Page 6 of Aspen Heat
"Are you still angry at me for saving your life?"
"You broke my door."
"I'll fix it if your cabin isn't burnt down in the next twenty-four hours."
I flinch at that, and his face takes on a look of regret when he sees a fat tear go down my face. I'm not ready to let him off the hook, but I do acknowledge I've been a brat, and that's not helping anyone. I see he's got my suitcase and work bag with him and I slowly unbuckle my seat belt.
"Come on, Mel. Let me take you inside so you can get settled."
His tone is warm and his features show sincerity. He's got a hand outstretched for me and I reach out and take it. He helps me out of his giant truck and I start looking around to see if some of my teacher friends are here volunteering.
The handsome devil grabs my arm and leads me inside. The stadium is a big word for our indoor gym like facility, but it can house up to two thousand people and most games can be played inside. It helps a lot when you live in a climate where the cold months rule over most of the year.
Because we're able to have games all year round, there have been many students that have gone on to be discovered by scouts that come visit Black Timber Peak. Before we make it fully inside Maisie is there embracing me and I hold her back as fiercely as she's holding me.
"Oh my god, I'm so glad you finally got off that mountain."
"Actually, I had to drag her out of her cabin, kicking and screaming. I'm Aspen Brooks, I work with the fire department in town."
"Hi, there. I'm Maisie Watters, a teacher here in the high school and Melissa's best friend."
I see Maisie's eyes glimmer with mischief, and I wish her well if she wants to pursue this god/devil that turned my life upside down.
"Melissa, there was no space at Flora's but one of the Teagarden sisters can take you in so you don't have to stay in a cot here."
That makes me uneasy. I don't want to be a burden to anyone.
"Oh, she doesn't have to go to all that trouble. I can…"
"It's already settled. You'll stay with Vivian Teagarden for the next few days."
I give her a wan smile and nod to let her know I accept the offer. I want to do more, though.
"Is there anything I can do to help, Maisie?"
"Actually, you and Brooks here can do me a little favor. I need you to do some welfare checks on some of the families thatlive at the bottom of the mountain. Gauge their readiness and preparation for an evacuation."
The booming voice startles me and when I look up I see a giant of a man that probably has a senior post in the fire department.
"Phoenix. I thought I might go…"
"This is what I need from you, Brooks."
The blond god's face turns to stone and his lips turn into tiny lines with how tight he's keeping them closed. He doesn't want this job. Because of me, or for some other reason. The nasty, bratty part of me does a little inside dance at this new development.
I don't mind driving around with this hot firefighter if it means he's put out by the task. I'll just call it karma and enjoy myself. Decision made, I turn to my friend.
"Can you put my things in a safe place while I'm away?"
"Actually, let's bring them along. I can drop you off at Ms. Vivian's place when we're done."
That's…kind of him, and I don't like knowing that he's a good person. Honestly, I don't know why I'm being such a little bitch today. It's just something about him that hits me the wrong way, especially since he broke down my door.
I give Maisie a hug and go back to the firefighter's truck with him. This time willingly. I jump inside the passenger seat and buckle myself, all the while watching him watch me. He's wary and I don't blame him.
When he gets inside the car he hands me a bottle of water. I don't know where or when he got it, but I don't refuse the drink.
"Thank you."
