Page 12 of Haunted Heart
My parents are good people, but very focused on their careers. Dad is fire chief now and Mom a three-star general in the Army. You don’t reach those levels without a lot of dedication and hard work. I’m proud as hell of them both. We...we’re just different.
My military career ended with Gleason’s and my own injuries. I moved on and started over. They didn’t understand. I’m a soldier, a do’er. I fight battles, now fires. I don’t push paper or kiss asses.
Jaxon and Spade have spouses, roots in this community. I realize that’s what I want too. I want a place to belong. I pause and examine my emotions. Without realizing it, Kennedy has become my home.
Shutting the dishwasher, I glance up as Grace walks into the room. I want roots of my own. I want a family. I want someone to smile at me and fill my life with joy. Someone I can love. Someone to love the man I am.
I want this beautiful, red-haired sweetheart to snuggle, watch out for, and to love. Every time Grace smiles at me, my heart skips a beat. I’ve found her. I’m just not sure I’m worthy.
“You guys get the fun’ yuns’, down?”
Grace smiles. “They are all so sweet and easy. They went right down.”
Putting the serving bowls on the table, Maura laughs out loud. Jaxon, walking behind Grace, snorts. “They got you fooled, Gracie.”
Dinner is relaxed and comfortable. Good friends, good food. I drape my arm over the back of Grace’s chair while we enjoy after dinner coffee, and Maura’s version of the latest antics of their oldest. I catch myself rubbing my thumb over Grace’s arm. She doesn’t seem to mind so I don’t quit.
“Grace,” Jaxon says, “I got a call from Pops. Has he talked to you?”
“Only because I walked in the shop and saw the sign that they’re closing until further notice.”
He nods.
Time for my input. “What if Grace takes the shop back and puts the old name up? You said there was good business and community support when she had it before. I’m looking for a place to rent and there’s an apartment upstairs, correct? The three of us could come to a deal.”
“What about when your season starts back up?”
“I’m close enough I can come home between assignments.”
He rubs his chin. “You could also apply to be permanent in town. When you’re ready. The chief already likes you and he’s getting close to retirement. Who better to take over than a trained Hotshot.”
Hmm. I'd never considered that possibility. But then I've never wanted to settle down, or had a reason to until now.
Grace stands and starts collecting plates.
“Leave it, Grace, I’ll take care of it later,” Maura says.
“No, you did all the cooking. Relax, talk amongst yourselves. I’ve got this.”
My gaze follows her as she collects dishes and moves effortlessly around the kitchen. I could stay in Kennedy and build a real home.
Whoa boy, slow down. She may not want to get involved with another firefighter.
Could I change? Do something else? I’m good at what I do. Army or fires, I always knew. Is it fair to ask her to take the risk with me after what she’s lost?
“Jaxon, will you and Caleb go check for eggs, please. I want to send some home with Grace. She and I will do the dishes together.”
Jaxon pushes from his chair. “Come on, buddy. Gonna teach you one of the finer things of life.”
Walking toward the chicken coop, I look over at his wide grin. “Collecting eggs is one of the finer things in life?”
“No, but getting the hell out of the way when the women need to talk is one of the first things you need to learn in a relationship.”
“How did you know when you were ready for a... relationship?”
“When I couldn’t keep my hands off her and kept looking for reasons to hold her or touch her. When her tears broke my heart. When she wasn’t near me, I felt lost. When I started questioning my life choices.” He stops and looks me dead in the eyes. “And if I could be the right man for her.”
“I’m a firefighter. It’s what I do, what I trained for, what I am. How could I put her through that after losing her husband like she did?”
