Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3) - Kahlen Aymes (old books to read .TXT) 📗

Apparently, Ben shared my thoughts because he grabbed his bag and flung it over his shoulder then paused on the shuttle stairs reaching into his front pocket and pulling out a messy wad of bills. He quickly straightened them out and handed the pile of money over to the driver, who seemed astonished and just looked from the money and then to Ben’s face.

I couldn’t tell if the money consisted of a lot of ones or if they were larger bills, and I realized, it didn’t matter. It was just the enormity of the gesture that moved me. Ben was handing over every cent he had on him to a man he knew nothing about but believed was less fortunate… and he did so without a second thought. The contrast between Ben and Carter screamed once again. Carter wouldn’t have even tipped the driver, and I doubted he would have helped the old couple.

“Oh, I can’t take that,” the driver began.

“Yes, you can. Please?” Ben asked graciously.

I stood frozen on the gravel pavement of the parking lot looking on at the scene playing out in front of me.

“You’ll need money to get out of the lot,” the man offered.

“Debit card,” Ben replied. “Please take it,” he insisted, presenting the money closer this time.

The driver reluctantly took the cash. “Thank you,” he said quietly. I could see he was as touched as I was.

“You’re welcome. Have a great rest of your night,” Ben told the driver, coming down the stairs toward me and then past me onto the passenger side of the truck.

Once inside and finding my way out of the parking lot, my hands trembled on the old steering wheel.

Ben yawned; putting his hand up to cover his mouth. “Sorry.”

“No need to say you’re sorry. I’m the one who should be sorry… I’m sorry that I had to call you.”

Ben sighed. “Marin.” He paused; contemplation clear on his handsome face which was highlighted in the darkness by the dashboard light. “I’m glad you did.” Without missing a beat, he changed the subject. “So, we’ll get my truck and I’ll follow you back to the ranch.”

“You don’t need to follow me all the way. It’s outside of town on the opposite side.” I already felt so guilty. We’d just driven seventeen hours and weariness settled on him like a cloak.

“I know where the ranch is,” he said simply; quietly. “I’ll make sure you get home, safely. We’ll get some sleep, but if it’s okay, I’ll get Gem from Davis tomorrow morning and bring her out early when I come to take care of the horses.”

“That’s right, you don’t have to work tomorrow,” I murmured hesitantly, inwardly cursing my still unhealed injuries. I wish I didn’t have to impose on Ben any further. I was just pulling up to the parking booth. It was automated and I was able to feed the parking ticket into a machine and then swipe my credit card. Ben had offered me his, but I turned it down. “I got this.”

The machine processed the card and the arm lifted allowing me to leave the parking lot.

“Nope.” He nodded and leaned back into the seat of my uncle’s old truck. “I was able to get the day off. I wasn’t sure if I’d be back from Minneapolis. I’m all yours for the day if you want me.”

I swallowed and concentrated on the road.

If I wanted him…

I knew that wasn’t how Ben meant the words. He’d been nothing but a gentleman, but my traitor mind and heart couldn’t help wishing.

If only it wasn’t so soon after Carter died. If only I wasn’t certain it was my fault. If only I could tell Ben the entire truth. I wanted to give in to my feelings, but were they real or was I just enamored with this beautiful, perfect man because he had treated me so well? I couldn’t ignore the contrast between the two men and the effect that might have on my emotions. Plus… would he blame me and see me as a killer? My stomach sank. I thought of myself as one, so why wouldn’t he?

I glanced in his direction and his eyes were closed, his arms crossed over his chest. It was only a few minutes ride until I’d have him back at the airport to get his car, but I decided to let him rest his eyes during the short drive.

The real truth was that I was scared and confused. If I thought Carter hurt me with his fists, what could Ben do to my heart?

I swallowed hard and licked my lips as I wrapped my head around it.

What if this strong, gentle man’s opinion of me changed? I couldn’t stand it. Ben could absolutely destroy my heart and leave it in shambles.

BEN

I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. I knew I was headed in dangerous territory. I shook my head in disbelief at how much this woman affected me, and in such a short time.

The red taillights of Marin’s old blue truck were a hundred yards in front of me and as she turned off of the highway onto the gravel road that led the two or three miles to the ranch and ruins of the shop.

I was following her back to her ranch but had serious trepidation about leaving her there alone. There was a tightness in my chest and a knot in my gut at the thought alone. It was ridiculous to be feeling this way after knowing her for only a week, but there it was. Maybe it was because she seemed so fragile, maybe it was because she was alone, or maybe the psychopathic family her dead boyfriend left behind…maybe it was because I knew that she’d been abused. More likely, it was how beautiful and mesmerizing she was. My mind and heart were racing.

I’d felt bad for her boyfriend at first; lighting up like a roman candle as he did and