Page 7 of Against My Fire

“Bent, are you alright?” He sits at the foot of my bed. I lift my head just slightly to nod at him. “You need to talk about it. It was a rough call.”

I sit up and move so my back is against the wall. “I’m fine.” He pins me with his stare that tells me he is not letting it go. “How could some be taken so fast? He got them all out. He saved everyone only to be taken away from his own family. He was a hero until the end.” I take a deep breath as I look down at my hands. “This is why we do it. It’s to save people and he did it even after he retired.” I look up and meet Luke’s eyes. “I want to be like him. Help people even long after I have retired.”

“This right here. This tells me that you will be just fine.” He pats my shoulder as he gets up. “Don’t keep it inside. You need to talk about the rough calls, the good calls, and the exhausting ones. Never keep it inside. It will tear you apart.” He walks to the door and stops to look at me. “You did good today.” I smile as he walks out.

Luckily the rest of the shift goes on without any major calls or any losses. We couldn’t handle losing someone again.

Blake calls all of us together before we head out. I stand next to Luke as we listen to Blake.

“You all know that the Walker Estate is having their one-hundredth Jubilee on Saturday. Like always they will be raising funds for the fire Department. I want all of you to be there. It’s a picnic barbeque, dress casually and be there.” Blake explains and everyone agrees. I turn to Luke as we walk away.

“Do they do this every year?” I ask as we make it to my truck.

“They have a fundraiser every year, but this year is special. The ranch has been in the family for a hundred years this year.” Luke beams as he explains what Saturday is about. I think it’s generous of the Walkers to do this for the Fire Department. I have come to learn that everyone in Piper Falls helps each other. No matter who you are. “I am sure Saturday will be just as much fun as all the other functions they hold on the ranch.”

I press the button to unlock my truck before I open my door. “Can’t wait to see what a Walker Estate function is like.”

“I forgot it’s your first one. You will love it.” He walks over to his own truck. “See you Saturday.” I nod and wave as I get into my truck. It should be fun. I haven’t been to anything since I moved here. Shelby has tried to get me to go out with her a few times, but I haven’t felt like going out. I wanted to be home and relax. To get all my things situated.

Saturday will be the first time going out and meeting new people. Not that I am looking for anything. Not after what I have been through. It’s better to be alone than to be with someone that will just hurt you over and over again. Love hurts and I don’t want that pain again. That might also be the reason I do not go out. I don’t want to be in a position to fall or even like someone.

For some odd reason, I think of a certain green-eyed cowboy. The way his jeans stretch over his ass is things that fantasies are made of. He has been on my mind more than I would like to admit. He might also be the reason I am not going out. I do not want to bump into him. He is any girl's dream and I don’t want to get close to anyone.

The last few days I have also wondered how things went with his son. If he was with him now. He deserves to be with his son. And from the way he acted, I could tell that he is going to be an amazing father. He was going to love and protect that little boy.

???

I take a deep breath as I look at myself in the mirror. I have changed three times trying to find the perfect clothes. I decided on a floral mid-thigh dress with a pair of knee-high boots. My blond hair hung in loose curls over my shoulders.

Satisfied with my look I head out to where Shelby is waiting for me. She’s going with me as she has attended all the previous functions. She’s also going to show me where the ranch is. I haven’t been that far out yet.

“It’s finally here.” She bounces up and down as she smiles at me. I wish I could be as excited as she is. She grabs my arm as I get next to her. “You are going to love it. Their functions are always the best.” She excitedly voices.

“I’m sure it is. Open air and the night sky are always fun.” I smile as I unlock the truck and enter the diver’s side. I wait for Shelby to get in and buckle up before I drive off.

This is my first outing in my new town and hopefully the start of my new life here in Piper Falls. The small country town that reminds me of a town in a Hallmark movie. One, where the cute small-town girl falls for the businessman that tries to keep everyone at bay, but falls for her and realizes it too late. I wonder if that has ever happened here before.

Chapter Eight

? Jaxon ?

I stand off to the side as I take in the tables that are decorated with sunflowers and white roses. Mom always loved white roses and sunflowers. They remind me of the sunrise and sunsets. I always admire how different each sunflower looks. Not one has the same yellow and orange blend as the other. Mom was in charge of decorating the tables. I wanted it different from all the functions we have had before. I wanted it to be more family oriented.

“Daddy, look!” Taylor pulls on my pants as he points to some butterflies near the lake. I lean down to pick him up and walk over to the lake to show him the water. Taylor has become my shadow. He follows me everywhere and doesn’t like it when he can’t go with me. I never thought that I could love a little person as much as I love my little man. He is my spitting image. Black hair with my green eyes. He will steal the girls' hearts one day, but I will raise him to respect all girls. The first few days were a little rough at night. I was scared that he would need me and wouldn’t know where to find me. I would wake up to every sound and soon find out that Taylor was a smart little boy. When he wakes up during the night he comes to my room and gets into my bed. I woke up with him snuggled against me a few mornings. That was until Mom and Dad showed up. They are loving their grandson.

Mom was hurt that Tanya had hidden him from us for three years. I found out that she was at least almost ten weeks pregnant when she left here. Seeing as there is no evidence that Taylor was born prematurely. According to his hospital records, he was born at thirty-nine weeks. It hurts more to know that she was pregnant the day that she left. She left without giving me the option of being in my son’s life. And that is the part Mom had a problem with. She couldn’t understand how someone could do that. Not to someone she claimed to love.

I put him down near the water as he claps his hands looking at the few butterflies flying around. I will have to take him to the butterfly field one day. I am sure he will love to see them.

Taylor laughs as he crawls to get closer to them. I can’t help but smile as I watch him. My chest swells with pride at my little man that loves the outdoors just as much as I do.

“You need to get ready. The guests will soon be arriving. I will watch my baby boy.” Mom kisses my cheek before she walks over to Taylor. He chatters as he waves his arms around and Mom smiles at him with so much love in her eyes. Mom and Dad will be staying for a week or so after the Jubilee before they go on another adventure as they call it.

I head back to the house to get ready for our big night. It is a little bit of a drive to get there, but I need this time to get my speech ready. I am not doing the speech for the Jubilee, that is Dad’s part. I am doing one for the fire department and I want it to be perfect.

As I drive up to the house I notice a black SUV parked in the driveway. I roll my eyes wondering who the hell would be here. Everyone knows where the function will be. We have a separate entrance for that picnic spot, for the reason that we do not want people to get lost on the ranch or disturb the animals.

I get out and walk closer to the guy standing on the porch. He already has me in a foul mood with his crisp black suit and shiny black shoes. His hair is perfectly styled and I can’t even remember if I brushed mine this morning. Honestly, I don’t think I always brush it. Maybe when I go out. Hell, I love my messy look.

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