The Fireman's Ready-Made Family

by Jules Bennett

  Drake shot across the room, his fist connecting with Kevin’s jaw until the man fell back onto the sofa.

  “Damn it, I told you to stay calm,” Cameron shouted.

  Shaking his hand, Drake shrugged. “I was calm for nearly ten minutes.”

  “I’ll sue you,” Kevin whined. “I’ll press charges.”

  “I’ll arrest him if you want me to—”

  Drake smacked Cameron’s shoulder. “The hell you will.”

  “But,” Cameron continued, looking between Drake and Kevin, “I think you’ll want to hear everything I have to say before you make any decisions about pressing charges.”

  Cameron stepped between where Kevin was rolled into the corner of the couch holding on to his jaw and Drake.

  “These ladies I’ve found have agreed to come forward and testify against you if you choose not to leave Marly alone,” Cameron stated. “Once they heard about your wife and why she truly left you, they were all too eager to discuss their forgotten cases.”

  Kevin narrowed his eyes. “She’s my wife.”

  “She’s your ex-wife and your former punching bag.” Drake gritted his teeth. “And you’ll drop the custody case, too, because we both know you don’t want Willow. You’ve never been a hands-on dad, and she wouldn’t be comfortable with you anyway. For once, think of the child.”

  Drake wasn’t leaving this room until he was satisfied Kevin was out of Marly’s life for good. He refused to let this jerk hold any power over Marly for one more second of her life.

  “So what do you say?” Cameron asked, stepping forward and looming over Kevin. “You ready to get yourself back to Nashville and leave this town for good?”

  Kevin glanced from Cameron to Drake. “You can have her. She’s not worth the fight.”

  Drake stepped around his brother, came right to the edge of the sofa and leaned down within a few inches of Kevin’s swollen face. “She’s worth everything. You were just too cowardly and arrogant to realize that.”

  “Get out,” Kevin spat. “I won’t come into your ridiculous town again, but threaten me again and I’ll have both of your jobs.”

  Drake laughed, pushing away from the couch. “You don’t have a leg to stand on, Haskins. The charges we can bring against you would ruin any pitiful reputation you think you’ve built. So take your threats and get the hell out of Stonerock.”

  Pushing aside Cameron and maybe stepping on Kevin’s feet, Drake headed to the door. “I’m done with this garbage.”

  He stormed out of the room before he really did something stupid like punch the man again. Because as good as it had felt to hit him once, Drake truly wanted to go full-on assault on the loser.

  But, having respect for Marly and not wanting to stoop to Kevin’s level, Drake was ready to close this chapter and move on. Drake knew the Nashville PD already had a warrant waiting for Kevin when he arrived back home, because Cameron had called a contact he knew for sure wasn’t corrupt to handle the case. Kevin wouldn’t be hurting any more women, and he certainly wouldn’t be running for reelection.

  Drake glanced at his watch and realized there was no way he’d make the council meeting.

  Drake waited at the elevators for Cameron. If Drake had to go to the city offices tomorrow and explain why he was absent, he would. But right now, all he cared about was getting to Marly and building up a solid foundation for their future.

  * * *

  He was so quiet on their way home from Eli’s house. Whatever had happened while he’d been gone had really upset him.

  Marly let herself into her house and asked Willow to go on back and start getting ready for bed. Marly needed a few minutes alone with Drake.

  After he closed the door behind him, he sighed and leaned against it.

  “You weren’t reinstated, were you?” she asked, almost afraid of his answer.

  His brows drew in as he pushed off the door. “What?”

  “The council meeting that was tonight. They sided with the mayor, didn’t they?”

  Drake closed the space between them and rested his hands on her shoulders. “I didn’t go to the council meeting. I honestly have no clue what they’ve decided.”

  “What? Where were you?”

  Those intense eyes held hers as he squeezed her shoulders. This couldn’t be good. Fear pitted in the depths of her stomach.

  “Drake?”

  “I went to see Kevin.”

  Her entire world tilted. Marly swayed just as Drake’s arms came around her. There was no way he’d gone behind her back and gone to see her ex-husband.

  “Sit down.” Drake ushered her to the couch where he sat down beside her. “Before you get upset, please hear me out.”

  “Upset?” she repeated, clasping her shaky hands in her lap. “I’m not upset, Drake. I’m hurt you didn’t tell me that was where you were going. You let me assume you were going to fight for your job.”

  He gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him fully. “I went to fight for you, which was a hell of a lot more important than any career.”

  If she didn’t love the man before now, the fact he’d laid literally everything on the line for her had her heart tumbling over in her chest.

  “Do I want to know what happened?” she asked, almost afraid of his answer.

  Drake tipped his head and offered her a grin. “The CliffsNotes version is Kevin is out of your life. You don’t have to worry about anything else.”

  Questions, scenarios bounced around in her head. “What about the custody? I can’t let Willow—”

  Drake’s finger covered her lips. “Taken care of. When I say I’m going to take care of what belongs to me, I mean it. I had Cameron do some digging, and he uncovered more women who stepped forward, willing to give their statements. The Nashville police are waiting for him and he won’t be a problem for you anymore.”

  Tears instantly pricked her eyes. “I can’t believe you’d do this for me.”

  His hands framed her face. “I did it for us,” he said, sliding his lips over hers. “I did it because I love you.”

  A shudder rippled through her, vibrating against his body. “Oh, Drake,” she cried, clutching him tight. “I love you. I love you more than I thought I could ever love a man.”

  He nipped at her lips again. “That’s good, considering you’ll never be without me.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Standing outside this house that had once served as her prison, Marly smoothed her dress down and knocked on the door. She was ready once and for all to face her past and move on. With Kevin’s power, he’d been given house arrest until the arraignment. She needed closure, needed him to see that she was strong, needed to prove that any power he’d ever had over her had disappeared.

  Most of all, she needed to put their marriage behind her so she could move on with her new life...her happy life.

  The wide mahogany door swung open, and Kevin stood before her. One side of his face was swollen and bruised. Shock registered first, followed quickly by a sense that Drake had doled out his own brand of justice.

  “What do you want?” Kevin growled. “I already told your boyfriend and his brother I was out of your life for good.”

  Oh, the images that flooded her mind of Kevin facing down two St. John boys were almost comical.

  “I heard that you opted to be smart for once.” Marly smiled, knowing full well for once in her life, where this man was concerned, she held the upper hand. “I’m here to make sure you are fully dropping the custody dispute with Willow. I want to hear you say it.”

  His eyes narrowed. Well, one eye was nearly swollen shut, but the other one narrowed into a slit. “You can raise your kid any way you want,” he told her. “You’ve ruined me and my career.”

  Crossing her arms over her simple wrap dress, Marly shrugged. “I think we both know who’s to blame for your career spiraling out of control.”

  “Get the hell out of here, Marly.”

  Oh, yes, the fact that he was afraid sh
ouldn’t make her feel so happy. But for once in his life, he was scared of something, and that something was her and the power she now had over him.

  And because she was feeling so powerful and wickedly happy, Marly took a step forward and stared him straight in the eyes. “If you come near me or my daughter again, I can’t promise what Drake did to your face won’t seem like a day at the beach.”

  As she turned on her heel and left this house for the final time, Marly realized she’d never felt so liberated, so free and happy in all her life.

  Now she could truly start building the life, the family she’d always wanted.

  * * *

  Drake had never been so nervous in all of his life. He stood outside of Marly’s house and rang the doorbell. The sun was just starting to set, and he hoped he wasn’t interrupting dinner.

  Willow answered the door and her sweet smile hit him square in the heart. “I have a loose tooth,” she declared as she opened the door. “I’ve been wiggling it all day.”

  The innocence of a child. Drake stepped into the house and instantly smelled something baking.

  “This is your first loose tooth,” he told her, squatting down to look into her mouth. “What a big deal.”

  Willow nodded and snapped her mouth closed. “I can’t wait for the Tooth Fairy. I might get a whole dollar like some of the kids in my class.”

  Laughing, Drake came to his feet just as Marly stepped into the living room, wiping her hands on a towel.

  “Drake.” Her smile spread across her face. That smile reached her eyes, and for the first time showed no sign of fear or worry. “I was going to call you in a bit to come over.”

  He hadn’t been able to stay away. Not after he’d come to a life-altering decision.

  “Hope I’m not interrupting.”

  “Not at all.” She turned to Willow. “Go finish wiping off the table, please.”

  Willow ran past her mother and into the kitchen. “We’re baking cookies,” Marly said.

  “You’re always baking something.”

  “Well, these are chocolate chip, and I happen to know a certain firefighter who loves homemade cookies.” She tossed the towel onto her shoulder. “What brings you by?”

  “I wanted to know if you and Willow would like to go look at a litter of puppies with me.”

  Her face lit up. “Oh, you’re getting a dog? That’s great. Willow would love to go look at puppies.”

  Drake swallowed, knowing this moment was going to change his life...one way or another.

  “I have a friend who found a litter on the side of the road and he’s looking for homes for them.” Drake ran a hand across the back of his neck, never dreaming he’d be this anxious or nervous about being there. “I also wanted to run by my house to show you the addition, now that it’s nearly done. I need a woman’s opinion on the paint color. I’d actually like Willow’s opinion.”

  “Willow’s opinion?” Marly laughed. “Be prepared for a shade of blue or green.”

  “That would be fine with me.” He stepped forward, taking her hand in his. “I was also hoping that once I get the puppy I want and take him home, that maybe you and Willow would like to come home with me, too...you know, permanently.”

  Marly’s eyes widened, then watered. “Drake,” she whispered.

  He dropped to his knee and pulled the box from his pocket. “I got this the other day, but I wanted to wait until you were ready. I don’t expect you to answer me right now, but will you wear my ring? Will you consider moving in with me and the new addition can be Willow’s room? Will you marry me one day?”

  Marly dropped to her knees as well, and clasped her hands around Drake’s and the box. Instead of answering his questions, she said, “I went to see Kevin earlier.”

  Fear threatened to creep up. “What?”

  “I’m not scared anymore,” she told him. “I’m not afraid to move on, to let you help me face my fears. Willow and I were planning on bringing you the cookies and telling you that I’m—we’re—ready to move on. With you.”

  Relief swept through him. He took the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger. The thick band with a simple inset of diamonds fit her perfectly.

  His hands shook as he held on to hers. “I saw this set and it looked just like something you’d wear. Simple, elegant.”

  Those watery eyes came up to meet his. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”

  “Why are you guys on the floor?” Willow asked, coming over and trying to wedge herself between them.

  Drake laughed. “Because we’re weird,” he explained. “What do you say to helping me pick out a dog?”

  “Seriously?” she asked.

  Drake nodded. “I also need you to pick out your favorite paint color because I have a new room, and it can be yours, if you want.”

  “We’re going to live with Drake,” Marly explained. “Mama and Drake are getting married. What do you think of that?”

  Willow let out an ear-piercing squeal that penetrated his eardrums. “A loose tooth, a puppy, a new room and a cool new dad all in one day? This is the best day ever.”

  Drake kissed Marly over Willow’s head. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from MARRY ME, MACKENZIE! by Joanna Sims.

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  Chapter One

  Mackenzie Brand parallel parked her 1960 Chevy sedan and shut off the engine. She leaned against the steering wheel and looked through the windshield at the swanky condos that lined Mission Beach, California. She checked the address that her cousin, Jordan, had given her and matched it with the address on the white, trilevel condo on the left. With a sigh, she unbuckled her seat belt and slipped the key out of the ignition.

  “All right. Not exactly your crowd. But a job’s a job and a favor’s a favor.” Mackenzie got out of her car, locked the door and dropped the keys into her Go Green recycling tote bag. She could hear a mixture of classic rock, loud talking and laughing as she walked quickly to the front door. It sounded like the Valentine’s Day party that Jordan was throwing with her fiancé, Ian, was already in full swing.

  Mackenzie rang the doorbell twice and then knocked on the door. While she waited, she stared down at her holey black Converse sneakers. They had passed shabby chic several months ago—definitely time to get a new pair. After a few minutes spent contemplating her pitiful tennis shoes, Mackenzie pressed the doorbell again. When no one opened the door, Mackenzie turned around to head to the beach side of the condo. She was about to step down the first step when she heard the door open.

  “Hey!” Dylan Axel swung the front door open wide. “Where’re you going?”

  Dylan’s voice, a voice Mackenzie hadn’t heard in a very long time, reverberated up her spine like an old forgotten song. Mackenzie simultaneously twisted her torso toward Dylan while taking a surprised step back. Her eyes locked with his for a split second before she lost her balance and began to fall backward.

  “Hey...” Dylan saw the pretty brunette at his door begin to fall. He sprang forward and grabbed one of her flailing arms. “Careful!”

  Silent and wide-eyed, Mackenzie clutched the front of Dylan’s shirt to steady herself. Dylan pulled her body toward hi
s and for a second or two, she was acutely aware of everything about the man: the soapy scent of his skin, the strong, controlled grasp of his fingers on her arm, the dark chest hair visible just above the top button of his designer shirt.

  “Are you okay?” Dylan asked. He didn’t know who she was, but she smelled like a sugar cookie and had beautiful Elizabeth Taylor eyes.

  If he hadn’t caught her, she would have fallen for sure. Could have seriously injured herself. And Mackenzie’s body knew it. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her skin felt prickly and hot, and her equilibrium was off-kilter. Mackenzie closed her eyes for a moment, took in a steadying breath, before she slowly released the death grip she had on his shirt.

  “I’m fine,” Mackenzie said stiffly. “Thank you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Mackenzie nodded. She forced herself to focus her eyes straight ahead on the single silver hair on Dylan’s chest instead of looking up into his face.

  “You can let go now.” Mackenzie tugged her arm away from Dylan’s hand.

  Dylan immediately released her arm, hands up slightly as if he were being held up at gunpoint. “Sorry about that.”

  Mackenzie self-consciously tugged on the front of her oversize Nothin’ But Cupcakes T-shirt. “No, I’m sorry.”

  Dylan smiled at her. “Let’s just call it even, okay?”

  That was classic Dylan; always trying to smooth things over with a smile. He wasn’t as lanky as he had been in his early twenties. His body had filled out, but he was fit and had the lean body of an avid California surfer. And he still had that boyish, easygoing smile and all-American good looks. Even back in middle school, Dylan had been popular with absolutely everyone. Male or female, it didn’t matter. He had always been effortlessly charming and approachable. Right then, on Dylan’s porch, the last ten years melted away for Mackenzie, but she knew that he obviously hadn’t recognized her.

  Still smiling, Dylan stuck out his hand to her. “I’m Dylan. And you are?”

  Instead of taking his offered hand or responding, Mackenzie stared at him mindlessly. It felt as if all of her blood had drained out of her head and rushed straight to her toes.