by Jen Talty
“Well, hello, to you, too,” Lacy said, “and you can say hello to Aunt Patty as well.”
“Hello, Aunt Patty,” Andy said. “But seriously, turn on the news.”
“The news isn’t on right now,” Lacy said. “Why don’t you tell us about the art project you’ve been working on with your friend for the—”
“There’s a fire at the trailer park. The one we used to live in,” Andy yelled. “You know, the one Reese lives in now!”
* * *
Reese closed the ambulance door. One of the few neighbors who lived in the trailer park year-round, and in the winter for hunting or ice fishing, was tucked away inside with minor burns and a possible broken arm. The ambulance’s siren blipped a couple of times as it pulled out onto Route 9. Reese sat on a rock and looked out over the smoldering wreckage of what used to be his new toy and his home. Firefighters were still on scene, working closely with the investigators.
Jared and Frank huddled under a tree, farther away from the wreckage. The moon shone brightly through the leafless branches, highlighting the smoke lingering in the air. The lead investigator had joined Frank and Jared, but Reese simply couldn’t make his body move. Had he not decided to meet Jim and Doug for a beer to celebrate his offer’s acceptance, he might have been home when this happened.
There had been two distinct fires. One had started in Reese’s trailer, and one in his Mustang. It could have been worse. Only three other trailers had been damaged. Only one of them had a current occupant.
Thankfully, no one was killed.
Jared strolled over to Reese then joined him on another rock.
“We should get some marshmallows,” Reese said.
“Good to have a sense of humor.” Jared’s tone indicated he didn’t share it. “Neighbor said he saw someone smoking behind the trailer.”
Reese had just bought that Mustang not two months ago. It was a 1966 pale-blue convertible in mint condition. The thing purred like a kitten. He looked around the park at the damage. “Did you know my offer to buy the Heritage was accepted?”
“I did know that,” Jared said. “Kind of puts a new perspective on this situation.”
Frank made his way to the clearing then sat next to Jared. The three men sat in silence. The other law enforcement officials, investigators, and firefighters still on the premises were taking statements from the few people who dared to live in a trailer park in Hague during the brutal upstate winters.
“This fire went up too quickly,” Reese commented.
“A lot of things could have caused it to get out of control,” Jared said without any real conviction, and he had the same look on his face that Reese felt in his gut.
This was no accident.
Reese looked around the area and noted the lead arson investigator, Harrison Jakel, was poking around what remained of the Mustang. Harrison barked out a few orders, and someone else rushed over. Reese didn’t know the other guy, but the two men hunched over something, pointed, and nodded. Harrison rose, then headed for Reese.
He stood in anticipation. So did Jared and Frank.
“Sergeant McGinn?” Harrison asked.
“Yes.”
“Real sorry about what happened here.”
“Thanks.”
Harrison was only about five-feet-eight, but he was broad, and prematurely gray for a man who was only in his late thirties. “We don’t have much to go on right now, but some patterns indicate that accelerant was used inside and on the trailer, as well as the vehicle,” Harrison said. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Thanks.” Reese watched as the man walked away, and it finally hit him: he had nothing left but the clothes on his back. His computer, and what few things he owned, had been burned to the ground. Gone. Up in smoke. Just like that. “I think I might need to head to the Walmart to get some clothes and stuff.”
“Why don’t you come stay at my place?” Jared offered.
“Thanks. As much as I love your wife and kids,” he said to Jared, “I think I’ll take a hotel.”
Jared nodded. “I best get home. See you first thing.”
“A hotel is nuts. Stay with me. I’ve got an extra bedroom,” Frank said.
“Not sure that’s a good idea.”
Frank shrugged. “I’m not sorry I hit you. I’m still insanely mad. But I can’t change the situation, and if you’re really buying the Heritage Inn, then I need to make sure you sure as shit don’t ruin my view.”
Reese let out a small laugh. It felt good. “I need to go get some things at the store first,” Reese said.
“No worries,” Frank said. “I’ll wait up, but don’t make it too late.”
“All right.”
Reese got in his truck then headed north toward Ticonderoga and the local Walmart. He parked close to the front door then mindlessly grabbed a shopping cart and headed in, his brain working on fumes. He picked up the basics. Toiletries, underwear, socks, T-shirts, a couple pairs of jeans, and a pair of sneakers. Enough to get by, for now. At the checkout, it struck him: he had no emotion. He was simply flat. Exhausted.
It took him about thirty-five minutes to drive down Route 9, following the lake until he got to Harmon Hill. The Harmons were an interesting lot, and it had taken time to get used to them. All of them, for the most part, had respected his desire to be private. No one pushed to find out too much about his past until he started dating Patty. Even then, probably because half of the Harmons were Marines, and the other half law enforcement, they seemed to understand.
Now? He could sense the difference in the family, and it made him sad.
He rolled the truck to a stop next to Patty’s SUV, noticing that Patty’s lights were on. They had texted a couple of times since the fire, but he didn’t expect her to still be awake.
He closed his truck door then snagged the bags from the flatbed. He was standing on the porch, starting a text to Frank, when the upstairs door opened.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Patty said. “I’m really sorry about the car. I know how much you’ve always wanted that Mustang.”
“It’s just a car.”
“The images on the news looked pretty bad.” She took a few steps down toward him. “Why don’t you come up?”
“I feel like shit, and I just spent the last few hours at an unwanted campfire. Frank said I can crash at his place, but he didn’t want me to be late. School night, and all.”
“I told him I’d cut you off at the pass, and I’ve got beer. Come on up,” she said.
She placed a six-pack of beer on the top step. She took one out, then cracked it open and held it out to him. “I know it’s no consolation, but I did want to congratulate you on your offer being accepted for buying the hotel,” she said. “I guess it’s my attempted to look for the silver lining.”
“Thanks.” He made his way to the top of the stairs. He looked deep into her eyes. “I’m sorry you had to find out about my past the way you did. I’m heading to visit Nana in a week or so, and I want you to come.”
“I don’t know.” She leaned against the doorjamb of her bedroom, her nightgown slightly see-through, which distracted him from everything, and maybe, just maybe, that was a good thing. “I don’t think I’m ready to meet any of your family.”
“I understand,” he said, “though I’m going to have to tell Nana about the baby, and it would be nice to have you there with me.”
“I think I’ll let you do that on your own.”
“I really do want to make this work.”
“I believe that you do,” she said. “It’s not that I don’t, just that I’m scared.”
He drained his beer then cracked open a second one, realizing they had more to fear than all the changes in their lives. “I don’t think the fire was an accident.” He took her by the hand, leading her into the bedroom. He sat on the foot the bed, and she joined him. “I don’t have a handle on what’s really going on or why, but I’m worried, and I need to keep you and the baby safe. I’m going to see i
f I can rent the main house, and I want you to move in there with me.”
She shook her head. “That house is too big. I’d be scared alone. Besides, there are more people here to watch out for me.” She glided her fingers across his cheek. “I’m more worried about you, especially since the fire wasn’t an accident.”
“Then I’ll stay here with you,” he said softly. “I’m happy we’re having a baby. I want him or her with everything I am.” He pressed his lips to hers. She didn’t pull away, but didn’t exactly participate.
She pressed her hand against his chest, finishing the kiss. “Just for tonight. I won’t move into that house right now.”
“I don’t want you to be alone.”
“You’re never alone on Harmon Hill,” she said. “I can’t live with you right now. It’s too soon. Like you said before, we start over.”
“All right.” He cupped her face, looking her in square in the eye, and saw her confusion, sadness, and pain. All of which he alone had caused. “We both want this baby. We will be good parents together.”
A single tear rolled down her cheek, and as he kissed it away, she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his neck, and began to sob. “I was so scared you’d been hurt in that fire.”
* * *
Patty had spent a good hour pacing in Lacy’s family room when the call finally came through that Reese was fine. Part of her was pissed as hell he hadn’t called, texted, or whatever. The other part was just so damned grateful the father of her child was fine. Frank had given her the evil eye for telling him Reese would be staying with her for the night, but had wanted to congratulate him on his purchase. It was a step in the right direction for them.
Mostly, she had to see him. Touch him. Feel him. She needed to know he was okay. Now, she found herself pressed against his hard body, drying her tears in his shirt. She grasped at his back, desperate to hold him tighter, unable to get rid of the thought that he could have been in that trailer when it went up in flames.
To his credit, he held her tenderly and whispered sweet, kind words as he stroked the back of her head and neck. He didn’t tell her to stop, or that it would all be okay. He just held her and told her he was there, for whatever she needed. She had no idea what she needed. She knew in the bottom of her heart that he would be completely capable of putting his child first. She believed beyond any reasonable doubt that he would love and adore his child. It didn’t matter that the child hadn’t been planned. She saw that so deeply, it made her want to forget about anything and everything in the past. Even the things she didn’t know. Life was a risk. Love a bigger risk. It was time to take the leap of faith and stop fighting what she couldn’t change if she tried.
She loved Reese.
“I don’t want to do this alone,” she whispered. “I was so worried something bad had happened to you.”
“You don’t have to be alone in this, ever.” He lifted her head off his shoulder, studying her intently.
“I don’t think—”
He pressed his fingers against her lips. “Don’t think. Just feel.”
Oh, how she felt every single inch of him. And she had to admit, if only to herself, it wasn’t just physical. It was love. His lips were hot on her neck, kissing every inch as they made their way to her lips, which she gave without any battle or trepidation. He pressed her back to the bed, gripped her hips, his knee gently parting her legs, and his chest heaved into hers with the force of passion.
She devoured what he offered. It wasn’t about him or her anymore, but about the deep connection they shared, and one that needed to be strengthened. That connection might not have created the baby, but it was going to have to raise that baby, and if in a moment of compassion they needed entangled bodies, who was she to fight it?
They fumbled at each other’s clothing. Thoughts of the future came crashing down, but instead of facing them, she straddled Reese and quickly slipped her nightshirt over her head, losing herself in the sensation of his hand caressing one breast and his tongue dancing across the other. She kissed her way down his chest, across his stomach, her fingers grappling with his belt.
“Slow down,” he murmured.
“No.”
Their lovemaking had never been slow, but wild and relentless. He flipped her onto her back, spreading her legs, easing his fingers inside her while his tongue and lips caressed her, bringing her to perfect climax. Her body quivered beneath his touch, and before it was over, he was fully inside her, their hips locked tightly.
“Don’t stop.” She coaxed him, slowly but firmly, needing more release. “I need you,” she whispered.
He matched her motions, and she felt his own buildup rise, making it all the sweeter. He took his time, something he’d always done, but this was different. In the past, he’d simply made it last, a game of teasing that often brought her to multiple orgasms. But this time he was tender. Gentle.
He raised his body above hers, still grinding his hips, bringing her right to the edge, but never over the top. He kissed her nose, and she opened her eyes and gasped as she stared into his eyes, filled with something more than mere sexual excitement. She wrapped her legs around him, pulling him in quickly, and then ground her hips . His eyes rolled back as he let his own climax spill out into her. Watching him forced her release to hit the surface seconds later.
She embraced his full weight as he collapsed, his breath labored. They remained entangled in each other for a long time before he rolled off, still holding her close. Her last thought before she fell into a deep sleep was what it was going to be like to have this whenever she wanted or needed.
Chapter Nine
NORMALLY, THE SMELL OF BACON in the morning would excite Patty, but now it only made her rush to the bathroom with a wave a nausea and a few dry heaves. She knew Reese was trying to be nice by making her breakfast, and she did appreciate it, but she couldn’t handle the smell.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Morning sickness. I think.”
“Oh, sorry,” he said. “Can I get you something else?”
“Just crackers, please, and maybe some coffee. Oh, and crack open a window. I don’t think I like bacon anymore.”
“That’s going to suck for a while.” He pointed to a mug on the table. “Just a little cream.”
“Thanks.” Other than feeling sick, she wanted every morning to be like this. The two of them sharing breakfast and light conversation before they headed out the door for work. She paused, lifting the mug to her lips and blew, contemplating the job situation.
So much of her life was changing, and she believed it to be for the good. Only one tiny little complication. She hated harping on his marriage, but it was a fact. She knew he was trying to find his wife and divorce her, but so much of what happening had been a direct result of an unplanned, but wanted, baby. It was hard not to wonder what would have happened between them, or not happened, if she hadn’t gotten pregnant.
He put a roll of crackers and a glass of water on the table. She sat, sipping the perfectly-brewed coffee while reading a few texts on her phone.
“What’s got your attention?”
“Frank.”
“What does he want?”
“He’s just worried.”
“About what?”
“Me. Us. The situation. Holland. Lots of things.”
“I am, too,” he said, and even without looking, she sensed him watching her. “Are you avoiding me?”
A loaded question, but right on the money. “Last night was... Well, it was… I was so scared that you really could have been hurt.”
“You said that last night,” Reese said. “What’s really on your mind?”
“I can’t get over the fact that you’re still married. I’m worried you’re still keeping things from me, and it makes me want to forget about last night.”
“I’m not keeping secrets. If something concerns you, just ask.”
“Okay. What’s going on with finding your wife?”
“See, I didn’t know that. So I wonder what else you don’t tell me.”
“I’m not keeping anything else from you. The big things are on the table. Anything else you want to know, all you have to do is ask. I’m going to prove to you—”
“You don’t have to prove anything,” she said. “I guess I feel out of the loop.”
“I didn’t think you’d want me reporting back every detail about finding my soon-to-be ex-wife,” he said. “I need to get to work. See you tonight?”
She nodded.
He kissed her gently on the lips, letting the kiss linger.
He let out a long sigh, resting his forehead against hers. “I’m not going anywhere and we’ll get through this. Call me if you need me.” She watched him go down the flight of stairs, where he was greeted by a very unhappy Frank, who glanced between the two of them.
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea for you to be staying here,” Frank said
“Not your business,” Patty yelled from the top of the stairs.
Reese held out his hand. “I’m here to stay.”
Frank took it and the two men shook. “You rip her heart out, I’ll do more than hit you.”
“I’m sure you won’t be the only one in line for that.” Reese turned and looked up at Patty one more time. His eyes filled so many emotions, except one. Fear. “Lock the doors.”
She nodded, waved, then pulled her robe tighter. This was really happening.
* * *
Patty had no desire to leave the house, but sucked it up and made herself presentable. She had to return some things to Conrad’s office, since she was no longer employed, and pick up the severance package.
The spring air had finally starting to stick. There was more brown grass than snow. The sun shown brightly in the sky, and while it was still only about fifty that was spring in Lake George.
The drive down Route 9 was filled with pleasant thoughts, until she pulled into the parking lot of the law offices of Conrad Winston. The first thing she noted was the fancy schmancy car. The second thing she noticed was Jared across the street at the coffee shop. He was leaning against a patrol car, sipping coffee, looking quite menacing. The man did look like a legend in the making.