Her Firefighter Hero (6 page)

The children had hopped up on the couch and had their noses pressed against the glass windowpane as they peered out at them.

“Yes, they're a bit overly protective of me. I'm sorry about that.” She turned her back on the kids and gave Jared a half smile, her eyes filled with unease.

He looked away. “They're good kids.”

“Yes, they are.” She hesitated. “Thanks again.”

He nodded. “You're welcome.”

They looked at each other, each assessing the situation for what it was. Her eyes mirrored his concern. Neither one of them wanted to be hurt again. For that reason alone, they couldn't take this relationship any further.

“Well, I'll say good-night.” He slipped his hands into his pockets.

“Good night.” She waved as he stepped down off the porch and sauntered toward his truck.

He got inside and fired up the vehicle, but waited until she went inside before he backed out and drove away. It'd been a long time since he'd been out on a date and driven a woman home. A long time since he'd thought about kissing someone good-night. And the sad truth was that he wished he had met a woman like Megan about ten years earlier.

Chapter Five

T
he following morning, Megan sat on the sofa in her living room tying her shoelaces when the doorbell rang.

“I'll get it,” Caleb cried as he dashed for the door.

Standing on tiptoes, the boy had trouble negotiating the dead bolt. June, who was much taller, helped him turn the lock. The door whooshed open to reveal Jared standing there with a wide smile.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Jared!” Caleb launched himself at the man.

As usual, June held back, a bit withdrawn.

Jared scooped the boy up and swung him around. Caleb's laughter filled the air like musical wind chimes. Watching them together, a lump rose in Megan's throat. She remembered her husband doing this exact same thing.

Still holding her son, Jared smiled at June. “How are you, sweetheart?”

She sat on the edge of a chair and folded her arms, lifting her chin in a haughty stare. “I'm fine, thank you. But what are you doing here?”

“June! Don't be rude,” Megan said, though she couldn't help wondering the same thing. She felt like her daughter. Filled with trepidation. She hadn't seen Caleb this happy since before his daddy's death. Her son was young and might soon lose most of his memories of his father, but June was older. And like Megan, would never forget.

Jared shrugged, seeming undeterred by the girl's glower. “I was hoping to speak to your mom for a few minutes, if that's okay.”

June didn't respond.

Megan stood and waited for Caleb to settle down. In spite of knowing that Connie was opening the restaurant for her that morning, Megan had woken up early. Worried and too nervous to sleep the night before, she had dressed and gotten the kids their breakfast, planning to walk with them the six blocks to Main Street. She needed to speak with Grant Metcalf, the owner of the only gas station in town. Hopefully, he'd be able to haul her old truck into his garage for repairs as soon as possible. And hopefully, the work wouldn't cost her an arm and a leg.

“Jared, look! I've got a loose tooth.” Caleb gritted his teeth and pressed against a wobbly tooth in the front.

“Yeah, that's great, buddy,” Jared said. “How's the swing working out?”

“Great! You wanna come out back and see it? When I pump my legs hard, I can go so high.” Caleb lifted his arms over his head to emphasize his words.

Jared glanced Megan's way. “Maybe tomorrow. Right now, I need to speak with your mom, and then I've got to get into work.”

Megan's heart gave a maddening thump, then sped up into double time. Her son liked this man. A lot. And so did she.

Looking out the living room window, she saw a strange truck parked in her driveway. Jared owned a blue pickup truck, but this one was different. At first glance, she thought it must be his work vehicle. It was Forest Service green, but had no markings to indicate that it was a government-owned vehicle.

“What are you doing here so early in the morning?” she asked.

He set Caleb down and jerked his chin toward the driveway. “I've got a business matter I need to discuss with you. Can I speak with you outside for a few minutes?”

Wondering what on earth he wanted, she stepped out on the porch with him and called over her shoulder to the children. “You kids stay inside. June, help your brother find his shoes and put them on.”

“Ah, I wanna come with,” Caleb groaned.

Megan gave him a stern look. She didn't want her children around when she told Jared that he should stop coming over here. “Finish your breakfast and get your shoes on, son. I'll be right back.”

She closed the door firmly against the boy's protests and went outside with Jared. He led her to the driveway, finally stopping beside the green vehicle. Gleaming water droplets clung to the front fender, as though it had been freshly washed. Jared pressed his fingers against the passenger door. As usual, he looked dashing in his Forest Service uniform. He stood there, tall and handsome, and flashed that devastating smile that made her stomach swirl with butterflies.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Good morning. What's up?” Okay, not too harsh, but blunt enough to let him know that she wanted to get down to business.

He tapped the front fender with his finger. “Since you're without wheels right now, I thought maybe I could help you out.”

Confusion fogged her brain. “What do you mean?”

“I thought you could use this truck.”

She stared at the vehicle as if it was a three-headed monster. “I don't understand.”

He shrugged his powerful shoulders, a smile widening his sun-bronzed features. He'd slicked his hair back with a bit of gel, and his jaw was blunt and determined. “It's a loan. To use while you're working with me. You can drive it here in town and also when you cater meals to the fire crews up in the mountains this summer. Whatever you need. You can return it once the fire season is over in the fall.”

Her mouth dropped open, and she had to consciously close it. “But I'll have my own vehicle repaired soon. I can use it to drive up in the mountains.”

He shook his head, his voice light but insistent. “No, your truck is too old and unreliable. I don't want you and your people broken down somewhere on a deserted road where there isn't any cell phone service to call for help. I told you when you agreed to be one of my contractors that I'd provide some of the equipment you'll need for your work. And that includes this newer truck. Besides, it'll save you wear and tear on your vehicle.”

She blinked in shock. “Who does this one belong to?”

“Me. I bought it three months ago at a surplus sale. At the time, I didn't really need it, but it was in excellent condition and such a good price that I didn't want to let it go. The Forest Service is the original owner, so it's been maintained very well. It's got a trailer hitch, so you can pull your supplies behind and you shouldn't have any problems with the engine.”

She took a step back. “Oh, no. I can't accept this.”

He met her eyes, looking surprised. “Why not?”

“I don't accept handouts.”

His brow crinkled with disapproval. “It's not a handout, Megan. It's a tool. A truck. So that you can do your work to feed the fire crews. That's all.”

Hmm. She wanted to believe him but couldn't help feeling suspicious. It was more than just a truck. It was him inserting his life into hers and helping her out even though she hadn't asked for it. His continued generosity touched her, but she wouldn't accept charity. Not as long as she could find a way to help herself.

“How about if I rent it from you?” she asked.

He opened his mouth, then closed it, as though he wanted to argue, but realized it was futile. “Okay, but just enough to cover the mileage. Say twenty dollars a month?”

She snorted. “How about a hundred dollars a month, along with parts and service?”

He folded his arms, making the fabric of his sleeves tighten around his big biceps. “Make it fifty and an occasional home-cooked meal, and we've got a deal.”

Oh, boy. His terms would mean that he'd be coming over to her house now and then to have dinner with her and the kids. Laughing, joking, having fun. Becoming good friends. And she couldn't let that happen.

“I'll agree to seventy-five,” she said, omitting anything about fixing him dinner.

He stood before her, his legs spread slightly. Unfolding his arms, he rested his hands on his lean hips. Solid and tenacious. But she could be stubborn, too. On the one hand, she wanted to accept his offer. She'd be crazy not to. She'd already spent a sleepless night wondering how to pay for major repairs on her old junker truck. Wondering how she was going to get her kids back and forth to school and the restaurant, much less haul food up on the mountain. But on the other hand, Jared was being too generous. There to bail her out of trouble as he'd done with the washing machine and the ride home the previous night. And it'd be crazy to have him over to the house for supper with the kids. Kind of like jumping from the pan into the fire.

He shook his head, the sunlight gleaming against his dark blond hair. “Nope. Fifty dollars a month or no deal.”

So he'd called her bluff. They stood there looking at each other in a standoff, and neither of them spoke for several pounding moments. She couldn't deny the urge to accept all that he offered. It'd be so easy to say yes. To give in and make life easier on herself. But it was an illusion. She'd pay a heavy price later on. She couldn't get any closer to him. Even as friends. No, not again. She just couldn't. She opened her mouth to tell him so, but the words wouldn't come out.

“Agreed, but you'll have to eat your home-cooked meals over at the restaurant,” she finally said. “As a general rule, I only have Sunday and Monday nights off, so I'm not usually here at home during the dinner hour.”

Of course, she could invite him over on her nights off, but she didn't say that. It was better not to offer that option to him.

Placing the key in her hand, he flashed a smile so bright that she had to swallow.

“Agreed,” he said. “And we've already had Grant Metcalf tow your truck over to his garage for service.”

“We?” she said.

“Yes, Tim and me. He thinks the alternator's gone out. If that's the case, Grant said he'll have to order parts, which could take several weeks before the repairs are done.”

She shook her head, feeling dazed. He'd made this matter so simple for her. She hadn't had to do a single thing. “You've already spoken to Grant about my truck?”

He jerked one shoulder. “Yeah, Tim and I took care of it for you early this morning. I thought it might help you out since you've got the kids to deal with and all.”

“I was going to see Grant now,” she said.

“Actually, Tim made the first call to ask the mechanic to come over and tow your truck back to his garage and take a look at the engine,” he said. “I just followed up to find out what he thought the problem was. Tim says the guy's good. And seems that he is, because Grant said it can be fixed but it will take time.”

Oh. So Jared hadn't acted completely on his own. Like all the other hotshots, he was just looking out for Blaine's widow. And she shouldn't be surprised. Even though Jared had never met him, her husband had been one of their own. And they had been a big, happy family. And while Grant wasn't a hotshot, he'd gone to high school with Blaine, and they'd been close friends for a lot of years. She couldn't really fault the guys for taking care of the family Blaine had left behind.

Not when she needed them so much.

And it was obvious that, more and more, Jared seemed to fit right in with the hotshots. He kept rescuing her from one problem after the next. And she could get used to this. To become complacent and comfortable. But she knew security was a mirage. A facade that didn't last. She had to stay sharp and independent so that she could ensure her kids were taken care of. But her service in her church congregation had taught her that gratitude was also important. And right now, she was very grateful.

“Thank you. You've made everything so easy for me,” she said.

She felt as if she needed to repay him somehow. The monthly stipend they'd agreed upon for her use of his truck seemed insufficient. Maybe she could let the kids take him a plate of homemade cookies later that night. Or have a standing order that he ate at the restaurant for free. And yet, she wanted so much more. A loving husband to come home to each night. Someone to share her fears and joys with.

No! She must harness those kinds of thoughts. There could be no more. Not with this man. Not ever.

“It's my pleasure.” He glanced at his wristwatch. “And now I better get into the office.”

He turned and headed down the sidewalk.

“Wait!” she called after him.

He paused, pivoting on his boot heels. “Yes?”

“How will you get to the Forest Service office? After all, you drove your truck here and are leaving it behind for me to use.”

“I'll walk, of course. It isn't far.”

No, in a community this size, walking wasn't so difficult. Unless you were driving to one of the ranches outside of town, everything was pretty close together. But she didn't feel right about leaving him afoot.

“If you'll give me a moment to round up the kids, I can drive you there,” she offered.

“Thanks anyway, but that's not necessary. I've got my other truck over at the office. It's only five blocks. I'll be fine.”

He waved and she couldn't help returning his smile. He'd disappeared from view when she remembered that she'd wanted to tell him not to come around anymore. But she figured it was for the best. She owed him big-time. But that didn't mean they were going to be more than friends. No sirree. She wasn't about to let her mind dwell on romantic thoughts with this or any other firefighter.

* * *

Jared ate dinner at the restaurant later that night. It wasn't overly busy when he walked in. And he'd already scanned the room before he realized he was looking for Megan.

“Hi, Jared.” Sean Nash sat with Tessa in a side booth and waved at him.

Another man sat across the table from them, with the same golden-brown hair and green eyes as Tessa. Ah, this must be her brother, Zach. Tim had mentioned the guy once. Apparently Zach was Sean's best friend.

Jared walked over to greet them all. “Hi, there.”

“This is my brother, Zach,” Tessa confirmed. “He's a member of the hotshot crew, too.”

“Ah, I'm glad to meet you.” Jared clasped the hand that Zach extended, and they shook. Jared looked forward to meeting all the other hotshots. They were all seasonal employees, except for the superintendent and the crew boss, who were permanent hires employed twelve months out of the year. With the fire season just starting up, the crew members weren't all here yet.