Ignited

by Suzannah Daniels

  He knocked softly on the door, the same knock that he had used yesterday—barely audible as if he didn’t want to disturb me. “Come in,” I called.

  Pushing the door open, he peered in the room, his bicep bulging as his hand gripped the edge of the door. “Hey,” he greeted. “How are you feeling today?”

  “Okay, I guess.”

  He let out a low whistle. “You still have a knot, I see.”

  My fingers moved to the offending bump on my forehead. “Yeah, I don’t think it’s going anywhere soon.”

  He walked over to my chair. “You mind if I look?”

  I gently shook my head as I gazed up at him.

  He bent down on one knee, his warm fingers cupping each side of my head as he examined it. “That’s a doozy all right. No telling how long it’ll take until that bump is completely gone.”

  Squirming, I was relieved when he had relinquished his hold on my face. “Well, I guess you’re ready to break out of here, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Let me go tell them you’re ready to leave.”

  He came back in a moment, followed by an elderly nurse who pushed a wheelchair into the room. “Come on, honey,” she said, “let’s get you wheeled down to the car.”

  It seemed ridiculous to ride in a wheelchair when I was perfectly able to walk, but I complied. Refusing to burden me with it, Hawk carried my bag. When we reached the patient pick-up area, Hawk left me with the nurse, while he retrieved his vehicle.

  After pulling to a stop in front of us, he was the perfect Southern gentleman as he jogged from the driver’s side, so that he could open my door and assist me. He thanked the nurse, and I realized that I should have done that myself. Normally I would have, but I wasn’t feeling up to par. It wasn’t the physical ailments that had me out of sorts. It was the emotional slump with which I struggled.

  When he climbed behind the wheel, I stole a glance at him. It was crazy that I had trusted a stranger, but he seemed harmless enough. “Thanks for taking me home.”

  “I’m happy to do it. None of us ever know when we might need a little help, right? My mother has preached the Golden Rule to me my entire life. I suppose it’s ingrained in me now.”

  “There’s not enough of that in the world.”

  “I suppose that’s true, but I think when it comes right down to it, most people are primarily good.”

  His naiveté was endearing. Watching him discreetly, I wondered how someone who had a few years on me age-wise could view the world with such optimism. I shifted my gaze and watched the scenery blur by as we drove down the main road through Creekview. Maybe he wasn’t naïve. Maybe my view of the world had been tainted. I certainly hoped that was the case.

  Surprised when he pulled into a parking lot, I turned and looked at him expectantly, wondering where he was going.

  He flashed a smile. “I thought you might let me buy you lunch before I take you home.”

  “Oh.”

  His smile dissipated. “Maybe that was presumptuous of me. I can take you home now if you prefer.”

  I felt bad that I hadn’t been able to hide my discomfort. I wanted to retreat to the privacy of my secluded world, but I hadn’t intended to appear rude or ungrateful.

  “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t be very good company right now, but thank you for the offer.”

  He replaced his smile, although this time it didn’t seem quite as genuine. “Maybe another time then.”

  Driving through the parking lot, he circled around to the exit and pulled back onto the main road. We rode in silence the last couple of minutes until he pulled into my driveway.

  Carrying the bag from the hospital, he hurried around to my side of the vehicle and opened the door, treating me as if I were fragile. I allowed him to help me as I stepped down from his SUV, and he walked with me to the front porch.

  “You still feel okay?”

  “I’m fine, Hawk. Really I am. Thank you for driving me home. And for taking care of Gracie.”

  “Do you still have my phone number?” he asked. “In case you need anything.”

  I nodded. “It’s in my bag.”

  He handed me the bag and pulled out his phone. “You mind if I get your number?”

  “I wouldn’t mind if I had one, but I don’t have a phone.”

  He looked up at me, and I could tell my admission had surprised him. “Maybe I’ll see you at Boone’s Pharmacy then.”

  “Maybe so.”

  He walked back to his SUV, and I slipped into my sanctuary and closed the door on the outside world.

  Hawk

  The hollow look in her eyes haunted me, and I had difficulty walking away, unable to shake the sensation that I was abandoning someone who was urgently sending a mayday signal, someone who needed saving. She reminded me of a wounded animal, intensely watching those who came too close as if she were trying to determine whether they were friend or foe.

  As I drove to Whiskey Nights, I tried to decipher the mystery surrounding her. Why had she come to Creekview? Why was she alone? Was it true that she had no phone? Or was that a ploy designed to get rid of me?

  I’d done what I could for her. Maybe I should just purge her from my brain. If she needed any help, she had my number.

  When I arrived at the bar, I found Lexi behind the counter talking to Seren. Leaving an empty stool between us, I sat down. “Hi, ladies.”

  “Hey, Hawk!” Seren greeted me, sounding more enthusiastic than she had before the accident.

  “Your heart rate back to normal yet?”

  She nodded. “I think so.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” I turned my attention to Lexi. “Mason not working today?”

  “Yeah, he’ll be here in a little while. He’s helping his sister move. Haley’s going to stay with us for a while, and she’s hoping she can find a job as a nurse in Creekview. If you hear anybody looking for a nurse, let Mason know.”

  “Will do.”

  Lexi grabbed a coaster and laid it down in front of me. “You want a beer? Or do you want to branch out and try a pina colada. It’s the two-for-one special today.”

  “I’m not much of a fancy drink kind of guy. I’ll take the beer and an order of nachos.”

  She drummed her fingers on the counter. “Coming right up.” After grabbing a beer and twisting the top off, she set the bottle on the coaster, and then, she walked over to the computer.

  Seren stirred her drink with a straw.

  “What do you know about Amber?” I asked her.

  Shrugging her shoulders, she turned toward me. “Not much. I just met her at the party the other night. I think she’s new in town.”

  “It seems strange that she moved here but doesn’t have any family in the area.”

  Seren put a cherry in her mouth and plucked it from the stem. “Maybe she got a job at that new customer service center.”

  “She’s working at Boone’s Pharmacy. Doesn’t hardly seem like the kind of job that would entice you to move away from your family.”

  “Boone’s, huh?” She took a sip of her drink. “I could ask my friends. See if they have any other information on her, but I was kinda under the impression that she was at the party through a friend of a friend. Not sure if my friends really know her at all.

  “You should just ask her.”

  “I just dropped her off at her house. She seems extremely quiet. I’m not sure if she’d be up for a lot of questions.”

  Seren sat up straighter. “She’s out of the hospital?”

  “Yeah, they released her a little while ago.”

  She exhaled. “That’s a relief. I was going to drop by on my way home and see her. Was she doing okay?”

  “Yeah, she still has a knot on her forehead and a few minor burns, but other than that, she seems fine.”

  “Did you happen to get a number for her? So I can give her a call?”

  “She doesn’t have a phone.”

  “She doesn’t?”

  “Tha
t’s what she told me.”

  “Who doesn’t have a cell phone in this day and age?” Seren asked, clearly perplexed.

  I had wondered the same thing. It was odd. I couldn’t think of a single other person around our age that didn’t have a cell phone. “You want me to show you where she lives?”

  “That would be great! I really want to personally make sure she’s okay.”

  “We can go when we finish up here if you want to.”

  She nodded. “I do. I’d feel better if I could talk to her.”

  “It’s a done deal then.”

  Lexi delivered the nachos. “Anything else I can get for you, Hawk?”

  “I’m good.”

  She shot me a thumbs-up and moved to the end of the bar to help other customers.

  “You want a nacho?” I asked Seren.

  She plopped into the stool beside me and picked one up, breaking the strings of melted cheese with her fingers. “Where’s Cade?”

  “Probably at the gym.”

  “Is he dating anyone?”

  I grinned at her. “Not that I know of. Why? You interested?”

  She tucked a strand of strawberry-blond hair behind her ear and looked me in the eyes. “Interested enough to find out more.” She pointed at me. “But don’t you dare tell him.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.” I popped another nacho in my mouth.

  “You and Lexi are the only two that know, so if he finds out, I’ll know it’s you. And just in case you didn’t know this about me—I don’t get mad. I get even.”

  “I can guarantee you that I have no interest in doing any matchmaking.”

  “Good. Because when the time’s right, I’ll make my move.”

  I just smiled and shook my head. Cade would have his hands full with this one.

  Amber

  When I heard the knock at the door, I was a little surprised. Natalie, the ten-year-old from next door, was normally the only one who knocked on my door, and she was already here playing with Gracie.

  I peeked out the window. Two vehicles were parked in my driveway. I recognized Hawk’s SUV, but I had no idea to whom the other car belonged. I opened the door, wondering why he had returned.

  His broad shoulders filled the entryway. After I greeted him, he took a step back, and I could see the woman who was with him. I immediately recognized her.

  “Hi,” he greeted, smiling sheepishly as he tucked his thumbs in his front pockets. I studied his face, realizing that it was the first time that I noticed his eyes were a striking shade of blue, appearing even brighter beneath his dark brows. “You remember Seren?”

  Pulling my line of vision away from his eyes, I focused on the girl who had given me a ride home yesterday. “I do.”

  The sun glistened on her golden hair, highlighting the red accents. “Hi, Amber,” she said, her voice holding an air of uncertainty. “Hawk was telling me that you were released from the hospital today, and I wanted to stop by and check on you.”

  I stepped back. “Why don’t y’all come in?”

  Seren’s smile widened. “Thank you.”

  Hawk followed her in, and they sat on the sofa while I sat in the rocker beside it. Natalie sat in the middle of the living room floor, cradling Gracie in her arms. Gracie leapt from her arms and made a beeline to Hawk.

  “Wow!” I exclaimed, surprised by my fur baby’s interest in him. “Someone made a friend.”

  Gracie meowed loudly as she rubbed against his pant legs.

  He reached down and stroked her fur. After sneezing twice in a row, he glanced up. His eyes were red and watery.

  I breathed in sharply as it dawned on me what had brought on his sudden change in appearance. “You’re allergic to cats.”

  He nodded, and I hopped out of my chair and scooped Gracie up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “It’s fine,” he reassured me. “Gracie and I bonded yesterday.”

  It touched me that he had agreed to come over and check on her, knowing that he was allergic. I’d combed my apartment over when I’d gotten home, just to make sure that nothing was missing. Everything was as it should be, and nothing was notably out of place. As severe as his allergy seemed to be, he probably hadn’t spent very long inside my apartment.

  He stood, rubbing his eyes. “I believe I’ll step outside while you ladies chat.”

  “I’ll be there in just a minute,” Seren said.

  Handing Gracie back to Natalie, I watched Hawk as he walked to the door. If I hadn’t felt so horrible about his reaction to Gracie, I might have thought it astonishing that something like an allergy could be such a great weakness to someone who was obviously in great physical shape. His biceps bulged from beneath the hem of his sleeve as he continued to rub his eyes.

  Once he walked out the front door and closed the door behind him, I sat back down in the rocker. Seren had been chatting with Natalie, but when she noticed that she had my full attention once again, she spoke to me. “I’m really sorry that you were hurt yesterday. When that deer ran out in front of us, I panicked. I’ve already talked to my insurance company. They’re going to get a copy of the police report, and they’ll send you a letter in the mail. You did give the police your address, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, I only spoke with the officer briefly, but he did take down my information.”

  “Good.” She wrung her hands. “Again, I’m really sorry.”

  Reaching out to touch her arm, I reassured her, “It was an accident. Everybody’s okay, and that’s all that matters. I am sorry about your car, though.”

  She waved her hand in the air as if it were no big deal. “Cars can be replaced, and right now, my mom’s letting me use her car. I’m just relieved to know that you’re okay.”

  Releasing her arm, I sat up straighter and felt the knot on my forehead. “Just a little bump. I’ll be back to normal in no time.”

  She smoothed her hair away from her face. “I’m really glad to hear it. Well, I guess I better get going. I’ve disturbed you long enough.” She stood, and so did I.

  “You’re fine.” I walked across the room, opened the door for her, and followed her outside. If my situation were different, I would have told her that I’d like to be friends. But I wasn’t feeling overly social these days. It had been on a whim that I’d even gone to the party in the first place, and the chain of events that happened after that was a reminder that I should have just stayed home.

  She and Hawk spoke for a moment. When she walked to her car, he turned back to me. “I was hoping that we could talk for a few minutes.”

  I studied his face, wondering what he wanted. “Okay,” I agreed reluctantly.

  He sat on the edge of my porch, and I followed suit, my bare feet dangling in the air, while his feet were firmly on the ground. He scanned the neighborhood, and I had the distinct feeling that there was something in particular that he wanted to say and he was trying to decide how to phrase it.

  “You said something,” he began. His dark hair was neatly trimmed, and his eyes squinted against the afternoon sun. I admired his profile, the straight lines of his nose, his strong chin. When he turned toward me, I looked away. “It’s something that I can’t get out of my head.”

  “What’s that?” I asked, my curiosity piqued as I concentrated on the sound of his voice. It was deep and smooth, gentle. I liked the sound of it.

  “After the accident, you asked me ‘And what if I didn’t want to be saved?’”

  I remembered saying that, but it wasn’t something I wanted to discuss. I remained silent, swinging my legs back and forth as I hoped he would move on to something else.

  His gaze burned my skin, but I didn’t look at him.

  He exhaled. “I imagine that someone would have to really be suffering to say something like that.”

  “I imagine so,” I whispered, refusing to volunteer any information as I concentrated on the movement of my legs.

  “My father’s a police officer, and so is my younger brother, Jac
e. In fact, Jace is the one who talked to you the night of the accident.”

  I snapped my head in his direction. “That was your brother?”

  He nodded. “I’m a firefighter. It just so happened I was off duty, but had I been at the station, I would have been one of the guys working the scene.”

  A firefighter. It may have been a fluke that he was near the accident that day, but his actions weren’t. He was trained to handle situations like that.

  “My grandfather was a police officer,” he continued. “My point is that I come from a family that wants to help other people. In all the stories that I’ve heard from my grandpa and my dad, never once did they talk about an accident victim who didn’t want their help. In all the calls that I’ve been on, never once has anyone told me to leave them, that they didn’t want to be saved.”

  He shifted, and I glanced at him at the same time he looked at me. His eyes held mine.

  “Words like that can haunt a man, make him wonder what happened. What could be so horrible that someone would even entertain the idea that they preferred death?”

  Entranced by his gaze, I couldn’t look away. His words, his demeanor, everything about him seemed filled with kindness. The raw emotions that surfaced as I thought about all the things that had caused me pain made the back of my throat ache. I could feel tears trying to prick their way into my eyes, and I blinked them away. “Haven’t you ever had anything bad happen to you? The kind of things that make you think that it’s not worth it? The kind of things that would make you prefer death, even if it’s just for a moment?”

  Unsmiling, he studied my face intently, his gaze holding mine as he processed my question. His line of vision dropped to my mouth, and then he blinked, his eyes finding mine once again. “No,” he said softly. “I haven’t.”

  I swallowed, thinking how fortunate he was that he couldn’t relate to my feelings. “I’m glad,” I whispered as I tore my gaze from his face and focused on my hands, folded in my lap.