The Firefighter's Appeal (Harlequin Superromance) (7 page)

“So the property lines end here.”

He pointed them out, already knowing they had enough property to do the expansion. That wasn’t what he was worried about. Taking it one step further could mean a huge burst in property value for the bar, and for that he needed this damn lot.

“This empty lot is what I really wanted to show you. May I?” He reached for the pad and pen. “It’s probably easier if I just jot it down since it’s so clear in my mind.”

Garrett turned the paper, drew an outline of the lot and started adding things in.

“So a friend of mine, Mikey, has a brother, Bodie, who’s disabled.” He focused on the drawing, taking a second to scoff at his own inability to draw a decent-looking rectangle.

“Art class was always a pain in the ass.” He winked. “Anyway, Bodie is an amazing metal artist. We can give him a pile of scrap metal and a few days later, he’ll have made all this amazing stuff. Sculptures. Wind chimes, that kind of thing. Mikey started looking into groups or classes Bodie could get involved with to, you know, help him socialize a little while he creates. Turns out, there’s quite a large community of artists in and around Danbury, but they don’t necessarily have an outlet to meet or sell their stuff.”

He held out the paper, very aware that Lily was hanging on his every word. He slid the notebook to her. A confused expression crossed her face, making him laugh.

“That is supposed to be a pavilion. And that’s a small open amphitheater or stage. We’d like something where bands can play, theater groups can put on a show. Whatever. We’ll add a deck off the back of the building, including an outdoor server station and bar.”

Lily’s eyebrows arched. She almost looked impressed. “While you sell alcohol and supper to the crowds they attract.”

“You got it.” He took the paper back and made a few more awful additions to the design. “Currently, there isn’t a place like what we’re proposing in the area. This all started as a way to give Bodie a place to maybe sell his stuff. But it kind of turned into something more. Really, it could be a great space for any community group, and the Throwing Aces, of course, would benefit from that, too.”

Lily turned to face him, her head tilting as though she was trying to figure something out. “It’s an incredible idea, Garrett. In fact, I’m something of a junk-fair connoisseur, so I have to wholeheartedly cheer on your plan.”

Her cheeks flushed pink, the color adding warmth to the appreciative expression on her face.

“Well, then, you’re going to come in quite handy.”

He closed the notebook and handed it to her. They talked about sizing for the outside structures and the deck and all the nuances of the projects he was planning. The more they planned and discussed, the more he found himself drawn to her.

Lily wasn’t just sexy as hell, she had a sharp mind and a visionary way of making him see what the Throwing Aces could be like once the expansion was done. She zipped through possible code and zoning problems and their solutions as if she’d written the city manual, and he didn’t for one second consider that she didn’t know what she was talking about.

Excitement shone on her face, and Garrett found himself getting more excited about the possibilities, too. As they walked around the acre plot, chatting about all the things the land could be, the project took on a lightness it didn’t have before. Almost as if the ties to Brad’s illness weren’t there.

They strolled along the property. “I can really visualize what you’re trying to do here,” she said suddenly, giving the gazebo a cursory glance. “It’s just...a great idea.”

“Thank you.” They walked back toward the bar. Lily stayed just far enough away that they wouldn’t bump shoulders, but close enough he could reach out and touch her.

“My brother, Lincoln, owns a showroom in Nashville that sells architectural salvages and artisan decor. I’d love to see some of Bodie’s work sometime. Maybe some of it would be a fit for Lincoln’s store.” Her blue eyes twinkled in the sunlight; her pale, heart-shaped face was framed by waves of damp, inky-black hair that fell past her shoulders. Garrett had a hard time looking away from her.

“Yeah. That would be fantastic. Bodie’s sold a few pieces in the bar, but an opportunity like that would be great for him. I appreciate that, Lily.”

She smiled warmly. The red lipstick she’d had on had worn away, leaving behind a ruby stain. He faltered, and that irritated him as much as the crazy breathless thing he’d had going on just a moment ago.

God, he really needed to start getting more sleep.

Before he acted on impulse, Garrett led her back inside. They reviewed some of the things they’d spoken about last night and he helped her take measurements and sketch a rough draft of the inside renovations. Lily laughed softly a couple of times at his juvenile attempts at sketching, prompting Garrett to laugh, too.

“Good thing I use computer drafting software,” Lily teased, taking the pad of paper from him. “I think I have a general idea of what you’re after here.”

They finally headed back toward the bar. Their coffees were cold, but the room was warm and fragrant with the smells coming from the kitchen.

“How fast can you get me a decent drawing of our outside plans? I just need a sketch better than that chicken scratch I made,” Garrett explained.

Sylvia’s one-week timeline could suck a dirty sock. No matter how many hoops he jumped through for her, Garrett had the nagging feeling she’d still decline his offer. If that was the case this time, he was going to plan B, which included smaller expansion plans that wouldn’t cross their current property lines. That would mean none of the community space he was hoping for, but ultimately he had to be concerned about the Throwing Ace’s renovations and property value.

He pulled out a chair for her at a small table near the kitchen entrance. She hesitated before sitting.

“How fast do you want it?”

“Day after tomorrow.”

It wasn’t much notice, but he needed it. Besides, Lily wasn’t naive. Giving him what he wanted would only reflect well on her company and help seal the thousands of dollars’ worth of work he’d sign them to do. Her light professional smile told Garrett he’d nailed it.

“Well, I’ll plug it into our computer design system and—”

“I can stop by Tuesday evening about six-thirty to get it. Can you meet me then?” He went behind the bar for fresh coffee. It took Lily a moment to respond. When she did, she looked slightly amused.

“You’re demanding, aren’t you?”

“Arrogant, too. Stubborn. Impatient. I could go on, but I don’t want to tarnish your opinion of me.” He picked up a small remote and clicked a radio on. The sound of old country music came through, filling the space with twang and scratch. Before he could set a fresh cup of coffee down for her, Lily was sliding the chair back.

“I think we’re done here.” She started to stand, but he set the cup down with a pointed
thunk.

“Not quite,” Garrett said. “You were going to indulge me, remember?” Her eyes showed a flicker of surprise before she sat back down.

He went into the kitchen. When he came back out a few minutes later, she was looking more relaxed as she tapped on her cell phone. The phone slid from her hand and fell onto the table when she eyed the tray he was carrying.

“Wow.”

Garrett set the tray down and sat across from her. “Is that a disappointed wow or a get-that-in-my-mouth-ASAP wow?”

“Definitely in my mouth ASAP.” Her gaze was wide and appreciative as she took in the steaming platter of marinated roasted vegetables and a smaller one of steak. Garlic, rosemary, lemon and spices he coveted from his home in Hawaii had blended together to soak the meat and vegetables for hours before he’d slow roasted it all in the oven.

There was a perk to insomnia: coming in at four in the morning had delicious results.

“Since the bar’s getting an overhaul, we figured the menu should, as well. Marinated prime-rib sandwiches for starters. But since you’re a critter hugger, veggies for you.”

He shuddered and made a face that drew another blush from her. He sat, stabbed a ribbon of meat and gave her a little salute with his fork before taking a bite.

He tracked Lily’s fork as she slowly brought a baby carrot to her mouth, his brain going on sensual overload at the blissful expression on her face. Those scarlet-tinted lips closing around the fork, her crystal-blue eyes closing in a fan of midnight lashes made his brain forget about bar menus and a bigger dance floor.

Jesus.

Garrett shook off the slight stupor. He and Lily had already had their chance, and it hadn’t ended well. There was too much going on to even think about trying it again. She didn’t get involved with firemen, and he didn’t go back for more with the same woman. Done deal.

“It’s delicious,” she said spiritedly. “The marinade is spicy and sweet, but something else. A little smoky...or...what is that incredible flavor?”

He smiled around a mouthful and swallowed. “A Hawaiian secret.”

“Right. You mentioned that’s where you came from. Lucky bastard.” Her candor made him laugh out loud. Lily’s eyes lit up as she made her way through the meal. “What’s a Hawaiian boy doing in Nowhere, Kansas?”

Garrett rose to grab two root beers from the bar tap.

“Well,” he said as he set the glasses on their table. “My uncle Brad’s wife’s family is from Danbury. It looked like a good enough place to open a sports bar, so he bought this building six years ago and started a slow remodel, bit by bit. When business started to get better, he needed help and suckered me into it...sweetened the deal by waving an opening on the fire department in my face. That was five years ago.”

“That was pretty nice of you to leave Hawaii for, ah, Kansas.” The humor in her eyes warmed him.

“I owed him. Brad’s like a father to me.” Well, he hadn’t meant to share quite that much. Garrett wiped his mouth with a napkin.
What the hell, why stop now?
“A little over a year ago, Brad was diagnosed with cancer. I’m just glad I’m here to help him out.”

Lily was halfway to taking another bite, but she lowered her fork and took a hasty sip of soda instead. “Do you still have family in Hawaii?” The words were strained. Garrett pushed his plate to the side and crossed his forearms on the table.

“My mother, some cousins and another aunt and uncle. My eldest brother, Cash, is...was...a fire medic in Honolulu. He runs the family hotel there now and works in fire investigation. My middle brother, Sawyer, is in fire search and rescue in Colorado.”

“All firefighters?”

“Family tradition, I guess. My father and Brad both worked on the Honolulu department. And so did my grandfather before them. For us boys, it was never a question of if we would follow in their footsteps—it was a matter of how fast we could get started.”

Her face flickered with emotions, the most prominent being sadness. Everything else came and went before he could begin to read them. She moved food around on her plate before putting her fork down. “I see.”

Lily’s flat tone wasn’t the reaction he was used to when discussing his role as a firefighter, especially from women. While he didn’t thrive on being fawned over, he was used to it, and Lily’s indifference was like a neon elephant walking through the room. Her distaste of firefighters in general wasn’t something he had experience with. It heightened his curiosity more than bruised his ego. She met his eyes as her fingers splayed over her napkin.

“So you’re a golden boy from paradise. You care for your ailing uncle, you cook—wonderfully, I might add—and you come running when someone yells, ‘Fire.’”

Garrett leaned slightly over his crossed arms. “I donate blood and mow the lawn for my elderly neighbor, too.”

She raised her eyes to the ceiling, but not before he caught the amused twinkle in them. “Of course you do.”

He picked up his glass, saluted her with it. “You’re wondering why I’m still single, aren’t you, Ms. Ashden?”

Lily gave him a narrow glance. “Maybe.”

Garrett studied her over the rim of his glass as he took a drink. Her eyebrows arched prettily over those big almond-shaped eyes. The paleness of her skin cast an almost pearlescent glow next to her black hair. Green and orange popped from the ink on her arm, leading him to wonder if she had more tattoos elsewhere.

“And maybe I wanted to tell you how impressed I am with you,” he said.

It was true—he was impressed. And also curious why
she
was still single. Lily was a whole recipe of things that made her delightful and interesting and sexy—all attributes men beat each other bloody to get at.

She tapped a finger against her glass. “Really.” Her voice was unconvinced.

They were getting way out of the professional zone, but it was an easy line to cross. Besides, teasing her helped him forget all the noise in his head. “Look at this face, Lily. Does it look like the face of a man who’d lie to you?”

She leaned forward, making the space between them smaller. The back of his neck prickled at this sudden bold turn on her part. “It looks like the face of a man used to sweet-talking his way with women.”

He gave a self-incriminating groan and dipped his head in mock shame.

“Would you believe I’m reformed?” It was the truth. Six very long, very frustrating months. And, strangely, he didn’t miss it all that much.

“Reformed?” Lily choked a little, tried to hide it and a small smile behind her hand. “I seriously doubt it.”

Garrett liked surprising her, even if it was at his own expense. Despite the fun of it, he knew it was time to refocus. He was impressed by Lily Ashden’s business mind and was eager to see the plans she’d come up with. Jeopardizing a working relationship with flirting wasn’t going to help his cause any.

Garrett leaned away from the table. “Anyway, I’m very glad you like my ideas for the bar, and I appreciate your insight. If you need any other info to get the draft together, you can reach me here.” He dug out his wallet and produced a business card with his cell phone number on it. “Otherwise, I’ll plan on seeing you Tuesday evening.”

Before she could reply, his cell phone rang at the same time his fire pager went off. Lily jerked in her chair; Garrett grabbed his cell so quickly that he almost dropped it.