Page 36 of Burn Point

I couldn’t ignore her, didn’t want to. I shifted in my seat again, trying to ease the tightness of my jeans, and propped my elbow next to hers on the console. The heat of her arm next to mine was electric.

“Should be the regular gang.”

“So, a bunch of fire department guys? Any of the girls going to be there?”

“Yeah, should be.”

“So, how’s it going there, anyway? Are things settling down at the station any?”

“Yeah, mostly it’s back to normal. We’ve had a bunch of politicians coming through doing PR stuff.” I frowned at the reminder of the latest bunch, who’d shown up in their fresh jeans and clean dress shoes and stood in front of the decimated high school.

“You sound a little miffed about that.”

She knew me well.

I parallel parked by the station and turned to her. “Maybe? It’s weird right now. Like the higher-ups are all politicking for attention, but not really caring about the work that needs to be done. And I just want to do my job to the best of my ability and help people. It matters to me that what I do makes a difference to the citizens. I’m not one for the dog-and-pony show.”

She eyed me, her lips pursed. I fought the urge to lean over and have a taste.

“No, I don’t imagine you are. Did you grow up wanting to be a fireman? Run around with a cute little helmet, putting out make believe fires?”

I chuckled. “Not so much. We lived next door to this old man when I was growing up. I was about seventeen, I guess, and his house caught on fire. I was home, outside doing something, smelled the smoke. I ran over to check on him. Ended up going in after him, helping him out. The crew that pulled up read me the riot act for being a stupid kid, not waiting on them. But after, they hooked me up with a youth program and basically recruited me. Being in the fire service is a calling. It’s either in your blood or it’s not.”

“Well, from what I know, you’re good at your job.” The corner of her mouth lifted in a teasing half grin. “I mean, I appreciate you.” The grin spread to a smile and her eyes sparkled with the mischief I was beginning to adore. “I’d still be pinned to my bathtub if it weren’t for you.”

I swallowed thickly, needing to get her and her smooth skin, kissable lips, and sparkling eyes out of my head.

“Nah, but lucky for me, I got to carry your sorry, no-shoe-wearing ass out of there. Though my back will never be the same.” I winked at her and climbed out of the truck, smiling as I opened the back door and grabbed a blanket from the seat.

She met me at the front of the truck and punched me in the arm. “You are such a jerk.”

Happy that we were back on safe, solid ground, I grabbed her in a headlock, tugging her to the sidewalk.

The park where the concert was taking place was a couple of blocks from the fire station. The entire town had come together to make this event happen. Store fronts were decorated with the NewmanStrong hashtag and people were sporting custom t-shirts that had been designed for relief money. The mood was festive and friendly.

Four weeks had gone by in a heartbeat, and recovery was well underway. Some people still lacked internet, but power had been restored everywhere. Clean-up continued as well, and tarps covered most of the buildings.

“Wow, so much has been cleared since I was last through here,” Jordan said.

We ambled our way up the sidewalk, dodging foot traffic. “Yeah, the state sent in their transportation crews. They did a good bit of the debris hauling. The different municipalities came together and worked to get the biggest messes taken care of. I mean, there’s still a bunch left to do, but everyone has been working hard to get life back to normal.”

“I’ve been so focused on my work and updating the van, but maybe I should’ve been doing more to help others. I feel a little guilty.”

I stopped walking, grabbing her wrist and turning her to face me.

“Jordan, stop,” I said, looking deep into her blue eyes. She needed to understand this. “No one expects you to do anything other than what you are doing.” I slid my fingers down and laced them with hers. “And what you are doing is the same thing that all these other people are doing. Putting your life back together.”

With pooling eyes, she nodded at me. I squeezed her hand and held it as we made our way around the corner to Main Street.

The crowd in town was huge. Blockades allowed pedestrian traffic on the roads around the courthouse.

“I thought this was at the park.” Jordan said, releasing my hand. I missed it instantly.

“It is, this is just the art walk section. Each store is staying open late, and a part of their sales is going to the relief fund. There’s also a silent auction happening somewhere, but I’m not sure where it is.”

We passed a food truck, and my stomach growled at the smell of tacos wafting from it.

“Can we get some food while we’re here?” Jordan eyed the taco truck like a starving woman.

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