by Geri Foster
She turned to leave, but he clasped her arm. “Has it ever occurred to you,” he stopped abruptly and closed his eyes, biting his lip as though in pain. Taking a deep breath, he tried again. “Has it ever occurred to you that the whole thing was a set up?”
Her brows wrinkled in confusion, but she turned to face him squarely. It wasn’t the first time someone had mentioned that. Candi had said close to the same thing at the picnic. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Why would you think that?”
“Think about it,” he urged her, holding both arms now, one in each hand. “I was parked outside, waiting to pick you up. I knew you’d be leaving the library any minute.”
His brows rose, waiting for a response, so she said, “I know that.”
“Do you think if I expected you to show up I’d willingly let some girl get in my car? Hell no, I wouldn’t. Shelia opened the door, slid inside and plopped herself on my thigh because, and only because, I managed to move my leg before she could slide all the way over. I told her I was waiting for you and she should leave.”
“But she didn’t.”
“No, she didn’t. I panicked, knowing what it looked like, and I tried to push her off. That’s when she grabbed me and kissed me. I put my hands in her hair to pull her back and you walked out at exactly that moment. And if you want to know how I know that,” he took a step forward, eyes insistent. “It’s because I never closed my eyes when she kissed me. I didn’t want her there. I didn’t want her touching me and I sure as hell didn’t want to be touching her.”
She stared at him for a moment, her head muddled. He’d said much the same before, but it was never enough to convince her. Somehow, some way, the look in his eyes this time was different. Determined. Strong. Like he wasn’t going to give her the option to walk away. But she’d gotten good at doing just that. Life had taught her how.
Slowly pulling out of his grasp, she took a step back and his jaw locked. Not in anger, but in regret. Turning, she headed to her car, completely confused. As she reached her door, she couldn’t help but look back. Just once. And what she saw in his eyes made her heart skip a beat. It wasn’t the defeat, the desperation she had seen so many times there before after that horrible day. It was determination. And that, more than anything, dented her resolve.
Driving home, she wanted to stay angry at him. That way, all the feelings she had could stay hidden away in her secret place. She couldn’t risk letting them loose. If she did, and it turned out he wasn’t telling the truth, she wasn’t sure she could ever get them back. But, if she accepted what he said was true, even if those old feelings came rushing to the forefront, she wouldn’t have to face them alone, would she? Battling back tears, she pulled into her driveway, clicked open the garage then drove inside.
She killed the engine and rested her forehead on the steering wheel. Why did Griff Bradford have to come back to Rainwater? For a while, her heart had been perfectly safe. Nothing hurt anymore. Time had dulled the memories of being made to look the fool when her boyfriend turned out to be married. Of her failed wedding, where her best friend ran off with the man who was supposed to be in love with her. Now, she felt ripped open, exposed and damaged beyond repair.
Inside her house, she put a frozen dinner in the microwave and went into her bedroom and changed clothes. Sitting on her couch in the living room, waiting for her dinner to be done, she stared at the notebook she’d left on the coffee table when she walked in and wondered why she’d handed her hard-fought position over so easily. Was she so busy giving aid that she didn’t really have time, like she’d said? Or was the thought of working that closely with Griff too much for her to consider.
The microwave bell dinged and she carefully removed her food from the oven and placed it on the counter. Pulling back the plastic sheet the familiar scent of chicken and rice assaulted her nose and she nearly gagged.
She didn’t want a nuked TV dinner, she didn’t want to eat standing up at her kitchen counter and she didn’t want to be made a fool of again.
Griff’s words paraded through her thoughts. “What if it’d all been a set up?”
Could it have been? Everyone knew Sheila had her eye on Griff. They also knew that her and Griff were getting more and more serious. Was there a chance Sheila had deliberately broken them up? If so, could anything be more childish...and could she have been more unreasonable?
Oh God, if it was all a set-up, what she’d put Griff through… Her stomach lurched at the thought, but she forced it down. She hadn’t decided anything yet. She wasn’t sure of anything yet. She held onto the only thing she had left in this moment, and that was the idea that, if what he said was really true, why hadn’t she been able to accept it as a possibility until now?
Tossing the frozen dinner in the trash, she turned on the television and slumped into her comfortable couch. Within minutes she was sound asleep, troubled by dreams of a tall, blond man holding her tightly in his arms.
* * *
Griff had a busy couple of weeks. He’d officially started his job and had signed the final papers on his new house. He looked forward to moving in tomorrow. Theo had given him a weak excuse for having to cancel the dinner he’d promised that first Friday night, and he hadn’t seen Olivia since the night she’d come over to his mom’s house. He hadn’t bothered to ask anyone where she lived. He’d laid his cards on the table. She needed space to consider what he’d said.
But, he hadn’t changed his mind, either. That night, looking into her eyes for the split second they were unguarded and open, he’d decided David was right. He wasn’t going to run anymore. They had a lot to work through, that was for sure, pain on both sides, but he loved Olivia now as he had then, and he wasn’t letting her go again.
Easier said than done, unfortunately. These days it didn’t take much to get her so damn riled up you couldn’t reason with her. With everything he’d had to do, he hadn’t had time to contact her about the Emergency Coordinator plans either. But he hoped to seriously find someone as soon as he settled into his new house.
Scrubbing his hands down his face, he propped his elbows on his desk and tried to come up with a way to break through that iron wall Olivia had built around her. He wasn’t having any luck. While the guys claimed she often came by the station, he hadn’t seen hide nor hair of her. And he knew he was the reason. She avoided him like the plague.
The hairs on his neck stood up, as they always did when he sensed someone was looking at him, and when he looked up he saw David coming into the bay and heading straight for his office. Once inside, he closed the door and dropped in a chair. “How’s it going?” he asked without preamble. “You getting into the swing of things?”
“I’m trying. There’s a lot to do around here.” He leaned back, amused at how easily the man entered and made himself at home, not even bothering to knock. “I can never keep up with your dad. I’ve yet to figure out how he managed to do so much.”
“This job was his life. He loved every minute of it. I don’t think he ever considered it a job. It was more of a calling.”
He grinned. “He did a phenomenal job. Everything around here is in tip top shape, the men love and respect him, and he had the good judgment to put together a great team.”
David’s face beamed with pride. “That’s my old man.” He leaned forward. “Have you found a place to live yet?”
“Signed the papers yesterday.” He reached into his pocket and dangled a key from his fingers. “Proud homeowner in Rainwater.”
“I’m glad you’re settling in. Has Olivia been around?”
He shook his head. “Not that I’m aware of.”
David tilted his head. “You’re kidding. She usually comes by a couple of times a week with homemade cookies or something.”
“Nothing.”
David stood and smoothed the brim of his Stetson. “Well, she’ll come around, eventually. Give her time.”
“Yeah, well, if she does it won’t be for me.”
Frown
ing, he said, “Made up your mind then? Can’t say I’m not disappointed. As a friend, I can understand why you’d decide to stay away. But as a brother, I can tell you, you won’t find none better than Olivia. She’s an amazing woman. Once you get past her stubbornness and to the heart of her, you see that she isn’t as tough as she claims to be.”
“I know that,” he replied quietly. “I’ve seen the hurt in her eyes more often than I’d like. But that’s not what I’m saying. I made it clear to her a few weeks ago that I’m not walking away this time. We’re going to work it out and I won’t stop until she knows the truth of what happened that day.”
“Really?” David grinned slowly, hesitantly.
“Yep. But it’s like you said, stubborn. If she wants to visit, she has an open invitation.” He tried to put on a strong front, pretend like it wasn’t eating him up trying to figure out a way to get her to open up. “Should she be more comfortable staying away, I can live with that, too,” he forced himself to add.
“Well, let’s hope you two work it out soon. Not only because you deserve to be happy, but because it’ll make it easier for everyone.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I don’t know. It’s just that she’s as much a part of this station as any fireman. They care a lot for her and I’d hate to see her feel uncomfortable coming by.”
“I’ve done what I can. I’m working on it.”
“I know you have. Just don’t give up.” David turned to go, but then stopped in the doorway. “You need help moving?”
He blew out a long breath, considering all the things he had to do. “No, I have a delivery truck due tomorrow. I’m all set.”
“Okay, I’ll catch you later. By the way, Amelia wants you to come to dinner Saturday night. She’s fixing lasagna that you don’t want to pass on.”
He came to his feet and smiled. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
He went about his day trying to shove the memories of him and Olivia to the back of his mind but failed miserably. He was just about ready to call it a day when, speak of the devil, he saw her walk in the bay, around the fire truck and into the break room. She had a container in her hand.
Curious, he followed. Reaching the break room, laughter filled the air, bringing him to a halt. The guys were joking around with her and, from the sounds he heard, she enjoyed their company. Guess David had nothing to worry about. She wasn’t uncomfortable coming around at all.
Feeling left out, he opened the door and stepped in. Several guys greeted him, and Steven held up a plate of cookies. “Olivia finally made a delivery. I thought she’d forgotten about us and we were doomed to die from starvation.” He moved closer. “Chocolate chip and they’re still warm. Have one.”
Chancing a glance Olivia’s way, her smile was still in place but it looked less natural, more forced. His first instinct was to refuse and walk away, not wanting her even more pissed at him, but then he decided, since every guy in the department had eyes on him, he’d be wise to play along.
“Sure,” he said. “They smell delicious.”
“She’s the best baker in Rainwater.”
“That’s not saying a lot, Cody,” she teased, good-naturedly.
“It says a lot to us,” Beck said, smiling.
He lifted a cookie off the plate and took a bite. The guys were right. It was the best cookie he’d ever had. Shoving the rest in his mouth, he nodded. “They’re good, all right.”
As the guys took a few more and began to munch on them, Olivia turned and walked toward the open bay, waving. “Enjoy. See ya later.”
“Thanks, Olivia,” the firemen called out. “We appreciate you, darling.”
“I know, I know. You just want my cookies.”
Wiping his hands quickly on a napkin, he took off after her, not sure what he planned to say. When he cut her off, her brows lifted in surprise.
“I was wondering if you’d had a chance to go over that notebook since we last met.” He knew the conversation was lame, but he couldn’t think that fast on his feet in front of her.
She licked her lips and, unbidden, his focus turned to her mouth. The moistness he saw there reminded him that she was tastier than any cookie in the world. “I have bad news.”
His heart skipped a dangerous beat and his eyes shot to hers again. “What?”
“No one seems to want to be the coordinator. I’ve asked about everyone in town and they all had excuses. I think I’ve been handling it so long, they can’t see a good reason for me to stop.”
He cocked his hip and pinched his bottom lip. “Hmm, I’m not sure how to solve that. Maybe we should just post emergency signs and see if that works?”
“My fear is many will ignore the signs and when an emergency hits they won’t have a clue what to do.”
“How much can we depend on the hospital in Denton during a crisis?”
“They’ll help, but what if it’s a situation where the roads are closed?”
“Helicopters.” He smiled. “If they can drop in a medical team, it will free us both up.”
She thought on that for a few seconds before saying, “It might be wise if you talked to the director of the hospital and together you two came up with a plan.”
“Will you join us?” The question slipped out before he even had a chance to consider what he was asking.
She wrinkled her brow and he knew she wanted to say no.
He pushed. “You know more about this than I do. It’s hard to sell something you’re not that familiar with.”
Caught, she dropped her gaze. “I guess I can.”
He couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face. “I’ll contact them Monday and set up a time. What’s your schedule that day?”
“I only work the morning shift. I usually get off around three.”
“Okay, that works for me.”
She looked longingly at her car, parked next to the fire truck. “I have to go.” She took a step then added, almost reluctantly, “See you.”
“Yeah, I’ll keep in touch.”
She started to walk again, then stopped, balled her fists and swirled to glare at him. “That won’t be necessary.”
Guess he’d pushed too far. She really was a hair trigger these days. He’d have to be persistent. “Of course, it is. How else are we going to get this situation cleared up?” He chose his words carefully, intentionally leaving them open to one of two interpretations.
Her scowl darkened, but she kept her lips sealed tight and headed to her car. Once inside, she glared at him through the windshield as she backed out. He grinned in return, confident he’d given her something to think about.
* * *
The next morning, Griff woke at his mother’s house, grabbed a cup of coffee and sped across town to meet the moving van. Today was the day, and he felt like he was really home for the first time.
He hadn’t drained his cup before the men were there unloading furniture and boxes. He directed traffic inside the house and mostly tried to stay out of their way. He knew the men at the station would’ve moved him free of charge, but he didn’t want to ask them to do that. Best he paid his way.
It was past noon when the truck drove away and he stood in the middle of his first home, smiling. They’d set up the bed before leaving, set up the washer and dryer and connected the icemaker on the fridge.
Now, if they would’ve just unpacked the boxes.
He moved the furniture where he thought he might want it and put together the new kitchen set he’d bought the night before. In Dallas he’d only had a counter top to eat off of in his small apartment. There wasn’t any room for a table or chairs. He really was moving up, he mused happily.
Sitting on the floor with a screwdriver in one hand and a chair leg in the other, the doorbell rang. Expecting his mother, who’d promised to drop by later, he called out, “Come on in. I’m in the kitchen.” The door opened, and he heard hesitant footsteps heading his way. His mom was probably maneuvering the boxes. “Be ca
reful you don’t trip over anything.”
Feeling the presence of another person in his kitchen, he looked up smiling. The expression quickly turned to surprise as he realized it was Olivia standing there, not his mom, and she had a horrified look on her face.
“You bought this house?” she exclaimed.
He bounced to his feet and dusted off the rear of his jeans. “Yeah, I’m just moving in. What are you doing here? How’d you know I was here?”
Her eyes widened. “You live here?” she asked breathlessly.
He dropped the smile that had crept back onto his face at her mere presence. “Yeah, why?” He put his hands on his hips. “It’s not against the law, you know.”
She had a dish in her hands that she shoved onto the counter. “Do you really think that’s going to change things?”
“Change what things?”
“Me and you?”
His gaze roamed over the house. “I don’t see that I’m doing anything to upset you, Olivia.”
She stepped backwards and tripped over one of the many boxes he had strewn about. He leaped to help her, but she shoved away his hands and rubbed the back of her head as she got up.
“Are you okay?”
Ignoring the question, she got to her feet and glared at him. “You just had to do it, didn’t you?”
“What in the hell did I do now?” He threw his hands out, exasperated.
Though she was on her feet, she looked a little shaky to him and, even in his frustration, he wanted to reach out and hold her steady.
“Buy this house,” she explained.
“What’s wrong with this house? I happen to love it.”
“Why, because it’s next door to me?” She quirked her brow accusingly.
Oh, shit.
Chapter 6
With his mouth wide open, Griff looked like she’d grown an extra head. His stunned expression baffled Olivia to the point she wondered if she had read the situation incorrectly.