The Fireman's Secret

“Unreal. That place still exists?” Joel rounded the truck and opened the passenger door for her.

Dante yelped and lurched forward, his tongue going into full action mode as he soundly licked Shelby’s cheek. Most women would have shrieked, but Shelby scratched Dante’s head and kissed him right on the muzzle.

Joel let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Accepting Dante was as good as accepting him, if not better. Shelby Beck had just passed the most important test to winning Joel’s trust.

* * *

The truck boasted a hole the size of a baseball on the floor. Shelby positioned her feet around the spot. Joel pulled onto the highway, the trailer carrying his motorcycle creaking along behind them. She stared at the radio dial. No sound. Maybe it was busted. Or he didn’t like having it on. Either way, Shelby couldn’t stand the silence.

She ran her fingers over the silky hairs of the dog’s head and noticed his shape and colorings. He possessed the black-and-white blending of a border collie, but had patches of brown, as well. The dog gazed at her with crystal blue eyes. “This is an Australian cattle dog.”

Joel looped his hand over the steering wheel and regarded her. “The lady knows her dogs.”

Shelby shrugged. “Occupational hazard. He’s beautiful. I love his markings. It’s a boy, right?”

“Yeah. This is Dante. He’s partially deaf so if you talk to him and he doesn’t look at you, don’t take offense. He’s an old boy now, so he moves slow. But he’s my best friend.” Joel patted the dog on the rump and then left his hand resting there. “We found each other eight years ago and have been inseparable ever since.”

“You found each other. That sounds intriguing.”

The lights of the small downtown strip of Goose Harbor came in to view.

Joel kept his eyes on the road. “It wasn’t a good time for me. I was...in between homes and found Dante wandering in an alley. He was so scrawny. His rib cage looked like blades jutting out of his body.” He rubbed his hand over Dante’s back. “I brought him to a local vet. The doctor recognized him right away. I guess they don’t get a lot of Dante’s breed in that town.”

Recognized? “But you didn’t have to give him back?”

“Turns out his owner died and neither of her two adult children wanted to take Dante, so instead of finding him a home they brought him into town and dumped him on the street.”

“That’s awful.” Shelby gasped. “How can people be so cruel?”

“People—most people—just don’t care beyond themselves.”

The truck’s tires thumped over the brick-paved block that made up the main square of the town.

“But how could someone not want Dante? He seems so sweet.” Shelby scratched behind his ears and the dog sighed happily. “Who wouldn’t want to open their home to him if they could?”

At the single stoplight in town, Joel bowed his head. Eyes closed, he took a deep breath. “They just didn’t want him. No one wanted him. That’s all there was to it,” he whispered.

The light turned green and he pulled around the corner and parked in front of Gran’s Candy Shoppe. A streetlight illuminated the interior of the truck’s cab. Joel’s smile was gone. His brow furrowed.

They just didn’t want him. No one wanted him.

Joel had been in the foster system when he’d lived in Goose Harbor. An older couple from their church had taken him. After Joel disappeared, the couple had sold their home and moved to Florida.

She listened to Dante’s even breaths for a minute. “Dogs are wonderful. I love them because they don’t judge. They don’t care if something’s wrong with you. That’s why I started working with them.”

“Exactly. He’s become everything to me.” Joel scratched Dante’s back.

Shelby leaned across Dante and placed her hand over Joel’s. “I’m glad he found you.”

“Me, too.” The trace of something that wanted to be a smile pulled on his lips. He fished a pen and a folded receipt from one of the truck’s cup holders. “Let me give you my number. Promise me that if you start feeling worse or your head starts hurting or you get dizzy you’ll call me.”

“Sure.” She reached to take the piece of paper from him.

He didn’t let go of it. “Anytime of the night. I’m serious.”

She met his eyes. The intensity of his gaze made her catch her breath. “I promise,” she whispered.

He let go of the paper. “Have a good night, Shelby.”

“You, too.” She grabbed her purse. “And take care of sweet Dante.”

“Will do.” Joel saluted her.

She laughed and made her way to the door on the side of the building that led up to her apartment, the whole time keenly aware that Joel hadn’t pulled away until she was safely inside.

* * *

Joel straightened his shirt, took a deep breath and then stepped into the fire chief’s office. Three chairs and a mammoth mahogany desk filled the small room, leaving him no choice but to stand in the small square of space in the open doorway.

Chief Wheeler hopped to his feet when he spotted Joel, a boisterous laugh making his red beard waggle as he offered his hand. “Great to see you again, Palermo. Are you settling into your new place all right?”

“I only just got in last night. I haven’t even unpacked yet, sir.”

“Well, take time to enjoy the town this week—chief’s orders.” He plunked into his chair.

“Will do.” Joel sat in the seat across from Wheeler. “Is there anything else you need from me before I start?”

“Nothing I can think of, other than never call me sir again.” He laughed.

“Chief?” A light tap sounded on the door. “Do you have a minute.” Shelby Beck popped her head into the office. “Oh, I’m so sorry. You’re busy. I can come back later.”

“Hogwash. You know I always have time for you.” The chief motioned for her to join them. “Shelby, I want you to meet our newest fireman, Joel Palermo. I believe he’s about your age. If I recall correctly, he’s also single.”

A small grin played over Shelby’s face. “We’ve met.”

“I see.” The chief winked at them.

She grabbed the last available seat in the room, which brought her knee to knee with Joel. Her smile was infectious.

He leaned forward to examine the cut on her temple. “How’s your head?”

“Good.” She moved her hair to cover the barely visible gash. “How’s Dante?

Joel leaned back in his chair. “I’m sure he’s happy to have a yard to sniff around in. Our last place didn’t have one. He may be old, but he really likes being outside.”

“You know,” she began, “when you’re on your days staying here at the firehouse, I could walk Dante for you and stop in to make sure he’s okay.”

Joel nudged her knee with his. “Look at you, Miss Businesswoman, adding me to your clientele when I’ve been in town less than twenty-four hours.”