Flirting With Forever

by Molly Cannon

  It seemed like hours later that the firemen loaded up their equipment and left. A couple of volunteers from the local Red Cross showed up, offering blankets and coupons for a free stay at a local hotel. Jake declared that they would both come home with him. He’d spoken to Marla Jean, and she insisted as well.

  Irene was too numb to argue. She was barefoot wrapped in a blanket, wearing only pajamas underneath, and the thought of Marla Jean’s company sounded comforting. All she had was her purse with her car keys inside, but she was in no shape to drive her car. And Jake didn’t look like he was in the mood to take no for an answer.

  A car screeched to a halt at the end of the driveway, and Charlie came running up. “What happened? Holy cow! The house! Oh my God, did it burn down? Jeez, Irene, are you okay?”

  She got to her feet. “I’m fine, Charlie. But your father’s house. I’m afraid it’s gone.”

  “Who cares about the house if you’re okay? I don’t believe this.” He ran a hand through his hair.

  The Red Cross lady approached him. “Do you live here, too, sir?”

  He stared at the smoking ruin. “I did. Temporarily.”

  “Well, if you follow me, I can offer you a voucher for a free night at a local hotel.”

  Charlie nodded. “Okay, sure. Are you going to be all right, Irene?”

  Jake stepped up. “She’ll be fine. I’m going to take her home and let Marla Jean mother her.”

  Charlie turned and looked at the house once more. “Okay, that sounds like a good idea.”

  “What about you, Charlie? Do you need a place to bunk?” Jake asked.

  “Thanks, but I’ll go to the hotel. Do they know what caused the fire?”

  Irene shook her head. “Right now, they suspect fireworks, but they have to do an inspection. We’ll talk tomorrow, okay?”

  He squeezed her arm. “Yeah, try to get some rest if you can.”

  Jake took charge, hustling her and Theo over to the Jeep. Then he drove them down the hill, through town, and out to his house. Marla Jean met them at the door with hugs and a big robe. She hustled Irene off to the shower where she stood for what seemed like hours letting the hot water wash the smoke and grime from her hair and skin.

  She put on some clean pajamas borrowed from Marla Jean and then wrapped herself in the robe. Walking out, she found everyone sitting around the kitchen table. Sadie came over and licked her hand.

  “Hey, girl.” Irene sank down and buried her face in her soft fur. “Such a good girl.”

  “Coffee?” Marla Jean asked. Everyone at the table had a cup.

  “Sure.” She sat down, and Sadie curled up under the table. “I don’t think anything will keep me awake once I lay down tonight.”

  Marla Jean clucked sympathetically. “Just say the word, and you can go to bed whenever you want, sweetie. You must be exhausted.”

  “I am, but I think tomorrow will be worse. The captain said the house wasn’t a total loss, so he seemed to think there would be plenty to salvage. Once I get the okay, I have to get inside and see what’s worth saving.”

  Jake said knowingly, “You can hire companies to do that. They specialize in cleaning things with smoke damage. I used one when we did the remodel after the Miller fire.”

  She shrugged. “Thanks. I’ll look into that.”

  Theo was quiet, holding on to his coffee mug like it was the only thing anchoring him to earth. His jaw was set and his smile was tight when he looked at her.

  “Theo, I want to thank you and Jake for showing up when you did.” She sounded formal and overly polite to her own ears. “I was about to come out of my skin not knowing what to do.”

  Theo finally spoke up, “We’ll help you get through the rest of this, too. You aren’t alone, Ree. You know that, right?”

  She nodded.

  Marla Jean brought the coffeepot and an extra mug to the table. “Of course she does. Tomorrow we’ll make a list of to-dos, starting with calling your insurance company and getting things under way.”

  Irene rubbed a hand across her face. “Oh, good gosh, insurance. Yes, I’ll need to talk to them and the foundation’s board, too. I’ll have to let them know what’s happened. And then I’ll need to find a place to stay while I rebuild, and oh yeah, I’ll need to call my aunt.” Aunt Jo. They had so much to talk about already, and now this had to happen, complicating everything.

  Theo put his hand on top of hers. “Slow down, Ree. Just take it one step at a time.”

  Marla Jean sat a mug in front of her. “Theo’s right. You can stay here until you find a place. There’s no hurry. Jake might even have a house you could use.”

  “Really?” She looked at Jake who nodded. “Oh, gosh, that would be great. Thank you so much. I’d pay rent.” Irene closed her eyes, thankful for the generosity, but Marla Jean was wrong. There was a really big hurry. A hurry to get things back to normal. A hurry to fix things.

  “You’re out on your feet, Ree,” Theo said as he helped her up from the table. “Where should I put her, Marla Jean?”

  Marla Jean jumped up and led them down the hall to the back bedroom. “Are you going to tuck her in, Theo?”

  “Yeah, thanks, Marla Jean. For everything.”

  “Good night.” She enveloped them in a group hug and then disappeared back down the hall.

  Theo walked over and pulled back the comforter and the sheet on the bed. He plumped up the pillow and held out his hand. “Come on, Ree. Get under the covers.”

  She walked to the bed and said, “Thanks, Theo. You were wonderful tonight. You all were, but I can take it from here.”

  Theo didn’t move. “You can, but you aren’t. I’m tucking you in like I promised Marla Jean. Then I’m going to sit in that chair in the corner until you fall asleep.”

  She relented, getting under the sheet, letting him draw it up over her chest. “What are you going to do then?”

  He perched on the edge of the bed and smoothed her hair from her face. She leaned in, savoring the feel of his big wide hand on her skin. “I might sit and watch you sleep. Just for a while. You scared the hell out of me tonight.” His stormy blue eyes reflected the dark nature of his concern. Concern that cradled her now when she needed it most.

  “I’m sorry, Theo.” She hadn’t meant to scare anyone. She’d been scared, too.

  “Ah, Ree. Don’t be sorry. When I saw those flames, I couldn’t catch my breath. Just let me stay close for a little while—just until I can breathe again.”

  She smiled at him sleepily, taking comfort in the heat radiating from his body. “I’d like that, Theo.”

  He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Good night, then.”

  She closed her eyes and whispered, “Good night.”

  She felt him move off the bed, heard him settle in the chair, and knowing he was there, drifted off to sleep.

  Theo woke with a crick in his neck. He straightened up in the upholstered chair in the corner of the guest room and looked over at the bed. Ree was still sleeping, her chest rising and falling in a quiet rhythm. She’d kicked off the covers, revealing her long legs, and her dark hair was a tangled mess against the white pillowcase. She looked beautiful.

  So he wouldn’t wake her, he rose gently, leaving the room on his tiptoes. He needed a shower and a shave and some clean clothes. If he left now, he could probably make it to his house and get back before Ree was ready to tackle the day ahead. He didn’t know if she wanted or needed his help, but he was going to offer either way.

  He’d come to a decision while sitting on that chair, watching her sleep. He’d flown away from her a million times in this lifetime, literally and emotionally. But he was done with that now. Her life had been turned on its head. She had the money to fix it, but money wasn’t the answer to everything, and it was still going to take time and hard work to get back on her feet, to return to life as she’d known it. And this time he’d be beside her all the way.

  He was going all in. He was making Everson his home, and he
was going to become part of the community. Then once she saw his commitment, maybe she’d be willing to take a second chance on him too. A real chance. Not this temporary truce they’d been playing at. He had things to do. He needed to let Mitch know he wouldn’t be coming to Australia. He needed to cancel the sale of his airplane. And after that, when the time was right, he needed to tell Ree how he felt. He ran out to the Jeep and headed for the house on Overbrook Street.

  Irene sat in Marla Jean and Jake’s kitchen drinking coffee, listening to the on-hold music playing on the speaker of her phone. She was on hold with her insurance company. But she didn’t mind. Thank goodness she’d grabbed her purse on the way out of the house. Otherwise, her phone would be another thing to add to the list of things she’d lost. The whole morning had been a flurry of phone calls. Some she’d made, but many more she’d received. Half the town of Everson called to express their concern and offer their help. The outpouring of sympathy had been nothing short of remarkable. Incredible. Irene had been completely overwhelmed.

  She’d slept late and woken up to an empty house. Even Sadie was gone.

  A note on the kitchen table from Marla Jean said she had to get to the barbershop. It also said Jake had a meeting with a client, but he was also going to find a house she could use. The note ended saying they’d be home for lunch. It was signed with X’s and O’s, making Irene smile. She’d also left a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and a pair of flip-flops for her to wear. Irene got dressed in Marla Jean’s clothes feeling coddled and cared for. She also realized she was going to have to buy a whole new wardrobe.

  When she’d opened her eyes that morning, she’d been confused. Why wasn’t she in her own bed? That moment of disorientation quickly dissolved into a flood of reality. Damn. Her house had burned down last night. And she was at Jake and Marla Jean’s house. Theo had put her to bed and slept in the chair in the corner. But the chair by her bed had been empty when she’d woken up. Theo must have finally gone home, and he hadn’t left a note.

  She jumped when the insurance clerk finally came on the line and told her what she needed to do to file a claim. She promised to e-mail the forms required to get the process under way. Irene hung up and checked another thing off her list.

  She needed to get out to the house and take a look at it in the light of day, but she didn’t have her car. There was a knock on the front door, and she answered it, finding Theo standing on the front porch.

  His smile was gentle. “Hey, Ree. When I left, you were still asleep.”

  She was so happy to see him. The urge to grab him and hold him was strong, but she didn’t. She was afraid she might not ever let go. Instead she asked, “Can you give me a ride to my house?”

  He walked inside. “Sure. Whatever you need, Ree. I’m here to help however I can.”

  “Thanks, you’re a lifesaver, Theo. I’ve done as much as I can on the phone. Now it’s time to get back up there and face what’s left of the house.”

  He waited while she grabbed her purse. “Let’s go, then.”

  They drove up the hill, and Irene couldn’t sit still. She tried to imagine what was left of the house. Last night it had been too dark to see anything. She held her breath as it came into sight. The charred ruins sat atop the hill like a burnt-out crown. She took a deep breath and got out of the car. “It looks like it’s time to get to work.”

  Chapter Thirty

  The following days turned into a flurry of activity. Irene rented a house from Jake on the edge of town. She offered to buy it so he wouldn’t lose money, but he wouldn’t hear of it. She bought a new bed, but furnished the rest of the house with secondhand stuff. Just enough to function temporarily. It reminded her of the house on Overbrook Street where Theo lived. It was a house, not a home.

  She’d finally gotten the all clear to salvage what she could from the house, and at the same time, she’d gotten word that it needed to be done quickly since demolition couldn’t begin until that job was completed. It was a daunting task, but it had to be faced. She’d driven up the hill in her Shelby to her house, dreading the work ahead. Every single thing was covered in soot or was soggy from water damage. It was hard to know where to start.

  Irene stood on what was left of the front porch, looking down at the town of Everson. The town had truly become her home. The sound of cars approaching the house drew her attention to the road, and she was startled to see a line of cars stretching halfway down the hill.

  Theo was in the first car, followed by Jake and Marla Jean.

  She rushed to meet him. “Theo? What’s going on?”

  Theo pushed his cowboy hat up to the top of his head. “I stopped at the diner this morning and mentioned I was on my way here. Before I knew it, we had a whole caravan. Isn’t it something?”

  Irene clutched her hands to her chest. “It’s unbelievable.”

  More cars parked, and it seemed like half the town piled out of cars and trucks.

  Bertie Harcourt walked over hauling empty boxes. “Hey, Irene. We’re here to help. Tell us what you need us to do.”

  She let out a nervous laugh. “I’m not sure.”

  Bertie was followed by her daughter Nell. Nell carried boxes of bottled water and trays of wrapped sandwiches. “Irene, I’d like to help, too. All these people are going to be hungry. I hope this helps.”

  “Thanks, Bertie. Nell, I’m touched.” Irene looked around at all the townsfolk showing up to help. Showing up for her.

  Nell ducked her head. “Nonsense. Everson folks help our own.”

  Without another word the two women took charge. Assigning people areas to search and providing boxes to place items that looked like they could be saved. Hoot and Dooley showed up with their wives. Etta and Donny Joe came, too. Marla Jean’s parents got out of their car with a box of heavy gloves, handing them out to the volunteers.

  Irene couldn’t believe it. Whole families she’d planned weddings for came in vans. And Charlie arrived, saying he figured he better lend a hand, too. Irene greeted them all, thanking them and promising to find a way to repay their kindness.

  Before long everyone was working, pulling things from the ashes, piling trash in one corner of the lot. She kept pausing in the middle of work just to look around and marvel.

  She was digging though the remains of her closet when Theo called out to her.

  “Ree, look.” He stood up and pointed to the front of the house.

  Just when Irene thought she couldn’t be any more surprised, she looked up and saw a giant beige Buick drive up, park, and then her aunt Jo and cousins got out. They were dressed in matching overalls and sporting kerchiefs on their heads. Irene hadn’t had a conversation with her aunt since the Fourth of July. But she’d called Bonnie and left a message on her voice mail.

  Irene got up from the pile of clothes she was sorting through and walked over to her relatives. “Aunt Jo. What are you doing here?”

  “Where else would we be, girl? You need our help, so here we are.” Her aunt opened her arms wide, inviting her for a hug, and Irene melted into her embrace. Her cousins joined in, and soon they were all laughing and crying.

  “I’m so happy you’re here. You don’t know what it means to me.”

  “You’ve always taken care of us, Irene. More than your share.”

  “Aunt Jo, about Sven.”

  Her aunt waved her hand. “We’ll talk about all that later. It doesn’t matter a fig anymore. Let’s get busy.”

  Someone turned on their radio to an oldies rock-and-roll station and the gathering of people worked all morning. They took a lunch break, devoured the sandwiches Nell and Bertie supplied, and then got back to work. By early afternoon they’d done a thorough search of the house, compiling boxes and boxes of things that could possibly be saved. Theo instructed everyone to stack them in the back of his Jeep and Jake’s pickup truck for transporting them down the hill. Irene personally hugged every single person who’d pitched in that day. Twice. Some of them three times.

  Hoo
t and Dooley folded her up in big bear hugs. “We all care about you, missy.” Their wives Linda and Maude extended invitations to dinner as they walked to their car.

  “That would be nice, thanks.” She laughed. She couldn’t possibly make it to all the dinners she’d been invited to. On top of that, the small freezer on her refrigerator was bulging with casseroles from concerned neighbors.

  Charlie wandered up carrying some photos of his dad he’d found in the rubble. “Can I have these? I’ll get them cleaned up and make copies.”

  “Of course you can, Charlie. I’d like that. Thanks.”

  Her aunt and cousins made her promise to let her know what else they could do to help. “Believe it or not, I’m in the middle of planning another wedding. I know I’ll need your help with that, Aunt Jo.”

  “You’ve got it, girly.” Her aunt hugged her tightly.

  Bonnie smiled. “Thanks for what you did for Mom.”

  “It wasn’t me. Sven paid her bills because he was a good man, and I wouldn’t trade the time I had with him for anything.” Irene was glad things were out in the open now.

  Aunt Jo had tears in her eyes. “I was wrong about you and Sven. And I’m sorry.

  They all hugged again. “I love you all very much.”

  Carrie smiled and got them all in the car, and they drove off down the hill waving. A wave of contentment washed over Irene even while she stood at the edge of the ruins that had been her home.

  After everyone left, Theo lingered. His face was covered with soot, and she imagined hers was, too. He’d never looked more handsome. He took off the gloves he’d been wearing to move broken glass and other hazards and wiped his forehead with the back of his wrist. “We got a lot accomplished today.”

  “Thanks to all the help. I never imagined such a thing, Theo.”

  “It was pretty remarkable.” He squinted up at the hot summer sun before looking over at her. “Have you picked a builder yet? What kind of time frame are they giving you for rebuilding?”

  She wondered if that was his way of asking how soon he could be moving on. Poor Theo wouldn’t leave until he was sure she was okay. “I’ve talked to some builders, even started drawing up some plans, but the more I think about it, the more I’m not sure I want to rebuild.”