Page 8 of Sizzling In the Mountains

Doug grins as he walks backward to the truck. “Two fires in one day? You must be good luck.”

I wouldn’t call burning down the cutest building in town good luck, but whatever.

“I’ll see you tonight!” he says before turning and running to the truck that’s already moving. He opens the door and climbs inside.

The truck turns and James comes into view. He’s standing on the back bumper while holding the handle. His heated eyes are on me.

I swallow hard and give him a little wave.

He nods his head and my heart starts racing.

The truck flies down the road with the siren blaring. It quickly rolls out of view.

After a long moment when the siren fades to silence, I take a deep breath and head over to the smoking building.

My stomach is churning as I walk up to the puddle and stare down at Charlotte’s Web lying next to it. The pages are swollen up and the ink from the signature is leaking down. It’s ruined. Just like my job and just like the library.

I guess I should call Gabby and let her know what I did.

An empty pit forms in my stomach as I look at that soaked happy pig on the cover.

Man, I’m really going to need that drink…

CHAPTER FOUR

James

“Who’s got two thumbs and a hot date tonight?” Doug says as he struts around the firehouse. “This guy.” He grins as he points his thumbs at his chest.

“Are you sure she knows this is a date?” Mason asks, looking at him funny. “She looked like she was in shock.”

“It’s a date,” Doug says, nodding with his tongue hanging out. “She’s going to get the full Doug treatment. We’re going to do it Duggystyle.”

I get up so fast the chair screeches as it gets thrown back.

Everyone turns to me.

“What’s with you?” Graham asks while he scrubs the black soot off his face at the sink. “You okay? You’re not looking too good.”

“I’m going to hit the bag,” I grunt as I storm off into the back.

“Save some of those punches for tonight,” Doug hollers as I leave the room. “I want to win some money. Might need a hotel room for later.”

I slam the door closed so I don’t have to hear his lewd laughing. The heavy bag is hanging in the corner with no idea what kind of hell I’m about to put it through.

I flex my arms and go at it hard, slamming my fists into the bag with so much force it swings away from me. I’m picturing Doug’s face on the bag as I pound it as hard as I can.

I’m pissed. At him for taking what’s mine. At myself for leaving her alone. And I’m mad at her too. Doesn’t she know we belong together?

I grunt and curse as I give the bag a hard combo, slamming my fists into it and finishing it off with a roundhouse kick.

At least it’s Fight Night. I don’t know what I’d do with all of this pent-up aggression if I didn’t have that outlet tonight.

Graham opens the door and slips inside. He’s watching me go at it.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Talk about what?” I grunt.

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