“Warmer in more ways than one,” he told himself. Bethany was right about being different from Amy. Her face glowed with enthusiasm no matter what she was doing. And she greeted the people she met as if they were the most important individuals in her life. At least that was the way it had always seemed to him.
That was part of what he was just now realizing he had missed. Bethany’s smile. And her eagerness, openness, regarding life’s challenges. If he could ever get to the point where he saw her as herself rather than as a replica of her sister, then perhaps he’d stop being so tense around her.
The first fireworks salvo boomed just as the last rays of sun disappeared. The shell reached its apex and exploded in a flash of colorful, twinkling lights.
“One down, many to go,” he told himself. The days when he could sit back and enjoy the show had ended when he’d joined the fire department. Although he did still appreciate the pyrotechnics, he couldn’t help watching each launch and wondering how many live sparks were going to land in the dry, prairie grass.
“Ranchers need all the feed they can get in weather like this,” he called to the nearest rookie. “Keep a sharp eye out.”
“Hey, man, I am, I am. There’s nothin’ out there but weeds and coyotes.”
Peering into the distance, Stan held his breath. Was it? Could it be?
“There,” he shouted, pointing. “I see a flicker.”
“Where?”
“Just grab the nozzle and head that way. I’ll charge the hose,” Stan shouted. “Move it. Now!”
Above them, more fireworks exploded. The show continued. But in the prairie grass there was a different kind of show going on. One that could easily turn deadly if everyone didn’t do their job.
Chapter Eleven
Between Tommy’s wild handling of the hose and Charlie’s shaking, Bethany and the boy had ended up almost as wet and soapy as the dog.
She smiled, remembering their shared laughter and how much fun she’d had. During their short time together, she had learned that Tommy was only six years old. This wasn’t his first foster home, nor was it likely to be his last in view of the fact that he refused to go anywhere without his best friend, namely Charlie.
The first salvo of the fireworks show had already been set off by the time she’d showered, changed, dried her long hair and returned to the park. She peered at the land across the river. There was Stan’s fire engine, parked just where he’d said it would be. Her heart did a little flip and landed in her throat.
Maya Logan, the woman who had relieved Bethany at the baked goods booth, hailed her. “Hey, over here. There’s room on our blanket.”
“Thanks. I forgot to bring a chair or anything.”
“No problem.” As Bethany sat down, Maya scooted over and gestured toward the little girl who was curled up, asleep, beside her. “Layla wore herself out playing. I tried to keep her awake to watch but even all this booming and commotion isn’t enough to do that.”
“So I see. How did the sales go after I left?”
“You mean after you and Stan left, don’t you?”
“We happened to walk off together, that’s all. There was nothing to it.”
Laughing, Maya raised an eyebrow. “Oh? That’s not the way I heard it.”
Bethany was shaking her head and trying to squelch another huge grin. “Okay, okay. So he bought me a burger. That doesn’t mean it was important, except to my empty stomach. It was just lunch, not a real date.”
“If you say so. I also heard that you two were seen having a very engrossing conversation. Why did you suddenly jump up and run off?”
Bethany rolled her eyes dramatically. “I don’t believe this. Doesn’t anyone in High Plains mind their own business?”
“Nope. Never have and never will. Folks in a small town like this look after each other. We can’t help it if that shared concern sometimes comes across as nosiness or gossip.”
“You can say that again.” Settling back and crossing her legs, Bethany sighed. “I wish Stan was as serious about me as the rumors make out.”
“You might grow on each other if you give it half a chance.”
“I doubt it. He still hasn’t gotten over what my selfish sister did to him. I’m afraid that his memories of Amy will always be between us.”
“Where is he tonight?” Maya asked, just as another burst of brightness opened in the sky like a summer flower.
“Across the river, manning that engine,” Bethany said, pointing. “The regular firefighters and the volunteers are all working, just in case there’s a spark.”
“Good thing, too,” Maya told her. “Look.”
Bethany’s breath caught. Her pulse began to race. The revolving lights atop Stan’s engine had just come on and there was a flurry of activity beside the pumper. Shadowy figures were running. She thought she could hear shouting above the already noisy crowd in the park, too.
“Dear Lord,” she breathed, barely whispering. “Help them. Be with them. And keep them all safe.”
The deepest regions of her heart added, Especially Stan.
Chapter Twelve
“Get ahead of it and cut it off before it runs all the way to the gully,” Stan yelled.
The rookie just stood there, aiming the spray of water into the air so it fell like misty rain.
Recognizing that the younger man was not going to function properly under the stress of a real fire, Stan left the pump panel and raced to the nozzle.
His terse, “Give it to me,” was not a polite request. It was an order that no man in his right mind would have disobeyed.
Taking full command, he narrowed the stream and directed it at the base of the fire, keeping the flames confined to a small area and quickly gaining the upper hand. By the time he had the perimeter of the spot fire under control, another engine had crossed the bridge and was coming to his aid. Together, the two units mopped up and stood prepared to take on other falling embers.
By the time the show ended an hour later, Stan’s initial surge of adrenaline had waned and he was exhausted. He was also sooty and coughing from being so close to the fire. All he wanted to do at that point was go home and crash, but his job required that he first clean and prep the equipment so it would be ready if something else occurred.
He supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised to find Bethany waiting for him at the firehouse, especially since it was located so close to her apartment. But he was.
“Nice show,” she said, waving and approaching. “We were all impressed. I think there were more people watching you work than the fireworks.”
“Just doing my job.”
“Somebody wasn’t. We could tell.”
“That kind of thing can happen with rookies,” Stan said. “No matter how much training a man has had, some guys freeze when they’re needed most. The only way to weed out those people is to let them face real situations. With professional backup, of course.”
“In that case, I’m glad it was just a small grass fire instead of a burning building!”
“No problem,” he said with a smile. “You were praying for us, right?”
She made a face. “Right. But I think the Lord still expects you to fight the fire yourself.”
“So that’s why He gave me this bright, shiny engine. Imagine that.”
“Don’t make jokes,” Bethany said wryly. “You know what I meant.”
“Sorry. Yes, I do know. And we all thank you for your prayers.” He paused, studying her wide, hazel eyes and concerned expression. “I’m glad you’re still speaking to me.”
“Speaking to you? Why would I not be?”
He shrugged, turning aside to cough for a moment. “I don’t know. You sure had a burr under your saddle when you left after lunch. I’ve gone over and over everything I said and I can’t for the life of me figure out why you took off the way you did. Care to enlighten me?”
“You’re coughing and all smoky and sooty. You need your rest a lot more than you need to stand around
talking.”
He started to take a few steps closer to her, noticed how she immediately tensed, and stopped moving. “Don’t be afraid to say whatever’s on your mind, Bethany. I’d lots rather hear the truth from my friends than face nasty surprises like…”
“Like Amy gave you. I know.”
“Well?” He waited, weary yet eager to hear her thoughts, to find out more about her feelings toward him. When he saw her countenance change he knew that that was not going to happen. Not tonight.
“Good night, Stan,” she said. “I just stopped by to make sure you were all right. Take care of that cough, okay?”
“Okay. See you around.” As he watched her turn and walk away he was struck by a sense of loss that took him by surprise. He wanted her to linger. To continue to keep him company. To lend her uplifting presence to an otherwise tiring evening.
That was a bigger shock than having her show up there in the first place.
Chapter Thirteen
The thrilling fireworks display had been nothing compared to the brightness and awesomeness of Bethany’s continuing thoughts the following week. They mostly centered on Stan Ellison, of course. She was disgusted to find that she was spending an inordinate amount of time dwelling on him, even inventing scenarios in which they not only talked, they hugged and kissed!
Embarrassed even though no one else was privy to her thoughts, she finished dressing, grabbed her shoulder bag and headed for work. Living so close to High Plains Bank and Trust, she often walked the three blocks rather than drove, especially on beautiful summer days like this one.
Two doors past the bank entrance was Elmira’s Pie Diner, the perfect place to grab coffee and a Danish if she chose not to have breakfast at home, which was about half the time.
The scalloped edges of the red-and-white-striped awning above the doorway were flapping slightly in the warm breeze as Bethany ducked inside and tossed her head to flip her long hair back. “Whew! Good morning, Elmira. Guess I should have worn a ponytail today.”
“Morning. What’ll it be? The usual?” the middle-aged matron behind the counter asked.
“Supersize the coffee, please. I need to stay awake at work today.”
“Big night last night, huh? Have a date?”
Bethany shook her head and raked her bangs off her forehead while she looked for change in her purse. “Nope. Just not sleeping well.”
The older woman laughed lightly. “Then maybe you needed a lively date to tire you out. My Harold used to take me dancing twice a week when he was alive.” She sighed. “I still miss his company, even after all these years. I’ve got a houseful of cats but it’s not the same.”
As she picked up her order and paid, Bethany smiled. “I’ve never been fond of cats but I have been thinking of getting a dog for company.”
“They’re no good for conversation unless you talk to yourself a lot,” Elmira said. “You need a husband, girl.”
“Like a fish needs a bicycle.”
Elmira cackled. “You make that up?”
“Nope. Can’t take credit. I think I saw it on a T-shirt one of the teenagers was wearing during the picnic on the fourth.”
“Those fireworks were sure something, weren’t they?” she asked as Bethany carried her breakfast to a small, round table nearby.
“Yes. I’ve always loved watching that show.”
“It was quite a show the fire department put on across the river, too. My heart was in my throat when I saw that fire start. This time of year, dry as the grass is, it could have burned all the way to Manhattan if they hadn’t gotten it under control so fast.”
“I know. It’s a good thing they were prepared.”
“Sure was.” Elmira began filling a big box with assorted doughnuts as she talked. “I was so impressed, I promised the firemen free treats all week long. “She grinned. “They’ve been taking me up on the offer, too.”
“Really?” The hair at Bethany’s nape prickled as if she were about to face danger. Or Stan Ellison. Or both. The chances of him being the one to pick up the free doughnuts were slim, yet considering the way her life had been going lately, she would not have been surprised to look up and see him standing there.
She blinked and stared at the door. Stan was entering. This was the first time in a year or more that she had run in to him in Elmira’s. And now, here he was. Big as life and twice as handsome. Oh, dear.
Chapter Fourteen
Stan had looked through Elmira’s window and spotted Bethany before he opened the door. The sight of her had almost caused him to delay his entrance. Almost, but not quite. After all, he wasn’t afraid of her. She confused him. Or he confused himself where she was concerned. He wasn’t sure which.
The little silver bell over the door tinkled. Marvelous aromas of fresh baked goods and hot coffee greeted him. So did the smiling face of the proprietress and the only current customer.
He nodded. “Good morning, lovely ladies.”
Elmira giggled. Bethany simply lowered her lashes and took a sip of coffee from the steaming take-out cup. Stan could tell she was blushing.
“I see you have our reward ready again, Miss Elmira,” Stan said, reaching the counter and eyeing the doughnut-filled box. “I do wish you’d let me pay you for it, though.”
“Nonsense. I want you boys to get so used to eating my treats you’ll crave ’em every day. I know what I’m doing.”
That made Stan laugh. He snuck a peek past his left shoulder at Bethany. She was doing her best to feign disinterest but he knew her well enough to be able to tell that she was paying close attention.
“I’ll take a large coffee, too, if you’ll let me pay for it. The stuff the guys brew at the firehouse is thick enough to stand a spoon in.”
“Coming up. Black?”
“Yes, please. No cream or fancy stuff. Just plain coffee.” Paying, he carried his cup to Bethany’s table and stood across from her. “Is this seat taken?”
“No, but…”
“Good, because there isn’t another place in the whole diner available and I’d hate to have to stand up to drink this.”
He chuckled at her puzzled expression. In view of the fact that they were the only customers, his comment was ludicrous. It was meant to be. He was at his best when he and Bethany were trading quips. The serious moments were the difficult ones.
“All right,” she said, smiling up at him. “Since we have no choice, I suppose it would be neighborly for me to invite you to sit with me.”
“Absolutely.” Sliding into one of the red padded chairs, he rested his forearms on the table, cupped his hands around his coffee cup and looked at her. As expected, she frowned.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just taking in the scenery.”
“I said you could sit with me, not study me like a bug under a microscope.”
Stan laughed softly. “I’d rather think of you as a butterfly, if I have to pick an insect to compare you to.” To his delight, Bethany picked up the analogy and took it one step further.
“Sometimes I feel like a caterpillar that hasn’t transformed yet.”
“Ah, but you have,” Stan said, realizing the deeper truth of his statement. Bethany had gone from a gangly teenager to a beautiful young woman and he had been so obsessed with her sister he had almost missed noticing the transformation. Now that they were getting reacquainted, he could see that she was not at all like Amy except for a few external similarities.
It suddenly struck him that he was seeing her through new eyes. He had prayed to be freed from his thoughts of Amy but he had never dreamed that the Lord would replace those affectionate feelings with an attraction to Bethany.
I’ll have to be really careful, he told himself.
If there was any chance that his heart and mind were playing tricks on him, he’d have to really watch his step. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Bethany the way Amy had hurt him.
Chapter Fifteen
Bethany was so reluctant to leave Sta
n, she was late for work…three days out of the past five, if anyone was counting and seeing a pattern. She had begun arriving at the pie shop earlier and earlier in the hopes of encountering him. To her delight, he had joined her nearly every morning.
Lunch had often provided similar opportunities, once they had discussed their plans. Because Stan carried a pager and radio that kept him in touch with the fire station, he was able to get away even on the days when he was on duty.
She fidgeted, anticipating his arrival. When he finally did walk through the door she could tell from his expression that something was bothering him.
Smiling, she gestured to a chair at her table. “Have a seat. I had to go ahead and order or I wouldn’t have had time to eat.”
“That’s fine. I can’t stay today, anyway.”
“Why not? What’s wrong?”
As he pulled the other chair closer and sat down, he reached for her hand. The gesture was so unexpected, so wonderful, Bethany hardly heard what he was saying. She blinked to clear her head. “The weather?” She glanced out the window at the bright sunshine. “It looks fine.”
“I know. And right now it is,” Stan told her, still grasping her fingers and holding them gently. “But the reports don’t look good. We could be in the middle of a bad storm in a few hours. The chief wants us on standby.”
“You can’t stay a little longer? We could share my sandwich. I got a Reuben, just like you like.”
“It’s tempting, and I don’t mean the sandwich,” he said, making her heart race even faster. “But I have to get back to the station.”
“Be careful,” she said tenderly, gazing into his eyes and willing him to understand how much he meant to her.
“I will. And you do the same. If the storm is as strong as predicted, the whole town might be in trouble. You should head home early if it starts to look serious.”
“As long as we have electricity, you know the bank will have to stay open. I can just hear my boss yelling if any of us asked to leave before closing time.”
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