Page 25 of Keeping Happily Ever After

It was Jeremy’s job to put her mind at ease as much as he could. “I really care about Bella,” he said seriously. “She is…” He shook his head in wonder, the way he often did when he thought about her. “She’s special.”

“That she is.” Lisa sat back in her chair and smiled to herself. “And it sounds like the whole world is going to know it soon as well. Her father and I are very proud of her.” She chuckled a little. “And don’t even get me started about her grandfather. Her papa is incredibly proud of her, too.”

“Is he ever!” Jeremy laughed. “And with good reason, too. You all have so much to be proud of. Bella is incredibly talented. The moment I heard her sing, I knew her talent was special. And you’re right—the rest of the world will know that soon enough, too. It’s all really exciting for her and so well deserved.”

Lisa sipped at her wine but never took her eyes off him. Her laughter had died and her gaze turned serious. “And how do you feel about it all, Jeremy? About how busy she’s going to be right away here? Her schedule sure sounds intense. It’s going to be quite a challenge for the two of you and a new relationship, I’m sure.”

Something about the way she asked the question set alarms off in Jeremy’s head. Of course Bella was going to be busy working. He didn’t expect anything else. After all, it took time to make a movie. And a movie that she was not only acting in, but also singing on almost every track? That also meant recording an entire album. It was definitely going to be a busy time, and although Bella hadn’t told him any of the details of her schedule yet, he wasn’t completely naive to what being the star meant. “I’m sure it will be a lot,” he said after a moment. “How could it not be, right?”

Lisa nodded slowly, but didn’t speak.

“And we’ll make it work,” Jeremy continued. “Because that’s the only choice we have.”

She didn’t speak for another moment, but finally, Lisa leaned forward and placed her wineglass down carefully. “Is it?” she asked. “Theonlychoice?”

Jeremy shook his head and sat back. “I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re saying.” In truth, he was afraid that he knewexactlywhat she was saying. And he didn’t like it. Not even a little bit.

“I’m just saying, with Bella’s career taking off now, what does that look like for you? You’re not the type of man to get jealous, are you? Or the smothering type? I mean, she will be gone for long periods and—”

“I assure you, Mrs. Burton,” the moment called for the use of her formal name, “that I only want what’s best for Bella, too. I know that we’re still new, but I have full faith that our relationship can survive all kinds of obstacles and bumps in the road.”

She bit her bottom lip and nodded slowly. In that moment, she looked so much like her daughter, it was startling. “I understand and I appreciate that, Jeremy. I do. But I think it’s important to know the difference betweenbumpsin the road, and the road itself. Relationships are hard. I can’t even imagine the extra challenge there would be to have a partner who was on the road to fame. The world is about to open up to her. A whole world and everyone in it, too.”

He let her words settle over him as his brain worked to formulate a response. But before he could add to the conversation, she’d once again changed the topic.

“Tell me,” Lisa said, her kind smile back in place. “Have you always wanted to be a firefighter?”

The change in topic was abrupt, but not unwelcome. Jeremy loved to talk about his job, and he was more than happy not to dwell on the idea that their relationship was in trouble before it even got going. He pushed the flicker of worry she’d sparked in him aside and focused on the moment. “Since I was a little boy,” he said with a smile. “It sounds silly, but when I was six years old, my sister and I had a cat. Mittens.” He smiled to himself at the memory of his one and only cat. “One day, she was chased up a tree by the neighbor’s dog and even though my mom and dad insisted she’d come down on her own, she didn’t. Not for two days. Every day, I went outside and called her. I opened cans of tuna and everything. Still, she was terrified. And I was devastated. Every day that she didn’t come down from that tree, I’d sit at the base of it and cry.”

Lisa’s hand fluttered to her chest. “That’s terrible.”

“It was,” he agreed. “Very traumatic for a little boy.” He winked and she laughed. “And then one day a firetruck drove up the street toward my house. The lights were flashing and everything, so it got everyone’s attention. The truck stopped in front of the house and a firefighter named Ed Walker stepped out. He walked right over to me, crouched down, and promised me that he’d get my cat safely out of the tree if I could hold his helmet for him.”

“Is that right?”

Jeremy nodded. It was all a very true story. He could still remember the moment as if it had happened yesterday. “Honestly,” he continued, “I didn’t believe it myself, but right in front of me, they extended the ladder and Ed Walker himself climbed up to get Mittens as I clutched that heavy helmet as tightly as I could. I had convinced myself that if I let it drop, he wouldn’t be able to save my cat.”

“And did he? Save Mittens?” Lisa leaned forward, her elbows on the table now, waiting to hear how the story would end. “Was she okay?”

“She was fine. Lived to be almost twenty.” Jeremy laughed. “Crazy old for a cat. Ed Walker, on the other hand…he suffered a few scratches. One that scarred. But he kept his promise and handed me my cat when I handed him back his helmet.”

“And ever since then…”

Jeremy nodded. “I know it seems kind of crazy. It wasn’t a burning building, or a grand rescue. It was a cat. But there was something about that firefighter. He inspired a six-year-old boy that day.”

“And that firefighter is the chief now.” Bella rejoined them. She put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “And rumor has it that that little six-year-old boy is next in line for the chief job when Ed retires soon.”

It filled his heart with pride to hear Bella say that. He put his own hand over hers and smiled at her. “That’s the rumor, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Nothing is official until it’s official.”

He turned back toward Lisa, who also looked suitably impressed. But there was something else in the woman’s expression. Something he couldn’t completely make out. But it relit that flicker of worry in his gut. A flicker that sparked into a full flame of worry when Lisa nodded and casually said, “Well, it sure looks like both of you have some very exciting career changes in store. It should be an interesting year.”

ChapterNine

“Well?”

Bella handed her mom a cup of tea and sat next to her on the couch. She pulled her legs up under her and rested her arm on the cushion, waiting for her mom to tell her what she thought of Jeremy. Not that she was worried. The evening had gone perfectly. The conversation had flowed and from what Bella could tell, they’d gotten along really well.

She’d been hoping to leave with Jeremy after dinner so they could finally have some time alone, but he’d been called into the station to cover for a few hours. They’d said goodnight with a long kiss. Jeremy said he had a surprise for her before she had to go back to the city. He’d kissed her long and hard and left her with the promise of a romantic and special day together.

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