Page 2 of Flirting With Fire
“Don’t know that’s any of your business, but as you asked so nicely, I’m visiting my mom.” I took satisfaction in seeing the guy pink at being called out.
“She never said you were coming.” He sounded almost accusatory.
“You know my mom? She discusses her business with you?”
The rider huffed, and the horse shifted restlessly as if sensing his tension. He soothed the horse absently and turned his attention back to me, who was wondering what I’d done to upset the pretty man.
“I know Lindy.”
“How?” I demanded. “How do you know my mother?”
Was this man taking advantage of her? She’d never mentioned being friends with a man half her age. It was a good thing I was back here to take care of her.
The guy caught the edge in my tone because his eyes widened. “Not like that. No! Never!”
I folded my arms across my chest and regarded him coolly. “Then I ask again. How do you know my mom?”
“I’ve done a few jobs for her around the house. Seeing as her son isn’t here to do them for her.”
The guy obviously recovered his composure from his biting tone. I was starting to regret I’d ever wished him good morning. Where was a car when I needed it?
We walked on for a few moments in strained silence, the horse quietly ambling beside me, its hooves clip-clopping on the road.
“Why didn’t you call your mom for a ride?” the man said suddenly.
I shrugged, my pack bouncing on my back. “It was meant to be a surprise. I didn’t tell her I was coming back to town.”
“For a visit?”
“For good. At least for now,” I amended. “I’ve gotten a job at Charming’s firehouse.”
I figured if the guy knew my mom, he’d know I was a fire officer. It’s not like she kept that secret. Photos of me in my uniform were all over the house. It was kind of embarrassing.
“You’ve got the assistant chief’s job?”
Did the guy know everything? I bit back a sigh. It was a small town, of course he did. “Yeah. I start Monday.”
“A bit of a comedown, isn’t it? Big city hero to small town firefighter?”
I stopped. The horse carried on a few more paces before the rider realized and reined him in.
I glared at the man. “I don’t know what your problem is or even who you are, but let’s get one thing straight. I’m damn proud of being a fire officer, and I don’t care where I work if I do my duty. Capiche?”
The man stared at me for a long time. He’d reddened, but I noticed he didn’t look away. Whoever he was he had balls to face me. With my height and demeanor, I knew I could be intimidating when I was angry. Finally, the man nodded.
“Do you want a ride?”
I blinked. “What?”
The man indicated behind me. “Do you want a ride to your mom’s? You’ve still got a few miles to go.”
I eyed the horse doubtfully. “That’s a kind offer, but I’m a big guy. Your horse doesn’t deserve the pain.”
The man laughed. “Juniper will be fine. Give me your pack.”
From the horse’s side eye, I wasn’t so sure, but whatever. I handed him my pack, swung up behind him, then wondered what to do with my hands.
“Wrap your arms around me,” the man suggested.
