Page 24 of That One Heartbreak

“Yep. And got busted. Plus, there were the times we used to sneak out to see girls. And that summer when we made our own moonshine…”

Her mouth dropped open. “You’re right. Maybe I don’t want to know.” Would James even know how to make moonshine?She had no idea, but she hoped not. “God, what have I got myself into?”

Marley laughed softly. “If it helps, I think you hit the right tone. James wasn’t the ringleader, he was just there. And hopefully he’s learned a lesson.”

“He better have,” she said grimly. “Oh God.” She shook her head, her eyes meeting Marley’s. “What must you think of me? Yesterday you saw me losing it over cupcakes. Today you’re dragging my son home from an illegal party.” Her eyes widened. “Wait, the fire. Was it bad? Did anybody get hurt? Any property get destroyed?”

“Just a bonfire on some abandoned land. Easily put out.”

“Thank God.” She let out a long breath.

“Yeah. As I said, if you’re gonna learn a lesson, it’s a good way to learn it. Nobody got hurt, no real damage was done.” He ran his thumb along his chin. “And for what it’s worth, I think a lot of you. I think you’re a strong woman who’s been dealt a shitty hand in life but you’re playing your cards like a pro. Do you know how many kids I’ve taken home after something like this and their parents didn’t even care?”

She shook her head. His words were making her throat feel tight.

“A lot,” he said. “But that’s not you. You care. A lot. More than anybody I know.”

“I just want them to be happy…”

“And you’re doing all you can to make them that way. But the rest… that’s up to them.” He reached out to take her hand, squeezing it softly. The warmth of his palm seeped into hers.

And she felt it again. That tingling sensation she only got when he was around.

It felt too good. She needed this to stop. Before she ended up embarrassing herself.

It’s just because you’re not used to a man being so close. Especially one as attractive as Marley Hartson.

She hated the way he made her feel safe and on the edge of a cliff at the same time.

“What if he gets worse?” she asked. “What if he goes off the rails?”

Marley ran his tongue along his bottom lip. Her eyes followed the movement.

“It might happen,” he said, his voice full of honesty. “But if it does, it won’t be your fault.”

“I could just ground him for life.” She was half serious.

Marley smiled again. He had the merest hint of crinkle lines around the corners of his eyes. She had no idea why she found them so attractive. But she couldn’t look away.

She liked him being here. Liked him being close. Every cell in her body was reacting to him.

“No you couldn’t. And you wouldn’t want to.”

She wouldn’t, no. But she just wished she knew what to do.

“I have a suggestion,” Marley said. “But I’m not sure you’ll like it.”

“I’ll listen to anything right now,” she admitted.

“Let him join the junior firefighters. Give him something to concentrate on. He’ll be around grown men who know the dangers of making stupid decisions. We’ll work him out until he’s exhausted. We’ll teach him how to deal with emergencies.” He let out a breath. “You’re doing your best, Kate. More than your best. But you don’t have to do this alone. Let us help.” He paused. “Letmehelp.”

She couldn’t say anything for a moment. Mostly because Marley’s words made sense. And she hated that. Hated knowing that he was right and she was wrong.

“If I’d already let him join do you think he’d have stayed home tonight?” she asked him.

Marley shook his head. “No. Because he’s a kid and he hasn’t learned how to make the right decisions all the time. And I can’t promise that we’ll be a miracle cure for that. All I can tell you is that when I started volunteering, it changed me. It made me a man.”

His thumb brushed her palm and she realized she was still holding his hand. She looked down, seeing the way his fingers dwarfed hers. Everything about him was big. Strong.

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