“Wait. A. Minute. You and Gini?”
Patrick nodded. No sense in denying it. He could feel his cheeks grow hot just having the phrase, “You and Gini,” bounce around inside his head.
A loud whoop echoed over the circle of men. Claps on the back, handshakes, congratulations. Patrick was stunned. He’d never encountered such camaraderie. He was more surprised at how much he enjoyed it.
“These two are taking all the good ones,” Chuck said.
“We’ll have to branch out to New Hampshire,” Willy added.
Another round of laughter filled the vehicle bay as Jonah nudged Patrick away from the group.
“Hope you don’t mind I let the cat out of the bag about you and Gini. Those guys have been pining after her for ages. It felt good to let them know she was taken.” Jonah stopped Patrick in front of the chief’s office. “She is taken, isn’t she?”
Patrick puffed out a long breath. “I hope she thinks so.”
“Got it pretty bad, don’t we?” Jonah teased. “Good. I don’t want to be the only lovesick dope in town.”
“There’s always Mason,” Patrick said. “I talked to Raina this morning, and I think she’s hooked him in her net too.”
“Chicks.” Jonah shook his head, but his blue eyes glinted with amusement. He shifted his gaze to something behind Patrick. “Here comes my keeper for today.”
Patrick turned to see Jonah’s father walking toward them and stiffened at the sight of the man. The last words Walter had spoken to him involved the word kill. Patrick thought of Gini’s secret, and the pieces clicked into place. Of course Walter would be protective of his daughter. Of course he wouldn’t want anyone coming around and rousing Gini into a fury.
And hadn’t he done just that? A couple of times. The bush in front of the station. The gazebo used in Andrew’s wedding. The trees as she ran off the beach. Those were all because he’d ticked her off. Shut her out. How could he have been such an ass to her? He’d make it up to her. Tonight. Several times.
“Barre,” Walter said.
“Mr. Claremont. How are you?” Patrick felt like a teenager trying to make a good impression on a real grown up. Probably too late for this grown up. Walter had made up his mind. He didn’t want Patrick anywhere near his daughter.
“Warner told me you helped keep the animal shelter from being torched. My Gini’s shelter.” Walter stood with his solid legs hip distance apart and his arms folded across his chest. His posture screamed, “Retired firefighter. Don’t mess with me.”
“Gini found evidence at Groveston’s that made me think the shelter was next.” Patrick pulled his hands from his pockets and wiped his sweaty palms on his pants. Walter’s pale blue stare never left Patrick’s face.
“My girl’s good to have around,” Walter said.
“Yes, she is.”
“You like having her around?”
“Very much, sir.”
Walter leaned closer and flitted his eyes around the station. All the other fighters had scurried off to their assigned duties. In a low voice, almost inaudible, he said, “You think you can handle her?”
Patrick glanced at Jonah, who nodded. Patrick pulled up a corner of his uniform shirt, exposing a fraction of his scars. “If she can handle me, I can handle her.”
Walter’s eyes slid down to Patrick’s side. Like Jonah, he didn’t flinch. Instead, Walter’s hand slowly extended toward Patrick. “Fair enough, kid.”
Patrick took Walter’s hand and with a firm handshake, they arrived at neutral ground.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Best to spread the fighters out, don’t you think, Haddy?” Gini surveyed the Beaver Pond Hall. They’d spent the last two days printing up calendars and advertising the signing event.
“Yeah,” Haddy said. “We don’t want to have all the women mob one location trying to get autographs.”
Gini nodded and directed the high school students she’d enlisted to help to place six tables around the perimeter of the hall.
“Two fighters to a table ought to work,” she said.
The students carried out her orders while she and Haddy set up a table where the calendars could be purchased. They decorated the hall walls with Gini’s photographs of the animals the shelter serviced. Gini knew all the critters by name and if she had room at her farm, she would have adopted every last one of them. Even the one snake that lived at the shelter. It freaked her out a little at first, but Slithers was a sweetheart even if he did eat cute little mice. Whole.
“Looking good in here.”
Gini looked up from where she was taping a picture of a white rabbit to the wall. The fluffball was on its hind legs peering into a black top hat. Gini loved that picture and hoped to sell it and the others she’d already hung to bring in additional money for the shelter.
“Hey, Raina.” Gini put down the tape and crossed the hall. “Will this piano be okay?” She put a hand on an old piano at the front of the room.
Raina’s mouth dropped open as she moved toward the piano. “Is that…oh my God, is that a Steinway Duo-Art Pianola Grand?” She caressed the glossy amber-colored wood finish and shuddered. “Circa 1923?”
Gini shrugged. “Yeah. Is that good?”
Raina barked out a laugh. “It’s like a pianist’s dream, Gini.”
“Sorry. I don’t know the difference. That piano has been here forever, but it’s all in tune and totally functional.”
Raina sat on the bench and closed her eyes. Her fingers hovered over the keys, and Gini wondered if Raina was channeling the spirit of some great pianist. When her eyes opened, Raina played a quick ditty that had a deep rich sound.
“Wonderful,” Raina breathed. “Perfect for some of the more sultry songs I have planned. We’ll set this place on fire.”
I hope not, Gini thought. “Do you need anything else?”
“No. This will more than do it.” Raina rummaged around in the tote bag she had on her shoulder. “Here’s what I have planned.”
Gini glanced down the song list and approved of the selection. “You’re going to be a great addition to the evening, Raina. Are you sure we can’t pay you?”
“I’m sure. Contrary to popular belief, I do like animals. I just don’t want any in my home.” Raina smiled. “Besides, I talked to my brother this morning, and I owe you. Big time.”
“Owe me?” Gini sat on the bench beside Raina. “What do you mean?”
“He’s never sounded so…alive.” Raina rested her hand on Gini’s shoulder. “I thought the move here would be good for him, but it’s been more than good. It’s been fantastic. Because of you, Gini.
“Patrick’s been so private, so closed up since our parents died and he was…” Raina let her voice trail off as she searched Gini’s face. “Since he was hurt. He’s been hiding for so long.”
“Are you…were you hurt too?” Gini asked.
Raina let the short sleeve linen shirt she wore over her red tank dress slide off her shoulders. Raising her left arm, she revealed a thin strip of scarred skin along the back of her bicep.
“I got off easy.” She slipped the shirt back to her shoulders. “Patrick wasn’t so lucky, and our sister, Julianne, even less so.”
Gini’s chest ached as she thought about Patrick getting burned. He deserved only good things. She would try to bring him good things. She would try so hard.
“Seems his luck has changed, though.” Raina elbowed Gini.
“Mine too.” Gini stood. “I’ll leave you to your setting up and practicing. Thanks again.”
“Being trapped in a room full of hot firefighters and their shirtless photos is thanks enough, Gini.” Raina gave her a wink. “Though I think the next calendar should be police officers. Detectives, specifically.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Gini and Haddy finished setting up while Raina tried out her songs. From the look and sound of things, the night was going to be superb.
“Do we know how to organize a fund
raiser or what?” Haddy slung her arm around Gini’s shoulders.
“It sure looks like we know what we’re doing.” Gini scanned the room, looking for anything they’d missed. She couldn’t find anything, but she felt as if something were out of place.
“C’mon,” Haddy said. “We need to get ourselves ready now. Big night ahead of us.”
Gini let Haddy edge her out the door and into the afternoon sunshine. An autumn-like breeze hinted at what was soon to come to the mountains of Burnam, but for once, Gini didn’t mind that the summer was winding to a close.
After all, she now had someone to keep her warm.
****
Patrick slipped into his dress uniform, still navy blue, but with a button down shirt instead of a polo shirt. Gini had asked all the fighters to come in uniform for the signing, and naturally they had all agreed to whatever she asked. He thought about the reaction of the men when they heard that he was with Gini.
With Gini.
The words still made him want to jump around the house and sing—two things he hadn’t done since he was sixteen. Two things he thought he’d never have a reason to do again.
He finished buttoning his shirt and went to the interim kitchen to feed Midas. After the dog slopped down his grub, Patrick called him to the small deck outside and brushed the dog’s black coat until it looked like sleek sealskin. Gini had insisted Midas come to the signing.
“He’s just as beautiful as all the other males in the calendar,” she’d said. “Plus, he’s so well behaved.”
Midas licked his cheek as Patrick changed the dog’s collar to a black leather one with silver spikes.
“There you go. Now you’re ready to sign some calendars.”
Midas let out a short bark and when Patrick led him inside, they found Whisper digging in a plant Raina had given him.
“Whisper, no.” Patrick waited for the kitten to jump down from the large pot, but she totally ignored his command. “Midas, you’ve spoiled me, boy.” Shaking his head, Patrick plucked the kitten off the pot, and her limbs flailed about in all directions. Her tiny mouth opened, but still no sound came out. Patrick pushed his nose to the cat’s.
“You have to learn that no means no, Whisper.”
The kitten put a paw on Patrick’s cheek, no claws, just soft pads, and Patrick laughed. “Nice try, but I’m not that easily won over.”
Unless you have blond hair, blue eyes, and lips that trump any dessert on the planet.
When Patrick placed her on the ground, Whisper climbed the pot again. This time Patrick said no and Midas let out a bark. The kitten stopped for a moment then continued her climb. When Patrick said no again, but louder, and Midas threw a little growl into his bark, Whisper edged down from the pot, her tail low between her back legs.
“Good girl.” Patrick crouched and rubbed the kitten between the ears. Her eyes closed as she pushed her head into Patrick’s fingers.
Patrick patted his thigh. “Venez, Midas.”
Midas padded to Patrick. “Bon. Good boy. We’ll have Whisper trained in no time. Maybe she speaks French too.” Patrick rubbed the dog’s muzzle until he had two pets at his knees enjoying the scratchings. “We’re doing all right here, aren’t we guys?”
The doorbell rang, and Patrick stood. He peeked out the window and saw Gini. He couldn’t stop his smile. “Now we’re doing more than all right.”
He opened the door and took a full forty seconds to enjoy the view. Gini wore a black, sleeveless dress with black sandals whose thin straps weaved over her delicate feet. Her hair was a mass of blond curls about her face, and the silver beads around her neck were knotted between her breasts. His eyes zoomed in on that particular region, and the cool night air didn’t feel so cool anymore.
“Are you finished?” Gini teased. “The more you look, the less time you have to touch.”
“Good point.” Patrick stepped aside and gestured for Gini to enter. When she did, he backed her against the wall by the front door and descended upon her lips. She let out a giggle when he moved onto her neck, winding his hand around the beads as if they were a leash. His other hand pressed on her back, drawing her closer, holding her against his body.
“Raise a hand if you don’t want to go to the signing now,” Gini said.
“Signing? What signing?” Patrick mumbled as he licked at her earlobe. He was losing himself in her scents, her textures, her everything.
“You look wonderful in that uniform. So unfortunate I have to share you with the rest of the town tonight.” Gini rose to her tiptoes and explored Patrick’s mouth until he let out a grizzly bear of a growl.
“Sharing sucks.” He inched up the hem of Gini’s dress and ran his palm along her thigh. Patrick drowned in the hot breath Gini released into the curve of his neck.
“Patrick.”
Hearing her speak his name made him feel as if he belonged to her, and God, he wanted to belong to her. Right now. All night.
Forever.
Patrick eased aside Gini’s panties and fingered her scorching folds. When she didn’t stop him, didn’t tell him they didn’t have the time for such things, he caught her mouth with his and plunged his fingers into her volcanic center. Her breath caught in her throat, and Patrick pressed his lips to the pulse in her neck.
With shuddering sighs, Gini tightened her hold on Patrick’s shoulders. Her muscles spasmed around his fingers until her body went limp in his arms. After a moment of ragged breathing, Gini inhaled deeply and placed her hands on either side of Patrick’s face.
“Thank you.” She brushed her lips lightly against his. “Your turn?”
“Later.” Patrick couldn’t believe he had the discipline to say that when what he meant was, “Right now, please.” He rested his palms on the wall behind Gini and looked into her blue eyes. “It’ll give me something to look forward to.”
“I’ll make it worth the wait.” Gini cupped his erection through his pants briefly, and Patrick let out a moan. “Why don’t you grab some more comfortable clothes for when we have dinner at my place with the gang after the signing?”
“Okay.” Patrick pushed off the wall and turned down the hall.
“Patrick?” Gini called.
He backed up a couple of steps. “Yeah?”
“Maybe you want to bring anything else you might need to…you know…stay the night with me?” Gini twirled a curl around her index finger, and a wash of heat flooded over Patrick’s entire body again.
“Sure.”
Gini’s smile could have sustained a million galaxies. It shed light into his once dark world. It warmed the chill of loneliness. It made Patrick feel indestructible.
****
Everything was set. The candle in place. Gasoline drizzled. The target would be inside soon. There would be other casualties. Necessary casualties. This town would finally understand the power of fire. Its rage. Its beauty. Its ability to reduce evil to ash.
Sick and twisted? No. She didn’t think so. Brilliant. Yes, that’s what she was. An absolute genius. Everyone inside would see. They’d know as the flames rose around them. They’d understand they had been living a lie. A happy little lie that now seemed so ridiculous. If they’d only opened their eyes sooner, they would have seen the world for what it was. Not warm and fuzzy, but cold and hard. An unforgiving place full of judgment and neglect. A place where true happiness could not exist for long.
Watching that fighter now as he walked into the hall, she could tell he thought he’d found true happiness. He was wrong. She’d show him that. He thought her to be delusional, but it was he who was not seeing the truth.
Truth would come to him tonight. In flames that stretched toward the skies, his blindness would be burned away as he took his last breaths.
****
Gini, Patrick, and Midas were the first ones to arrive at the hall. A slight chill slithered up her spine as Patrick guided her inside. He stopped walking and looked at her while Midas sniffed the ground at Patrick’s feet.
/> “You okay?” Patrick asked.
She squeezed his hand. “Yeah.”
Gini glanced out into the darkness surrounding the hall. The moon’s reflection off Beaver Pond captured white light rippling on the watery surface. “For a moment, I felt like…I don’t know…like someone was out there.”
Patrick’s eyebrows lowered as he edged Gini toward the door of the hall. “I’ll take a look around. Midas, restez.” He started to slip his hand from hers, but Gini held on tightly.
“No. Come inside with me. It was nothing. I’m just being silly.”
Patrick nodded, but scanned the darkness before letting Gini pull him inside the hall. Midas followed behind them, but not before casting a glance into the silhouetted woods.
“Wow,” Patrick said. “Looks wonderful in here. You guys worked really hard.”
“Thanks,” Gini said. “Between pictures of cute animals and calendars of hunky fighters, I’m hoping to sell out of both and raise an amazing amount of money for the shelter.”
“If anyone can do it, you can.” Patrick dropped a kiss on Gini’s nose.
“With the help of said hunky fighters.” Gini pulled Patrick into a hug. She brushed her lips against his as the door opened behind them.
Jonah walked in with Haddy beside him. He was wearing his dress uniform as well with his arm still in a sling. The scruff he’d been growing around his chin had been shaven away and his hair neatly styled.
“Now there’s the Jonah I know.” Gini ran a hand along his chin.
“Haddy promised not to sever my head, so I let her shave me. She has a surprisingly steady hand.”
“It’s not that much different than peeling a potato,” Haddy said.
“Are you calling me a potato head?” Jonah asked.
“Maybe.” Haddy stepped out of Jonah’s reach.
“I’ll get you later.” Jonah wagged a finger at Haddy.
“I’m counting on it,” Haddy teased. “C’mon. I’ll take you to your table, Mr. May.”
Jonah winked at Gini. “Nice work in here, sis.” He followed Haddy across the hall and eased into a seat.
“He looks like he’s doing better,” Patrick said.
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