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

was preventing me from getting in the nap I needed. As the hours passed, I’d become more and more worried about Ben. His job was so dangerous.

I reached for my phone to see if I could get any new updates on the fire, but it still wasn’t contained. After a few more seconds, I started typing out a text to Ben. I was sure he wouldn’t see it until his work was finished, but I hoped he’d ease my worry more quickly than the news and text me when he was finished.

Afterward, I finally laid back on my pillows and closed my eyes, still holding my phone.

BEN

Finally, we got the fire under control, but it was just after midnight. I was so sticky and sweaty; it felt as if the night air had glued my clothes to my skin.

Each of the stations responding had taken a section and worked in unison until we’d snuffed the entire thing out. The fire covered over a ten thousand acres of forest and we were all spent. My arms and legs felt like wet noodles. We used the combined methods of air drops and fire breaks to get it under control. The muscles in my neck, back, and shoulders ached from the fifteen hours of chopping and sawing down trees to deprive the fire of fuel.

I was exhausted and covered in soot. I hadn’t had a moment to check my phone until the trip back to Jackson and was hoping Marin had been in touch. Though I’d normally shower before I went home, it was the middle of the night and I had to be back at the station early in the morning.

I was pleased to see there were two messages from her. One telling me not to worry about the horses and another sent a little later checking up on me. I smiled as I read it. It made me so damn happy that she was worried. I found myself smiling like a giddy schoolboy.

Hey, just checking in to make sure you’re safe. When you’re able, let me know, no matter how late it is.

My heart sped up at her words. Maybe I wasn’t crazy. Maybe there was something happening between us and I hadn’t imagined the incredible pull I felt every time I was near her. She would be sleeping by now, but I tapped out a response anyway.

I’m done for the night. The fire is finally contained, and we’re headed back. I have to work my regular shift later, but I’ll stop out and feed the horses, early morning. Thanks for checking up on me. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help you tonight.

It wasn’t long until my phone pinged in response. Again, my lips slid into a huge grin and Davis noticed.

“It’s kind of early to get involved with that woman, isn’t it, Ben?” he asked knowingly. “You warned me off of her and now you’re trying to hit it?”

I scowled at my friend, my brow furrowing beneath my helmet. “I’m not trying to hit it, dickhead,” I retorted angrily. “She needs help right now. Not that it’s any of your damned business.”

Davis smiled slyly, the white of his teeth flashing against his dirty face and the cover of night. “Uh huh,” was all he said. “Well, the fire commissioner ruled the fire at her business was an accident. The report came down while you were away, and I didn’t have time to tell you before this job.”

My expression softened. At least that was some good news. I wasn’t aware that they even spoke to Marin yet. At least, she hadn’t mentioned it. “Good. That’s something at least.”

“Is she going to rebuild? If it were me, I’d just take the cash. I mean, she doesn’t have any shop experience, right?”

I wasn’t sure what she was going to do because, again, it wasn’t something we’d discussed in detail. It dawned on me that if she didn’t rebuild, she might sell the ranch and move out of Wyoming. She didn’t have any other family in Jackson and running the ranch alone might get overwhelming. More than anything, if she moved and Carter’s family didn’t know where she lived, those slimy bastards from Minneapolis couldn’t harm her. I sucked in a breath. If I looked at the situation objectively, that would probably be the best thing for her, so why did my gut get so tight when I thought about it. I mean, it literally ached.

“She has done the administrative work for years, but I’m not sure of her plans. I think she’s still in shock over the whole thing and may mull it over for a bit. She’s been through a lot, Davis. Her uncle passed away a few months ago, too.”

“I remember,” Davis answered. “If that forlorn look on your face means anything, I’d say you better make sure she stays around here… because I’ll kick your ass if you follow her. I’m not helping you move again.”

Davis and I were facing each other in the left rear passenger compartment of the engine as we drove back to Jackson. I leaned back in my seat and stared at him. “We’re friends. Am I attracted to her? Yes. I’d have to be dead not to be, Davis.”

His eyes widened. As we got into town and we passed under a streetlight, I could see his expression despite the smoke stains and soot around his eyes and mouth, and the line where his mask had been. “True, that,” he agreed emphatically. “What about the guy who died? Her boyfriend, right? It’s got to be too soon for her.”

Davis was my closest friend and I felt comfortable sharing.

“Exactly, but the prick was abusive. She had a few cracked ribs and some bruises after the fire, but some of the bruises were yellow and green so obviously from before. She fell running back to her ranch, but she wasn’t thrown from the blast, so the ribs were from before, too.”

“Oh, shit,” Davis said. “That’s