Behind the Flame: An Everyday Heroes World Book (The Everyday Heroes World)

by Renee Harless

  “Come join us. You can tell us about your first day too.” He said it in a way that left no way for her to back out, not that she wanted to.

  “If you’re sure. It does smell delicious.”

  Ridge held the door open wide, but River hesitated before stepping through. Something about the moment felt far more intimate than she was ready for, but she couldn’t stop herself from crossing the threshold if she tried.

  Her shoulder brushed against his chest as she entered and River felt his sudden intake of air at the connection. She gazed up into his green eyes in alarm, but his face showed no recollection of his reaction. She had to wonder if she simply imagined things, complications she didn’t need in her life.

  “Coo!” Delilah called from a spot in the corner where she eagerly bounced up and down against a plastic gate. River realized that the young girl must correlate her with cookies.

  “Apparently, I am the cookie lady,” River joked as she placed the pie on Ridge’s kitchen counter.

  Their homes were laid out very similarly, but where hers was filled with eclectic pieces of furniture and bright colors, his bordered on sparse and modern. Surprisingly though, it still felt warm and lived in.

  “How long have you lived here?” she asked curiously as she settled on the barstool he pulled out for her.

  “About as long as you have. My cousins helped me settle in, which was a relief because I’m not sure I could have done it myself.”

  “Wow. Next time they stop by, send them my way; I have a few things in the garage I need to move into the guest room.”

  Ridge looked up from the dish he was plating and cocked his head in curiosity. “I could help you, you know. Just have to ask.”

  “Well, until today, I didn’t know much more about you than you lived across the street. Plus, you already helped me once. I’m already indebted to you.”

  “Are you?” he inquired and River noticed his voice had dropped down an octave. Her skin flushed at the realization of what she had implied. And the smallest bit of her wondered if he would act on it.

  As he placed two large plates on a small table in the corner of the kitchen, Ridge peered over his shoulder and asked if she could bring the small suction cup bowl of noodles for Delilah. River eagerly grabbed the bowl and made her way over to the table, setting the dish in front of the high chair.

  “Can I get you a glass of wine? I think my cousins left a few bottles of red.”

  “Sure, whatever you have sounds great. Thank you. Mind if I scoop up your little one?” she asked, not wanting to push her luck by assuming it was okay.

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  Delilah easily went into River’s arms and she couldn’t help but inhale the sweet baby scent. It was one of her favorite smells in the world over any perfume high-end retailers tried to market. The darling girl nuzzled her head into River’s neck in greeting before pulling back and grinning widely, showing off two bottom teeth peeking through her gums.

  “Aren’t you just the most darling thing?” River asked the toddler, not expecting an answer.

  “She knows it too. She’s not so darling at three in the morning when she’s teething,” Ridge pointed out as River settled the infant in the high chair.

  “I am sure you’re exaggerating. I bet she’s just as lovely.”

  Instead of answering, Ridge laughed loudly, which in turn caused Delilah to giggle. He settled in his chair and a familiar ache lodged in River’s chest at the image of a small family. This small family. One she had long since tossed aside the hope for. It wasn’t in the cards; she knew it and every partner she’d had in the past made it very clear as well.

  “Can I get you anything else?” Ridge asked as he stared at her from across the table. That was when she realized that she must have been grimacing at her inner thoughts.

  “Oh, no. Everything looks great. I was just thinking about all the things I need to do.” Prying her gaze away from his, River focused on the little girl shoveling spaghetti into her mouth as quickly as possible and losing the majority of it back onto the tray. “Seems like she is enjoying the dinner.”

  “It’s her favorite. Or at least that’s what her mother always said.”

  “What happened to her mother?” River asked as she ate a hearty forkful of noodles. Ridge’s stare dropped down to his plate at her question and she knew she had overstepped a boundary. Swallowing quickly, River added, “I’m sorry, you don’t need to answer that.”

  “No, it’s fine. I’ve already told the story a few times anyway. I don’t know why it still gets to me. Anyway, her mother and I divorced right after Delilah was born. We weren’t really compatible. But about two weeks or so ago, I found Delilah on my front step with a note and signed papers relinquishing her maternal rights.”

  “What? She just left her daughter all alone?”

  “I suspect she was watching close by, but yeah, essentially. I was living in Sunnyville, California, at the time, but I spent many summers here with my uncle when my parents would drop me off with my uncle and aunt. So, I packed up and moved us here.”

  “I just. . .that sounds like a story you’d hear on the news. Have you heard anything from her mother?”

  “Not yet. I do have police in California and here in Carson searching for her, even if just for peace of mind. But something seems fishy to me. I wasn’t fond of the men she had started hanging around with.”

  River watched Ridge closely as he spoke, noticing that he seemed to weigh the words he used. She had to wonder if there was more to the story than what he made it seem. Delilah was such a darling little girl; River couldn’t imagine willingly walking away from someone so special.

  “Well, I’m sorry that has happened to Delilah and to you.”

  “I appreciate it. I think we’re managing pretty well. Don’t you, little lady?” He asked, swerving the attention toward his daughter, who politely smeared sauce all over her cheeks.

  River and Ridge both laughed at her antics, which only caused the toddler to repeat the action. “She is adorable, Ridge.”

  “Thanks. What about you? How long have you been here?”

  River delved as deep into the story as she was comfortable, disclosing a bit about her life in Asheville and how her grandmother’s deteriorating health was the prompt for the move. But she left out how her home life growing up had been lacking in love and affection until her parents dropped her off on her grandparent’s doorstep without a backward glance.

  Ridge asked how her grandmother was doing and River thought hard about her answer. Sue had seemed to have more good days since moving to the Carson facility, but she was limited on visitation while she continued to adjust to her new surroundings. River missed her fiercely and wished that she could travel back to the time when she and her Grandma Sue could work out in the yard together in the spring without a care in the world.

  “Ready for that pie?”

  The question startled River and she stared at Ridge wondering what he was referring to. Until it dawned on her that he was talking about the dessert she had brought over.

  “Oh! Yes, please. Would you like me to warm it up in the oven?”

  “That may be a good idea and I can go ahead and give Delilah her bath.”

  “Sure thing. I’ll just hang out in here.”

  “Thanks. We’ll be back shortly.”

  River watched the duo carefully move to the hall bathroom while she went to work tidying up the mess on the high chair tray and table. Most of the noodles were confined to a small space, so River was able to make quick work.

  Turning on the oven's warming setting, River unpackaged the pie and then searched for a baking sheet, which she found in a small cabinet next to the oven. She quickly set the pie on the center rack, closed the door, and then glanced around the kitchen. Knowing that Ridge was busy cleaning his daughter River went ahead and cleaned the dishes in the sink and placed them on the drying rack. She could have put them in the adjacent dishwasher, but she figured the extra w
ork would kill some time.

  Just as she finished, River could overhear splashing quickly followed by girlish giggles and she couldn’t refrain any longer. She followed the hallway to the small full bath and found Ridge kneeling beside a bathtub where Delilah played with bubbles and a few toys. Her hair was spiked into a tall brown Mohawk and River swore she had never seen anything cuter.

  Delilah chose that moment to splash again, soaking Ridge in the process and River heard her laugh echo in the space. Ridge must have heard as well because he quickly turned his head in her direction, smiling.

  “Bath time gets a little messy.” If River didn’t know any better, she would almost bet the redness in his cheeks was in embarrassment.

  “I wouldn’t expect otherwise.”

  “We’ll be done in a second. She’s been fighting back yawns.”

  “No problem. I’ll wait out in the kitchen.”

  She didn’t wait to be dismissed. Instead, she made her way back to the kitchen and sat on the barstool she had vacated earlier with her half-empty glass of wine. She wasn’t sure how long the nighttime routine for Delilah would last, but she was certain todays would go quicker than usual since the little girl had to be exhausted from the day. This was quickly affirmed when Ridge walked into the kitchen five minutes later, the shirt still soaked with water.

  “She passed out on the changing table. I didn’t expect that.”

  “She had a big day. So did you. I know it can be an adjustment. Here, have a seat. I’ll get the pie,” River insisted as she vacated her chair and moved toward the oven needing to occupy herself so that she wasn’t stuck staring at the taut muscles outlined by the soaked shirt.

  River and Ridge ate their dessert in comfortable silence after plating the cherry dessert, something that surprised River. She was one that always had to fill the awkward quiet during a conversation. She assumed it was due to years of childcare training and the non-stop energy of kids.

  As she cleared her plate, Ridge gathered the dish along with his own and placed them in the sink.

  “You didn’t have to do the dishes.”

  “It’s fine. I didn’t mind. Anyway, thank you for letting me crash your evening.”

  “You’re welcome to stop by anytime. And thank you for the pie. It was delicious. Let me walk you home. I just need to grab the baby monitor.”

  “No, you don’t need to do that. I’ll be fine crossing the street.”

  “I’ll at least follow you on the porch and watch you cross the street.”

  “It’s that superhero complex, isn’t it?”

  Ridge didn’t respond, just chuckled low and deep, a sound that vibrated through every nerve in River’s body. Ridge guided her across the threshold with a gentle hand on her back and River wondered if he could feel her body quaking beneath his touch. If he did, he didn’t say anything, which River was grateful for.

  “Thank you again for allowing me to crash.”

  “I was happy to have you.” Beneath the glow of the porch light, River sensed that Ridge wanted to say more. His eyes flicked back and forth between hers and seconds upon seconds passed in the night. Crickets played a melodic tune and wind rustled the changing leaves on the trees surrounding them, but to River, it seemed as if they were playing a song just for them. They were in a moment that she couldn’t pull away from even if she tried.

  Ridge inched closer to her from his position against the doorframe, bringing his face closer to hers. She tried with all her might to tear her gaze away from his full lips, but they hypnotized her.

  Static noise sounded from the monitor latched onto Ridge’s hip, breaking through the natural musical bubble River and Ridge had found themselves wrapped in. He pulled back at the same time she took a hearty step backward, almost repeating the same incident from when they first met. Luckily this time, she caught herself before she could tumble down the steps.

  “Thank you again, Ridge.” Quickly she spun and walked quickly down the pathway leading to his driveway. River didn’t turn around, though she felt his stare on her backside the entire trek across the street. Somehow she was able to make it to her own porch before glancing back and offering a small wave in Ridge’s direction. He stood as a shadow figure, proudly leaning against the jamb of the door, appearing like the stealth savior she knew that he was. He was tall, dark, and handsome. And so much trouble.

  Chapter Six

  After a week, Ridge and Delilah had settled into a nice routine. She enjoyed her days at the daycare, but he took extreme pleasure in the days he would get to spend with her during the week when he worked the night shift.

  They had spent his free weekend installing a wooden playground in the backyard and visiting the farmer’s market with what seemed like the rest of the town. He had run into people he hadn’t seen since he was a teenager. His friends had “oohed” and “aahed” over Delilah and she had eaten up the attention.

  A few women had tried to slip him their numbers, but he had quickly tossed them into the nearest trashcan. He wasn’t interested in making a love match while walking through a parking lot looking at vegetables. His mind was firmly stuck on the sexy neighbor from across the street. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since she stepped off his porch a week ago.

  Ridge didn’t even want to think about all the vivid dreams he had been having staring River and the delicious cherry pie she had brought for dessert. It took almost all of his willpower to keep from dragging her into the closest room when he saw her at the daycare during the week.

  He was trudging into dangerous territory when it came to River. On the one hand, he couldn’t keep her from invading his thoughts, but on the other, his ex had instilled in him that he was a workaholic and would never put anyone before his job.

  The next day was the first of his overnight shift and Ridge was worried about the transition for Delilah, but he was certain that they would muscle through it. Ridge peered out the front window across the street to River’s house as he finished fixing dinner. A newer SUV was parked in the driveway beside a small sports car that had seen better days.

  He willed her to come out onto the porch just so he could get a glimpse of her, but Delilah demanded his attention instead. Turning away from the vixen across the road, Ridge settled the meal in front of his daughter and helped her spoon the food into her mouth until she had finished each bite.

  Their nighttime routine hadn’t changed since the move and he reveled in Delilah’s bath time. It was one of his favorite moments, watching her sheer joy from the bubbles and toys, and he hated missing out on it. Though he knew during the upcoming week, he would have to rely on his family to finish the task for him. His Aunt Amy agreed to watch his daughter for the week and he was considering seeking out overnight care so that Delilah could sleep in her own crib.

  Just as he settled Delilah into her crib, Ridge’s work phone dinged on the kitchen counter. He hoped that his daughter would stay asleep, and thankfully she stirred only a little as he tucked the crocheted blanket around her small body.

  Ridge quickly checked the message and was alarmed to find a call for volunteers and staff for a four-alarm fire in the next town over due to an apartment fire. There was no time to waste and he sorted through his options mentally before peering through the window. He argued with himself back and forth before quickly snapping the baby monitor onto his pants.

  Checking on his daughter once more, Ridge dashed out his front door and hurried across the street, praying that River was home. The surprised woman answered his call with a cell phone pressed to her ear.

  “Hey, I’ll call you back,” River said into her phone before ending the call and turning her full attention to a harried Ridge. “Ridge, what can I-” she began, but he quickly interrupted. “I need your help. It’s an emergency.”

  “Of course, what can I do?”

  “I need to go assist at an apartment fire the next town over. All crew are being called in, and I desperately need you to watch Delilah for me.” />
  Ridge sagged in relief as River agreed without hesitation. He knew it wasn’t his place to rely on his neighbor in a moment like this, but time was of the essence. Plus, he knew Delilah was comfortable with River.

  “Let me just grab my coat and I’ll follow you over.”

  Ridge bounced back and forth on his feet from the porch as he watched her turn off various items in her home then grab her keys and jacket. She was saving his butt and he was grateful, but his anxiety was building by the microsecond.

  “Ready.” She smiled up at him as she closed the front door behind her and it was the first time since the call that Ridge felt any sort of relief. She was like a soothing balm to his soul.

  Without wavering, he gripped her tiny hand into his and dashed across the street, tugging her along behind him as he made his way back to his house, where his daughter continued to sleep peacefully. Ridge explained that Delilah was asleep and that River was more than welcome to sleep in his bed while he was out, though she adamantly insisted she could sleep on his couch. Unfortunately, he had very little time to argue with her, but he did make sure to pull out a set of spare sheets from the linen closet if she changed her mind.

  With a quick kiss to her cheek that left his lips tingling, Ridge drove the forty-five minutes to the next town over to find his uncle Joseph and his other crewmates donning their turnout gear.

  The fire was eating away at the building, piece by crumbling piece, to the point that Ridge wasn’t sure they even had plans to fight against the flames, but more or less to contain it.

  The fire chiefs worked together to dictate which crew were working in which zone. Children's cries could be heard over the wailing sirens of the multiple engines called into action and fear licked at Ridge for the first time.

  He hadn’t been exposed to any other flames since the San Rios fire in California over the summer and the vision of smoldering heat and the deadly inferno froze Ridge in place. He could feel Joseph’s approach, but his tunnel vision was closing in. Ridge had seen the local therapist before he was approved to return to work and he, along with the doctor, was certain he could work past the fear. But now he wasn’t so sure.