Winterfall

by Denise A. Agnew

  A wave of longing hit Juliet as banter went around the breakfast table and in the open kitchen area. Although she liked her privacy, the gathering made her feel something she couldn’t identify. Of course she had the firehouse and everyone in it, but these people had a special situation, a closeness that was apparent with every joke they cracked. Laughter flowed, and for a short time she could forget the fire last night. She’d also developed a man-sized hunger for food, apparently, because she ate with gusto. She glanced at Mark and caught him staring at her, a concentration in his eyes that made her tingle. For a moment she got lost in his gaze, and then she realized the others were talking about the fire on her street.

  She jerked to attention and glanced at everyone. “Did you hear something new?”

  Adam spoke up. “Just the usual news hype. We made national news with it. They’re starting to call Buckleport the arson capital of the world right now. We’re up to nineteen arson cases. The Fire Marshal and the cops haven’t pinned down a suspect. But I’ll bet you know that already.”

  “Yes.” Juliet didn’t know if the rest of them had heard about the letter she’d received and chose not to mention it. “That’s right. I can’t help but wonder…” She swallowed in apprehension. She shouldn’t mention what she knew, but she believed she could trust these people. “It seems too coincidental the latest fire was on my street, right across from my house.” Before anyone could pipe in, her cell phone buzzed in her purse, which lay on the couch. “Excuse me.”

  She went to her purse and dug out the cell phone. Chief Krisky’s number popped up, and she answered it. “Chief.”

  “Van Pelt. Good to talk with you. How are you feeling?”

  “A little tired, but I’m good. Anything new on the arson fire last night, sir?”

  “Plenty, unfortunately. Four houses destroyed and the entire block has been evacuated until further notice.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  “Nope. Fire Marshal’s on his way right now to evaluate the situation and the letter you received.”

  That information didn’t surprise her. “I hope I’ll be able to get back in there. I can’t stay where I am.”

  “You might have to get a hotel then or move into one of the shelters.”

  She didn’t bother reminding him most of the hotels around town didn’t have any vacancies and neither did the shelters. “I’d like to get into my house to at least pick up my laptop. I’ve got clients relying on me.”

  “We can probably arrange for an escort in today.”

  “What time?”

  “Come by the station in a couple of hours.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Before you go, there’s something else you need to know. I didn’t want to blindside you with it. Hell, I didn’t want this to happen at all, but…”

  When he trailed off, concern hit her. “What is it?”

  “The Fire Marshal doesn’t want you at the station while the arson investigation is ongoing.”

  She blinked, tried to process what he was saying. “What?” Conversation behind her ceased. “Hold on a second.” She turned and saw the curious expressions on everyone’s faces. “I’ll be right back.” She left the apartment and headed down the hall. “Okay, tell me I didn’t just hear that.”

  “You heard me right. The Fire Marshal doesn’t want you working while the investigation is ongoing,” the chief said.

  She went down the stairs and crossed the small lobby area for the front door. “That’s ridiculous.”

  “We have to follow this to the letter. I wish things were different, but…”

  She’d always liked the Chief but hadn’t shared the significant bond with him that she did the other men at the station. Since Long Valley, many people had grown closer at the station, their families working hard to help each other. Still, it stung like hell that the Chief hadn’t fought for her.

  “Is this a permanent situation?” She opened the front door and walked out into a murky sky that threatened more rain.

  “No. No. Just until we figure out who the fire starter is. If that letter hadn’t come to you the other day, you know this wouldn’t be happening.”

  “I know.”

  “Good.”

  As disappointment continued to dig its claws into her, she closed her eyes and drew in the scent of moisture in the air. “All right. I’ll be at the station in two hours for the escort.”

  “See you then.”

  When Juliet disconnected she opened her eyes and her heart was heavy. Firefighting ran in her blood, even if she only volunteered. She stood there for several minutes before the front door swung open and startled her. Mark walked out.

  “There you are. Everything all right?” he asked.

  “No.” She explained what the Chief had said.

  “Shit.”

  “Exactly.”

  “I’m sorry about the volunteering. I know it means a lot to you.” His voice held true concern and understanding.

  She drew in a slow breath. “Thanks.”

  “You’re getting an escort into the area in two hours?”

  “Yes.”

  He crossed his arms. “I’m going with you.”

  “No, you don’t have to do that. You’ve already spent a lot of your time off helping me.”

  His mouth flattened into a determined line. “Doesn’t matter. I have a bad feeling about this.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I always listen to my gut. I don’t like the idea of you going anywhere without me.”

  “You don’t like the idea?” She crossed her arms and made an indignant noise in her throat. “That’s pretty…possessive wouldn’t you say?”

  He cupped her left shoulder. “Yeah, but not because I’m trying to control you. Never that. I’m worried, okay?” He edged in closer. “It’s because I care about you.”

  Despite the part of her that didn’t want anyone telling her what to do, she could see in his eyes that he did care. That scared her more than if he’d wanted to control her.

  She leaned against the wall, and he placed his palm against the siding near her head. He didn’t box her in, but he didn’t back up either. “Thanks for caring.”

  “Of course. I have a feeling you’d do the same for me.”

  A thrill shot through her, and so did a revelation. She would have done the same for him if he’d needed her. “You want to be my backup.”

  “Absolutely. I know you can handle yourself, but everyone needs backup in a dangerous situation.”

  She went quiet for a long time, staring into the now drab sky.

  “You don’t know what to do,” he said.

  That startled her back into awareness. “About what?”

  “When someone cares for you.”

  His statement hit home like a bomb lobbed on top of her. It made complete and total sense, but she didn’t want it to.

  “Foster homes…a lot of them, can do that to a person,” she said. “Caring is difficult when you don’t know if you’re even going to stay in a home.”

  “I’m sorry you went through that.”

  “Sometimes all I wanted was one parent to love me. They didn’t. Hell, I should have grown up a meth head like my mother or gotten my ass tossed into the pen.” Oh, my God that sounds pathetic, Juliet. “But I’ve moved forward. I’m not stuck in the past.”

  He lifted one eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

  Discomfort took a slow trek up her spine, and she didn’t like it. “We’re off the subject.”

  He stepped back, his face also reflecting disappointment or maybe a desire to argue. “Right. The letter you got was creepy as hell, so someone is obviously watching you or connected to you in some way. This isn’t a game.”

  “I know. But I refuse to run away and hide from the arsonist. I’ll be with an escort of some kind. It’s not like I’ll be alone.”

  He stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets and rolled his big shoulders as if loosening tension. “With someone
who could watch your six? Protect you?”

  She made a sarcastic snort. “Well, a lot of the guys in the station are buff. I’ll snag one of them.” She shrugged. “Derek Okono would be helpful that way.”

  “The guy who used to be a Navy SEAL?”

  “Yep.”

  She half expected him to scoff, but his face reflected some relief. “Good choice. Better than a guy without military experience.” He lifted both hands and backed away a step. “Look, I’m sorry. I could see how a woman might think I’m being pushy and maybe I am. Like I said, it’s just worry. I’m not trying to force you to do what I want.”

  The tension in her eased. “No, I’m sorry. I know you’re just trying to help. If you really have nothing else better to do, I need to be at the station in two hours. I need a ride there anyway.”

  His smile returned. “It’s a deal. Let’s go back inside and finish breakfast.”

  * * * *

  Julie was quiet as Mark drove her to the fire station. He knew he’d screwed up with her yesterday and today. She hadn’t been looking for a hook up, or a one-night stand, and he’d kissed her last night like he wanted to fuck her senseless. Face it, you wanted to take it farther. Perhaps if she’d asked him to he would have. Would have done anything and everything to bring her to a pulse-stopping orgasm as she came around his cock. Anything to make her forget the weird crap going down in her world. Today he’d pushed his agenda, which was to keep her safe. When she’d mentioned Okono, Mark’s first reaction was relief. Second to that feeling came the realization he didn’t give a shit if the man was a Metal of Honor winner. He didn’t trust anyone to take care of her but himself, and Okono was a dirtbag. Still, he didn’t think the man would let her get hurt.

  You are so screwed. He thought back to Adam and Ian’s reactions to Penny and Mally. They were equally protective of their women. He also recalled Mally and Adam giving him shit about Juliet before he knew her name. At first he’d said he wasn’t interested in her, but then he’d relented and admitted he was. So yeah, no way out of this one without lying his ass off. He did want her physically, wanted sex with her in the worst way possible. But he hadn’t lied to her today when he’d said he cared for Juliet and her safety. She’d come to mean a lot to him in a short time.

  They arrived at the station without encountering many traffic delays. The doors were wide open and two engines, a ladder and pumper truck dripped with water as firefighters washed them outside of the bays. After Mark parked the car and they headed inside, the firefighters either waved at her or cracked jokes in a verbal display of friendship. They also stared at him with curiosity. Captain Detmer greeted them in the central hallway on the way to Chief Krisky’s office.

  “Is the Chief in?” she asked Detmer.

  “Yep, he’s waiting for you. See you later,” Detmer said as he left them in them in the hallway.

  The Chief stuck his head out of his office. “Hey there, what are you waiting for? Oh hey, O’Day, how are you?”

  As they walked toward the chief, Mark said, “I’m great. I was hoping I could come along with Juliet today on the escort. For security.”

  The other man’s eyebrows went up. “Who’s paying for it?”

  Mark blinked, thrown off for a moment. “No one. I’m coming along as her friend.”

  The Chief smiled. “Sounds reasonable. I’m sending Jeeter and Okono with her.” Chief Krisky’s smile held strain. “Come in and close the door.”

  Krisky sat behind his large, utilitarian metal desk. “Have a seat.” They complied, and the chief continued. “I’m sorry the Fire Marshal requested you not volunteer, Van Pelt.”

  She shrugged, a desire to argue clear in her eyes. “I know you tried to keep me on.”

  Krisky appeared even more uncomfortable. “I did. Look at it this way, you’ve volunteered a lot of hours the last few months. Especially after the volcano eruption. Look at this as time off well deserved.”

  Mark saw it in her eyes. She didn’t care. He understood her demons, even if she didn’t. When she’d spoken of the foster homes and the lack of connection she’d felt with a parental figure, he’d marveled at where she’d found her humanity and desire to help others. When she’d talked of the dorm fire, he’d hurt deep in his gut for what she’d experienced. He’d wanted to take away the pain and survivor’s guilt. Did she even know she carried that burden?

  “You know this station is a part of me,” she said.

  Chief Krisky’s eyes flashed with pain for a second, as if he agreed wholeheartedly. “It’ll only be a short time until we find this fire starter. You’ll come back after that.”

  “Thanks, Chief.” She stood slowly. “I’m anxious to get home.”

  After they left Krisky’s office she didn’t say a word, and when they entered the main room in the station, Okono and Jeeter waited for her. Mark caught the way Okono and Jeeter eyeballed her clothing and the high heels, and their eyes said they not only liked what they saw, they wondered why the hell she was wearing the attire. Another spike of possessiveness claimed him. He felt a childish desire to tell them she’d worn it for him and their date. Fuck, O’Day. Real mature. To say he didn’t like his reaction was an understatement, and he wouldn’t act on it. So what if the SEAL and the other firefighter took their fill of admiring her? Didn’t he do the very same thing every time he saw her? Hell, what if she’d caught him almost drooling? You’re a pig, O’Day.

  “Hey guys, let’s go,” she said without a pause. “Mark is coming with us.”

  “I’m taking the SUV,” Mark said.

  Okono clapped his hands. “Right. Let’s get this show on the road.”

  Jeeter hung toward the back as the group left the station and headed for the cars. Jeeter’s frown was about twenty miles wide. Okono didn’t seem to give a damn whether Mark came along or not, and that suited Mark fine.

  When she piled into Mark’s SUV, he smiled. “I thought you’d ride with them.”

  “No.” She returned his grin. “Looks like they’re taking an official truck.”

  “And you’re not feeling official right now?”

  “No.”

  “You don’t want me to ride with you?”

  “Ah, jeez. Is this one of those woman questions where a guy is wrong no matter how he answers?” He smiled the whole time he asked.

  “Probably.”

  “Well, then…I’d be a hell of a lot less distracted if you were in their car, but I like having you with me.”

  She tapped her chin with her index finger. “Hmm. I guess that’s an okay answer. I won’t have to hurt you too much.”

  “Hurt me?” He threw her a quick devilish look. “Are you sure? Sounds interesting.”

  “Why?” she asked with a drawl. “Are you into BDSM?”

  He grunted. “Nope. Just hot and heavy amazing sex.” He looked at her, and grinned when her cheeks went red. “What about you?”

  “Uh…” She cleared her throat and stared out the passenger window. “BDSM isn’t for me.”

  He noticed she didn’t say what she liked. All right, maybe he’d screwed up embarrassing her like that. His gaze fell on her long legs and those heels. Ah, shit. He was going to dream about those legs for a very long time. Imagine those legs wrapped around him as he sank deep into her softness.

  His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “Sorry…I couldn’t help teasing you.”

  Once more he felt her gaze on him. “Are you like the little boys in grade school that tease girls when they like them?”

  “Yep.”

  He liked the way she smiled back. Maybe lighthearted conversation would take her mind off of what she might see soon. Her neighborhood would no longer be that unscathed little haven they’d talked about the other day.

  A small silence hovered between them before he said, “I’ll bet you date a lot.”

  “Are you teasing me now?”

  “What? No. Just making an observation.”

  “I don’t date at all. The la
st time I went out to dinner with a guy was…you last night. Before that it was years.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. Not running into guys I really like, I guess. I even tried computer dating and it didn’t work for me.”

  He was on a roll. “Are you picky about who you date?”

  “I won’t date a guy if I get a creepy feeling from him.”

  “That’s good sense.” He threw at her, “You went out with me. I guess I should be gratified I’m not creepy.”

  When he glanced over at her she laughed. “Yep. You should be.”

  His ego swelled a bit, and so did his cock. God. He shifted in his seat. Yeah, he didn’t usually get wildly turned on by what a woman said to him. Not unless she talked dirty to him in bed, and he hadn’t met that many women willing to talk dirty. Unfortunately.

  “I’m happy I have three hunks to guard me. It’s overkill, but I’ll take it,” she said.

  He almost choked on a laugh. “Damn, you’re gonna make me jealous. What if I’m the only one who wants to guard your body?”

  She made a noise that sounded like disbelief, and he felt her gaze latch on to him, but he didn’t look at her. “You sound jealous.”

  Oh, okay. Right. He’d stepped into it hip deep. It was his chance to blush. Holy, crap. Now he was freaking out. He. Was. Fucking. Jealous.

  “Am not,” he said.

  She actually giggled, which he didn’t expect and he threw her a surprised glance. She put her hand over her mouth.

  A moment later she said, “You sound like a grade school boy.”

  “Yeah, I kinda do.” As they approached her neighborhood, he decided to segue from risky topics like dating and sex. “You ready to see your neighborhood in a mess?”

  “No.”

  They’d reached her street, and the barriers blocking entry. Two police cruisers sat at the entrance. She left the SUV and met Okono and Jeeter at the police cruisers. Mark waited patiently, and in no time the cops had pulled back the barriers. Okono and Jeeter piled back into their truck and pulled onto the street. After Juliet jumped back into the SUV, they were off.