Brave the Heat (24 page)

* * *

Gavin was so nervous, he was worried that he might puke if the kid didn’t get here soon. Pacing around his office, he checked his watch for the tenth time in as many minutes. Sweating, his stomach churning, he went to the window. Some of his nervousness eased when he saw the
Open
sign clearly hanging in the door across the street. If Jordan got wind of this, it would blow the whole plan.

“Hey, Chief.” David rapped on the door of Gavin’s office before stepping inside. “My dad asked me to bring you the keys to the lighthouse, and he told me to tell you good luck.”

“Kid, you’re the best.” Gavin let out a sound of relief as David placed the silver keys in his palm. He clutched them tightly in his fist, his excitement about tonight growing by the second. “Tell your dad that I owe him one. If he ever needs someone to take over for him as the lighthouse keeper, I’m happy to cover. I’ll get the keys back to him tomorrow.”

“No problem.” David shuffled his feet. “My dad thinks it’s the coolest place in the world, but I think it stinks like low tide. He used to make me and Robert help him clean up around there when we were little. I didn’t mind it all that much, but Robert really hated it.”

“I’m on your dad’s side, kid.”

“Why do you want the keys to the old lighthouse, Chief?”

“It’s part of a surprise for someone.”

Gavin stuck the keys in his pocket and wiped the sweat off his forehead before shutting down his computer and gathering up the arson file, which included pictures from the school fire. He’d carried the file to and from work every day since the fire and had spent hours upon hours staring at it, but so far that hadn’t done any good. The only good news was that their firebug hadn’t made any more trouble since Rick died.

Gavin slapped the file closed and checked his watch. Rogers was supposed to get back to him today with progress on the case but so far nothing. He and the police were looking into the Heffernan kid, but Gavin could not believe that this young man was responsible.

No way. He was only a kid.

“But remember, David.” He cleared his throat and turned his attention back to his partner in crime. “You don’t breathe a word about this to anyone. Got it?”

“Sure.” David nodded. He started to leave but lingered in the doorway. “Um, Chief?”

“Yeah?”

“I never really got to tell you how sorry I am about Lieutenant Rick.” Hands in the pockets of his baggy shorts, he kept his eyes on his flip-flops. “I mean, I know he kinda thought I was a pain, but he was nice to me and real patient with all of my dumb questions.” He finally turned his mournful expression to Gavin. “I…I’m real sorry about what happened to him. He didn’t deserve that.”

“Thank you.” Gavin’s throat thickened with emotion, and he fought the fresh swell of grief that the boy’s remarks had evoked. Squaring his shoulders, Gavin gripped the folder tightly in his hands and met the boy’s somber stare.
Damn.
If this kid
was
involved, then Gavin would never forgive himself for letting the boy be around the station in the first place.

“You were lucky to see a guy like Rick on the job. He was one of the best, and losing him was…tragic…but Rick would be the first one to tell you that what we do is risky as hell. He knew this was a possibility.”

“Yes, sir.” David stood a little taller, his mouth setting in a grim line. “I understand.”

“Thanks again, David.” Striding around the desk, Gavin extended his hand to the young man, who took it and shook it eagerly. “I know Rick would appreciate what you said, and I sure as hell do. And if you keep up the focus and drive you have, you’re going to make one hell of a firefighter.”

“Wow,” David said, his smile growing. “Thanks.”

“You’ll be eighteen soon, right?”

“Yes, sir.” He dropped Gavin’s hand, excitement edging his voice. “Our birthday is in October. Me and Robert.”

“You’ll be old enough to volunteer. Do you plan on joining the volunteer force?”

“You bet I do. Like I said, you guys are badass.” David waved as he backed out of the office. “Good luck at the lighthouse tonight, Chief.”

When David spun around to leave, he ran right into Tommy Miller and almost knocked the poor guy to the ground. David grabbed him by the arm to help him, but Tommy steadied himself on the doorjamb.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Miller,” David sputtered. He pushed his hair off his face and looked skittishly back and forth between Gavin and Tommy. “I’m real sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Tommy said through a soft laugh. He turned his good eye to Gavin and then to the kid. “I’m usually better at dodging teenagers in a hurry, but I guess I’m a little outta practice. You kids are always in such a rush. I better brush up on my skills before I get back to work. School will be starting before you know it.”

“Yeah, my brother and I were wondering where we’re gonna go to school. I mean, are they gonna be able to fix it in time for us? Robert is hoping we don’t have to go back.”

“No such luck, kid.” Gavin shook his head curtly and tightened his grip on the folder in his hands. “All of the students from Old Brookfield will have to attend classes in Stonington, at least until Christmas. Hopefully the construction will be done by then.”

“Oh, cool.” David nodded and looked between Gavin and Tommy, an awkward silence falling over the three of them. “Well, I guess I better go.”

“Thanks again, David,” Gavin said. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

The boy disappeared down the hall, and Tommy made his way into the office. Gavin gestured toward the chair by his desk in invitation. Holding a Red Sox baseball cap in his hands, Tommy seemed even more nervous than usual. It was a feeling Gavin was becoming familiar with.

“Do ya have a minute?” Tommy asked quietly as he looked around the office, fiddling with his hat. “They have any idea who set the fires?”

“No.” Gavin shook his head. “But Rogers has some leads he’s checking out, so hopefully we’ll know more soon.”

“Oh, okay.” Tommy shuffled his feet. “There’s somethin’ else I need to say.”

“Sure.” Gavin placed the closed folder on his desk and gestured to the chair again. “Have a seat.”

Apprehension shimmied up his back, and the scar on his shoulder felt more present than ever. What could Tommy possibly have to say to him? Whatever it was, he would take it all in.

“Oh no.” Tommy smoothed the gray tuft of hair over his scarred forehead and shifted his weight nervously. “It won’t take long. I know you have that big party tonight at your parents’ place.”

“Alright.” Gavin stood by the desk and folded his hands in front of him. He was ready. Swallowing his nerves, he nodded. “What is it?”

Silence hung between them thick as smoke, and Gavin thought he might actually choke on it. Sweat beaded on his brow while Tommy clearly struggled to speak.

“You were lucky,” Tommy murmured, barely audibly. “That day in the barn. It coulda been Ronan who died.” He shot a sideways glance at Gavin who blanched at the notion. “Yeah, coulda been anyone. Fire don’t discriminate.”

“True.”

“I should probably thank you.”

“You don’t owe me any thanks, Tommy,” Gavin said quietly.

“Let me say it.” Tommy held up one hand. His voice grew stronger and had a deeper timbre than Gavin had ever heard from the usually soft-spoken man. “I know ya think that Jimmy dyin’ was your fault, but it wasn’t. If it weren’t for you, I’d be dead too, instead of just scarred up.” He smirked. “Twice. I’d be dead twice if it weren’t for you.”

“I-I was doing my job,” Gavin murmured, shame and guilt tugging at him. Two people were dead; being thanked was inappropriate. “And it was Rick who saved your life…not me.”

“Yeah, I know. But you did too. If you hadn’t a’been there, I woulda died…but I’m still here.” He sniffled and shuffled his feet awkwardly. “And so are you.”

Uncertain of exactly how to respond, Gavin simply extended his hand to him. After what felt like forever, Tommy grabbed it and shook it briefly, then put his Red Sox hat on.

“Thank you, Tommy,” Gavin said gruffly, afraid his emotions might get the better of him.

“Right.” Tommy nodded. But he lingered in the doorway. “Tell your parents I said happy anniversary.”

“I sure will.” Gavin picked the folder up again and whistled. “Forty years is a long damn time.”

“Yeah…it is. You’re lucky to have such a nice big family.” Tommy frowned slightly, a look of confusion flickering across his face. “I thought the party was at your parents’ place up on the bluff. I saw ’em settin’ up a big, white tent yesterday.”

“It is.”

“So what are ya doin’ at the old lighthouse?” He jutted a thumb over his shoulder. “The Heffernan kid wished ya good luck at the lighthouse tonight.”

“Oh, that.” Gavin’s face heated. He instinctively slipped his hand in his pocket and touched the keys. “It’s a surprise for Jordan after the party tonight.”

“She’s a special lady, Miss Jordan. So I guess that makes you extra lucky.” Tommy smiled and tipped his hat to Gavin. “Good luck with it. But then, a guy like you don’t need luck.”

The man disappeared around the corner and Gavin’s cell phone buzzed. He snagged it from his pocket and read the text from Jordan that scrolled across the screen.

I’m ready to go when you are.

A smile cracked Gavin’s face. He was more than ready.

Jordan sipped her champagne as the instrumental music from the band drifted through the air and the two hundred or so guests mixed and mingled during the cocktail hour. It was a breezy evening, and she was glad she’d opted to wear her hair up. She’d hemmed and hawed for days over what to wear before finally settling on a classic black strapless gown. The fitted body-conscious dress was understated and elegant, perfect for the McGuires’ party.

Now if only she could stop sweating from overactive nerves.

Coming to this event with Gavin shouldn’t have felt like such a big deal, but in spite of that rational thought, Jordan was a mess. All of his brothers were here, and the McGuires’ extended family was massive. Most of the guests were cousins from both Carolyn’s and Charles’s sides of the family. Until she’d had her daughters, Jordan’s only family had been her parents. While she loved the notion of a big family, tonight was proving to be a little overwhelming.

Everything was moving so fast. As wonderful as it was, it was also a little scary…but love
was
scary. Isn’t that what she’d told Gavin? Now if only she could talk
herself
off the proverbial ledge the way she had with him.

The tent was filled with dozens of beautifully decorated tables. The white linens practically shone in the dwindling light, and the floral arrangements that Cookie and Veronica had put together were simply stunning. A mixture of hydrangeas, violets, ivy, and sterling roses adorned the centers of the tables, and each of the tent poles was wrapped with a similar floral combination. Tiny white lights were interwoven up the poles, and at least a hundred strands of twinkling lights were delicately draped from the massive tent ceiling, which had three glittering chandeliers dangling around the top of each main tent pole.

To the left of the tent was the McGuires’ enormous Victorian house, on the right was an expansive view of the Atlantic, and at the edge of the property sat Gavin’s cottage. The entire scene looked like something out of a movie.

Lily and Gracie thought they’d died and gone to heaven. Aside from loving the gauzy pink-and-white dresses they’d picked up especially for the party, Gracie thought that the lights looked like glitter. She’d announced to everyone she met that she was a princess, and the tent was her castle.

A smile broke out on Jordan’s face as the girls danced in front of the band, twirling over and over again so that their dresses would puff out. Claire was there too, fussing over her granddaughters and happier than Jordan had ever seen her. She hadn’t planned on coming to the party, even though Carolyn made a point to call and invite her personally, but after Gracie and Lily begged her, she finally gave in. But only if she could serve as the girls’ babysitter.

“Boys, do your old mother a favor and smile for the photographer,” Mrs. McGuire said, her patience waning. “Honestly, I would have thought that getting a picture of you five would have gotten easier over the years.”

The expression “Boys will be boys” instantly came to mind.

“Thank you,” Mrs. McGuire said in an overly sweet tone as the five men settled down. “Try to act like grown-ups for five minutes.” She leaned closer to Jordan. “I swear, individually they act their age, but get them together and they instantly slip into silliness.”

“It’s kind of sweet.” Jordan sipped champagne, the cool, crisp beverage doing little to quell her nerves. “I never had any siblings growing up and I was alone a lot, which is why I’m so glad Gracie and Lily have each other. I always envied the bond you all have.” She lowered her voice and fought to keep her burgeoning emotions under control. “No matter where they live or what happens, those five men will always have each other. You should be proud of them, Carolyn. You and Charles have raised five great guys who would go to the ends of the earth for each other and the people they love.”

Carolyn sighed and smiled at her handsome brood. Dressed in a floor-length ivory gown with some beaded detailing, Gavin’s mother looked every bit the elegant, classy lady she was. Charles stood by her side and gave his five sons a pleading look. Dressed in black tie and tails, he was as dashing as ever. Jordan had a hunch Gavin would look a lot like him when he got older. Charles was over six feet tall and had a head full of thick, white hair that had once been almost as dark as Gavin’s. Arm in arm and champagne flutes in hand, the couple looked like royalty, but without the pomp and circumstance.

“True,” Carolyn said. “We did alright, didn’t we?”

“Damn right,” Charles chimed in. “Now all they need are some women to make ’em civilized.” He leaned forward and raised a glass to Jordan. “Well, one down and four to go.”

Jordan met his warm, brown-eyed stare and smiled, raising her glass in return. She could have responded, or should have, but she was afraid she might burst into tears if she tried. Their acceptance of her had been swift, complete, and genuine. Sucking in a deep breath, she took another sip of champagne and squelched the sudden onset of emotions.

“You know, Jordan”—Carolyn sighed—“sometimes I wonder if men ever really do grow up.”

Standing behind the photographer, Gavin caught Jordan’s eye and waggled his eyebrows at her.

“You see?” Carolyn said with a wide grin.

“What a goofball.” Jordan giggled.

The five McGuire brothers stood in a row for the photographer. All of them had donned classic black tuxedos, and every one looked like he could model for one of those beefcake calendars. While they were all undeniably handsome, Jordan only had her eyes on one. Gavin was the tallest of his brothers, though not by much, and as far as Jordan was concerned he was the best-looking man on the planet.

“Mom!” Ronan called. Standing next to Gavin, he tugged at the black bow tie and made a face. “Are we done yet? This thing is choking the life outta me.”

“Ronan Michael McGuire,” Carolyn huffed. “
I’m
gonna choke the life outta you if you don’t give it a rest. For Pete’s sake, it’s only a tie.”

“He’s right, Ma.” Tristan, the middle one of the five, winked at Jordan and cast her a wide smile. “Oh,
hey
, Jordan. You sure do look pretty tonight. In fact, you look as pretty as you did in high school, and I think you would make the picture much nicer. Come on over here next to me.”

“Hey.” Gavin reached behind Ronan and smacked Tristan on the back of his dark blond head. “Don’t get fresh with my girl.”

“Jeez.” Tristan rubbed the back of his head and grinned. “See? He knows I’m the better-looking brother, and he’s worried you’ll run off with me.”

“Ha!” Finn and Dillon said in unison. The fraternal twins, the youngest of the five brothers, stood on the end of the line, casting doubtful looks in Tristan’s direction. “Fat chance.”

Carolyn and Charles handed their champagne flutes to a passing waitress and went over to join the photo. Jordan stood next to the photographer while he checked the pictures on his camera.

“Alright now,” he said, trying to assert some kind of authority over the rowdy bunch. “How about if we put Mom and Dad in the middle so we can get a nice family shot.” Putting the camera to his eye, he started snapping away. “That’s great. Just a few more.”

Looking at Gavin with his brothers and parents, Jordan felt a fresh swell of love and admiration, bringing tears to her eyes. The love the McGuires had for one another was genuine, honest, unwavering, and pure. This was what she wanted for her girls. For the first time she was certain she’d be able to give that to them. Gavin wasn’t their father, but he was a good, strong, loving man who had certainly become a father figure. And she couldn’t think of anyone better to help her raise her daughters.

She deposited her crystal flute on the bar along the edge of the tent before making her way over to the girls and her mother.

“Are you all having a nice time?” Jordan asked.

Claire was seated at the table along the edge of the dance floor, wearing a brand-new navy-blue dress and looking as pretty as Jordan had ever seen her. Lily and Gracie were the only ones dancing at the moment—and having a grand time doing it.

“Can I get you anything, Mom?”

“Oh no, darlin’. I have my soda right here and that lovely young man over there keeps comin’ by with the pigs in a blanket. I love those.” Her smiling face didn’t leave the girls as she clapped along to the tune. “I can’t tell you the last time I had such a nice time. I hope I get a chance to say a proper thank-you to Carolyn for invitin’ me along.”

“Of course.” Jordan nodded. “Mom, I’ll be right back. I’m going to use the ladies’ room.”

Gathering her long dress in her hands so it wouldn’t drag in the dew-covered grass, Jordan slipped through the crowd of guests and quickly made her way toward the house. It had been years since Jordan had been inside the McGuire home, but when they’d arrived for the party, Carolyn made it clear that Jordan should use the bathroom in the house, not the port-o-johns that they had for the party.

Climbing the steps to the side entrance, Jordan opened the glass-paned door leading into the spacious white-and-yellow kitchen. The house was quiet and the kitchen was completely empty; the catering staff had their own separate tent for cooking. Letting out a sigh of relief, Jordan made her way through into the enormous family room. It had been redecorated over the years but the warm, welcoming feeling remained the same. Leaving the family room, she found herself in the large entry hall, and a flood of memories came roaring back. How many times had she and Gavin stood in this hall together when they were kids?

As she made her way toward the small powder room off the foyer, Jordan’s heart squeezed in her chest. She wasn’t only in love with Gavin. She was in love with his whole family, and probably always had been.

Jordan slipped into the bathroom and quietly closed the door before settling her black clutch on the granite counter. Sucking in a deep breath, she made quick work of touching up her makeup and ensuring there wasn’t anything in her teeth, but more than anything she’d needed a minute to get her spinning heart under control.

A soft rap at the door made her jump, and she knocked her purse onto the floor along with all of its contents. Making quick work of putting the bag back together, she called, “I’ll be right out.”

“Jordan?” Gavin’s voice, gentle and edged with concern, drifted through the door. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, aside from making a mess of the bathroom.” She squatted down and scooped up her lipstick, which had rolled along on the tiled floor. “Come on in.”

The door swung slowly open and Gavin leaned on the doorjamb. With his hands in his pockets, he looked as effortlessly handsome as ever. His tie was undone and hanging around his neck, framing the unbuttoned collar. The crisp, white tuxedo shirt lying open against his tanned skin made those stunning green eyes stand out even more than usual. Rising to her feet, lipstick in hand, Jordan couldn’t take her gaze off him.

“You okay?” His dark brows flew up as he studied her with obvious concern. “I saw you leave and…I don’t know…it seemed like something was wrong.” The line between his eyes deepened as he stood tall in the doorway, jutting a thumb over his shoulder. “Did my brothers’ razzing bother you? Because I’ll go kick some butt if it will make you feel better. Tristan may be broader than me
and
built like a tank, but I have the psychological advantage of being the older one.” He tapped his temple and moved into the bathroom, invading her space in the most enticing way. “The head games will beat ’em every time.”

Staring into his loving and playful expression, Jordan swallowed hard and placed her bag on the counter. Inching closer to him, she moved in so their bodies were barely touching.

“Do you have any idea how much I love you?” Jordan curled her hands around the lapel of his jacket and tugged him closer. In her heels, she was almost his height, and when she pressed her body against his, her mouth was a scant inch away. Jordan flicked her tongue over his lower lip and whispered, “It might even border on obsession.”

“Is that so?” Gavin’s hands wandered over her hips before sliding down and palming her ass. “And what do you suppose we do about that? Because I have lots of ideas, and most of them involve you being naked. But there’s a party full of people out on the lawn, and if you get naked, it might cause a scene.” He kissed the corner of her mouth, and in between kisses down her throat, he murmured, “What do you say we close that door?”

Jordan’s smile grew as Gavin’s mouth came crashing down on hers. She sighed, savoring the sweet taste of him as his tongue slid along hers. Champagne with a tinge of mint. Jordan groaned. She could lose herself in him. All of him.

His talented fingers gathered the fabric of her dress up, and he kicked the door closed. She moaned with pleasure as his heated hands slipped under her skirt, and when his fingers drifted over her ass, Gavin stilled and broke the kiss.

“No underwear?” He growled against her lips. “You saucy little minx. I knew you were the perfect woman for me, but this has clinched it.”

“I thought it might be a nice surprise for later,” she said before nipping his lower lip.

“Or now,” Gavin rasped, slipping his hand over her bare sex.

Jordan moaned and lifted her leg to give him better access, but a loud knock at the door brought their stolen moment to a halt. A dark expression flickered over Gavin’s face, and Jordan let out a whimper of frustration.