Hearts On Fire: Park City Firefighter Romance

by Christine Kersey

  “And you’ve had a heart attack before, Ellen?”

  “Yes,” she said, a bit breathless. “A few months ago.”

  “Okay,” Tyler said as he, Jake, and the ladder crew helped her to stand. “Let’s get you into the ambulance and take a look.” They helped her onto the gurney, then wheeled her to the ambulance where they put the gurney inside. After climbing in with her, they got to work, setting up a 12-lead EKG and checking her vitals.

  Her husband climbed in the ambulance as well and sat near her.

  “Cap, can we have a driver?” Tyler asked.

  “Sure thing,” Cap said. “Boston, you’re driving the ambo.”

  It looked to Tyler like the patient was having a myocardial infarction, aka a heart attack. They got her stabilized as Boston took off with the lights and sirens blaring. Tyler and Jake stayed in the back with her.

  “Is she going to be okay?” her husband asked.

  Tyler smiled at Ellen. “You called us right away, which let us start treatment early. That will make a big difference. My partner is calling the hospital so they’ll be ready for you when we pull in.”

  Ellen’s chest pains had diminished, and she looked at her husband and said, “Looks like you’ll be stuck with me for a while longer, Dean.”

  He smiled, then turned to Tyler. “We just celebrated our fiftieth anniversary.”

  “Oh, wow,” he said. “That’s amazing. Congratulations.”

  Dean took Ellen’s hand and gazed at her lovingly. “To think I almost let you get away all those years ago.”

  She laughed. “I’m glad you didn’t.”

  With his eyes crinkled in happiness, Dean turned to Tyler. “From the moment I saw her I knew she was something special, but I was too…”

  “Foolish,” Ellen said, her eyebrows raised. “I liked him too, but back then the boys asked the girls out and he was taking so long to ask me that I almost gave up on him.”

  “Luckily for me,” Dean said with a tender look at his wife, “she didn’t give up before I came to my senses and asked her out.”

  Tyler chuckled. He could see this couple loved each other very much. That was the kind of happiness he wanted.

  “What about you?” Dean asked Tyler. “You got someone special in your life?”

  Arwen’s face flashed into his mind. “Uh…”

  “Hmm. By the look on your face I suspect you’re undecided. Well…” He smiled at his wife. “Don’t be foolish like I was.”

  Was he being foolish in letting Arwen go? Was he potentially giving up the woman who he could be with for the rest of his life? Tyler didn’t know, but the man’s words made him doubt himself all over again.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  When they got back to the firehouse, it was late on Friday afternoon. They’d dropped Ellen and Dean off at the hospital, but ever since he’d left them, Tyler hadn’t been able to stop thinking about them. Was he being foolish as Dean had nearly been?

  Pushing aside those thoughts, he went inside, but to his horror, he was greeted with reminders of Arwen everywhere he looked. Someone—most likely Tommy—had plastered the photo of him carrying her in his arms all over the walls of the common room. Not only that, but Tommy had drawn little hearts on some of the pictures.

  Not able to stop himself, and ignoring Tommy’s laughter, Tyler went over to one wall and stared at a photo. He’d seen the picture online, but each time he’d seen it he’d quickly moved on, not wanting to think about her. Now though, it was in his face and he studied the picture.

  She was clearly in shock, but the expression on his face as he cradled her in his arms showed…he had to admit it. Love. Was he in love with her? No, he couldn’t be. Could he?

  With his gaze riveted to the photo, he thought about that day, just one week before, and how distraught he’d been when he’d discovered that Arwen was the hostage. He’d been beside himself with worry. It had been one of the worst days of his life since losing Madison. But he’d survived. And the relief he’d felt when she’d been safe in his care had been overwhelming.

  He missed her. He needed to see her.

  He had fallen for her.

  Stunned to realize that, he turned to Tommy, who had a big grin on his face, and with a smile of his own, said, “Very funny.”

  “You like that?”

  “You’re a laugh a minute.” Then he went to find Cap to tell him he needed to take the rest of the shift off. He had to talk to Arwen. Immediately.

  “I’ll scope it out before you go in,” Paisley said. “Just to make sure he’s not here.”

  It was Friday night and Arwen was standing outside of Pineapple’s. She’d let Paisley talk her into going out, but she was worried about running into Tyler. How awkward would that be? Or maybe awkward was the wrong word. Arwen wanted to be with him, to get to know him. Not to watch him from a distance. Painful was the word she was looking for. Desolate was another one.

  “Okay,” she said. “But if he’s in there, I don’t…” She grimaced.

  Paisley touched her forearm. “Let me check, okay?”

  She nodded. “Thanks. You’re the best.”

  “Yes I am,” Paisley said with a grin. “I’ll be right back.”

  Arwen watched her go. What if Tyler was inside? Would she really bolt? Park City wasn’t all that big so she was bound to run in to him on occasion. Especially since her friends seemed to favor Pineapple’s and she wanted to hang out with her friends.

  “He’s not here,” Paisley said a few minutes later.

  “Are you sure?” Was that disappointment tightening her chest?

  “Yes. I checked everywhere. The coast is clear. Now come on.”

  “Okay.” Arwen followed her inside and they sat at a table near the pool tables. A game was already going, but Arwen didn’t recognize anyone playing. Was Tyler on shift at the fire station that night? She couldn’t remember his schedule.

  Knowing she wouldn’t have to face him just yet, she began to relax, but when her phone chimed a text from him minutes later, her heart began to pound. I need to talk to you. Where are you?

  “Paisley,” she said, her voice a mix of terror and elation. “Look.”

  Paisley read the message, then looked at Arwen with raised eyebrows.

  “What should I do?”

  “That’s up to you, chica.”

  Arwen stared at the message. Did she want to talk to him? What did he want? He’d already friend-zoned her. And after she’d made it clear they should go their separate ways, he’d agreed. Why would he be contacting her now?

  “Well?” Paisley said.

  Not giving herself time to change her mind, she sent him a reply. I’m at Pineapple’s. Then she hit send.

  He replied instantly. I’m on my way.

  Arwen’s heart rate doubled. “He’s coming over,” she said to Paisley. Then she kept her eyes on the door.

  Ten minutes later he walked in.

  He was wearing his paramedic uniform, which totally threw her. Why was he in uniform? But dang, he looked good.

  His gaze swept the space. Moments later their eyes connected.

  Pulse racing, Arwen didn’t move.

  There she was. And she looked stunning. Even from where he stood near the entrance he could see her blue eyes, which were fixed on him. Okay, maybe he couldn’t actually see the color of her eyes, but he knew those eyes so well that he saw them in his mind.

  He moved in her direction, his gaze on her face unwavering.

  She looked uncertain but calm. Classic Arwen. Even when she’d been in the hostage situation she’d remained calm and collected. Another thing he loved about her.

  His lips curved into a smile of confidence. He knew how he felt about her, and he knew he had been an idiot for pushing her away. What was the point of living if he never took a chance? Yes, it was risky, and yes, he might get hurt, but the other option, the safe option, would only lead to loneliness and dissatisfaction.

  “Hey,” he said when he
stopped in front of her.

  “Hey,” she said, her voice soft.

  He nodded a greeting to Paisley and she smiled at him, then he turned his attention back to Arwen. “Can we talk?” He gestured with his head to a quieter part of Pineapple’s.

  “Sure.”

  He took her hand and led her toward a booth in a relatively quiet corner. The feel of her soft skin made him think of the kisses they’d shared and how good it had felt to kiss her. Not just because he liked to kiss her, but because those kisses had simply magnified his feelings.

  They reached the booth, which had a rounded seating area, and he slid to the middle of the seat. To his delight, when she sat down she only left about a foot between them, and that was only so she could easily face him, which she did, tucking one of her legs beneath her and angling her body toward him.

  “How have you been?” he asked.

  “Good, although I was surprised to get your text.”

  He grinned, excited to tell her that he’d finally gotten things figured out.

  “And why are you wearing your uniform?” she asked, her eyebrows bunched.

  He laughed, then flashed back to the conversation between Dean and Ellen. He had been foolish. Stupid, really. He’d almost let her walk away because he’d feared having his heart broken again.

  “Something happened at work,” he said.

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  He smiled. “Nothing bad.”

  “Oh.” Her features smoothed out. “What happened at work?”

  “Let me back up a minute,” he said. “When I told you I thought we should just be friends, it was my way of saying I needed a little space.”

  She scooted back a few inches, then smiled. “Is this enough space for you?”

  Tyler laughed. “I don’t need space anymore.”

  Arwen moved back to where she’d been.

  Tyler’s lips lifted in a smile. “That’s better.”

  “So, what changed? Why don’t you need space anymore?”

  When Tyler had gone on his run nearly a week before he’d thought the best course of action was to stay away from Arwen, that to protect his heart he had to prevent himself from falling for her. Now though, it was clear how short-sighted that had been. Talking to Dean and Ellen had only brought to light what he’d known all along—life was all about taking chances and he was ready to take a chance.

  “I don’t need space anymore because I figured something out,” he said.

  “That sounds intriguing. What did you figure out?”

  All kinds of answers floated through his mind as he gazed at her—that he’d come to realize how crazy he was about her, that he knew she was worth taking a chance on, and that he wanted to see if there was a future with her. He liked the idea of a future with her. He pictured Dean and Ellen. They’d been married for fifty years. That was amazing. He wasn’t ready to think that far ahead yet, but the future only began with one step at a time, and he was ready to take the next step with Arwen. He remembered his thought when she was being held hostage that when she was safe he would take her dancing and kiss her senseless.

  “I figured out,” he said, “that I want to take you dancing.”

  She laughed. “It took you a week to figure that out?”

  His smile grew. “I know. I’m kind of slow.”

  Eyes sparkling, she moved closer to him. “That’s okay, because I’m willing to do some of the work too.” Then she cupped his neck with her hand and tilted her head up. He took the hint and slid his arms around her waist, drawing her against him as he crushed her lips with his.

  Arwen reveled in his kiss, his closeness, in him. They’d known each other nearly a month, and in that time her attraction to him had only grown stronger. Eager to discover what the future held, she snuggled against him.

  He told her about Dean and Ellen and about Tommy’s prank.

  “When I looked at that picture more closely,” he said as he gazed at her, “I realized how much I’ve fallen for you, Arwen. I had to tell you right away.”

  Her heart soared with happiness as she pressed her lips to his. After a moment she pulled away and grinned. “I hope you can still help me when I go to the gym. Even though you won’t be my personal trainer.”

  Softly chuckling, he tightened his hold on her. “Of course I will. As long as you don’t mind me kissing you from time to time.”

  She gazed at him, her heart full. “You know what? When you first started working with me I remember wondering if a kiss from you would be like a magical elixir that would give me more energy.”

  He threw his head back and laughed. “I guess we’ll find out.”

  “Yes. I guess we will.”

  Then he took her hand and led her out the door and toward their future, which was as bright as the stars shining above them.

  Thank you for reading Tyler and Arwen’s story! If you haven’t read my first Park City Firefighter Romance, Rescue My Heart, you can read the first chapter in the next pages.

  Also, make sure to pick up the other books in the series by Taylor Hart, Cami Checkouts, and Daniel Banner. Click on the covers below to get your copy.

  One last thing… If you love sweet romance you’ll want to check out my Emerald Falls Romance series. Each book is a standalone story. I’ve included the first chapter from Crushing On You in the following pages.

  Happy reading!

  Rescue My Heart

  Rescue Me

  Two Hearts Rescue

  Rescued By Love

  Crushing On You

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  Excerpt from Rescue My Heart

  Park City Firefighter Romance

  “Well, isn’t this just perfect?” Lacey Porter murmured as her car sputtered before the engine shut down. Coasting onto the shoulder of the road, she glanced at the gas gauge where the needle had settled below the E, which was the kind of thing that happened when she got too focused on drawing.

  Frowning, she shifted into Park, turned on the hazard lights, then pulled the key out of the ignition. Now she might be late for work. Not good.

  The thought of turning up late when she was such a new employee stressed her out. Trying to calm herself, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes, then drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled as she thought about what was going right in her life.

  She had a job, even if being a waitress wasn’t her lifelong ambition. Her bestie Amber was letting her room with her. And she was loving it in Park City. Even though moving there had been hard, she knew it had been the right decision.

  She thought about the life she had left behind and a tentative smile curved her mouth. Most importantly, no one was telling her what to do and how to live her life. Her life belonged to her.

  Then an image of Eric—her ex-boyfriend, the man to whom she had given the last two years of her life—crashed into her mind. She could hear him saying that she needed to get her head out of the clouds, to pay attention to things and to stop wasting her time drawing.

  Eyes flying open, she sat up straight. Shoving her long brown hair behind her ears, Lacey tried not to grit her teeth as she recalled that last ugly confrontation with Eric. The one where she’d told him she was done with him, done with the way he always ran her down, and done with his controlling ways.

  Shaking her head to dislodge the memory, she focused on her surroundings. It was mid-day in early June, and as she sat on the shoulder of the road, cars whizzed by every thirty seconds or so. To her right,
thick bunches of dark green pine trees filled her view while clusters of wildflowers in riots of color caught her eye. The scene reminded her that every year nature refreshed itself, which filled her with hope that she could make a fresh start too.

  The image made her want to pull out her sketchpad and begin a fresh drawing. She reached toward the passenger seat where she had set her sketchpad, then paused. She didn’t have time to draw just then. Especially with her car out of gas. She had to get that taken care of and get herself to work.

  Caty, her boss at Caty’s Cuisine, had been understanding the last time Lacey had been late, but she didn’t want to push her luck. Not with how desperately she needed this job. Not with being such a new employee.

  Sighing, she took her cell phone out of her purse, but then she simply stared at it. Amber was at work for a few more hours so she couldn’t come get her, and with being so new to Park City, she didn’t know who else she could call.

  A moment later she heard a tap, tap, tap on her window. Startled, she whipped her head to the left and saw the most gorgeous man she had ever seen standing there. Perfectly shaped lips, strong jaw, and clear green eyes that reminded her of new shoots of grass. Not to mention the way his t-shirt emphasized his fit body and muscular biceps.

  He motioned for her to roll her window down, and she lowered it a few inches.

  “Do you need help?” he asked as he bent toward her window.

  Feeling slightly stupid, she said, “I, uh, I ran out of gas.”

  He smiled, displaying perfectly straight white teeth, and she was momentarily dazzled by his beauty. “I can give you a lift to a gas station,” he said. “If that would help.”

  Yeah. It definitely would. But she didn’t know him.