Ignite

by Piper Stone

  Cooper exhaled and stared up at the mountains. “Believe in the greater good of all things and ye shall reap the rewards.”

  He shook his head, the old saying he hadn’t heard in years. “I want to, buddy. I really do.”

  “You took a chance on me. You didn’t know if I was the arsonist.”

  “In my heart, I knew better.” Stoker looked in his direction. “Even if I did have to make certain.”

  Cooper chuckled. “At least they have the right man in custody. Heard he confessed.”

  “I can’t believe Tom Masters did this. Was he so damn pissed off about not getting his job back?” Stoker knew better. The fires had started before Tom was hurt fighting one of the blazes he’d started.

  “Yeah. The guy should never have been hired. Slipped through the cracks all those years ago. From what the Captain told me given what he’d learned, the guy was setting fires when he was a kid. Everything was sealed given he was a minor.” Cooper shook his head. “We’ll find her.”

  “Yeah. Sure.” He stood staring up at the sky, unsure that this was his home any longer.

  As the afternoon slid into evening, Stoker sat quietly in the locker room, unsure of where to go or what to do. While the fires had been contained, now only a few areas of concern, the road leading to his home hadn’t been cleared for passage. He was stuck in limbo. His heart ached, broken by everything he and his team mates had experienced. Losing Jessica and MacGyver was the hardest thing he’d ever had to go through in his life. He was a broken man.

  “Hey, why don’t you come out with us. We’re going grab something to eat and a drink. Then you can stay with me,” Garcia said as he moved in front of Stoker.

  “Thanks, but I think I’m going to stay here for a little while.” Stoker couldn’t move. Didn’t want to move.

  “You gotta eat.”

  He looked up at his friend and tried to smile. “Not now. Okay?” He noticed Antonio, the man’s face the same as always, full of arrogance. “Not now, Giovanni. I’m not in the mood.”

  Antonio moved closer and exhaled. “I know you’re hurting, but I wanted to at least tell you that it was an honor working beside you. You’re one hell of a smokejumper.”

  Stoker glance up. Seeing the man’s outstretched hand, he rose to his feet. “Thank you. You’re a damn tough Zulie.”

  “Coming from you, I take that as a compliment.”

  As they shook hands, Stoker pushed away the tears. This was all the family he had left.

  “Stoker. Come here. You’re needed.” Cooper stuck his head into the room.

  “Can it wait? I’m just not ready to face anything,” Stoker huffed.

  “The Captain needs you now.”

  Stoker groaned and headed for the Captain’s office. When the man couldn’t be found there, he glanced around the hanger. Seeing the open outside door, he exhaled and walked slowly. He wasn’t certain he was ready to look at the mountains again. Not again. When he stepped outside, he blinked as his eyes tried to adjust to what he was seeing. “What is going on?”

  Cooper walked toward him, a grin on his face. “I thought you’d need to see this for yourself.”

  As the men trailed behind him, moving toward the area just beyond the parking lot, the Captain whistled. “Holy fuck. That’s a sight for sore eyes.”

  Freezing, Stoker’s heart raced as he blinked again. “What?”

  “Get your ass in gear, buddy. Your lady has come home,” Cooper said as he pushed Stoker gently.

  Saying a silent thank you, he took off running. “Jessica!” He ran as fast as his legs would pump and MacGyver got to him first, pouncing on his master. “Oh, little buddy. I thought you were gone. I can’t believe this.”

  Mac licked and whined, his backside wiggling back and forth.

  Stoker laughed as he looked up. The site of Jessica on Thor, trailed by the once skittish mare left him speechless.

  “Whoa, boy. Thank you,” Jessica said, her voice strangled. Leaning over, she hugged Thor’s neck, patting his mane. “I am so happy to see you. So happy.” Tears slipped down both sides of her face as she shook her head.

  Grabbing her off the saddle, he turned her in a full circle before capturing her mouth. Years of hatred, anger and frustration slid away, this moment so precious.

  “Put your hands together, boys. We have a real miracle on our hands,” Captain Phillips said as the men began to clap.

  As he broke the kiss, he cupped the sides of her face. “I love you and I’ll love you forever.” He lowered his head until their foreheads touched.

  “Oh, Stoker, you are the love of my life,” Jessica whispered.

  “Yes!”

  “Way to go!

  “Now, we have something to celebrate!”

  Jessica was as nervous as she’d ever been. She stood wringing her hands as she glanced out over the crowd. There were thousands of people in the audience. “God!” She shrunk back, longing for a shot of tequila or five. What had she been thinking in saying ‘yes’ to providing the entertainment? She was nuts. Off her rocker.

  “You look like you’re headed to the dentist’s office to have all your teeth pulled,” Stoker teased.

  “That has to be better than this.” She gave him a look but couldn’t help but smile. “You are so sexy when you’re dolled up.”

  “This is dolled up?” he asked as he looked down at his attire.

  “Skin-tight black jeans, a red silk shirt of all colors and the sexiest cowboy boots around? You look good enough to eat.” She adjusted his collar and gazed into his eyes. “You so deserve this honor.”

  “Aw, shucks.” He kissed her lips. “The team was just doing their jobs. You know that.”

  “I don’t know that. You saved the town, every cabin, including your own from the fire and countless lives. The Mayor should be honoring you guys. You are true heroes.”

  “Every firefighter deserves credit.”

  “Yes, but every fire company wasn’t at the fires and they didn’t have a hand in finding the right arsonist.” She winked as she took a step back. “Yep, like a fine filet steak, rare and tasty.”

  He gave her a commanding look then moved closer. “That will come later, after a hard spanking.”

  “Spanking? For what?”

  Stoker wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. “For making me worry.”

  “Mmm…”

  “How did you convince her to stay?” Garcia asked as he walked closer.

  “He threatened me with terrible things,” Jessica said as she batted her eyelashes.

  “Right,” Boone added as he flanked Stoker’s side.

  Grinning, Stoker nodded as the other men from the team approached. “Glad to see you’re here, Tyler. You recovered from the car accident? I heard you were speeding?”

  Tyler shook his head. “You guys are never going to let me live that down, are you?”

  Jessica glanced back and forth as Cooper moved into the circle. This was the finest group of men she’d ever met and she was thrilled with her recent decisions.

  “Not a chance.” Antonio laughed.

  “Heard you got a record deal?” Garcia asked sheepishly

  She glanced at Cooper who shrugged before grinning. “Somebody told on me. I haven’t even had a chance to tell Stoker yet.”

  Stoker looked horrified, his face paling. “You’re leaving? I thought you were staying.”

  Taking his hand into hers, she pressed kisses along his palm. “This is my home now. I can live here and record in a small studio just outside of town. I’m not leaving you or this amazing city.” She rose onto her tiptoes, licking around his mouth before pressing her lips against his.

  “Get a room!” Riker huffed.

  “Our moose-eyed rookie,” Sawyer said as he laughed.

  Stoker held out his middle finger.

  “Time to go, guys,” the Captain said as he nodded to Antonio, “but before we do we have a little gift for our rookies, both passing pretty much every
test we could give them. Well, they’re a bit wet behind the ears, but time will fix that.”

  “Woo hoo!” Boone and Sawyer whistled as they clapped.

  His eyes opening wide, Stoker looked at Garcia who shrugged.

  His swagger as large as his smile, Antonio strutted toward them. In his hands, he held leather jackets. “Team jackets, boys. We. Are. The. Jackals!” As he handed them the soft leather coats, denoting the jackal patch, he locked eyes with Stoker. “You’re damn good. A pain in the ass, but damn good. You also have a wonderful girlfriend.”

  Shaking his head, Stoker grinned. “Likewise, but you touch her you die.” He wrapped his arm around Jessica as the congratulations continued.

  Antonio grinned. “The best man won.”

  “Prevent. Protect. Preserve. That is our motto and one you boys need to live by,” Captain Phillips said as he shook their hands.

  “We will, sir.” Stoker answered and winked at Garcia.

  “One more thing,” Riker said, his grin covering his face. “We’ve voted. You’re in the club. Burnout has another fantastic man.”

  Stoker seemed surprised. Nodding, he gave them all a look. “I think I can handle that now.”

  “Burnout? Do I want to know?” she asked as she thought about previous conversations. Domestic Discipline? A real club?

  He leaned over, whispering into her ear as he patted her ass. “I’ll explain later after a nice, long spanking.”

  Shuddering, she resisted fanning her overheated face. “Yes, sir,” she mumbled under her breath.

  Winking, Stoker laughed as he shook his head.

  Jessica eased back, rubbing her thumb across his mouth. “By the way, you’re amazing and everyone knows you’re a true hero.”

  “I’m nobody’s hero. I’m just a man trying to make amends,” he whispered then kissed her forehead.

  “Then you can be my personal hero.”

  “Deal. I’m so glad you’re staying.”

  “Me, too. Now, go.” Jessica watched as he walked toward the stage, enjoying the view of the man she hoped to spend the rest of her life with. Cooper moved behind her and she smiled.

  “Thank you for believing in me,” he said.

  “Thank you for believing in us. Now let’s play one hot gig.”

  “You got it, boss lady.”

  She stood in the wings as the Mayor took the stand, a smile remaining on her face. She glanced down at Matilda, the finest guitar in the world. The beautiful instrument might have been the very reason she was standing here in this wonderful town. After all, there was no place like home.

  “Ladies and gentlemen. I’m Mayor Jasmine Falk. Thank you all for coming out on this gorgeous day. We are here to celebrate the resilience of this town, a beautiful and wonderful place that we live. We have heroes among us, men and women who fought to keep us safe, protect what we’ve worked so hard to achieve. While there are dozens of folks to thank, there is one group in particular that outshines the others for various reasons. For that we are honoring the amazing group of smokejumpers with a key to the city.”

  As the applause became thunderous, Jessica moved toward the steps, walking up slowly. She stood by Cooper and could see the surprise on Stoker’s face. She was lucky to have Cooper as part of her very small band, but one that was indeed up and coming on the country circuit.

  “Here to start us off on our celebration is a song of dedication written by a newcomer to our city and someone I hope will stay with us. She’s become one of us now. Miss Jessica Dunn accompanied by our very own Cooper McKenzie.”

  She nodded to the Mayor then to Cooper, who walked behind her, holding the most wonderful guitar in the world. “Thank you so much for your warm welcome. Cooper and I are going to play a song I’m dedicating to all of you, to your love and honor. This will be the first single on my new CD. I’m delighted to be here today to celebrate the love you have and the friendship you’ve extended. According to one sexy smokejumper, I’m just a city slicker.”

  Stoker walked toward the front of the stage, waving his hand. He moved up the stairs, a grin on his face.

  Jessica stood back, laughing as he played to the crowd. When he advanced, she took a quick look at Cooper, who grinned. “What have you done?”

  “Shush,” Cooper admonished.

  Stoker moved beside her and lowered his head toward the microphone.

  The crowd roared.

  “This woman, this feisty opinionated and pigheaded woman was a city slicker, but as proven by her tenacity, her love and her way with animals, she’s truly one of us now.”

  Jessica heard the crack in his voice and turned to face him.

  He nodded, shaking his head as tears began to fall. “I am a changed man because of this amazing and wonderful woman.”

  “Stoker,” she whispered, unable to stop her own tears. As he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small box, she gasped.

  “I might be a handful and a stubborn man, but I am a man in love. Jessica Dunn, crazy ex-rocker, with a heart of gold and a love for my Golden Retriever. Will you marry me?” As he lowered down on one knee, his face beaming, the entire crowd was silenced.

  Unable to speak, she leaned down, memories and visions, love and fear, anger and hatred all meshing into this single moment. This was her home. This was after all, God’s country. “Yes!”

  I remember when I was a little girl. I believed in fantasies. Handsome knights on large steeds, protecting everyone around them. I used to believe in heroes. Now, I’ve found my own…

  The End

  Other Titles by Piper Stone

  Don’t miss these exciting titles by Piper Stone and Blushing Books!

  Truth Or Dare

  Submissive For Hire

  Honor and Obey Series

  Honor and Obey, Vol. One

  Dirty Little Secrets Series

  His Demands - Book One

  His Hidden Girl - Book Two

  His Judgment - Book Three

  Power Exchange Series

  Becoming - Book One

  Rescue Me Series

  Maverick -Book One

  Shadow - Book Two

  Missoula Smokejumpers Series

  Fire at the River’s Edge, Prequel

  Ignite, Book One

  Burn, Book Two

  Embracing the Quiet Night (Christmas Novella) - available Dec. 2017

  Anthologies

  Hero Undercover

  Piper Stone

  Piper Stone writes in several genres including thrillers, erotic romance, dark erotic, Domestic Discipline, spanking, Domination and submission and traditional romance. She has a love of the non-traditional, preferring to create worlds that defy the imagination. Wine and sous vide cooking are only second to her love of golden retrievers and you might find all three nestled in the pages of a book or two.

  She has several releases from Blushing Books including the upcoming books Shadow – Maverick, and the Fire Devil series.

  She will also have several releases with Bethany’s Woodshed in the upcoming months.

  Dark + Dangerous + Delicious = D3

  Literary Emotions Unleashed…

  Connect with Piper Stone:

  darkdangerousdelicious.wordpress.com

  piperstonecreations@gmail.com

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