Spitfire in Love

by Isabelle Ronin

  She’d be unaware of her surroundings, and I could wake her up with a kiss on her neck, nuzzling her sensitive skin there. It would be warm, and her scent would be concentrated there. My hands would travel down—

  “Shit.”

  I winced as my hand slipped and I nicked myself with the blade.

  Even thinking about her was ruining me, I thought as I washed the cut with freezing water. I grabbed tissues, put pressure on it.

  I couldn’t help but laugh when I remembered the events from last night. Her temper. That puddle. She was…larger than life. Bigger than the world I chose to live in, it seemed.

  I put on jeans, then headed to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. I looked out my window, standing at the sink, sipping coffee as I watched the sun rise. Smiled as I remembered the sewage coffee she’d served me in her home.

  What a spitfire, I thought as I stepped in to my office.

  It was easier to conceal my real self from people. There was a darkness lurking inside me. It was there, burrowed close to the surface, waiting. I could feel it even now.

  I knew most people couldn’t handle or accept the real me. But with her…a little bit of the real came out. She demanded it, and it seemed I was helpless not to give in.

  It alarmed me a little. I wasn’t used to it. I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not, but I must have because I wanted her to…stay. For a little while longer at least.

  Never wanted a woman to stay before. The thought disturbed me. I dismissed it, tucked it away for now.

  I sat at my desk, opened my laptop. Checked my business email, replied to the urgent ones. I hadn’t seriously decided about expanding my business, although I toyed with the idea now and then. With a lot of help from Rick, I had built my connections and clients and fattened my bank account over the years of working for and with him. I quit college for three years to work on big projects that earned me a huge bank account. I only came back to study because of Rick. He wanted me to get a degree. I didn’t mind, but I would do it on my own time.

  My company was a one-man operation, but it suited me just fine. I could pick up or drop projects whenever I wanted. I hired people to work for me for one project or two when needed, and after that was done, we both moved on. I answered to no one, was shackled to no one once a house was done. It was what I wanted.

  Leaning back against my chair, I glanced at the clock. It was early, but I knew Rick was already awake. I grabbed my phone and called him.

  “Mornin’, kiddo,” he greeted. “You working for me today?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Got a flip you’re doing?”

  “Not yet.” I had one on the line though. It’d bring me a couple hundred thousand potential profit with all the upgrades I was planning, but it was a big job, and it would take up a lot of my time. “Thinking about it.”

  “I got one for ya if you want. Not even on the market yet. I’ll get Deb to send you the details.”

  “Sounds good. Speaking of Deb. She going on maternity leave soon?”

  “Yeah, why? You helpin’ her deliver the baby?” he chuckled. I could hear him moving around. He was probably at a site already.

  “I heard she broke Logan’s fingers when she had their daughter. Think I’m keeping mine intact for now.”

  He laughed heartily. A hacking one. He had a raspy voice from years of smoking. Started smoking cigarettes at nine years old out of boredom, he’d said.

  He grew up in a trailer park, in a town where there was nothing to do. So he’d smoked a lot, but never did drugs. He watched his brothers waste their life in prison because of drugs. Eventually he left his hometown and made something of himself by working in construction in the city, then eventually for this man who saw potential in him and taught him everything he knew about building houses.

  Rick got his certificates and licenses and owned his company now. Just like everyone in the business, he experienced a rough patch when the market crashed and lost a bunch of properties. He had to ask everyone he knew for loans to keep his business afloat, but eventually, he’d bounced back. He was one of the very successful contractors in Manitoba now.

  I owed this man a lot. I guess he saw himself in me. He took me under his wing, treated me like his son and student. He was one of the very few important people in my life. I would give up my limbs for him if he asked.

  “Women are strong, powerful creatures,” he said. I could hear him scratching his beard. He and I usually forgot to shave when we were busy with a project. “What is it, Son? Spit it out.”

  He knew me well. “Got a favor to ask you.”

  “All right.”

  All right. He’d said it simply, without a thought. He’d been my father when mine couldn’t be bothered with me.

  “I know someone who might be able to take over Deb’s job. I can vouch for her.” I cleared my throat. “You’d need her twice a week and weekends at the office, right?”

  He didn’t say anything for a moment and then, “Sure, makes my job easier if I don’t need to interview a bunch. A girl, huh? Yours?”

  “Ah.” I think…I’d like her to be. “A friend.”

  He chuckled. “Let’s grab a beer sometime this week. Come by the house, kiddo.”

  “Will do.”

  “You doing good with your studies?”

  “It’s only a couple of classes, but yes, sir. I am.”

  “Good. I’m heading up north to check on that project I told you about. See you when I get back, Son.”

  After I hung up, I sent a text to someone and got the ball rolling. Half an hour before eight, my phone chirped a text.

  Spitfire: Hey, bigfoot, how did you like your swim last night?

  I chuckled and read on.

  Spitfire: Can’t pick you up this morning. Sorry. I worked the night shift and my replacement at work just called in sick. I’m pulling a double. Will drive you home tomorrow night after your basketball practice.

  I sat up when I saw three dots on my screen. She was typing another message. I waited. Waited. But it disappeared without a new message from her.

  How bad did she need the money? Did she really have to work this obsessively? She worked the night shift, so that meant she’d go to school without any sleep. How did she do it?

  I leaned back in my chair, grabbed a lollipop from my stash. I unwrapped it, placed it in my mouth. Then I started thinking.

  * * *

  I only had one class in the morning, and when it was over, I had no reason to stick around campus. I hopped into my truck and was about to pull away when my phone rang.

  “Yeah?” I mumbled.

  “Seven days.”

  “Fuck off, Lockhart.”

  He must have been watching scary movies again.

  “Need you to do me a favor,” he said.

  “I don’t do favors.”

  “I’ll drop you off at your girl’s shop again if you need.”

  “Deal.”

  “Whipped,” he chuckled. “Did you know Jack had an accident?”

  Jack was our painter. He was fifty-five, looked like a mad bulldog, and barked at everyone who talked to him, but he was excellent at his work. I liked him.

  “Broke his hip,” Caleb continued. “Rick asked if I could visit him today. He has no family.”

  “Why can’t you do it?”

  “I have this charity ball thing I need to attend with my mom. Can’t bail.”

  I scratched the scruff on my cheek. “Do I have to do it?” I asked.

  “Yep.”

  I sighed. “All right.”

  “Make sure you bring him something.”

  “Like what?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Last time I talked to him he said he was looking for a girlfriend.”

  Only Caleb could get Jack to tell him that.

 
“I don’t know what to bring the guy. You know I don’t do this kind of thing.”

  “That’s why I want you to do it. Jesus. Bring the man a fruit basket. Bring him beer. Maybe a TV.”

  “You want me to bring him a TV?”

  “Why would you bring him a TV? They have one at the hospital.”

  I blew out a breath. “You just told me to bring him one.”

  “Son, sometimes I worry about you. I worry about you a lot.”

  “I’ll get him a TV then,” I said, just for the hell of it.

  He snickered. “Don’t forget the remote.”

  I bought Jack a fruit basket at one of the kiosks at the hospital. He looked grumpier than usual and said he didn’t much care for visitors. He told me to leave as soon as I got there. Except for a cast on his arm, he looked healthy. I stayed for ten minutes and left, but before I did, he told me to hand him an apple. That was his way of saying thanks. I gave him a salute and walked out of his room.

  The ward was a long hallway, with rooms on both sides facing each other. A couple pieces of bulky equipment, some chairs, patients and staff walking in the hall. It was too bright and smelled of antiseptic. I couldn’t wait to leave.

  “His name is Cameron.”

  I stopped. Someone had just said my name in a very familiar voice.

  “Oh, so that’s his name,” another female voice said.

  “That’s his alias. His real name is Spawn of Satan and I don’t like him.”

  I felt the smile spread across my face. That was definitely her voice. What were the chances? I headed toward the voices.

  “Oh, well now. It sounds like he’s just pulling your pigtails because the boy likes you.”

  “Amanda, you’re supposed to be on my side.”

  “Well, why else would the boy want to be around you?”

  I liked Amanda. She was a smart woman.

  I leaned against the wall beside the door so they wouldn’t see me and carefully peered inside the room.

  Kara was wearing deep blue scrubs and white sneakers, her hair flowing down her back, just the way I liked it. She looked very pretty in her uniform—and made me imagine all sorts of things.

  “He kissed another girl! You really think I…”

  “Can I help you?”

  I turned my gaze from Kara and saw a woman in scrubs looking at me expectantly.

  “I’m good,” I answered. “Just visiting.”

  I thought she’d leave but then she asked, “Which patient?”

  “Jack. Room 204.”

  Her name tag said her name was Sue, Nursing Assistant. I wished she’d leave.

  “204. Mr. White,” she said in a flirty tone. “Charming.” When I didn’t reply, she asked, “Did you have a good visit?”

  I nodded at her and she seemed to get the idea I wasn’t interested in a conversation. She wished me a good day and strolled into the room where Kara was just as Amanda walked out.

  Wait. Is Sue going to tell Kara I was hiding here?

  How the hell would she know?

  “Kara,” I heard Sue say. “The charge nurse wants us to move the equipment in room 201 to free up some space.”

  “What? The equipment in there is heavy. Did she say why and where?”

  “She’s expecting supplies to come in five minutes and we don’t have enough space in the supply room,” Sue answered. “You don’t need to move them to another room. Just push everything to the back.”

  “I need to move them?”

  “It’s time for my break. You good?”

  There was a pause. “If you’re asking if I’m good if I break my back, Sue, then no. I’m not good. It’s a two-person job and you know it.”

  “I’m not postponing my break to move that stupid equipment. I’ve worked enough today.”

  “You sure did work enough today,” Kara said with sarcasm. “Are you tired from hiding in the bathroom when you hear the patients’ call bell?”

  I heard a hmph, then Sue exited the room. Her eyes widened in embarrassment when she saw me.

  “Good job,” I said.

  She turned red and walked away in a hurry.

  “You gotta be shitting me,” Kara exclaimed, her eyes wide with accusation and incredulity as she gawked at me. “Why are you here? Omigod are you stalking me? Is this what’s happening now?”

  I could see why she would think that.

  I held my hands up. “No. I was visiting Jack, room 204.”

  She had a pen tucked behind her ear and her glasses on. The ones with the big round frames. Cute.

  “Liar! This is my place of work and—”

  “Still here?”

  We both turned at the voice. It was Jack. He was in a wheelchair and a nurse was pushing his chair toward the elevator.

  “Go home, Cam,” Jack said before disappearing inside the elevator.

  When they were gone, I turned to Kara expectantly, but she was already walking away. I chuckled and followed her.

  “Aren’t you going to say sorry?” I asked.

  Her sneakers made a squeaking noise on the floor. One of them was untied.

  “You’re the one who invaded my territory, genius.”

  “I’m not leaving until you do.”

  She glared at me over her shoulder. “Well, the hospital is open twenty-four hours.”

  She stopped in front of a closed door and let out a long, deep sigh before pushing it open.

  Son of a bitch.

  This must be the equipment room. There were various machines that looked too heavy to move, a recliner that could sit a buffalo, wheelchairs, a bed. Where exactly would she move all of it? My eyes scanned the back of the room. That was full of crap too. She’d have to organize that part of the room first before she could move anything.

  She was right. This was a two-person job.

  I glanced at her and felt a squeeze in my chest. She leaned against the wall, her shoulders drooping, her face looking exhausted.

  Without a word, I pushed my sleeves to my elbows and started arranging the equipment at the back.

  “Don’t,” she said. Her voice was small, tired. “You’re not even supposed to be here. I’ll get in trouble if anyone sees you.”

  “They won’t.”

  And even if they did, I’d file a damn complaint against them for making her work by herself—especially that woman who was supposed to help her.

  “Sometimes,” she started, “I just want to disappear. Do you ever feel like that?”

  Yes.

  We worked silently for a while. I told her to sit down and let me do the work, but she wouldn’t listen. All I could do was grab the heavier stuff from her.

  “Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat?” she asked. She was so random with her questions. I really liked it.

  “Street Fighter, hands down.”

  She nodded. “Good choice. Superman or Batman?”

  “Batman.”

  “Everyone likes Batman,” she pouted.

  “That’s because he’s real. He’s just a man, but he can do all these cool things without supernatural power. He gives hope to mortals that we could be amazing like him. Batman is the shit. Batman is cool.”

  “You do know one finger flick from Superman and Batman is down for the count, right?”

  “Not when—”

  “Shh! Enough. Next question: Spider-Man or Venom?”

  “Please.” I shot her an are you kidding look. “Venom.”

  “Really.” She made a humming sound. “It makes sense you’d choose Venom.”

  I suppressed my smile. She was trying to figure me out with her random questions. Like she wanted to know more about me. “Venom is a very misunderstood character. Sure, he’s portrayed as a villain, but you have to remember Venom hates bad guys too. He ju
st has a very…different way of expressing himself compared to Spider-Man. Sometimes it’s hard to see the truth when you only use your eyes.”

  There was a clanging noise behind me. A pile of metal basins had fallen on the floor, and she was already picking them up.

  “Sit down, Kara.”

  But she wouldn’t listen.

  “Stop,” I said. I grabbed a wheelchair. She had folded them neatly behind the bed, so I opened one and gently pushed her to sit down. When she opened her mouth to protest, I added, “Please.”

  She stayed. I wished I could take her home. I bent on one knee and knelt in front of her.

  “Cameron, what are you…”

  I tied her shoelaces carefully.

  “Do you see my truth?”

  “And what is that?” she asked in a small, vulnerable voice.

  “Will you stick around a little bit?” I asked. “I think I…I want to show it to you.”

  I froze. She had placed her hand on my hair, her fingers playing with the strands. I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring her touch. Then I looked up.

  “Thank you,” she said softly.

  I held my breath as her finger traced the bridge of my nose, sliding down to my lips.

  “Kara, can you help me with Mrs. Gonzales? She’s—oh. Sorry. Am I interrupting?”

  Like guilty children, we both jumped away from each other. It was Amanda. She had a happy smile on her face. I assumed she was Kara’s friend and wouldn’t tell anyone about me.

  “No,” Kara answered, rising from her chair. “I’ll be right there.”

  Amanda winked at me and left.

  “I’ll finish the rest,” Kara said. “You can leave now.”

  There was no way I’d let her. I’d finish everything before she could come back.

  Before she stepped out of the room, she looked back. “Thank you.”

  She looked tired and a little sad. I wanted to make her smile.

  “Shirt and pants,” I said, pointing at mine. She had splashed me with that muddy water last night. “You still owe me.”

  She cracked a smile. Mission accomplished.

  Chapter 18

  Cameron

  The next day was better. She wore her hair in a high ponytail.