by Geri Foster
He put down his fork and propped his forearms on the table. “They really appreciate all you do. You’re as much a part of the department as anyone else.”
She picked up her napkin and blotted her lips. “Thank you for saying that, but since my dad was the Fire Chief, I sort of felt it my duty.”
“Well, it isn’t, you know.”
She nodded. “I know. I like doing it, honestly. It’s just, work has been crazy and I…” she trailed off.
“You’re exhausted beyond belief?” he chuckled.
She smiled, relief that he got it clear on her face. “Exactly.”
“Don’t worry, Olivia. We’ll find someone.”
They finished eating and were cleaning up the table when he just couldn’t take it any longer. Removing the glasses out of her hand, he placed them down and pulled her against him, lowering his head and capturing her mouth. She tasted piquant and spicy. He paused briefly to see if she’d pull away, but she didn’t. Instead, she leaned into him and deepened the kiss.
He thought he’d been kissed a time or two in his life, but nothing like this. Her touch, her taste and the erotic feel of her body against his had his testosterone in high-gear. He wrapped his arms around her and tightened his grip.
It’d been so long. So very, very long since he’d held the woman he loved in his arms. He felt rejuvenated and optimistic. He didn’t want to worry about what would happen next. He just wanted this moment and the feel of her lips against his.
Just when it started to grow really interesting, she leaned away and cleared her throat. “I think you’re going to be late for your meeting.”
He quickly glanced at his watch. Damn! “I’d much rather stay here and continue this.” He teased with a sexy smile. “I’m interested to see where it might end up at.”
She blushed and turned toward the door. “You won’t learn that tonight. I have to go. Be careful.”
He watched her walk away and had to grip the edge of the counter to keep from going after her. Damn, she was the most tempting woman alive and he wanted her in his bed. Now.
With duty calling, he drove to Frankie’s. Once inside, his eyes adjusted to the dim light and he made out the three men he was looking for sitting at a table in the corner, waiting for him. Walking over, he pulled out a chair, spun it around and straddled it. “Evening gents.”
“How’s it going?” Austin asked. “I hear we might have a problem.”
David braced his arms on the table. “Lucas brought me up to date earlier today.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe we might have an arsonist in our midst.”
“Yeah,” Lucas said. “You could’ve knocked me over with a feather. Who in the hell would want to set the Hollins’ house or the Switzer’s place on fire?” He let out a disgusting breath. “I just don’t believe it.”
He knew how he felt. “I certainly didn’t expect to deal with this on the first day of the job. Trust me. The very idea of a flamer is a fireman’s worst nightmare.” He blinked several times. “I didn’t expect it in a million years.” Clearing his scratchy throat, he amended, “Not here in Rainwater, anyway.”
The waitress came to the table and he ordered a beer. David and Austin requested a second.
“That’s just it,” Austin said as the waitress walked away. “It’s strange that this should coincide with Theo retiring and you taking over. Do you think anyone at the station might hold a grudge about not getting the position?”
He glanced at Lucas, then back to Austin. “I checked with Theo. Only Ross Kelley applied. From what I’ve gathered, he wasn’t a good candidate and doesn’t really get along with the rest of the crew. I sense he resents my presence, but I’m hoping he’ll put that aside eventually. The rest of the crew has been fine with me replacing their old boss.”
“And you don’t have any enemies on the job?” Lucas asked.
He shrugged. “I haven’t been there long enough to really stir up any resentment. And these are good guys. They work hard and put their lives in danger every time they answer a call.”
“But we can’t overlook Kelley,” David said. “Besides his bad attitude, he asked Olivia out several months ago. She turned him down and he didn’t take it too easily.”
“What happened?” Griff asked. Maybe that explained Kelley’s resentment toward him. Everyone in town knew he and Olivia were a couple during their teens. Perhaps he feared they’d rekindle that. Which, to be fair, was exactly what was happening. “Did he harass her?”
“No, when he turned insistent, my dad shut him down in a hurry. Not a peep from him since.”
“Hmm. Well, there’s also Lonnie Bissett. Theo told me he’d been in some trouble earlier, but otherwise he’s a good guy,” he said. “Though, I’m not sure how serious he really is about becoming part of the team.”
“He was,” Lucas admitted. “Most of it harmless, but he’s always been riveted by the fire station and has hung around it for years. You might be right though. He’s in his thirties and he doesn’t have a stable job and hasn’t passed the fireman exam to do that as a career. Hasn’t really put the effort into it either, from what I’ve heard. So, the question is, is his fascination with the station or fires? I don’t know.”
“So,” Austin said. “Where does that leave us?”
Lucas thought on that for a minute. “It’s important we consider all scenarios here, but I wonder if we’re overreacting. It’s just been two fires and we don’t know the cause for sure yet.”
He took a deep breath. “Actually, I got a call from Goldman on my way here. The Hollins’ fire was set. He found a hydrocarbon-based accelerant.”
“What kind?” Lucas asked.
“Diesel fuel.”
“That’s not your regular, run of the mill fuel,” Austin said.
“It not that unusual, but I was surprised. I was expecting gasoline because it’s so easy to obtain.”
“So is diesel fuel,” David added.
“The only thing about that is there isn’t a station in Rainwater that sells diesel fuel,” he added. “I checked. So, it had to have been brought in.”
Lucas took a gulp of his beer then put the bottle down. “And the more you haul it around, the more likely it is to spill and stink up your vehicle.”
“Do you think the same thing was used on the Switzer’s place?” David asked, looking at him.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I didn’t smell anything, and Goldman isn’t coming until tomorrow. Since the place is abandoned it shouldn’t take him long to find the origin and the accelerant.”
Lucas leaned closer. “I think we need to keep in close contact with each other. David and I are going to widen the patrols and have them out there and visible.”
“Both fires were set during the day and nobody saw anything,” Austin said. “So, driving around in the dark isn’t going to do us any good.”
“Let’s wait and see if this maniac hits again. If he does, let’s inform the citizens of Rainwater and tell them to be on the lookout.”
“Do you think it’s wise to alarm the townspeople?” David asked Lucas. “I mean, I don’t want them to panic and start playing amateur detectives.”
“We don’t have much to go on right now,” he waded in. “It all could’ve been done by a homeless person passing by. Maybe he’s gone. Done his thing and moved on.”
“Let’s hope that’s the case,” Austin said. “However, I’m letting the Denton Police know. Also, the FBI has a great lab in Dallas. I can get someone out here to help Goldman if you think he’s okay with it.”
“If you have extra resources, we need them,” he declared. “Goldman’s not a pissing contest kind of guy. He wants whoever is responsible caught. I feel he’ll cooperate.”
Standing up, he put some cash on the table and said his goodbyes. “I’m going to the hospital tomorrow. On the way back, I plan to stop by the fire stations closest to us in Denton and let them know what’s happening here.”
Chapter 12
> Olivia heard Griff return from his meeting, but she steadfastly continued watching the television. Dinner had been tasty and so easy after such a hard day, but the kiss lingered long after he left.
Her lips still tingled, and her heart thumped loudly when she thought about it. The wildest thoughts had been racing through her mind all night. Thoughts of moonlit nights and soft, sexy moans. How was she ever going to stay in this house with him right next door? So accessible… So tempting.
She wanted him, but she knew they needed to take it slow. She wasn’t sure what they were doing, and she didn’t know if she was ready to put a name to it. After all, one didn’t get over what she’d been through so quickly.
It was more than just the pain of betrayal. It was the fear it had instilled in her that it would happen again. And again and again. She now understood that Griff had never betrayed her, but it wasn’t that easy to put her walls down after everything that had happened.
Her phone rang and for a moment excitement charged through her veins at the thought it might be him. One glance, though, and she saw it was Kendall on the other end. “Hi there,” she said, hiding her disappointment. “What’s new with you?”
“Not much, I’m just checking on you.”
“I’m fine, Kendall. Honestly.”
“I know, but let a friend worry, will you?”
She chuckled. “What do you have to worry about?”
“Don’t play coy with me Olivia Anderson. You know what I’m after.”
“Okay, okay,” she laughed. “We had dinner tonight together.”
Kendall sucked in a loud breath. “You’re kidding.”
“No, he has a kitchen full of casseroles and he invited me over. Since I’d had a day from hell at work, I accepted.”
“And...”
She wasn’t about to mention the kiss. That would only ignite her friend’s imagination. “We ate and then he had to go to a meeting at Frankie’s Bar.”
“Really? What’s going on there?”
Kendall was so curious by nature it was easy to get her distracted. “He’s meeting David, Lucas and Austin about the recent fires. The Fire Marshall thinks they might have been deliberately set.”
Again, the deep breath. “You’re kidding.”
“No, and I think they want a plan of action before it gets out of hand.”
“I can’t imagine something like that happening in Rainwater. Who would do that?”
“I don’t think anyone knows yet, but they’re wanting to put a stop to it before more damage is done to people’s property. Besides, we might not be so lucky next time. Someone could get hurt.”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. Still, I dread what the Hollins’ are coming home to. I drove by the place this morning on the way to the shop and it looks so bleak and decimated.”
“I know, fire can do that so quickly,” she said. “I just hope they can get back on their feet soon. It’s truly tragic.”
“Marcus told me earlier today that the Switzer’s place was burned as well.”
“Yes, but it’s been long abandoned. While it was burned to the ground, they were able to contain it and there wasn’t much damage to the surrounding area.”
“I hope Griff finds out who’s doing this and puts a stop to it. And soon.”
“Same here.”
The doorbell rang, and her heart nearly burst from her chest. “There’s someone here. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Oh, now I wonder who would be calling at this hour,” Kendall teased. “Maybe a neighbor wanting to borrow a cup of sugar?”
“Ha, ha, very funny. I’ll let you know.” Disconnecting, she checked her security camera and saw Griff leaning with his hand against the side of the door, his head down.
Fixing her hair, she licked her lips and opened the door. He had a beer in his hand and a grim expression on his face. Frowning, she opened the door wider. “Come in,” she urged. “I take it your meeting didn’t go as planned?”
He ran his fingers through his light hair and moved into the living room, taking a seat on the edge of the couch. “The meeting was okay, it’s what we met about that was depressing.”
Closing the door and locking it, she followed him and sat on the coffee table facing him. “What happened?”
“For one, just as I pulled out of the driveway to meet with the guys, Goldman called and confirmed the Hollins’ house fire was purposely set. That means there’s an active arsonist in our area.”
She swallowed hard, feeling terrible not only for the town and the people, but for the fire department as well. This certainly put an additional burden on them. “I know I keep saying it, but I can hardly believe it.”
“I know. I called your dad. I felt he has the right to know.”
“I’m sure he appreciated being kept in the loop. Did he have any idea who could be responsible?”
He took a sip of his beer and shook his head. “No one does. We’re all staggering around in the dark. Unfortunately, we have to wait and see what happens next.”
“You mean another residence has to burn down?”
“Not if we catch it in time. We’ve all decided to stay on the lookout and hope someone notices something suspicious.”
“But what if you don’t and there’s another fire?”
“Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.” He leaned closer, propping his elbows on his thighs. “It’s strange that someone sets a fire the day I show up at the station. It’s almost like they waited for me to begin working and then struck.”
“No one knew you were coming but the Council and the fire department.” She lifted her shoulders. “Even I didn’t know.”
“So, why now?”
She hated seeing him so troubled. It broke her heart that they all had to go through this, never knowing which house might be next. “I’m afraid we have to admit, for now, our hands are tied. We can’t do anything until they act again. It’s like waiting for the next murder victim.”
He stood abruptly. “Don’t say that. No one’s been hurt so far, and I want it to stay that way. If we start getting buildings torched that are occupied, then we’re in serious trouble.”
She came to her feet, careful to keep her distance. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. I hope you find the guy.”
Nodding, he took a deep breath, then asked, “Are we still on for tomorrow?”
She cocked her head. “What?”
“Remember? Talking to the hospital administrator?”
“Oh, yes.” It dawned on her. “Call when you get to the hospital and I’ll come down and meet you.”
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She’d half expected, or at least hoped, he might kiss her, but he didn’t. He appeared far too preoccupied to think about something like that. She knew he was concerned for the welfare of the citizens and what all this might do to Rainwater.
Hopefully, they’d find the culprit soon and they’d all go back to normal.
* * *
Griff hadn’t realized how troubled his sleep from the night before had been until he walked right past Olivia on the way to the Administrator’s Office. He stopped suddenly, realizing his mistake. “I’m sorry. My mind is so preoccupied.”
She rubbed his arm soothingly. “Don’t worry about it. I was able to save you some time. I spoke with Doctor Youngman and he’s given his approval for me to do whatever is necessary until this problem with the fires is cleared up. After that, we can revisit the situation again.”
“Thank you so much.” His shoulders sagged in relief. “I don’t know if I can sit through another meeting. The Council has had me bending over backwards for hours.”
“Well, they can’t blame you for this. You had nothing to do with it.”
“No, but they want the guy caught. They gave Lucas and David as much hell as me.”
She nibbled her bottom lip. Lips he wanted to kiss so badly he nearly drooled. Having an arsonist among them worried him beyond words, but Olivia had also
been on his mind all day. Since the kiss they’d shared last night, he wondered if perhaps she was opening up to the idea of a relationship again.
He didn’t want to ask and break the delicate balance between them. He feared one wrong word and she’d run for the hills. He didn’t want that. He wanted her in his house, his arms and his bed. He wanted her trust again.
His beeper went off and she stared at him, her face aghast. “You go, I’ll follow in a few minutes.”
He instantly took off, running down the corridor toward the revolving door. Outside, he jumped into the Fire Chief’s car, flipped on the siren and headed back to Rainwater. He was at least fifteen minutes away. Flooring the accelerator, he picked up his radio. “This is Griff. What’s going on?”
“We’ve got another fire, Chief.”
“Where?”
“It’s Theo’s house,” Beck said. “We think he went fishing with Buck, the owner of Gert’s Diner. We haven’t been able to notify him.”
“Oh God, I just left Olivia. Let me call her. How far out are you?”
“No more than four minutes.”
He fished his phone out of his pocket and called Olivia. She answered on the second ring. “Listen,” he said. “The fire is your dad’s house.” He took a breath. “Don’t panic, he’s not there. We think he’s fishing with Buck.”
“That’s where he said he was going,” she said, fear evident in her voice. “But I’m not sure he did.” She gasped. “What if he’s inside?”
“Olivia, he’s a fireman. He knows what to do when trapped in a burning building. He’ll be okay. The fire truck is almost there.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m right behind them.” He tried to keep her calm, aware that she was driving. “Don’t let your thinking get ahead of you. Don’t start visualizing the worse. We’ll get there in time. Trust me.”
“Okay. I trust you, Griff.”