Rescuing Christmas

by Nancy Lee Badger

  She thrust her own tongue into his mouth while his hands roamed up to her neck and she found herself wishing they would wander a little lower, again.

  An alarm sounded, followed by a radio chirp that sent her struggling out of Bradley’s arms. A whispered curse wouldn’t make the radio go silent, but someday they would catch a break.

  Chapter 12

  It took Bradley several moments to realize Elinor was no longer in his arms and a loud noise echoed from the fire engine bay. “Is that a fire alarm? Again?”

  “Yes. I need to listen to the radio,” she said, moving quickly out of the kitchen and into the truck bay.

  Bradley inhaled several deep breaths, praying he gained control of his unruly body. The taste of her had made his groin tighten, and his hands still itched to touch her in places he ought not be thinking about. The feel of her fingers in his hair had made a groan leave his throat. In a blink, she had pulled away, leaving him unsatisfied. The woman turned him inside out at every corner.

  “SV engine 2, Ambulance 1, report of car versus deer, corner of Main Street and Green View Road. Possibly one injured patient. Time of your tone 11:25.”

  “I have to go,” Elinor shouted. She ran to her truck parked outside the fire house as the bay doors rolled open. Was it really several hours since he and Elinor entered the fire house? Companionable silence had made the time fly.

  Since he was the only auxiliary member in attendance, he wondered what he should do. He called the library.

  “Elvira, I am alone at the fire house. Did you hear the emergency call?”

  “Yes, dearie. I have a scanner on my desk.”

  “What should I do?”

  “Well, being that it is a single car accident, we will not be needed at the scene. Coffee and a few doughnuts waiting for the crew once they return wouldn’t hurt, though. Let me give Sarah Jane a call to see if she has anything.”

  Bradley hung up. If she called back, he would offer to collect the food. In the meantime, he checked the coffee urn, but Elinor had brewed it over two hours ago. He dumped the coffee and filled the empty coffee urn with fresh water. His phone rang.

  “Sarah Jane has two dozen day-old scones. I will get a volunteer to pick them up. I assume Mac is headed to the scene with his tow truck, but I will start calling others.”

  “I could walk down—”

  “No, dearie. You stay at the fire house in case others show up to help. Bye.”

  The building was eerily quiet with no one else on the premises. He busied himself making coffee. He added the filter, broke open a large package of coffee grounds, then pushed the start button.

  I am getting good at this!

  With the coffee started, he made sure mugs, spoons, sugar, and the ice-cold pitcher of cream were ready. He prayed the crew would not track mud through the thoroughly cleaned building.

  When did I become such a mother hen?

  When the coffee finished brewing, he poured himself a fresh cup and settled at the long kitchen table to wait for news. He checked his email. Mona’s updates were precise and filled with good news. His business was thriving and would be closing down soon for the holiday.

  Several auxiliary volunteers arrived. Finding the coffee ready and waiting for the rescuers, they decided to start setting up the tables for the potluck supper, since both engines were gone. Another hour passed with news that the vehicle was stuck between some trees and they’d be on scene until Mac’s wrecker could pull it back onto the road. Fish and Game were notified to come get the dead deer.

  A voice called out, and he recognized Sarah Jane. She bustled into the kitchen carrying two large boxes.

  “Let me help you. I told Elvira I could run down and get them.”

  “Don’t be silly. She told me you were on coffee duty and she hadn’t gotten anyone else to answer their phone. This time of day is a tough time to find people, but I see that several showed up. Julia and her phone tree at work, I imagine. Help yourself.”

  She opened the first box, and the aroma made him weep. He was becoming quite enthralled with the taste of butterscotch scones, even the day-old variety.

  “They smell wonderful. Thank you so much. You’ve made my day,” he said as he pulled her into his arms. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, which made her sigh. Elinor walked into the kitchen and stared at them.

  ***

  The trucks returned to the fire house and Ellie suggested the men park them outside, since it was almost time for the potluck supper setup. The accident scene proved to be a time-consuming mess. The car had ended up wedged between two trees and the crew used a chainsaw to cut one so the driver could climb out the window. He wasn’t hurt, just upset he’d killed a deer.

  She hoped Bradley was still at fire house, though she was a little worried about handing over the keys to the chief’s truck.

  Hopping down from her dad’s pickup truck, she opened the side door and shrugged out of her bunker gear. She hung the coat, pants, and helmet on the chief’s peg, then headed for the kitchen. She sniffed the air. Someone had started a new pot of coffee for the crew.

  Just like clockwork.

  What greeted her made her eyes widen and her stomach roll.

  “How quaint. Glad to see you two are enjoying your day. Excuse me.” She entered the restroom and growled at the mirror. The woman growling back was so different from Sarah Jane, it made her stomach continue doing somersaults.

  “I’m a mess!” She’d arrived at the scene and had carefully pulled the truck out of the way to wait for others to arrive. Stepping out of the cab, the fire engine pulled past her to block the road, but managed to hit the puddle she had tried not to park in. Cold muddy water hit her in the face and dribbled down the front of her bunker gear.

  “Nonsense. You’re beautiful.”

  “Bradley?”

  No, Sean stood in the door, staring at her. Sweat dampened her shirt, and her intimate thoughts of Bradley made certain body parts visible through her damp shirt’s form-fitting cotton fabric. Raising a towel to wipe her face and chest, she turned. “What are you doing in here? I thought I closed the door.”

  “I wanted to wash up before I head back to the inn. Wouldn’t do to walk through the lobby like this.”

  “Right. Don’t want to scare the guests away.” Turning back to the mirror, she did her best to ignore him. When he didn’t move, she stepped aside. As he wet a cloth and wiped his face, she attempted to slip out of the room.

  “Not so fast, sweetheart. I want to show you something.”

  “What? Did you hurt yourself?”

  “Yes, but not in the way you’re thinking.” He pulled the towel out of her hands. Before she could utter a protest, he pulled her into his chest, and kissed her. As he backed her against the cold wall, she was too surprised to move. Gaining her senses, she pushed against his chest, but he was solid muscle. Recalling a move her dad taught her, she brought one knee up, but he turned sideways, pulled his mouth away, and laughed.

  “Why not enjoy our private time together, sweetheart. Just you, me, and a door between us and the world.”

  “No!” she shouted back, “I am no one’s sweetheart.”

  He laughed, again. “Not even that filthy rich guy? Does he kiss better than me, or do you hope he’ll take you back to his mansion?” He tried to kiss her again.

  Did Sean actually think Bradley’s wealth was his only attractive quality? “Stop this right now!” Her objection echoed through the small room. She was suddenly free of his weight. Straining with rubbery legs not to collapse, she opened her eyes to the empty restroom. “What the heck…?”

  Grunts and groans filtered in from the open door. She poked her head out and witnessed two large bodies tumbling across the open bay. One had to be Sean, but who was the other man? A well-placed fist threw Sean against one of the newly set-up eight-foot folding tables. Linen and colorful centerpieces went flying.

  “Stop! What are you guys doing?”

  The man who placed the sol
id punch stood and brushed off his trousers. It wasn’t who she expected. “Greg? Greg Peabody? Did you just pummel your own brother?”

  Without answering her, Greg rushed into the kitchen. She followed only to find his arms circling Sarah Jane. Her sister was pale and crying uncontrollably. Greg cooed calmly to her sister, smoothing her hair and kissing away her tears.

  “Sarah Jane?” She walked over to the couple. Her sister pushed Greg gently away and wiped her cheeks.

  “I…I saw Sean attacking you. It brought back all those horrible memories, and I screamed. I came to drop off some scones because Elvira called. She said you and the crew were out at an emergency.”

  That was about the time Ellie saw Bradley kissing her.

  Greg interrupted her thoughts. “I heard her scream and saw her pointing to the restroom. I heard you say ‘No.’ My brother crossed a line. He’s been warned before. I had no choice.”

  They went back to check on Sean, but he was gone.

  “I guess he’s not dead. If I’d killed him, I’d have some explaining to do to our mother.”

  Ellie hugged Greg, then her sister. “I’m sorry you two had to see that. Sean has been after me for weeks. I told him after our first date that I didn’t like his aggressiveness. I have no idea why I said yes to a second date. Thank goodness my pager went off while we were still at the restaurant that night. I am positive that date was our last. I’m glad you showed up, Greg.” She shuddered and wiped her mouth trying to remove Sean’s taste.

  “You should report him to the police,” Greg said.

  Ellie saw how her sister’s whole body shook. “No, thanks. The police haven’t helped much, in the past. I need to be a little more careful. Next time, I’ll lock the door.”

  “There better not be a next time,” Sarah Jane promised. Greg wrapped her in his arms again.

  How could she forget that her sister had been taken advantage of by her last boyfriend, both financially and emotionally? She understood the anger in Sarah Jane’s words.

  “How about some coffee?” Ellie asked. The aroma wafted from the urn, and she suspected Bradley had made a new pot. She saw no sign of him. He must have headed out to pick up her dad. She wished he was still here, then recalled watching him embrace her sister. Why hadn’t Greg beat him to a pulp, too? Had he left before Greg came inside? She was thankful someone had come to her rescue, and left it at that.

  ***

  “I think you have a good plan, Bradley, but why the secret?” Elinor’s father adjusted his bulk in the truck’s passenger seat, while Bradley thought of how to answer his direct question.

  “I guess I want to surprise your daughter. Elinor, that is. The entire auxiliary is on board. I am footing the bill for both the ice rink installation and the snow-making machines. Elinor has this idea in her head that she cannot accept help.”

  “Yes, she’s always been mighty bull-headed. She grew up as a little tomboy and wanted to be a firefighter like me, but when I appointed her as chief, she paled. I believe her confidence is not as evident as she wants us to believe. The men give her a rough time, I suspect. New England is a harsh corner of the country. Men formed this land from rocks and trees and deep rivers. Women are expected to stay home and take care of the fort.”

  “I get that. I have seen for myself the attitudes of the crew. She nearly died because one didn’t follow orders, and at least three went inside a burning building without letting her know first.”

  “That’s what I mean. I thought by appointing her chief, the others would see how much confidence I have in the girl.”

  “Woman.”

  “Huh?’

  “Chief, she’s a woman, not a little girl. She is smart, witty, obnoxious, beautiful, and knows her job.”

  He laughed, then winced as he adjusted his ankle. “I think you like her.”

  Bradley jerked his head sideways, then back to the road. “Of course, I like her, but she hates me. She keeps walking in on me and Sarah Jane hugging. No, there is nothing between Sarah Jane and I, but she seems to cry a lot.”

  “Yeah, she’s had boyfriend problems. I heard, not from her, it was someone she thought was the one that had taken advantage of her. After that, she has been guarding her heart like a treasure.”

  “Which it is. Anyway, when I kiss Elinor, she—”

  “You kissed her? Praise the Lord!”

  “Just a minute. Don’t get your hopes up. She keeps pushing me away. This is another reason to keep these plans a secret. Let her continue to think the Christmas Festival will only have children’s games and food. Maybe a live band. There is no way the pond will freeze in time, even if it stays cold. Maybe we will get snow, but why take the chance? I happen to know she loves to skate and is dying for a sleigh ride.”

  The Chief rubbed his jaw. “Bradley, did she tell you these dreams of hers?”

  He nodded.

  “She would never mention this to me or her sister. She opened up to you, and I want these dreams to come to life. Have you seen the town’s horse-drawn sleigh?”

  “No. I only heard they had one. The farmer whose barn was recently saved has offered to loan us the horse and tack.”

  “The sleigh is a mess. I am not sure if the auxiliary recalls that little tidbit. You had best get a committee working on it, if you want my Ellie’s dreams to really come true.”

  “Right. I will bring it up tonight, after the potluck supper, when we clean up.”

  He patted Bradley’s knee. “That group is lucky to have you.”

  Bradley hoped his flushed cheeks would clear before he headed inside the fire house. He wouldn’t want Elinor thinking he was thinking about their last kiss.

  Chapter 13

  “He attacked her? What do you mean?” Bradley asked Greg. The tree farmer had joined him in the kitchen, after setting up a Christmas tree in the corner of the truck bay. Several auxiliary members had already started decorating it while others finished up the table decorations. Instead of soot and diesel, the entire fire house smelled of pine and coffee.

  “All I can tell you is he had her against the wall, and she was shouting ‘Stop’. It all happened so fast. Sarah Jane was in the kitchen.”

  “And I had just left to go get their father,” Bradley said, now wishing he had followed Elinor to explain why she saw him and Sarah Jane hugging.

  “I stopped by to ask if I could donate a tree, lights, and decorations to brighten up tonight’s festivities. The next thing I knew, Sarah Jane was screaming and pointing, and I was running.”

  “What did you do?” Bradley could not believe Sean touched Elinor while he was busy chauffeuring her father around town. Once he managed to get the Chief into the high cab of the truck, they had stopped at the bookstore. It took several minutes to collect the donated cake Sarah Jane had set aside, before they were on their way to the station. Finding Greg still agitated had been a big surprise.

  “I pulled him off her and punched him in the face. While I helped Ellie up and we both tried to calm down her sister, we discovered that Sean had left the building.”

  Had Elinor asked for Sean’s attention? If so, why would Greg hear her telling Sean to stop? He shook his head, clearing such unpleasant thoughts away. She had not pushed him away the last time he had kissed her. “Do you think I should bring it up?”

  “Lord, no!” Greg answered. “She is probably very embarrassed, but I suggest you keep an eye on her. Sean might not appreciate my butting in, and he might take it out on her. I hope he doesn’t show up tonight, but Ellie should get an escort home.”

  “Thank you, Greg. You are a good friend to her. To any woman. Will you be making sure Sarah Jane gets home as well? You said she screamed and was very upset.”

  The young tree farmer smiled slyly. “Yes, I’ll suggest I follow her home. Sean knows she saw what he did and how I laid him flat. He doesn’t like looking like a fool.”

  “Then he ought to stop acting the part,” Elinor said. She had silently joined them in the kitch
en. She had changed from her sooty fire gear into a silky long-sleeved blouse the color of blue sapphires tucked into long, form-fitting black slacks. Three-inch black heels and a thin silver belt around her waist completed her ensemble. She wore red lipstick and she’d brushed blue powder over her eyes. Her hair was still damp from her shower, and curled over her shoulders.

  Bradley’s breath caught. Looking at her hurt his chest, she was so pretty. He saw no outward signs of her ordeal, and her red lips made him groan. “You look great.”

  Dear Lord! Did I say that out loud?

  Greg chuckled and Elinor scowled.

  Yep.

  “Anyway, the place is looking grand,” Bradley said. “All we need now is for people to bring their donations of food or cash. Someone even tossed a large check in one of the boots. I hope that will help the cause.”

  “Whatever. I know you don’t have an option to cook,” Elinor whispered.

  “He walked in here with a great big pot of chili and a slab of the sweetest smelling cornbread,” Greg added.

  Elinor’s left eyebrow rose.

  “Both came from the inn.”

  The moment her other eyebrow shot skyward he added, “Donated by the inn’s cook. She purchased all the ingredients and cooked them herself just for this fundraiser. Sean had nothing to do with any of it.”

  She relaxed her stance and gave him a slight smile.

  Progress!

  “Will you excuse me a minute?” She walked over to where her dad sat speaking with Bruce and Tom.

  “Well,” Greg said, “I am needed elsewhere, since I’m sponsoring a Christmas tree auction. Lots to do.”

  Bradley was suddenly intrigued. He had attended art and antique auctions back in New York City. “Can you explain what that is?”

  “The auxiliary members have decorated a dozen trees with themes related to the fire department, the library, Mac’s garage, the elementary school and so on, using donated items and decorations the kids made before school let out. Each tree will be on display somewhere. Haven’t quite figured out where, but a volunteer at each one will have a silent auction form on a clipboard. People can write down their name and a sum, then someone else can come along and raise the bid. The auxiliary says I can have two-hundred dollars to cover the cost of my trees. See you around.”