Page 76 of A Hard Habit to Break

“Yeah, about that,” he said. “What happens when the wedding’s over? What options do you have to telework? Because I’m asking you for forever. You’re ready to plan our future adventures here in Service, right?”

Before she could answer, his cell phone rang. It could wait. Seconds later, the cabin’s landline blared, as did his cell phone. It had to be the firehouse. The only time both phones fired up and kept firing had to do with work.

“The truth is, I have a—”

“It’s the job. Hold that thought,” he said, swinging his big body up and dropping his feet to the floor. He reached for the receiver. “Calvary here. What’s up?”

Noah tried to turn away from Rachel, hiding his face, but she angled her head, keeping him in her sights. The one time he wanted her attention elsewhere, she studied him, a lover who understood him as well as he knew himself. The longer he listened, the more his mood descended. She witnessed the moment his facade cracked. Rachel’s golden eyes flipped a color switch from soft honey to blazing sun looming on the horizon.

“What’s wrong?” she mouthed, her brows pinched in concern for whatever disaster was unfolding on the other end of the phone.

Noah didn’t respond to her; instead, he asked, “What do you mean by a complaint? I’m not fraternizing with her, we’re dating.”Anonymous complaint? Really?Who called in tips about firefighters getting laid? Was there a hotline for that?Press 1 if you suspect inappropriate firefighting relations.“What… who said my judgment is compromised?”

Fire ignited and crackled in Rachel’s gaze, the lightning bolt of disappointment striking at his heart. Talk about bad timing for terrible news.

Distracted by the disturbing conversation, when Rachel placed a hand on Noah’s cheek, he jerked.

“What’s going on?” she whispered.

With her hand on him, and the sincerity in her eyes, he had to give her something. Phone at his ear, he angled the screen and jabbed the mute button with more force than necessary to toss Rachel a bone. “Work stuff related to my committee position.”

As if chewing on the morsel of information, she withdrew her hand, mumbling beneath her breath.

“The redevelopment committee?” she questioned.

Her touch had a calming effect on his riotous thoughts. This turn of events threatened the future he hoped for with Rachel in mind.

He listened to Captain Novak explain how their battalion leadership had received an anonymous call from a concerned citizen regarding Noah’s lack of leadership on the redevelopment committee. It seemed his familiar relationship with a particular pro-bono architect reflected poorly on his judgment and his ability to focus on the needs of the fire service and its constituents. Apparently, his actions were viewed as a second strike, the first being his friendship with the mayor.

Noah cut the call, slamming the receiver down on his innocent night table. The contents jumped, but nothing broke.

“Who was that?”

“My boss,” he replied absently, his brain struggling to process his precipitous slip. “Called from the station.”

Rachel brushed her shoulder against his. She wrapped one arm around his broad back before lowering her head to his shoulder. She might as well have wrapped it around his heart. He’d do anything to have this woman. And no, she’d know he was a loser.

“You’re the only man I’ve ever met who smiles from his heart.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I know when you’re hurting, Noah.”

Of course, she figured it out. The woman can calculate load-bearing capacity in her head.Obviously, she’d dealt with her share of workplace politics as a Black woman in a field dominated by white males. He was dating a beautiful genius who was now his professional liability. This was either really bad or a twisted romantic comedy novel.

But this worry belonged to him. No need to drag Rachel down, too. So he plastered on a smile. He took one of her hands in his, interlocking their fingers. “You’re here… with me.” Lifting their joined hands, he raised them, pressing a kiss to hers. “I’m good.”

She ran her fingers up his back and through the hairs at his nape. Slow and steady, she kneaded the muscles, working the knots into submission. Noah’s shoulders relaxed from twelve o’clock to nine, the tension bled from his stiff muscles. An audible whoosh of stale air exited his lungs. Dang, it felt good to have her caring for him.

“What’s going on?” Rachel sucked in a breath, but she didn’t release it. He caught the telltale sign of her heightened anxiety at the change in his mood.

“Someone… filed a complaint on me. The captain is concerned that I’m distracted when it comes to the committee… A lot is riding on my successfully negotiating the needs of the fire service within the grant guidelines.”

“Okay,” she said slowly. “And you’re actually doing that. By working with existing structures with solid foundations, plumbing, and electrical systems in place, you’re saving the county millions of dollars. The old mill and the outbuildings mean fire,rescue, and law enforcement will have shared resources and training spaces under one roof. Plus, affordable housing with retail shops and the library close by. The town hall can be renovated for the mayor. The high school’s bones are perfect for the clinic… It’s just one big box, with little box offices inside. Thanks to your knowledge about building codes and exits, we know the old pharmacy is the best place for an expanded post office.”

“Six… don’t worry. I got this.”

“But you’re doing the work. They’re coming after you because of me, right?”