Page 22 of Wildfire
"That's a great story, but I know there's more. If you ever need to talk about it, I'm here."
I don't know why I'm not telling her. I’m sure I can trust her. Maybe it's because I don't want to get any closer to her than I already feel. I don't want to start feeling things that will make leaving harder. No matter what Cole and Callie have done for me, I have to get to Los Angeles. I have to give myself a chance to do something for myself.
"Thanks, Callie, but there's no story to tell. I'm grateful for the job and introduction to the band tonight, but I don't need to talk about it."
That is a lie, but I have to stick to my guns.
"Alright. But the offer is always on the table. In the meantime, let's show you a thing or two about building boats."
Chapter Eleven: Cole
By the time I return to the firehouse, take care of business, and make it back to Mom’s place, she and Renée are gone.
I find Buzz out back, drinking a beer and looking over the lake.
“Good night for it.”
“Grab a beer and join me.”
I pop the cap off a bottle sitting in a bucket of ice and pull up an Adirondack chair next to Buzz. He doesn’t even wait until I sit down before he starts in on me.
“That’s how many fires this month?”
“Four.”
“All the same profile?”
I watch as the light dances on the surface of the blue-green water, and fish start breaking the surface, catching late afternoon flies.
“This one was an empty house, but still...”
“People are starting to talk.”
I look at him, knowing what he is saying without him saying it. I have to get ahead of this thing. I need to call in the mayor and the town council. Losing control could ruin the boat festival and scare away the tourists who had transformed this town from a backwater to a thriving little town. People’s lives and livelihoods are at stake.
“I’ll call an emergency meeting.”
Buzz turns to look at me with his teddy bear gaze. “You need to be careful. I don’t want some damn fool robbing me of my boy.”
He ruffles my hair like I am still a kid and then turns his gaze back to the water.
“So, where are Mom and Renée?”
“I was wondering how long you could last.”
Damn Buzz. There is nothing this man doesn’t see. That doesn’t mean I can’t have some fun with him.
“I’m just wondering if my new tenant is out causing trouble. You know how mom can get.”
“Ha!” Buzz guffaws. “Your mother is doing you a favor right now.”
“How’s that?”
He turns to me again with a gleam in his eyes.
“She’s introducing her to Frayed Edge.”
“How’s that doingmea favor?”
