Blaze: A Tortured Heroes Romance Page 3

  Somehow, bossy as he was, he made me feel things were going to work out today despite the crap that I’d dealt with over the last few hours.

  “I assume you’re headed to work?”

  “Yes. My car… it just stopped. I didn’t even know who to call to tow it.”

  “I’m on the way to the OTC for a follow-up report. If you want, I’ll give you the name of a good place for your car.”

  “That would be great. Thank you for this.”

  “I can’t leave you on the side of the road after all the work I did to get you out of that elevator.”

  “You sure know how to show up in the nick of time.” I was so grateful to see him again, and again Heath was saving my butt.

  “I’m a trained lifesaver, and it appears you’re in frequent need of that service, lucky for you,” he said and smiled. I felt a flutter in my chest.

  He kept his eyes on the road and I couldn’t help stealing a better look at him. When I first met him, he was in his firefighter gear. This time he wore a t-shirt and jeans. He filled them out to perfection. His shoulders were broad, and I noticed the t-shirt fabric strained to contain the muscles underneath. I worked at the Olympic Training Center, for Pete’s sake, surrounded by athletes in top shape but still. He looked stronger.

  His hair was cropped close. It was brown, with threads of gold. He was clearly used to being outside. His skin was tanned from the sun.

  My eyes followed the sinew and veins that corded around the muscles in his forearms as his hands gripped the steering wheel. I realized stealing a look at him had turned into staring. I switched my eyes to the road.

  “You’re the only lucky thing that’s happened to me today! I’m trying to impress my boss at the OTC and being late because your car breaks down is not impressive.”

  “I’m sure she’s already impressed with you,” Heath said and I watched his jaw. I had some indecent thoughts about running my lips over the hard-edged stubble. What was wrong with me? Heath Finch was just so ruggedly handsome I was losing my actual mind.

  “I’m temporary. But I’m trying to turn it into a permanent gig.”

  “Got it. So you’re not from around here?”

  “No, actually, I’m from Indiana. I moved out here for the job. Kind of a risk. I work part-time at my Aunt’s boyfriend’s store to pay the bills. Ugh, I can’t imagine the bill for that car.”

  “Did you drive it out here from Indiana?”

  “Yeah, I guess I should be grateful I’m not stuck on the highway somewhere in Iowa.”

  “I’m grateful for that.” Was he flirting with me? Or was that wishful thinking?

  We pulled onto the OTC campus. I decided I wanted to know more about Heath Finch.

  “How long have you been a firefighter here in Colorado Springs?”

  “I guess you could say I’m a temporary fill-in too. I’m a wildland firefighter.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I was helping the muni crew with some vacation relief but I’m on call, 24/7, for forest fires. That’s my job.”

  “Oh, you’re one of those hotshot firefighters?”

  “That’s right, Fountain Creek Hotshots, that’s my crew.”

  “So, I guess I was lucky that you were on duty the other day to come to my rescue.”

  We pulled into a parking space.

  “I’m just glad you’re okay, and glad you’re not walking next to a hundred speeding cars with pissed off distracted drivers.”

  “Me too. I owe you twice now.” I looked at the clock on his dashboard. I needed to get moving. I’d told Daniella I’d be right in, but I really wanted to figure out a way to stay right here with Heath Finch.

  “What’s your number?”

  “Wow, you’re fast.”

  “So I can text you info on a tow truck and repair place.” He said it with a laugh.

  “Well, now I’m super embarrassed.”

  “Yeah? Well, you’re even prettier when you blush.” Okay, that was for sure flirting. Good, I wasn’t a total idiot!

  Heath gave me his phone and I put my number in his contacts.

  “It was good to see you again Heath Finch. And I’ll be waiting for that text.”

  I had to go. I should probably hurry.

  I handed Heath his phone and slid out of his truck.

  I made a strong effort not to look back at him. I’d already been embarrassed over the phone number. And if he did want my number for more than the tow truck, I could do a little happy dance later.

  Now, I needed to get to work! And try to be just the tiniest bit cool. I picked up the pace and hustled in.

  It was time to do my best to impress Daniella.

  I needed to focus. I was determined to do my best to forget about the overwhelmingly handsome and charming firefighter that had saved me now, twice. At least until my shift was over.

  Chapter Five

  Heath

  * * *

  I stared at her as she walked into the building. Damn. Every inch of her was perfect from my perspective.

  When I saw her walking and the traffic whizzing inches from her perfect self, my heart did feel like it was going stop. She could have been hurt.

  I probably shouldn’t have ordered so forcefully but when it came to safety I wasn’t one to mess around. Especially, surprisingly with this woman.

  She disappeared into the building.

  I immediately texted her.

  “You didn’t look both ways when you crossed the parking lot.” I wanted her to know I was watching. I liked watching her.

  “Safety Officer Heath Finch on the case,” she replied fast.

  “Yes, here’s the number for a tow. Tell them I sent you.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Now try to stay out of trouble.”

  “I shall stay away from all menacing office equipment.”

  “Good.” I wanted to keep the exchange going. Hell, I wanted to wait there for her to finish her shift, so I could safely deposit her at her house.

  I realized this was a dangerous path I was on.

  I had no intention of letting her into my life. I’d been down this road before. It led to pain, and loss. I had to get myself together.

  She was safe at work, I’d gotten her a tow truck contact, and that was it. It had to be it.

  The last thing I needed was a disaster-prone woman, so gorgeous I could barely see straight, invading my life. Or my bed.

  But I had to admit. I wanted her. I couldn’t stop imagining exactly that scenario.

  Paige Cahill, in my life, in my bed. Damn. I had to snap out of this type of thinking.

  I was there to check up on the elevator and be sure the needed issues were being addressed.

  I was sure the Captain had done zero to fix the issue of the fire team communication. I couldn’t make him. But I could be sure that the manager was handling their electrical issue for the future. The thought of Paige in that same situation again if the proper follow up wasn’t done was enough for me to lose sleep over it.

  I checked in with the facilities manager. He knew I was coming and had all the documentation ready.

  To my relief, everything was being done to ensure the building was safe. Repairs were underway. I felt good about the follow-up. The OTC had a fluke accident, it wasn’t a chronic issue.

  My phone buzzed. I was slightly disappointed to see it was Chief Dalton.

  “What’s up?” Grayson Dalton was a decade older than me. He brought me in before there was even a full hotshot team. It was right after my Air Force hitch. It was right after Noelle.

  I was a mess at the time. Furious, wounded, and with no idea about what should come next in my life.

  Dalton was there to kick my ass. He leaned on me just as much as I leaned on him. Together we created the Fountain Creek Hotshots. We built the station house, we hired the crew, we exacted the standards for training, and it gave me a purpose.

  To a man, I had no doubt that Fountain Creek Hotshots were the best crew in the state, hell in the west.

  “We’re full on Stage Two Ban.”

  “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.”

  The county or the state could issue bans on activities when conditions were ripe for fire. We’d been at Stage One for two weeks, and frankly, we had been damn lucky.

  During Stage One, campfires were discouraged but not restricted. It had no real teeth.

  “We’ve not had a drop of rain and the forecast looks dry and hotter.”

  “You lobbied for it.”

  “I did, thanks to you. It’s a box of tinder out there and they were just too damn slow.” Smoking, campfires, chainsaws, and lawn mowers were banned. It wasn’t a suggestion.

  “Hopefully you got the word out in time.”

  “Yeah, and nobody gets the bone-headed idea to fuck with the ban.”

  “They always do.”

  “Yeah, they always do, so just be charged, gear set, and ready. The Kineo Crew has a pretty decent one going already. The map is starting to light up.”

  “Yep, I’ll let the guys know too.”

  We were all ready, all the time, but Stage Two was serious.

  No one wanted the economy hurt because campers couldn’t camp, or hikers couldn’t hike. It was only a serious threat that put a Stage Two ban in place.

  We were on high alert now. And I thought it was overdue.

  I drove away from Colorado Springs proper and into the mountains.

  I looked at all the vegetation. Everything was tinged brown. The land was parched right now. It wouldn’t take much.

  I had a place about twenty minutes outside of town, close to the mountain station house for Fountain Creek. As nervous as I was about the conditions I was glad to get back to my place.

  I wasn’t
cut out for the daily municipal duties of a firefighter. This was where I belonged. I parked my truck.

  I’d built my cabin in the woods over the last decade with my own hands. I lived in the outbuilding before I had walls up in the house. It was a slow process. I wasn’t a construction expert by any means, but I learned what I needed as I went.

  We had pretty much every kind of building expert on the Fountain Creek crew: electric, plumbing, heating. All my guys pitched in when I needed something.

  I suspected I’d never be done. I liked adding, changing, and enhancing the home I built.

  It was probably sad to some, that I was alone here. I just didn’t want to bring a woman into my life. I did that once. And it was too much.

  And I wasn’t alone. As I got out of the truck I was greeted by Gus, my roommate, my big dumb loveable black lab.

  He was all the roommate I needed.

  But lately, Gus had been lonely and had taken it upon himself to impregnate a stray of indeterminant lineage. She was now also hanging around my place. For lack of a better dog breed description, the mutt he’d shacked up with was now part of my life too.

  She didn’t come with a name. But she’d named herself. She was pregnant, and there were puppies on the way. Gus’s girl was now Mama around my house.

  I had no idea when the puppies would come, but I knew it wouldn’t be long.

  Gus was taking good care of Mama though I had no idea what the heck I was going to do with puppies. I hoped I could guilt the girlfriends and wives of the Fountain Creek crew into taking them when they arrived. They better be damned cute.

  “How’s Mama?” Gus wagged his tail and ran around me a few times in greeting.

  Gus had free reign of the barn next to the main house when I was gone. He had the whole house when I was home. Lately, wherever Mama was, he was. He spent all his time watching over Mama.

  It was cute, I had to admit. But it wasn’t something I could focus on. The whole ridge would go fast if something sparked out there.

  It was why I lobbied for the Stage Two. But even with the ban, everything felt ripe for a bad season.

  I just hoped we’d get enough notice to do some good.

  I opened the fridge. I had beer at the ready but decided against it.

  If I was going to get the call it would be soon, and I needed to be ready. I opted for a bottle of water and a piece of cold pizza.

  I texted everyone on the crew to be ready, that we were Stage Two. I checked my gear. And I re-loaded it into the truck. If the call came I’d get out in a moment’s notice.

  Correct that. When the call came.

  We were sitting on matchsticks right now. That’s what I knew down to my bones.

  Chapter Six

  Paige

  * * *

  The shift flew by and so did the balls and paddles at the table tennis demo for the meet the team event. I could barely follow the ball with my camera!

  It was amazing. But the best stuff was after when the team showed a group of fifth graders some expert tips. The interaction and earnest attempts from the kids were priceless. I took photos and edited them, then posted to the social channels all from the event itself, in real time.

  Daniella came over to the stands and sat down next to me. She had her phone out and was scrolling.

  “Great! You have a good eye for the moments we’re looking to capture,” she said.

  “Thank you. The team was great with the kids.”

  “That’s the brand story we need to keep finding and sharing. Maybe next week I’ll have you in on the weekly strategy meeting. Team USA has taken some hits. It’s up to us to show the good we can do. I think you should be in on that a bit.”

  “That sounds terrific. Looking forward to it.”

  Daniella popped back up and off to her next project. I was doing a little internal happy dance. She wanted me in on a meeting! Up to this point I’d just been doing daily assignments. Learning the brand strategy and getting in on helping with the bigger marketing picture for the OTC was a step in the right direction.

  The event wrapped up. I packed up my gear and realized, for the first time since I got to work, that I had no car to get home in.

  I’d arranged for the tow, thanks to Heath, but I hadn’t arranged for a ride home.

  That was the annoying thing about being new to this town. No college friends to hit up, and no grandparents to fall back on like I used to when I needed something.

  I had one option, and that was Aunt Franny.

  I dialed.

  “Hey honey!”

  “Aunt Franny, I’m so sorry to bug you, but my car broke down.”

  “Oh no! Are you okay? Are you stranded on the highway? Don’t hitchhike. I hitchhiked once and it worked out. But that was a long time ago, now, no, just…”

  “Aunt Franny, stop, it’s cool. I’m totally fine.”

  “Good, where are you?”

  “At the OTC. Could I ask you a favor? Can you come pick me up? I promise I’ll get it sorted tomorrow.”

  “Of course, right away. I’ll find my keys and be there in a few minutes!”

  “Thanks, Aunt Franny. I’ll wait at the front.”

  “On the way!”

  I wondered about my car. Was it repairable? I really couldn’t afford a big expense right now. I needed it to handle a few more months. It also made zero sense to pour money I didn’t have into a car that was old and going to keep crapping out on me. I was fretting about that car, my job, my Aunt’s attachment to medication, and all of sudden it seemed like a lot. And I’d only been here a few weeks.

  I put the worry aside and thought again about Heath Finch.

  I had a few minutes, waiting for my Aunt, and I could unpack my moments with the handsome firefighter. It was better than worrying about things I couldn’t change right now.

  Heath was legitimately mad at me for walking alone. Worried, even. It was sweet and a little scary how intense Heath Finch could be. This wasn’t a college frat boy poser, like I’d been unlucky enough to date over last few years. He was a man.

  I wondered about his story, how he’d gotten to Colorado Springs, what he did as a wildland firefighter.

  I hoped I’d get to see him again. I had his number now. Did I call? I didn’t want to read more into this if he was just being nice. Maybe I should wait a day or two and update him on my car?

  Ugh. It was always so difficult knowing exactly how to navigate dating life. So usually, I gave up. My college boyfriends were literally nothing to write home about and for sure nothing to drag with me to Colorado.

  A car rolled up to the front of the OTC building. My ride. My heart sank to my stomach when I realized who was there for me.

  It wasn’t Aunt Franny, it was Chad. Great. Alone time with Chad. I called Aunt Franny not Chad to pick me up because I didn’t want any more awkward moments today with him.

  “Franny sent me! Get in.”

  “I didn’t want you to be bothered.” I looked around. I was screwed. There was no way to get out of this. A car ride with Chad was in my future.

  “No bother, I just need to run an errand before we get back downtown.”

  Great. More quality time together.

  We pulled onto the road. Chad had nice stuff. A lot of nice stuff. No matter what I thought of the way he ran his business it was clearly doing well. I should probably try to be less mentally critical. Maybe I was overly sensitive. I just got a bad vibe that wouldn’t go away. Maybe that was also the appeal for Aunt Franny, the stuff.

  I’d been here less than a month. I didn’t know everything. And Aunt Franny loved him.

  I tried to relax.

  We drove through downtown, right past the store. He could have dropped me off.

  “Promise, won’t be long,” Chad said. I’d just have to grin and bear it.

  “Gotcha.”

  It didn’t take long to get out of civilization and into the wilderness around here. It was beautiful. I concentrated on the scenery outside of Chad’s car. Instead of the scene I was trying to avoid inside it.

  “It’s still so amazing, the views. Indiana is a lot of flat road.” I made polite conversation with Chad.

  “Yeah, I still dig it.”

  “Where are we headed?”

  “It’s a surprise.” I didn’t like the sound of surprise. And I didn’t like the idea that there were no houses around. I was being paranoid I guess. Yet there was no reason for the two of us to be driving around.