Page 34 of Burning Skies
A few minutes later, when the doorbell rings, a smile erupts on my face. I try to calm down as I head down the stairs. I don’t want to seem too eager. That’s not appealing.
I’m expecting Beau in all of his firefighting glory. Maybe I’ll invite him to come by when his shift ends. We could have coffee or lunch or… something.
But when I open the door, my heart sinks.
It’s not Beau.
It’s Melissa.
She gives me a curt head bob. “Just checking on all the neighbors before we leave.”Right. All the neighbors. Not just you Honey. You’re not special.
“Thanks. I’m fine.” I walk down the side of the front porch until I can see the parking lot of the school. The crew is loading their gear into their fire engine. That’s when I realize Beau’s not going to stop by to talk to me again.
Melissa stands next to me. “If you have any more trouble, you know who to call.” I turn to look at her, and she deadpans, “911.”
I’m starting to think that Beau and Melissa might be an item now.
And he and I really were a one-and-done.
12
HONEY
My dad yells so loudly,I pull the phone away from my ear. When he’s done screaming, I take a deep breath. “I told you, I’m fine. Yesterday’s fire wasn’t that close to my place.”
“This is why you should be living at home. You could stay in the guest house this time. I’m sure it’s bigger than your decrepit apartment.”
“I’m not moving home, Dad. I love where I live. It’s a minute from my job.”
He grumbles in my ear. “You sure you’re okay?”
I smile because my grumpy dad sounds so out of sorts. “I swear, I’m fine. The fire department arrived quickly and canvassed the block to make sure everyone was okay.” Damn Beau Walker for looking so swoony doing it.
When I see the time, I rush around my apartment, grabbing my purse and keys. “Listen, Dad, I need to go. I’m having dinner with Ian.” That should make him happy.
“Oh, well, why didn’t you say so? Get going.” Click.
Nice talking to you too.
The traffic is light, so I get to the restaurant early. I picked theCactus Bloom Diner on Main Street because it’s in the middle of town. It’s not romantic. There’s no candlelight. No soft music. No fancy place settings.
I chose a place with murals of cacti on the walls and plastic succulents on the table. Because even though I have to go on a date with Ian, I’m uneasy about it.
After I order something to drink, I grab a seat by the large bay window where I study an assortment of festive, hand-embroidered cactus baskets. When six rolls around, I smooth down my shirt and try not to fidget. Maybe I should have changed instead of donning work clothes. I’m wearing a white blouse, a tan skirt, and beige pumps. It’s boring, I suppose.
Ian strolls in twenty minutes late. He’s on the phone. When he sees me, he holds up a finger and continues to talk. He’s wearing a tailored black suit and expensive leather shoes. Not what I was expecting for the son of a rancher.
I’m finishing my iced tea when he joins me. “Sorry I’m late. Business. But I’m sure you’re used to that with your family.”
You mean coming last in their list of priorities? Yes. In fact, I am used to that.“No problem.”
Where Beau is rugged with that scruffy face, shaggy hair, and intense green eyes, Ian looks like he spends his days in an office. His black hair is short and neatly combed back, and he has cold gray eyes. And his smooth hands tell me he doesn’t actually do much ranching.
He snaps his fingers to get the waitress’s attention, which makes me cringe.
Maybelle wanders over. She gives me a look, and I silently apologize for my date. “What can I get y’all?”
Ian orders, then turns to me. “Maybelle, can I get an order of fries?” I ask. “And another iced tea. I have a stack of papers to grade tonight, so I need the caffeine.”
