Safe in the Fireman's Arms

“Tell me again why I’m going to the photographers?”

“The fire department fund-raiser at the Paradise Fair.”

“The raffle.” Jake bit out the words.

“Right.”

“Bitsy says it’s going to bring in lots of revenue for the fire department as well as the auxiliary. A win-win for everyone.”

“Since when did you get so tight with Bitsy?”

“We’re friends. Nothing wrong with that, is there?”

Jake grunted in response, as his mood moved south. Bitsy’s first idea had been a bachelor auction. He’d thought he’d effectively torched that notion, but when he hadn’t been looking the raffle had taken off like a bottle rocket.

He had to give the woman credit. This time the head of the Paradise Ladies Auxiliary had played it smart. She’d gotten a fire started on the raffle before he’d had a chance to snuff it out. The entire town, including Jake’s own men, had embraced the idea. All he could do now was smile and go along with it.

Because, yeah, it was an election year.

“Think you could watch the store while I go?” Jake asked.

“Sure. Glad to help you out. But come right back. I’ve got a meeting with our web guy at noon. He drove all the way up here from the Springs.”

“We have a web guy? I thought Duffy was doing the webpage.”

“Bitsy says it’s time for us to go pro, son.”

Bitsy again?

His father continued. “This guy is going to redesign the site and get the store some social media. Good for business. Might even get us Tweeter next.”

“Twitter.”

Mack released a hearty chuckle. “Is that what it’s called?”

Jake shook his head as he exited and walked across the blacktop to his truck.

He started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, making a hard right at the last minute. Why not take the long way around to the photography studio, past Bob Jones’s shop? Make sure everything was okay with his fellow shopkeepers.

Or possibly, just one Maggie Jones.

He’d never admit it to anyone, but he’d been thinking about her a lot since yesterday. Maybe it was her jaunty ponytail the color of warm caramel. Or the way she chewed on her lower lip as she concentrated. Or the way she looked at him, with those owlish brown eyes that seemed to see...everything. Next to her cousin Susan, a man might overlook the mousy brunette.

That would be a mistake.

It was the strangest thing, he mused. The incident report paperwork should have taken five minutes, tops. But he couldn’t stop asking questions. Couldn’t say what had gotten into him, either. Except that Maggie Jones disturbed him. That concerned Jake, because he hadn’t been disturbed in a very long time.

At his age he had no energy to put into women. Generally he didn’t have to, either. Since his wife died, women naturally seemed to think he needed taking care of. He didn’t. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop them from trying to get his attention, though he’d never shown an interest before.

Thankfully things were slowing down. Of the twenty-two men on the Paradise Volunteer Fire Department, he was one of the oldest. Lately he’d started to feel his age.

Jake inhaled as he glanced out the window of his pickup toward the outline of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the distance. The scent of pine and clean air, mixed with all that was Paradise, filled his senses.

Paradise had healed Jake more than he deserved. More than he could have ever hoped. He could never finish paying penance for his sins. For the life lost that day ten years ago. He knew it and he assumed God knew, as well. Still he managed to get through each day with a smile and a sense of humor. That was all a man could ask. Right?

Or maybe not. All he knew for sure was that in the last twenty-four hours he’d started thinking about things he never imagined he’d have a chance to ever consider again.

The wind shifted and Jake smelled something else in the breeze. Change. Yeah. He knew it was coming, yet he didn’t embrace the fact. No, these days he was only wary. Maybe a little scared, too.

“What lies ahead, Lord?” Jake murmured. “Prepare me. Whatever it is.”

Chapter Two (#ulink_e6f94308-212e-56b3-bced-78da4da89b65)

Maggie reached for her denim jacket and headed outside, where Susan waited at the curb in a gleaming, red convertible sports car. Her husband, Al, owned a new-car dealership in Monte Vista and humored his wife by letting her test-drive a vehicle every now and again. Maggie pulled open the door and slid in.

She looked over at Susan, who wore a bright red halter sundress, the exact shade of her car, and a wide-brimmed straw hat. Then she glanced down at her own jeans and beige scoop-neck top. “I’m underdressed.” The words were a dour admission.

“No worries.” Susan smiled. “We’ll get you into my boutique this week and liven up your wardrobe.”

Maggie mustered a weak smile.

“Any problems with the house?” Susan asked.

“No. It’s perfect. I’ve already planted herbs. I’ve got a spot along the fence where I’m going to set up my hives, and next week I’ll start planning my garden.”

“Wait a minute. Back up. Hives? As in bees?”

“Yes. I’ve ordered two honey-bee boxes.”

“Bees. Okay.” Susan shook her head. “Bees aside, how is the house itself? There’s not much furniture in there.”

“Enough for me. Right now, I’m just grateful it was available.”

“Truly a God thing,” Susan said. “We nearly sold the place, but the deal fell through at the last minute.”

“I’m very grateful to you and Al for letting me rent it from you.”

“I don’t want your money. You’re family.”

“I need to pay my way, Susan.”

“Fine for now, Mags, I’m just thrilled to have you back in Paradise,” Susan said.

Maggie shook her head. “I didn’t realize how much I missed you and your folks and Paradise until this week.”

“Well, it’s awfully sweet of you to give Daddy the chance to go fishing. This is his best birthday present ever. Not many people would dare to take on a shop that fixes everything from bicycles to computers.”

“Eclectic. Not unlike me. It makes perfect sense for me to run the shop, and I really enjoy it.”