Page 7 of Aspen Heat
"This will take about an hour or two. Are you up to it?"
"I'm fine."
"Mel."
"Why do you keep calling me that?"
"I think it suits you."
His words and tone make me shiver a little and goosebumps burst over both my arms.
"Why are you being so nice to me after the tantrum I threw back there on the mountain?"
"I did break your door down. Were you having a panic attack back there?"
"Yes and no."
"Are you going to keep being nasty to me?"
"Maybe for a little while."
He laughs and the sound is like chimes in the wind. They touch my soul like nothing ever has and I wonder what else I can say to make him laugh again.
"You don't understand. That place is my refuge. A safe haven from…from my past."
"The thought of losing it must be very difficult."
"To say the least."
"The community at Black Timber Peak is very friendly and they are here for you. You'll never lack a home as long as you live in this town, I can promise you that."
"How can you make that promise?"
"I know the town. I know the people. They won't let you down."
I don't know what to say to that, so I focus on opening the water bottle he handed me and taking a few sips. The cool water goes down my parched throat easily, quenching a thirst I didn't know I had. The car starts moving and I watch around me as I see people all around arriving to seek refuge at the gym.
My stomach starts to churn once again, but for a different reason. I think I'm going to have to go back to my therapist. I've been up and down with my feelings and actions throughout this emergency and that's not good. I've worked hard to improvemy mental health, but I guess extenuating circumstances can override all the work I've done in the past.
As we drive back out of town, I take fast, furtive glimpses of Aspen Brooks. He's chiseled, he's strong, and he's kind. Also, he does his job even if it goes against his own wishes. I could learn from someone like that, if I let myself.
For now, though, I'll stay on my toes. This handsome devil looks like he's got women drooling all over him and I won't feed his ego.
FOUR
ASPEN
The little firebombsitting beside me seems to have cooled down. She's feisty and I like that in my women, but the bratty part is a bit undesirable. I understand I should have found another way to get into her house, but it was a true emergency. I had to break down that door. She looked in genuine distress.
From what I've gathered so far, there's some trauma in her life, and she's still dealing with it. Having a big emergency like a fire that will probably take your home from you has worsened that trauma. But damn, she can scream with the best of them.
Even though we started off on the wrong foot, I think I'd like to know more about her. I know, I'm probably crazy for wanting to date a banshee, but I guess I like women that are a challenge. She seems to have calmed down some while I drive to the houses we're supposed to visit.
I clear my throat, intending to start a conversation, but she beats me to it.
"Do you like being a firefighter?"
"It's been part of my family for generations. I didn't start out wanting to be a firefighter, though. I enlisted in the military first and spent some years traveling the world."
