The Fireman's Ready-Made Family

by Jules Bennett

  Her bangs started to drift in the breeze again, and before she could reach up to control them, Drake’s hand came up, smoothed them down and leaned in within a breath of her as he removed his sunglasses with the other hand.

  “You don’t have to hide your scars from me,” he whispered. “I carry my own, they’re just on the inside.”

  His eyes landed on hers and Marly could swear he could see hers through her sunglasses. Could he hear her heart pounding? Could he feel the electrifying tension that crackled between them?

  “I have a feeling we’ll be better friends than either of us first thought.” Drake slid his glasses back on and turned to walk away. “I’ll call you later,” he called over his shoulder.

  Marly stood staring after him until he disappeared amongst the sea of cars in the parking lot.

  When she sank onto the driver’s seat, she quickly started the vehicle to get some much-needed AC flowing. Drake had not asked her about her scar; he hadn’t stared at it like it was the ugliest thing he’d ever seen.

  No, he’d been perceptive enough to know she wanted her hair to hide the ugliness. What he didn’t know was that she wanted to hide the ugliness of the situation behind the scar, but there was no hiding or blanketing the truth of her past.

  She’d been the abused wife of a powerful politician, and she was about to face down the enemy. There was no way in hell she’d ever return, let alone with their impressionable daughter. She’d fight the devil himself if she had to.

  Marly feared she just may have to lean on someone for support. And, so far, the only contender in the “someone” category was the mesmerizing, somewhat vulnerable, incredibly sexy fire chief.

  Chapter Six

  “So tell me about this woman.”

  Drake groaned at his sister-in-law’s abrupt statement and immediately eyed his brother across the dining room table. If the table weren’t so wide, Drake would’ve given Eli a swift kick to the shins for opening his big mouth.

  “What woman?” his mother asked, her fork clanging against her plate.

  Drake narrowed his gaze at his brother, who merely raised his brows and shrugged. Eli was so going to get it after family dinner.

  Drake turned his attention to Nora, who merely stared at him as if she had nothing else to do but wait for his response. If he didn’t love her so much, he’d give her the same death glare he’d just awarded Eli.

  “Don’t get too excited,” he started, wiping his mouth with his napkin and easing back in the dining room chair. “I met a nurse at the hospital who is taking care of Jeremy, the little boy from the fire two weeks ago. We’re working together on a fund-raiser and festival to raise money to help Shawn and Amy with the expenses.”

  Mac St. John rested his arms on either side of his now-empty plate. “That poor boy. How’s he doing?”

  Mac was the retired town doctor, but only because his own doctor recommended he slow down since having quadruple bypass just a few months ago.

  “He’s getting better every day,” Drake replied, thankful the topic had veered off course. “He’s being transported to Children’s in Nashville tomorrow.”

  “So sad,” his mother said, shaking her head. “A mother’s worst nightmare is to have her child hurt or injured.”

  Nora nodded in agreement. “I don’t know what I’ll do when Amber gets hurt for the first time.”

  Drake smiled. His little niece was taking a nap in the other room, but Drake knew Nora and Eli were awesome parents and would be able to handle future challenges. “What about this nurse?” Nora asked, resting her elbow on the table, her chin on her palm. “Is she married?”

  Drake shrugged. “We’re only planning a fund-raiser, not planning a wedding shower.”

  He hated how irritated this topic made him. He hated that he’d told his brother something in private and now his entire family was staring at him, minus Cameron, who was away working on some hush-hush big case.

  Drake was talking with a woman. So what? Just because he hadn’t really associated with a woman since Andrea had passed away didn’t mean anything. Drake took a drink of his sweet tea and avoided the eyes around the table staring at him. Just because his attraction for Marly had grown each time he’d been with her didn’t mean he would or even could act on them. As slowly as he was moving with her, the ball was in her court.

  She was scarred, visibly so, and it made him want to tear apart the man who’d laid a hand on her. No wonder she was so skittish, so cautious. If Drake were a betting man, he’d say it was her ex who had abused her.

  And that alone made Drake want to be closer to her, to protect her.

  Suddenly he felt sick. Had Willow been a victim, as well? Any man that laid a hand on a woman or child wasn’t a man at all, but a monster. Even if Willow hadn’t been a victim, she could have witnessed her mother’s abuse. There was no excuse for a woman or child to go through such evil.

  If Drake found out who had harmed Marly, there wouldn’t be a corner of this world the man could hide.

  “You’re looking pretty angry there, bro.”

  Eli’s comment jerked Drake back to reality. “Maybe that’s because I told you something that was private.”

  “Don’t blame Eli,” Nora said, coming to her feet and picking up her plate. “He tells me everything. I was the one who was curious.”

  “I’ll have to remember to confide in Cameron next time,” Drake replied with a grin. “He’d only tell his best friend, Megan, but he’s even too busy to see her lately.”

  “I’m still worried about him,” their mother said. “I know he’s busy being the police chief, but he’s more out of touch than usual, and he’s so closed off when I do see him.”

  Drake had noticed and he knew Eli had, as well. In fact, they’d discussed their mother’s worries with Cameron several weeks ago, but the man was deep into some operation he couldn’t discuss. Drake just prayed that by the time Cameron wrapped up this case he wasn’t burned out on the job.

  The only person Cameron seemed to keep in close contact with lately was Megan. Cam never kept anything from her. Hopefully whatever he was battling, he was at least confiding in Megan.

  “He’ll be fine,” Drake assured his mom as he stood, too, and started gathering plates. “Dinner was great, as always. I’m going to carry these in, and then I need to get going. I’m covering for a guy tonight for a couple hours.”

  “Any luck with the mayor?” his father asked.

  Drake’s grip on the plates tightened at just the mention of the pudgy man who sat on his butt behind a desk all day. “About as much luck as getting money to fall from the sky. He’s a useless politician and is only in the position for the name and recognition. Pathetic. I only hope voters see that come election time.”

  “I’m sure they will,” Eli chimed in. “This town is too small and he’s so lazy. His lack of effort hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

  After Drake had stacked most of the dishes in the dishwasher, he gave his mother and sister-in-law a kiss on the cheek, said farewell to his dad, who was looking much better since his surgery, and eyed Eli across the room. With a nod, he silently bid his goodbye. He was still a bit ticked that Eli would tell Nora about Marly, but he supposed if Andrea were still alive, they’d be married and Drake would tell her everything.

  But she wasn’t alive.

  Drake slid behind the wheel of his oversize truck and headed toward the department. Soon he’d have to touch base with Cameron about the festival anyway. Drake would just use that opportunity to discuss, once again, the worry their mother had. And Drake was starting to become concerned himself.

  For now, he had his own issues to deal with, and figuring out what to do with his growing feelings for Marly was starting to take top priority.

  Would she even let him in? Would she trust him enough to talk? Because Drake seriously wanted to know about those scars. There was no way around it. He wanted to know what had happened, wanted to know how he could make sure she was never victimized
again.

  But pressing Marly for details could cause further emotional damage. Drake knew an abused woman when he saw one, and his gut clenched at the thought of anyone’s hands marring her perfect, delicate skin.

  As he pulled into the station, he noticed two of his guys relaxing on the bench out front. This rarely happened, which meant the downtime was more than likely the calm before the storm, especially since it was a weekend night. Drunks were sure to be out, wrecks were bound to happen and the jaws of life were always at the ready.

  Drake pulled into his assigned parking spot and killed the engine just as his phone vibrated in his pocket.

  Sliding it out, he smiled at the display screen.

  “Marly,” he answered. “What’s up?”

  “Drake...um...hi. I thought I’d get your voice mail.”

  Intrigued at her hesitancy, Drake gripped the phone. “Is everything all right?”

  Marly sighed, then hesitated. “I’ve been thinking about that friendship thing. I think I’d like to take you up on your offer.”

  Drake’s heart started pumping faster, and a wide grin spread across his face. She was letting him in. He figured his olive branch would be dangling a bit longer, but he was glad she’d accepted it. He was also nervous about taking this next step with a woman who gave him the first set of attraction nerves since he’d met Andrea.

  “I’m glad,” he told her, finding that he was more excited than scared at letting someone into his own life. “But you sound a little, I don’t know, sad. You sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah, I just...”

  “Marly.” Worry settled in, and he wondered what she was truly battling. “Are you at home?”

  “I am. I’ve just had a bad couple of days and I called you on impulse. I’m sorry.”

  No way was he letting her out of the conversation now that he’d gotten her this far. “Don’t be sorry for calling me.” He never wanted her to be sorry for anything where he was concerned. “Isn’t that what friends are for?”

  Marly’s soft laughter filled the phone. “I suppose. Are you busy? I was wondering if you’d like to run over. Willow and I made some cookies.”

  Dropping his head against the back of the seat, Drake wished now more than ever the department had more manpower so he had the time off.

  “I’m actually working.”

  “Oh, Drake. I’m sorry I bothered you. Why didn’t you say so?”

  “It’s no bother, I just pulled into the lot. I’m covering for one of my guys for just a few hours, but why don’t I run over after if it’s not too late?”

  “I’m sure you’ll be tired, it’s okay.”

  Her deflated tone was definitely not okay. She’d gone out on a limb—no way in hell would he turn her away. “I’ll come over. I should only be here a few hours.”

  “Okay. I’ll try not to eat all the cookies before you get here,” she joked.

  Drake didn’t know what had her reaching out to him of her own accord, but he didn’t care. If she had the courage to step out of her comfort zone, then so did he. And maybe this was what they both needed—a good friend to share things with, to possibly tackle those demons with.

  The main problem, though, was that Drake was having thoughts about Marly that had nothing to do with friendship. He had no idea why this lady, why now, but he would follow her lead and figure out the rest later.

  Chapter Seven

  Marly was almost grateful that he hadn’t shown. It was after nine and Willow had gone to bed an hour ago. After playing in her tree house all day, then baking cookies and watching a movie, Willow had fallen into Marly’s bed with her cowgirl boots still on.

  They’d had a really fun day, despite the fact Kevin had called again and threatened to show up at the door.

  Marly learned quickly to return those threats, because anything that would tarnish his public appeal terrified him. All she had to do was threaten to have the local paper on standby and the man backed down...a little. But still, that was enough to give her the courage and the upper hand she’d lacked during their marriage.

  She’d lived in fear too long, and she refused to do it anymore. There was no way she’d raise her daughter to fear men or feel inferior.

  A soft tap on the screen door jerked Marly from her thoughts. Instantly her heart pounded, and she prayed the visitor was Drake and not Kevin making good on his threat.

  Padding barefoot to the front door, Marly glanced out the window to see Drake’s big black truck in the driveway. A sliver of excitement and nervousness settled deep within her. She’d reached out to him after a moment of fear and panic, and now, well, she was glad she had. Being alone with a child was scary during the best of times. She needed a friend, and surprisingly, this powerful, strong man made her feel safe.

  Marly flipped the lock and opened the door. “Hey,” she said with a smile. “Come on in.”

  “I’m sorry. I just realized what time it is.” Drake remained beneath the porch lights, making no move to enter. “I can come back tomorrow.”

  But her nerve might be gone tomorrow. “No, really, come on in.”

  She stepped back and allowed him to pass. And just as he did, she inhaled that masculine, woodsy scent that seemed to always envelop her when he was around.

  “We got called out to an accident or I would’ve been here sooner,” he explained.

  Marly locked the door and turned to face him. “Don’t apologize for doing your job. I hope it wasn’t bad.”

  “Bad enough.” Drake shook his head and sighed. “I believe I was promised some homemade cookies?”

  Marly smiled, not pressing the wreck issue. She totally understood bad days at work. Unfortunately the bad days for a nurse and a firefighter usually meant someone died or was critically injured. No point in repeating the story and reliving the trauma.

  “Why don’t you have a seat,” she told him, gesturing to the living area. “I’ll bring you some.”

  A weary smile spread across his face. “You’re going to spoil me.”

  Shrugging, Marly replied, “That’s what friends are for, right?”

  With a heart-stopping wink, Drake nodded. “Now you’re getting it.”

  As he sank onto her secondhand sofa, Marly went into the kitchen and put several cookies on a plate and poured Drake a glass of milk. When she stepped back into the living room, she froze.

  He had his head tipped back against her sofa, his large frame took up one entire cushion and those shoulders... Oh, my. The man was breathtaking, and she needed to remember that he’d offered friendship, which was the only thing she needed right now. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t take a visual sampling when the moment presented itself.

  He lifted his head, caught her staring and lifted a brow. “You all right?”

  Shaking off her thoughts—and her fears—Marly set the plate and glass on the coffee table. “I’m fine. Just not used to seeing a man on my couch, that’s all.”

  She sat on the chair adjacent to him and tucked her legs up onto the seat beside her. Drake dug into the cookies and milk, and in no time they were gone.

  “I take it they were good,” she joked.

  Smiling, Drake settled back onto the couch. “Homemade cookies are my weakness. My guys and I cook at the department, but it’s just not the same. We can manage basic meals, but when we venture into the baking category, it’s pretty bad.”

  “It’s just following a recipe,” she told him.

  With a laugh, Drake shook his head. “Yeah, but the guys I work with would rather just throw stuff together without looking at directions. It never turns out edible.”

  He leaned forward and raked a hand over his head. “Like this one time, one of the guys wanted to make peanut-butter cookies. We were out of peanut butter so he used jelly.”

  Marly laughed. “Seriously?”

  “You’d have to know Tyler. He can justify anything.”

  Marly listened to Drake’s stories of his coworkers and found herself laughing m
ore than she had in years. When she yawned, she slapped a hand over her mouth.

  “Sorry.” She forced back another yawn. “That’s rude of me.”

  Drake glanced at his watch. “No, I’m sorry. I’m rambling on and on and you probably have to work tomorrow.”

  “Actually, I’m off.”

  Drake came to his feet and picked up his plate and glass. “I didn’t mean to overstay.”

  “Don’t be silly. I enjoyed talking with another adult who isn’t a coworker.” She reached for the dishes. “I can take those.”

  Maneuvering around her, Drake headed toward the kitchen. “I can carry my own things to the sink. You’ve done enough for me.”

  Marly leaned against the door frame separating the kitchen and living area. She didn’t mean to stare, but she’d never experienced a man picking up after himself. Then again, she’d never experienced a man like Drake St. John before.

  When he turned back to her, the tension in the air crackled as his eyes landed on hers. Slowly, his long strides covered the ground between them. When he stood directly in front of her, Marly knew the fun atmosphere from the living room had vanished. They’d reached the point of the evening where it was time to say goodbye, which could turn awkward really fast...unless someone took charge. And she had a feeling that take-charge person was about to show his hand.

  “I’m glad you called me,” he stated, his tone low. “I had a good time.”

  “Me, too.”

  Heat radiated from his body. Marly noted navy flecks in his blue eyes and spotted a tiny scar she hadn’t noticed before right on the edge of his eyebrow.

  “I didn’t give you a chance to say much.” He rested a hand just beside her head on the wall. “Did you want to talk about anything particular?”

  Marly shook her head. “Not really. I prefer laughing to dredging up my problems.”

  His fingertip came up, slid across her forehead, along the edge of her side bangs. “Problems that have something to do with this?”

  Swallowing fear that was never too far away, Marly nodded and resisted the urge to back away so he couldn’t feel her imperfection. “Yes,” she whispered.