah?”

“Be sure to shave your legs.”

I picked up a rag and threw it at the door. Caroline closed it just in time before it got her. She was right. The only thing I’d done since I’d been back was work and hurt a man that I could fall for—a man I’d already fallen for.

I needed to make this right.

***

Luke

I needed to go back to work. After what happened earlier with Maggie and me, I was restless. There was only so much I could do at the ranch, and I was sick to death of working on the house.

Hence the reason for my being at Mom’s, sprawled on her couch.

Frustrated, I tossed the remote next to me and looked at the ceiling. It was nearly six in the evening and I’d spent the last two hours watching baseball and wasting time—a rarity for me.

“Supper is almost ready, Luke. Are you sure nothing’s the matter?” She stood in the apron I’d gotten her one year at a local flea market. It was light blue with bumblebees all over it. I’d almost forgotten about it.

“I’m fine. Just didn’t want to be on the ranch.”

She rested a hand on her hip. “Did you and Maggie have a fight? You just started dating.”

Why did I tell her? I got up and went to the fridge for some tea. “We’re not really dating. I’m not sure what we are.”

“But you said—did you break her heart?”

I gave her a look. “I broke her heart a year ago. She just doesn’t know it yet.”

Mom sighed. “Invite her over for dinner.”

“Mom, just let it go.” I sat the pitcher of tea back in the fridge and walked to the couch.

“Fine. I’ll let it go. You know what’s best.”

Here we go. “I know what you’re doing.”

“Oh? I didn’t know I was doing anything.”

Despite myself, I smiled. I couldn’t be mad at her.

“Come and help an old lady out with supper.”

She peeled potatoes while I diced carrots for stew. It was just like old times when I’d help her in the kitchen while Dad was finishing with the animals. “Mom?”

“Yeah, son?”

“Are you happy?”

“Am I happy? What brought this on?”

“Just answer.”

She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “Well, yeah. I mean, I have a great son. I’m in mostly good health.”

“But are you lonely?”

She frowned. “I miss your father. Very much.”

“You think you’ll ever find someone again?”

“At my age?”

“Come on. You aren’t that old,” I teased.

“You watch your mouth, young man. You’re not too old to go over my knee.”

I leaned down to give her a peck on the cheek. “You’ve never hit me a day in your life.”

“And I’ve been regretting it ever since.” She winked.

The doorbell rang and I glanced at Mom to see if she knew who it could be.

“I invited company over.” She couldn’t look at me.

“Mom?”

“What? I called Maggie to see how she was doing, and might have added that I was making all this food and had no one to share it with. I figured you’d agree to calling her, and I’d surprise you by saying I already had. Amy is with her, too. Love that little girl.”

Leave it to my mother to meddle. “I’ll get the door.”

“Hey,” Maggie said. Amy was bouncing up and down.

“Hey,” I said. I turned to Amy. “And how are you today?”

“I’m starving,” she said, making Maggie and me laugh. It helped to break the awkward tension. I hated that there had to be any in the first place.

“Your mom invited us,” Maggie said, almost apologetic.

“I’m glad you came,” I told her.

“Oh, Amy, look how much you’ve grown since I last saw you,” Mom said as she came beside me. “Here, you come in and help me set the table.” Amy flew inside, eager to help. I stepped out on the porch, knowing that’s why mom had Amy ‘help.’

Without a word, I hugged Maggie. I wanted her to know that no matter what, I cared about her. She wrapped her arms around my waist and we held each other. I wasn’t sure for how long. I didn’t care.

“I’m glad you’re here,” I whispered into her hair.

“I was getting ready to call you when your mom called.”

“You were?” I let go and stepped back.

She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Yeah. I—”

I shook my head. “You know what? Let’s just enjoy a nice dinner. We can talk about it later.”

“Okay. That sounds good.”

All through dinner, Amy stole the show with her tales of ballet and her attempts at mimicking animals on a farm. She’d managed to mix a few of them up, but we were too amused to correct her. After we’d removed the dinnerware, Mom got out Candy Land. Every now and again, when it wasn’t our turns, Maggie and I would hold hands under the table.

“It’s getting late. I should probably get Amy back home.” Maggie stood and scooted her chair in.

“Goodness, it’s nearly nine already? Where has the time gone?” Mom asked as she packed up the game. Amy yawned.

“I’ll get her,” I said when Maggie started for her. I picked her up and scooped her into my arms. She was asleep before we made it outside. I buckled her in and came around the front to Maggie, who was waiting at the driver’s side. “Whose car is this?”

“Oh, it’s her grandparent’s. You met them at the fireman event the other day. They said I could take it since Amy asked to come to my place for a bit.”

“That was nice of them.”

“Yeah, it was.”

“Well, thanks for coming.” I didn’t know how to act because of yesterday, and after all the sneaking touches we did during dinner I was even more unsure where we stood.

“Are you saying goodbye to me already?” Maggie asked.

I frowned. “Um…”

“Is it alright if I come over? I know it’s late, but…”

What was she asking? “Sure. I’ll be up.”

She smiled. “Okay. See you in a bit.”

I watched in complete confusion as she drove away. Maggie was a mystery of a woman, and damned if I didn’t love it. Righting my hat, I rushed to my truck and headed home, unsure of what was to come of the night.

Chapter 17

Maggie

I rang the doorbell and waited under his porch light with a million questions running through my mind. Why was I here? What did I want? What was I asking of him?

But when he opened the door, freshly showered, I stopped asking questions. “You showered.”

“I thought maybe you’d changed your mind,” he said, looking completely dumbfounded.

I’d made an unplanned trip back to my apartment before I came there. Caroline’s words got to me, and so there I was, freshly showered and shaved.

“No, I didn’t change my mind.”

He stared a few moments before inviting me in. I followed him to the kitchen, where he started placing dishes in the sink. A single beer sat on the counter.

“You hungry?” he asked.

I laughed. “We just ate.”

“Yeah. That we did.” He filled the sink with soapy water.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Cleaning up.”

“Cleaning up? It’s almost eleven at night.”

He scratched his neck. “You’re right. This can wait until morning.” He faced me. “What do you want to do?”

I couldn’t help but smile. It was obvious he was nervous. So was I. I shrugged. “Movie?”

He exhaled and rubbed his hands together. “Movie…yes.” He walked to the living room. “I got, uh…what do I have? I have—” He picked up a DVD and read the front. “Pretty Woman?” He scrunched his face.

I busted out laughing. “A favorite of yours?”

He shot me a look. “A favorite of my mom’s. She must have forgotten it.”

“Well, I happen to love that movie. If you don’t mind watching it, too.”

He popped it in, and I sat on the couch. “If I fall asleep, don’t hate me.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

“Blanket?” He grabbed one off the La-Z-Boy chair.

I reached for it. “Sure. You know, with how comfortable you’re making me, don’t be surprised if I’m the one to fall asleep. I baked more pies earlier today than I care to think about.”

“So you were on your feet all day,” he said as he sat next to me. “Grab that extra pillow over there and lie back. I’ll rub your feet.” When he grabbed my legs, I playfully kicked him.

“No, Luke, you don’t have to rub my feet.”

“Why not?”

I laughed, still trying to kick his hands away, but he was too strong. Just the slightest touch on my feet had me giggling so much I snorted. “Luke, stop!”

“I don’t know. You seem to be enjoying this,” he said as he tickled me ruthlessly. I was in a full-on belly laugh when I saw the movie had started.

“Movie’s on!” I roared.

“Okay, okay. I’ll stop. Strictly just feet rubbing from now on. Lord knows I don’t want to hear you snorting again.”

I gasped.

“I’m teasing. Even if you did, I’m sure I wouldn’t hate it.”

“Whatever.” I stuck my tongue out at him and did as he said. I relaxed against the pillow and did my best to focus on the movie, but it was near impossible with his capable hands finding every sore spot. Occasionally, a moan would slip from my lips, but I didn’t care. It felt too good.

I was awoken by the gentle movements of someone putting me in bed. “Luke?”

“It’s okay. Just putting you to bed. You fell asleep,” he whispered. He turned the bedside lamp on and tucked me in, the gesture kind and loving. I knew he was getting ready to leave for bed himself, but I didn’t want him to go. I didn’t want to be alone. “Good night, Maggie.” He turned to leave.

“Luke?”

“Yeah?”

“Will you stay with me a while, until I fall asleep?”

He looked around the room, as if the answer he sought was within its walls. “Um…yeah, I’ll just sit here in this.” He walked to the rocking chair.

“No,” I said, lifting the covers. “Here.”

“Maggie…”

“You don’t have to. Forget I asked. I must be really tired.” I moved to right the covers.

He ran a hand down his face. “Scoot over.”

The bed was barely big enough for the two of us. My back was up against the wall and I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of him. He felt good and it had been way too long since I’d been held.

“What future do you see for yourself?” I asked as we lay in comfortable silence holding each other.

Luke lightly rubbed my arm. “Well, I imagine me still being here on the ranch and still working at the fire station.”

“But what else? Like, what do you want?”

He cleared his throat and the vibrations rumbled through his chest. I waited patiently for him to respond. “I don’t know. I guess I always thought I’d be married by now, kids running around. Just…a normal life. You?”

I thought about his question. I had my future planned, until a piece of it was taken out of the equation and I was forced to create a new future. “Haven’t thought about it all that much. But I guess the same thing as you.” I leaned my head back to look at him. He gazed down at me with hooded eyes, his breath lightly fanning my face.

“Are you afraid of anything?” he asked.

Go for honesty. “This. You.”

The gentle strokes on my arm stopped. “Me?”

I peered deep into his eyes. “Yes.”

His brows furrowed. “Why?”

“Because you make me forget about him.” There. I’d said it out loud. I couldn’t take it back, and I knew what that statement told him.

Inch by inch, he lowered his mouth to mine.

His lips were like soft petals, kissed by the rain. The world outside faded into the background. Luke shifted onto his side. I opened for him more, inviting him closer, deeper. I could get lost in his kiss. He took his time, and the longer we kissed, the more I wanted all of him.

I pulled him closer still, but he broke the kiss. “Wait,” he panted. “Are you sure you want this?”

I ran the back of my hand down his cheek. “Yes. I’m nervous, but—”

“We don’t have to do anything. We could just lie here. Okay?”

If it were anyone else, I knew they wouldn’t have meant it, but Luke was a gentleman.

I rose, sitting on the bed, and removed my hair tie. I placed it on the nightstand and turned back, waiting for Luke to make the next move.

He smiled knowingly before he got off the bed, faced me, and knelt to take off his socks. He tossed them in the corner of the room and quirked a brow. It was my turn.

I assessed my attire for the next smallest item. I didn’t have on any socks, so my shirt was next. Luke briefly trailed his gaze down my front before locking eyes with me. He slowly brought his shirt up from the back and over his shoulders. He tossed it next to his socks.

My mind traveled to the fireman event where he was covered in oil. Even then I had wanted to run my hands all over him like every other woman had done, but I couldn’t. I itched to do so then.

He cleared his throat and my gaze snapped to his. He smirked.

I bit my lip and pointed to my bra. Luke slowly nodded, his eyes hooded.

I shook my head, making him pretend to pout, which quickly turned into a grin when I removed my pants.

He took a deep breath and his hands moved to his belt buckle. It wasn’t fair. I’d be the first to remove all of my clothing, and I suspected he knew that and was enjoying it.

The belt clanked on the floor.

I was beyond nervous at this point, knowing I only had my bra and panties to go. But Luke didn’t make me feel like I wasn’t good enough. He made me feel beautiful.

I reached around and unhooked my bra, slowly bringing the straps off my shoulders until my breasts were exposed. I peeked up at him, and his face no longer held an easy smile. It was replaced with restrained will as he admired me.

His pants were next. I had thought I would be the first to finish, but, he changed the game on me by removing his boxer-briefs along with them. He stood, fully exposed and no apologies.

He was beautiful. All of him.

Nervously, I went to remove the last of my barriers, but Luke reached underneath my thighs and pulled me to him so that I was at the edge of the bed. I gasped at the sudden movement, and he took the opportunity to kiss me. It was a deep, passionate kiss, his tongue stroking mine as though he couldn’t get enough.

He stood, both of us panting, and gently pushed my shoulders, guiding me to lie back. I wanted him to join me, but instead he kept where he was as he leaned over me. My legs opened wide to accommodate him. He pressed into me, my panties acting as a shield, while he nibbled on the side of my neck. When he bit me a little harder, I gasped and silently begged him to do that in other places.

When he trailed kisses down the front of me and latched onto my breast, I almost cried out. He took his time, savoring me, while I ran my nails through his hair. He moaned in appreciation. I was about to travel my wandering hands down his back, when he stood abruptly, hooked his fingers into the sides of my panties, and pulled. He needed no help as he yanked them off and tossed them to the side.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered before bending to kiss the inside of my thigh.

“Luke,” I begged. “I want you.”

He glanced up at me, and I thought I saw a look of unsureness on his expression. “I’ll be right back.”

He left the room and I crawled up the bed. I didn’t know what to think. My thoughts ran rampant. But when he came back with a square, gold package I knew he hadn’t changed his mind.

“Maybe this would be easier in my bed,” he stated as he got in alongside me.

“I don’t mind it…keeps you close.” I offered a smile and he returned a brief one. “What’s wrong, Luke?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. I just want you to be sure.”

I touched his cheek. “I am.”

He nodded and ripped the foil packet with his teeth before sheathing himself. I lay on my back, and he climbed on top, staring down at me.

“Do you know how beautiful you are?”

His question made me blush.

“You are,” he said.

I reached up and kissed him. “I love you.”

A tiny amount of air escaped his lungs. Did I speak those three words too soon? Maybe. I couldn’t believe I’d said them, yet I didn’t want to take them back. But Luke kissed me again, not letting go as he reached down and guided himself into me. He went slow, allowing my body time to adjust. And soon we were at our own steady rhythm as he made love to me into the early morning.

***

The smell of spring air filtered through the open window. It put a smile on my face. I felt happy this morning, and when a certain cowboy firefighter stirred next to me, I remembered why.

Somehow throughout the night we’d changed positions and he was the one against the wall. Still asleep, I trailed my nails down the length of his arm, admiring his thick veins and golden hair.

“If you keep doing that, we’ll never leave this bed,” I heard him mumble, but I refused to stop.

“I’m okay with that.” Before I could barely utter the last word, he rolled on top of me, sending me into a fit of laughter as he pretended to gnaw on my neck. “Okay, okay, okay! I’ll stop. I’ll stop!”

He stopped and peered down at me, a huge smile adorning his handsome face. “I’m happy this morning.”

I smiled. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

He kissed me and I relaxed into him. I felt him stir beneath me and wanted him to continue what we’d done last night.

He broke the kiss. “Later. I’m starving. Or does a guy have to prove his worth to get a woman to cook him breakfast?” He quirked a brow.

“I guess that depends on how good he was the night before.” I couldn’t believe how brazen I was acting. I was like a new woman.

Surprise registered on his face as well. “Boots, are you saying I didn’t step up to the plate?”

I tapped my finger against my mouth. “Well…”

“You are unbelievable.” He started tickling me unmercifully, and I rolled onto my stomach to try and shield his attacks. “Now that I have you where I want you…”

***

I flopped back against the bed, panting and completely spent. When Luke got up and headed for the door, I sat up.

“I’m going to clean up while you make a start on my well-deserved hearty breakfast.”

I couldn’t find words to speak. I was too busy relishing the aftereffects of our lovemaking. “Oh, and uh…” He stared at my hair. “You might want to tame that.”

My mouth opened in shock and I grabbed a pillow and threw it at the door, trying to hit him, but he’d already gone. I’d get him back for that later, but as I felt my hair standing out in all directions, I flopped back and groaned.

***

Luke

I came down the stairs and leaned against the wall. Maggie was in nothing but one of my shirts while she fried something that smelled amazing on the stove. My eyes trailed to her perfectly round behind and I felt my body react. If I had my way, she’d never leave.

She peeked over her shoulder. “What are you doing all the way over there?”

Good question. I ambled over, came up behind her, and wrapped my arms around her waist, pressing myself against her while I breathed in her scent. “You smell good.”

“You must be smelling the fried peppers and onions, because I haven’t showered yet, unlike you.”

“No need. I plan on dirtying you up again.” I lifted the back of her shirt, exposing her bare behind, but she jutted it out to pry me off her.

“You wanted breakfast, so I’m making you breakfast.” I heard the smile in her voice. She was quite the little tease, something I didn’t know about her and liked.

“Fine. I have worked up quite an appetite.” I kissed her on the cheek. “I’m going to go feed the animals and I’ll be right back in.”

She turned to look at me. “Don’t be too long. I’m almost done.”

I pecked her on the lips. “Yes, ma’am.”

Today was the day I’d ruined my life and hers—the anniversary of Josh’s death. I had been waiting for her screams and sobs, telling me she hated me. But she wouldn’t, because she still didn’t know.

I headed to the barn after feeding the animals. I made sure Maggie was still inside before I reached for my cell in my pocket. My hands were shaking and my head spinning. I was going to lose her. It was inevitable.

My legs felt like they were going to give out, and I leaned against the gate where Cowboy was and dialed Neale’s number. He picked up after two rings.

“Hey, buddy,” I managed to say.

“Luke? You alright, man?”

I paused, trying to get my head to stop spinning. “I need to go out later. You working?”

“Not until midnight. I’m down. Whatever you need.” He knew what today was. We’d talked about it often. And he knew as well as I did that I had every intention of getting wasted.

I hung up the phone and walked back to the house. Maggie was setting the table.

“Hey, how’d it go? You look exhausted.” She set the plates down and came over to me. How was she so calm today?

I embraced her and held her tight.

She rubbed my back. “Hey, what’s the matter?”

I shook my head. I wasn’t going to have her appeasing my conscience when it was me who should have been holding her while she cried and pounded her fists against my chest.

“We have to talk later. Okay?” I asked. She removed herself from me.

“Okay.” Her face was completely crestfallen. “I wanted to talk to you about that, actually. Could you come over later? I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

Josh.

“I, um…I have something to do later, but I’ll be over afterward.”

We ate breakfast in silence, and I tried to enjoy what I knew would be the last of our time together like this.

Chapter 18

Luke

Five in the afternoon and I sat at the bar on my fourth shot of whiskey. I enjoyed the familiar burn as the tension in my body started to wane.

I raised my glass. “Another,” I slurred.

“Shit. Luke?”

I lifted my gaze, trying to make out the familiar voice. “Ernie? What are you d-doing here?”

“Nice to see you, too. I work here when I’m not volunteering at the fire station.”

“Oh.” Great. He’d tell the chief. “Well, this is whiskey. Fill ’er up.”

“I don’t know, man You seem to have already had enough. Does Maggie know you’re here?”

“What the hell do you care?”

Ernie lifted his hands, palms up. “No reason. Just that I saw you and her kiss at the event. You guys dating?”

“That’s none of your business.” I pushed my glass to him.

“It’s my business when she’s been hurt enough and here you are acting like a dumbass.”

I jumped to my feet and got in his face. “What the hell do you know about any of this.”

“Luke.” Neale grabbed my shoulders and sat me back down. “I see you started without me,” he said as he ordered a Guinness.

“I couldn’t wait.” Ernie finally poured me another glass and I eyed him as I downed the stiff drink.

“What? You and Ernie fighting now?” Neale asked.

“He’s trying to stick his nose into my business and asking questions about Maggie.”

Neale took a swig of his beer. “Maybe he’s just concerned, man. They used to be friends.”

Used to be friends. Like I cared.

I raised my shot glass again.

“Whoa, have you even eaten yet? How many have you had of those?”

“Um…” How many was that again?

“Okay.” He waved Ernie off. “You’ve had enough, my friend. Come on. Talk to me.”

“I messed up.” I ran heavy hands down my face.

“How?”

“He wanted me to give her the letter from the beginning.”

“What are you talking about, man?”

“The letter he gave me.”

“Yeah?”

“There was another one inside…for her!”

Neale placed a hand on my shoulder. “Okay, calm down. You said there was another letter for her, and—”

“I was supposed to give it to her upfront, before…before we got close.” I laughed. “And it just makes a whole hell of a lot of sense to do so.”

“Are you guys…” Neale left the question hanging.

“Together? Yes, which…God, I’m an asshole. Another.” I raised my glass to Ernie, who looked at Neale. “Another,” I said again. Neale must have nodded because Ernie didn’t move a muscle until he peeked at him again.

I downed the shot, pissed at what I was doing. This wasn’t me anymore—getting wasted and forgetting about everything else, everyone else.

By the time the shot kicked in, I was done for. I vaguely heard my cell ring on the bar, when Neale picked it up and answered it. He was talking to someone, but I couldn’t make out whom.

“Ernie,” Neale said. “Get him some water.”

***

Maggie

I was going out of my mind. It was after seven, and Luke still hadn’t showed. He had to have known what today was. Everyone knew. And I wanted to be mad at Luke that he wasn’t there, but I felt I knew him, that there was no way he’d purposely not show up. Something must have happened, I realized.

I jumped off the couch and wiped my eyes. I searched his name in my contacts and pressed send. The phone rang and rang until finally he picked up.

“Luke?”

“Uh, no…it’s Neale.”

Why was Luke not answering his phone? “Is Luke there? Is he okay? He was supposed to come over tonight and…” My mind was running away with me.

“He’s with me. He’s safe, but you might want to come down here.”

My stomach dropped. “Where are you?”

“At the bar in town.”

“I’ll be there soon.”

He was at a bar? I tried not to read more into it, but why he was at a bar and not there when I needed him the most tugged on my heart.

It was packed and I left my bike at the side of the building. The bar reeked of heavy smoke. I searched the crowd for Luke and eventually spotted Neale sitting at the bar with someone slouched next to him. He spotted me and came over.

“Hey, Maggie,” Neale said.

I peered over his shoulder and got a better look at the sleeping stranger. His broad shoulders were unmistakable. “Is that Luke?”

“Yes.” Neale put his hands in his pockets and rocked back once on his heels, his shoulders drawn forward. “That’s why I called you here. He’s not doing too well. I wasn’t going to answer your call, and he’ll probably beat the crap out of me later, but I thought you needed to be here.”

“What’s wrong with him? Is he upset over his dad?” I felt selfish wanting him all to myself when he’d just lost his dad less than three weeks ago.

Neale grabbed the back of his neck. “I’ll let that be between you two. Come on.”

He led me through the rowdy crowd where Luke was passed out. I’d never seen him like this and was shocked due to his one-beer rule.

Ernie was working at the bar and caught my eye. He seemed upset, and didn’t say hello. I ignored him and focused on Luke, gently touching his back to let him know I was there.

“Luke. It’s me, Maggie.”

He only mumbled.

I glanced at Neale who shrugged, and I asked, “Should I call his mother? Maybe she would know what to do.”

“No, don’t call Paula. Luke wouldn’t want her to see him this way. It’s bad enough I had to call you, but I had to do something.”

I rubbed Luke’s back, thinking that would help rouse him. “Baby? Honey, you need to wake up so we can get you home. Okay?”

He mumbled again and cracked an eye open. “Maggie?” he asked, trying to sit up. “Shit, Neale.”

Neale shot me an I-told-you-so look.

“Come on. Let’s go.” I tried to help him up, but Neale had to step in after paying Luke’s tab.

Between the two of us, we managed to get him inside Luke’s truck.

“Thanks for grabbing my bike, Neale. I’ll let you know how he’s doing later.” Luke was already passed out again.

“Okay. Thanks for coming, Maggie. He doesn’t do this anymore. I just feel you should know that.”

I smiled. “I know. Thank you for answering my call.”

“Not a problem. I’ll wait for your call. Later.”

“Yeah. Thanks again. Bye.”

The whole ride home, my thoughts were running wild. What had changed between last night and this morning, and now? I believed Neale that this wasn’t like Luke, and knew Neale wanted to tell me the reason but felt it best not to. Maybe Luke and me as an item was too soon. Obviously more was going on with him that I didn’t know about and I felt lost on what to do.

I put the truck in park. “Luke, we’re home.”

He opened one eye and grabbed his head. “My head hurts.”

“Think it might be from all that drinking you did?” I hadn’t meant to sound mean, and my tone shocked even me.

As if he suddenly realized I was with him, he faced me. “Oh…Maggie, I—”

“Shh.” I reached over and rubbed my thumb over his cheek. His eyes closed briefly before glancing back at me. He frowned. “Let’s just get you inside and talk about it then.” I hopped out and went around to get his door.

“I got it,” he said, nearly stumbling to the ground.

“Put your arm around me.”

He listened and after many times almost falling myself, I got him inside and onto the couch. He was out before his head hit the pillow, and I took his shoes off and brought his legs up so he could stretch out. I kissed him on his forehead and headed upstairs to shower before sending Neale a text. I wouldn’t get anything out of Luke then anyway with how drunk he was.

This was not how I envisioned spending the anniversary of Josh’s death.

***

I awoke to the sound of a door creaking. Luke came in, a deep frown on his face. I checked the clock. It was nearly three in the morning.

“Luke. Are you—”

“Come with me.”

I didn’t ask. I just did as he said, hoping to find out what had him so turned around. He took me to his room.

“Sit, please.” He opened his bedside drawer and took out an envelope with his name written on the front. “Did you bring me home?”

His question surprised me. It was the last thing I expected him to ask. “Yeah.”

He sighed and shook his head before sitting next to me. He started opening the mysterious envelope. “There was a girl that I loved since I was just a boy…”

Knowing he was going to open up, I shifted and scooted myself back on the bed to see him better.

“I never stopped loving her, actually.” He half laughed. “But she was a curious creature that didn’t pay any mind to most things around her. Well, she ended up dating a friend of mine. It was hard, but I—” He shrugged. “What could I have done?”

I was lost in the story, my heart breaking for him. Who was the girl?

“Anyway, he’d ask me to do things with them, but I never did. Always found an excuse to back out because I didn’t want to see the two of them together, happy.”

“Aw, Luke.” I went to touch his arm, but he removed my hand. I was stunned.

“It’s not what you think,” he said before taking out what looked like a note. From her? “You’ve probably wondered why I—aside from tonight—choose to not drink more than one alcoholic beverage.”

“Yeah, I have.”

He nodded and took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. “One night, God, I don’t even remember why, but I decided that, to hell with it, I wanted to drink—which I told you I did sometimes for stretches at a time…and I did that night…but I didn’t stop.” He cleared his throat and swallowed. “I was supposed to work that night at the fire station.”

He looked at me and I shook my head, not understanding where he was taking the story.

“There was a…a bad fire. There’s never one here,” he said so faintly as if to himself, and I could barely hear. My stomach twisted in knots, refusing to believe where my mind was taking me. “Earlier that night, the chief had called Josh—”

My hand flew to my mouth and I shook my head, the tears giving in. “No.”

“And he was just being a good friend who was worried about me.”

I couldn’t breathe and felt like I was going to faint.

“He called Neale to come and get me, and he went in my place.”

I used both hands now, unable to control my sobs.

“Your fiancé died, when it should have been me.” He opened the letter and placed it on my lap. “I received this sometime after the funeral. I left for Texas shortly after.” He stood. “I’ll be at my mom’s. I’m sorry, Maggie.”

He left without another word, and I stared at the door, wishing he’d come back.

Chapter 19

Luke

I went into work at noon, still groggy from the night before. Mom didn’t even know I was at her house, but she’d realized I was there in the morning. I told her what had happened, and she was disappointed, but no more than I was with myself.

I didn’t want to leave Maggie. Hell, I’d already skipped out on her—though not intentionally—when she needed me. But I didn’t feel she’d want me around, and the letter Josh had written her was for her to read in private. I wasn’t taken that away from her, too.

“Hey, man,” Neale said as I worked the bench, lifting weights.

“Hey,” I said.

“You want to talk about it?”

“Nope.”

“Maggie was pretty upset—”

I let the weights fall on the rack and I got up, going to the refrigerator to grab a bottled water. “Well, you shouldn’t have called her.”

“I didn’t call her. She called you because she was worried that you hadn’t shown up to her place.”

“I know, I’m sorry. It’s not your fault.” I tossed the bottle in the trash and leaned against the counter. “She hates me, man.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I killed Josh—”

“You say that one more time and I’ll kill you. You didn’t kill anyone. It was a freak accident, and, yes, it was unfortunate.”

I walked past him. “I need to work.”

“You aren’t heading over to the festival?”

“No.”

“But isn’t Maggie going? I thought she was making pies?”

I shot him a look.

“Just saying. Besides, don’t you think you should go and check on her?”

I walked out of the break room and into the garage to test the apparatuses. Neale followed.

“Maybe later,” I said, appeasing him. If I were her, I’d want space. And selfishly, I needed to keep busy.

“Well, your mom called again. She’s worried about you.”

“I spoke with her this morning. I went over last night.” When he didn’t say anything, I glanced at him. “What?”

“You—never mind, man. I’ll be at the festival. Want anything?”

“No. Thanks, though. You guys have fun.”

After an hour of doing all I could, I sat in the chief’s office, looking over paperwork in his ‘unfinished’ pile, when a call was received—a house fire at 292 Riverdale Lane.

I jumped to my feet, the sirens blaring, suited up, and raced to the apparatus. All the guys came rushing in. Neale, Ernie, Greg, and Mick hopped on board.

“What’s the word?” Neale asked.

“House fire on Riverdale,” I told him.

“Now we’re talkin’,” Greg said, and I shot him a look in the mirror. His smile fled.

“You see Maggie?” I asked Neale, trying to go for a casual tone.

“Yeah. She was there.”

“How was she?”

“Seemed like she didn’t want to be there. Looked sad.”

I silently cursed. I’d messed everything up with her, when she was the only woman I’d ever loved…ever would love.

“So, what you’re going to do,” Neale said as we cut down Parker Street, “you’re going to kill this fire, and then you’re going to get your girl like out of some damn chick flick, and get down on your knees to beg.”

I glanced at him. “Didn’t know you were so soft.”

“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me.”

I went to ask him what they were when a cloud of smoke caught my eye. “Shit.” I hit the gas harder and raced to the front of the house. “Alright, men, mask up. Act quickly. But remain calm. Let’s get anyone out that’s in. She’s a big one. Go!”

My eyes immediately zoned in on a little bike with training wheels. I shouted to Neale, “Keep the fire at bay. There’s possibly a child inside. I’m going in.”

The flames were blazing on the bottom floor toward what appeared to be the kitchen. I quickly assessed the situation, but was unable to process all the details. With the bottom floor clear of life, I raced up the steps.

“Someone up here?” I came to the bathroom first. It was clear. A bedroom off to my right was also clear.

The smoke was starting up the stairs. “Hello?” It was faint, but I heard a noise in the other room. I had to hurry. The door was shut, so I busted it down and rushed inside. A little girl was crying over in a corner. As I drew closer, I saw that it was Amy. Where were her grandparents?

“Amy.”

She poked her head up.

“It’s Luke. Where’re your grandparents? Are they inside?”

“I don’t know.” She coughed.

Shit. “Alright. Come with me.” I reached for her. “I’m going to get you out of here.” I lifted her in my arms and went to the landing. Flames were everywhere surrounding us, and I didn’t know if we’d be able to go back down.

“Luke, I’m scared,” Amy cried.

“I know, honey. Everything will be alright.” I grabbed my radio attached to my jacket. “Neale?”

“What’s up, bud? Talk to me.”

“We’re trapped. We can’t get downstairs. How’s it going outside? We’ll need a ladder.” I ran to the window and peeked out spotting Neale. “Top floor, your right.”

“Got it. Flames are out of control. On my way with the ladder.”

I put Amy down. “Amy, I need you to keep your head out the window. Try not to breathe the air in here. Got it?”

She nodded. Neale was over with the ladder and I grabbed it, bringing it to us.

“You got her? I need to find the grandparents,” I told Neale. He gave me a thumbs-up and I shot out of the room. Another bathroom was a room over. The grandmother lay unresponsive on the floor. I rushed to pick her up and brought her to the window where Amy was. She was no longer there and I thanked the heavens Neale had gotten her out so fast.

I radioed in. “I have the grandmother. Need assistance. Possibly one more to go.”

Mick climbed the ladder.

“Got her?” I asked.

“Yes, go!”

Without hesitation, I took off at a sprint. The flames had crept up the side of the house and I had to dive through. It was getting too hot in the suit, so I knew the flames were out of control downstairs.

“Hello! Can you hear me?” With only this room left, I searched everywhere. The closet, under the bed…nothing. The flames were bursting through the walls.

“Luke, get your ass out of there!” Neale shouted through the radio.

“The grandfather is still inside. I need to get him.” I pushed through the flames once more, their liquid heat heavier than before. I had to find him. I had to…for Amy, for Maggie, and for Josh. Even me.

“Luke!”

“I’m sorry, man. I have to try.”

“Luke! I swear to God—”

An explosion went off.

***

Maggie

I didn’t want to come, but I had to for the girls’ dance routine. Caroline had agreed to come earlier in the morning to take all my pies in, so I could sleep a little longer. After yesterday, I was completely drained and stayed up most of the night with Josh’s letter clutched to my chest. I’d memorized every word and every curve of the stroke of his pen.

My Dearest Maggie,

I hope to God this letter never has to find your hands. If so, that means I’m no longer privileged to be in your life. It’s the night I proposed and while you are snuggled up in my lap, beautifully dreaming of our wedding, I hope, I’m thinking of our future. Even writing about this makes me want to wake you just so I can look into your loving eyes…see you smile.

I’d be ignorant not to assume the job I do on a daily basis isn’t a dangerous one. I’ve had many close calls, as you know. If a fire should ever find me and take me with it, I pray you not let it taking my life claim your beautiful spirit and love for life. Grieve for me, but only for a little. Frowning causes wrinkles, and you’re too perfect to have them so young. Yes, a poor attempt at a joke.

I want you happy, and I want someone to make you happy, which leads me to my main point of this letter. I can’t dictate who you should fall in love with. No one will ever be good enough for you. But give Luke a chance. He only now knows, in the letter I’ve written him, that I’ve known for years of his love for you. He’d love you beyond what any man could—I feel this is true. Also, if you’re reading this, then that means he’s taking a chance, and I can respect that about him.

So give love a try again…for me. Smile, laugh, read those damn books of yours…dance. Dance like I’m always watching.

I’m going to go now. You’re muttering something cute in your sleep and I want so badly to hold you.

Your forever love,

Josh

I had trouble processing everything he’d said. He wanted me with Luke, but I couldn’t help remembering all that Luke had told me. Josh went in for him, and I knew it must have been because he didn’t want his friend to lose his job. It was honorable, and something Josh would do.

“Magnolia?” Caroline asked, taking a seat next to me. Her lipstick was smudged and I wondered if it was from Bill. By the stolen glances he’d been giving her most of the day, I’d say it was safe to assume so.

“Yes.”

“How are you doing, sweetheart?”

“I’m going to be okay.” And I meant it. It hit me like a ton of bricks learning of Josh’s death—the whole truth—but his letter…it was almost like he knew.

“I’m so happy to hear that.” She hugged me, and I allowed myself a brief moment to accept the sympathy she gave. She pulled back. “Hey, where’s Amy? She was supposed to be front row with Jenny, wasn’t she? Or did I get that wrong?”

“No, she’s…” I paused to look around in my seat. “Hmm. I don’t see her. Maybe her grandparents are running late. You know how slow they can be, and forgetful.”

“Yes, I do. Gotta love those two old birds. Well, hopefully she gets here soon. Jenny is freaking out and wants to practice before they go on.”

As soon as she left, I dialed Amy’s grandparents. No one picked up, and I thought maybe they were on their way.

Five minutes went by then ten, and I grew increasingly anxious. Amy’s dance routine was about to start.

Feelings aside, I dialed Luke. Straight to voice mail. That was weird. I tried again. Same thing.

Then the sirens went off.

***

I didn’t think. I ran to my bike and pedaled as fast as I could toward Amy’s. Unless my ears deceived me, it was coming that way. Thick smoke loomed ahead and my heart squeezed in my chest. As I drew closer, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

Amy’s house was up in flames. Two firetrucks, three ambulances, and an audience all surrounded the area. I let my bike fall to the pavement and ran to get to her. Her grandparents wouldn’t have been able to protect her.

I darted past the crowd. Someone reached out and grabbed me, bringing me flush against them. I pounded on their chest and tried to break free from their clutches.

“Maggie! It’s Neale. Calm down.”

“Where is she? I have to get to her.”

Neale gripped me tighter. “She’s safe. She’s in the ambulance. They’re checking her over.”

My heart swelled at his words. “I have to go to her,” I said as I managed to break free. She was lying in a bed, an EMT at her side, fixing her oxygen mask. “Oh, thank God. Is she going to be okay?”

“Are you the mother?” the woman asked.

“No, I’m her teacher. I know her grandparents. She lives with them.” Oh God…the grandparents! “Are they out? Are they okay?”

The woman looked grim. “The grandmother is in critical condition and the grandfather hasn’t made it out yet. I’m sorry. That’s all I can tell you.”

“That’s okay. Where will you be taking her?” I gestured toward Amy. She was all tubes and wires.

“To the local hospital. I expect a full recovery in a few days.”

“Okay. Great. I’ll be back.” I looked at Amy one more time and hopped out of the ambulance and went in search of Neale. He shouted into the radio on his jacket. I gazed around the cluster of people, not seeing Luke anywhere. Maybe he didn’t work today. But I remembered him saying he had to.

No.

“Neale,” I shouted, not caring if I was interrupting protocol. He clicked off his radio and looked at me. “Neale, where are Luke and Amy’s grandfather?”

He shook his head. “There was an explosion. Luke and the grandfather are still inside.”

I brought my hand to my mouth to try and keep myself from screaming. Why was this happening? I felt the blood drain from my face. “Well, you h-have to go in there and find them. Please, Neale.”

He rested a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I can’t, Maggie. I’m sorry. It’s not safe for anyone to go inside. We’ve done all we can do. In the meantime, our men are desperately working at putting out the fire.”

Done all they could do? Luke was still in there! I rushed past him.

“Maggie! Someone get her!”

Almost to the flaming house, I tried to dash to the back, but someone grabbed me, pulling me away from my goal.

Ernie came over and grabbed my arm, gently pulling me away from the fireman. “Come on, sweetheart.”

“But I—”

“I know. Come here.” I went into his arms and he held me tight, gently swaying me from side to side. “It’s going to be alright. Luke’s going to be fine.” I wanted to believe him. I had to believe him.

A sudden bout of clapping and cheering broke out from the crowd, and I let go of Ernie and turned to face the direction they were looking. Out from the smoldering flames was Luke, his face covered in soot and blood. Gus was nowhere in sight.

I couldn’t move. I was rooted to where I stood, grateful he’d made it out alive, but equally sad at what his coming out empty-handed meant for Amy’s grandfather.

Luke scowled. Neale went up to say something to him, but he walked right past him and slammed his hand against the side of one of the trucks. Several medics came to his aid, but he thwarted them off. I wanted to go to him, but soon he was enveloped by his crew and the chief. So I went to check on Amy one last time. She was still out.

“Anything new?” I asked the medic.

“She’s stable. Just resting. She’s going to be okay.”

“Thank you.”

She smiled. “I’m not the hero in this instance.”

She was right. Luke was the hero, but he didn’t want to be bothered.

I knew the woman didn’t care all that much, but I told her I’d be in to see Amy and her grandmother tomorrow, to which she nodded and told me to go home and get some rest. I checked one last time with Luke, and he and the chief looked like they were having a long, deep discussion. So I grabbed my bike and left.

I didn’t go back to the festival. I knew they’d shut it down given the circumstances. With Amy on my mind, and Luke, it was enough to knock me out cold.

The sound of a door shutting woke me. My eyes tried to adjust to the dark. I could vaguely see Luke removing something from his waist and heard it drop to the floor. He must have showered. I’d decided to wait for him back at his place, not wanting to leave him alone for the night after how I’d seen him react earlier.

My eyes somewhat adjusted, I could make out his silhouette, naked and strong. There was nothing I wanted more at that moment than to hold him.

“Luke?”

He jumped and spun around. “Maggie.”

I came off the bed, turned on his bedside lamp, and went to him. His face was cut and bruised. “They said there was an explosion.” I touched his face lightly, and he leaned into me but didn’t say anything. “Gus?”

He opened his hooded eyes and shook his head. My heart broke for Amy. Her parents and now her grandfather were gone.

“I tried to get him out…”

I shushed him and took his wrist, leading him over to the bed. “I know. You couldn’t have done anything different.” Drawing back the covers, I told him to get in.

“I didn’t think you’d be here.” He sat back against the headboard.

“Amy didn’t show, so I went to check and see if she was okay. Then I tried calling you.”

He rubbed his hands over tired eyes. “You did? I must not have heard it.” When I made the move to join him, his eyes followed me as if he couldn’t understand what I was doing.

“You were busy saving lives.” I shot him a look. “My phone call could wait.”

“How are you?”

I could have laughed. “How am I? How are you?”

He shrugged. “Angry.” He shifted to face me. “Maggie, I’m so sorry.”

My hand went up to his mouth, and I brushed my thumb gently across his lips. “I could have lost you tonight.” Before tears could fall, I straddled him and leaned in to kiss him. I felt his hands tentatively rest on my hips as he gave in. I ran my hands through his damp hair and brought him closer, not wanting him to stop.

I brought my hands down to his shoulders, kneading out the kinks. He moaned and trailed kisses down my neck before shifting on top of me. He stared down into my eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

He made love to me—an apology for everything he’d done. But I’d already forgiven him. When morning came, we were all limbs. My back was to his front and a gentle hand caressed my hip, lightly running his fingers up and down. I sighed, the gesture relaxing.

“I didn’t think you’d be up this early,” I said with a smile.

“A lot on my mind.”

I turned to face him. He placed his hand back on my thigh and stared at it. “Hey.”

His eyes found mine. “I’ll never expect you to forgive me. I should have been there for you. I wanted to be there for you.”

“I know. It’s okay.”

He muttered a curse. “It’s not okay, Maggie. You needed me and I was too wrapped up in my own guilt. It won’t happen again.”

He didn’t get it. That letter had given me peace. That letter was everything. And although Josh would always have a part of me with him, the rest was reserved for the brooding man in front of me.

I tapped the tip of his nose and laughed. He frowned and looked at me like I’d lost my mind. This time, I tapped his cheek.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Trying to distract you. I see it’s working.”

He rolled onto his back. “Maggie—”

I rolled onto him, my face serious. “I read the letter.” He looked at me briefly before turning his gaze away in shame. “It broke my heart.” When he sighed in anguish, I leaned down and kissed his cheek. “And gave me hope all in one rush.”

His eyes found mine, uncertain. “He wrote me one, too.”

“I know. I’m glad he did.” His hands started idly massaging my lower back. “I want us to start over.” He stilled. “When I knew you were in that house”—I shook my head—“I thought, ‘No, I’d just found him.’ And thinking I could have lost you tore me inside.”

For the first time since he’d left yesterday, he smiled. “Are you saying you have feelings for me, Boots?”

I laughed. “Yes.”

“That’s good, because I do, too. Since you were nothing but pigtails and knobby knees.” I gasped at his recollection of me, and he tickled my sides and spun me over, kissing me soundly until I was lost in him. “Let’s go.”

“Where?” I asked in a daze.

“There’s a little girl with pigtails and knobby knees who needs her Ms. Warner.”

My eyes snapped open. “Amy!”

Chapter 20

Luke

While Maggie visited with Amy after seeing Marie, I stayed. She wasn’t doing well this morning. The doctor said they expected her to have a full recovery, but she’d be laid up for a while.

“Amy really is okay?” she asked, her voice raspy from the smoke.

I gave her a reassuring smile. “She’s back to talking nonstop, so I’d say she’s doing better than okay.”

“Thank you.”

My smile faded. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save him.”

“You did all you could. He wouldn’t have been able to live with himself if anything had happened to Amy.” She started to cry. “They said it was a gas leak.”

I placed my hand over hers. “Unfortunately, these happen often. It’s not anyone’s fault.”

“I know, but I…”

I stood. “Don’t go there. Trust me, it does more harm than good.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

“Can I get you anything?”

“No, I’m fine, honey.”

“Okay. You should rest. Get better for that little girl in the next room over.”

The doctor came in to check on her and I offered to leave.

“Stay a minute,” she said as I walked to the door.

***

Amy was in mid story when I entered the room. She didn’t know about her grandfather yet, and I wanted to wait until her grandmother was better before telling her. That minute had taken several, and an understanding took place.

I came up behind Maggie, and gently massaged her shoulders.

“Hi, Luke!” Amy said, smiling like all was right in her world. Just as it should be.

“Hi, Amy. How are you feeling?”

“Good. Thanks for getting me out of the fire. I was scared.”

I smiled. “I’ll tell you a secret, but you can’t tell anyone else.”

“Ms. Warner either?”

“Ms. Warner, too.” Maggie laughed, put her hands over her ears, and I continued. “I was afraid as well.”

Amy’s eyes widened. “You were?”

“Yep. But I focused on getting you out. That’s what got me through.” I winked at Maggie and she brought her hands down.

“So, what you’re saying is…I’m the hero.”

Maggie and I laughed. “Yes, you sure are.” When Amy started telling another tale, I whispered into Maggie’s ear. “How would you feel about adopting this little chatterbox?”

She spun around. “What?”

I took her hands in mine. “I talked with Marie. She approached me about Amy. She knows, especially now with…” I didn’t want to say with Amy just inches away. “Anyway, she can’t do it. She knows how much you care for her.”

Maggie started to cry. “Really?”

I nodded. “I already said yes, so I’m hoping—”

“Yes!” she shouted before jumping into my arms. I held her tight, not wanting to let go. There was another question I wanted to ask, but I’d wait until the adoption was final. I wanted everything to be perfect.

And on that day, we could both begin again…thanks to Josh.