Page 9 of Aspen Heat
"You really have built up a new life for yourself, Mel. I admire that."
I love how my words make her blush and I start to think of naughty things I could tell her to make her cheeks even brighter. We might have started off in a bad place, but my interest for this curvy redhead is growing with each passing minute.
When we get to Ms. Teagarden's house I park in the driveway but don't get out of the car. I don't want my time with Mel to end.
"Take a walk with me?"
She gives me a surprised look but nods her assent almost immediately. We get out of the car and move to the sidewalk. The first minute is silent as I let my thoughts simmer. I'm not exactly sure what I want to say, just that I want to spend this quiet time with Mel at my side.
"When I joined the military, it was an act of rebellion. I'd been the good son all my life, doing what was expected, but I doubted that I could become a firefighter. It takes a lot of discipline. That's what drew me to the military."
"Was it hard?"
"Bootcamp is hard, but I like to think it shaped me as a man. The work, though, was challenging at best, gruesome at worst."
"Did you know you wanted to be a firefighter when you came back?"
"I knew I had to do something and a friend from the military was from this town, so we came together. He's turned into a grumpy mountain man now."
"You're one of the famous Hot Shots?"
"I'm trying, but I guess the discipline part didn't stick. I'm still struggling with that. The point I'm trying to make is that change is inevitable, but you grow stronger from it."
I stop walking and turn to her. I put my hands on her shoulders as if to steady her, but I'm just taking advantage of the situation so that I can make a connection between us.
"I know today was hard for you, Mel. I don't particularly like how you handled it, but you handled it and then were brave enough to volunteer to help others. I've watched your interactions this afternoon and I'm in awe of your kindness and willingness to help others."
"Wait, are you calling me a brat?"
Her tone is shrill and I'm afraid I might have said something to set her off.
"I…no, I don't think that's what I said."
A smile covers her face and I sigh a breath of relief.
"I was just kidding with you. Thank you for saying all those things. I was thinking earlier that I might have to go back to therapy. I know I can do better."
We start the walk back to Ms. Teagarden's house and I reach for Mel's hand. She doesn't pull away, making me glad I had this opportunity during the afternoon to get to know her better. When we get to Ms. Teagarden's front steps, I lean down to kiss Mel.
Her eyes seem to welcome my attention and just as our lips are about to touch someone screams Mel's name.
"Melissa Stone, welcome to my home!"
We're both flustered and I take the moment to go get Mel's things from the truck. Vivian embraces Mel like she's known her all of her life and she ushers us into her house. We're corralled into the living room and made to sit.
"I have some tea brewing and some cake that I made this morning."
"Thank you, Ms. Teagarden, you don't have to go to all that trouble. I'm just dropping off Mel here."
"Mel, is it? Hmm. You're Aspen Brooks, right?"
"Yes, ma'am. At your service."
"They call you the golden boy."
I blush at her mention of the nickname my colleagues gave me when I first started at the Black Timber Peak Fire Department. I could do no wrong back then, until I fell in disgrace. I have the scars on my back and part of my face as a reminder of what can happen when you don't follow the rules.
"I'm just a rookie firefighter now."
