Her hand was filled with popcorn and halfway to her mouth she looked up at the screen and froze when she saw a close up of a man that had her body feeling things she’d forgotten she could. Her breath caught in the back of her throat. Tingles started brewing low in her belly. Her heartbeat fluttered in her chest like a scarf in a windstorm.
Large brown eyes framed with lashes that, if there were any fairness in the world would’ve been on a woman, stared out at her. Full lips that made her own tingle were surrounded by the scruff of a beard. A strong jaw and thick, light brown hair finished off the perfect package.
The frame changed, and a montage of Gabe’s training started playing. Adriana watched, mesmerized, at the footage. His face alone had her lady parts waking up and taking notice, but his body. Dear Lord, his body was a work of art and it was covered in art. He had tattoos running up his arms, across his chest, and down his back. Saliva filled her mouth as she watched him prepare for the fight. He was a modern-day gladiator. A warrior.
“He’s the one that saved that lady.” Jonah continued. “He’s a hero!”
He was hot, that’s what he was. He might be a hero too, but he was a hot hero.
And he looked familiar. Not in an immediately recognizable sort of way. It wasn’t as if she thought, oh yeah that’s the guy from such and such. She couldn’t quite pinpoint where she’d seen him before, but she knew that she had.
“Gabe Maguire,” she said his name out loud in an attempt to put the puzzle pieces together of where she might know him from.
“Yeah, Gabe Maguire.” Jonah echoed excitedly as he tucked his feet beneath him so that he was sitting up taller.
Gabe’s montage ended, and another picture appeared on the screen. On the bottom of the frame, it read: Glenn Maguire (brother). Apparently, Glenn had been a boxer, and the interviewer was asking him what he thought about his baby brother being an MMA fighter. His answers were what you’d expect; he was proud, yadda, yadda, yadda.
Adriana tuned out as the man spoke. She was searching her mental database to try and place where she’d seen Gabe Maguire before. She’d just concluded that Gabe’s familiarity must’ve been from the small thumbnail pic she’d seen when she’d ordered the fight. At that moment a picture of a younger Gabe with his arm around Glenn as he held up a belt in a boxing ring appeared on the screen.
That’s when it all clicked into place.
“No,” Adriana heard herself gasp as she felt all of the blood drain from her face, causing her to be lightheaded.
The room started spinning, and now her lips and fingers were tingling for an entirely different reason.
“What’s wrong?” The fear that tinged Jonah’s voice pulled her back to her senses.
“Nothing,” she assured him as she plastered on the fake smile that she’d had to use more times than she could count over the past year. “I just forgot I need to check something.”
His too-smart eyes narrowed, and she knew that he could smell the distinct scent of fishiness that was exuding from her vague answer, but she hopped up from the couch before he could ask any more questions. “I’ll be right back.”
She rushed out of the room as he blessedly got distracted by the television.
“There’s no way,” she whispered beneath her breath as she hustled down the hall. “It’s impossible.”
When she stepped into her bedroom, she shut the door behind her and sprinted to her closet. Her hand was shaking as she lifted the box from the top shelf and the contents spilled out. All of the envelopes that Emily had written to Jonah for birthdays, Christmas, and life events like when he got his first girlfriend, when he graduated high school and college were scattered on the floor. She dropped to the ground and rifled through them.
Within seconds she found what she was looking for. It was the photo strip that “Jake” and Em had taken.
She pulled out her phone and Googled Glenn Maguire fight and the date, which she knew because it was Em’s birthday. The picture that she’d seen on TV was at the top of the first article she clicked on. She quickly scanned it. The dates worked. The city worked. Glenn’s fight was in Vegas the day after Em’s birthday.
It was him.
“Jake” was Gabe Maguire.
Which meant…Gabe Maguire was Jonah’s father.
Chapter 3
‡
“Mmmm,” Gabe moaned and ran his tongue along the seam of his lips as he savored the flavor that coated them. “This is so good it should be illegal, Sue Ann.”
“In some states, it is.” The owner of the small café in Hope Falls flushed with pride before winking and dropping the check on his table. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
As she bustled off to a table across the floor, coffee carafe in hand, Gabe took another bite of roast beef so tender and flavorful it could make a grown man weep. His teeth sank into the savory meat, and the perfect combination of zesty and sweet exploded in his mouth. He closed his eyes as he relished the moment that was as close to a religious experience as he’d had in a long time.
For the past year, he’d been adhering to a strict diet to get ready for the fight. But he’d won that fight and this weekend was a cheat weekend.
Monday he would be back at it again. He would get back to his training and start working out with the guys at the station. He’d been a volunteer there while he was getting ready for the fight. He’d told the chief, his cousin Jake, that he was planning on making Hope Falls his home, and so he’d been offered a full-time position. He wasn’t going to start for another two days.
In forty-eight hours he would be back to his disciplined regimen. He’d be back to his routine. But this weekend he was indulging. He wasn’t going to worry about the future or waste one second reliving the past. He was going to live in the moment.
He was meeting a blogger here to do an interview that Maxi had set up and after that, he had to go to the station to fill out his new hire paperwork, but then he’d be gloriously free for two days.
Gabe checked the time on his phone. Rena, the blogger he was meeting, was almost thirty minutes late. He was giving her another thirty, and then he was out of there. He wouldn’t even give her that long except Maxi had explained that he was meeting a woman who had lost her sister to cancer. After being diagnosed, Rena’s sister started a blog full of inspirational stories of survivors to give people hope. Now that her sibling had passed, Rena was continuing the blog in her honor.
Since the fight, Gabe had been inundated with stories of people that were battling all kinds of things. Everything from physical, to emotional, to mental. Each story was so personal and unique, but they all had a common theme: thanks to him they now had a glimmer of hope. He’d inspired them to keep going.
As much as he’d love to forget the past five years, he knew that each day was a gift and if sharing his story could help even one person that was struggling to get through their dark times, then he had a responsibility to do that.
So here he was. Waiting. At least he had his food to keep him company.
Gabe took the last bite of his delicious meal and was thoroughly enraptured in the taste sensations that were flooding his mouth when he heard someone clearing their throat, interrupting his euphoric moment.
He opened his eyes and saw his cousins Amy and Nikki standing in front of him. One of Nikki’s brows was raised in amusement. Amy stood beside her sister with a sweet smile as she gently rocked the double stroller that held her sleeping twin girls Peyton and Paige.
Amy and Nikki might be sisters, but they couldn’t be more different, and not just in appearance. Nikki was a tall blonde who always said what was on her mind and there was always something on it. Amy was a petite brunette that was reserved and soft spoken.
“You’re enjoying that so much you might want to get a room,” Nikki suggested. “I can ask Sue Ann if the apartment upstairs is vacant.”
Gabe was only half-joking when he replied, “If I could marry this roast beef, I would.”
&nbs
p; “Well, if American Pie taught us anything, it’s that you don’t have to put a ring on food to get down and dirty with it.”
“Nikki!” Amy sighed as she shook her head and a faint smile appeared on her face.
“What?! It did!” Nikki defended herself.
As much as he was going to miss his brother and niece now that he was moving to Hope Falls, having extended family here did take some of the sting out.
“Speaking of food…,” Nikki motioned over her shoulder to the counter, “I’m gonna grab ours.”
When she did, Amy turned back to Gabe, genuine concern pouring out of her eyes. “I’m glad I ran into you. I’ve been wondering how you’re feeling.”
Out of his four Maguire cousins, Gabe had always been the closest to Amy and Jake. His oldest cousin, Eric, was Glenn’s age, so the two of them were always off doing things that only the “older kids” got to do. And Nikki was a wild child. She was getting into trouble anywhere she could find it. Amy was always just around, quietly observing or hanging out. She’d sit and read next to him and Jake when they played video games, or she’d sit and read in the treehouse while he and Jake plotted their world domination or did Beavis and Butt-Head impressions. Or she’d sit and read on the sidewalk while he and Jake rode their skateboards or bikes around the neighborhood.
It was still hard to believe that she was a mom of twins.
“I’m feeling good. Rested.” He’d spent the past week in recovery mode. He’d done some cryotherapy to help his cells recover and made sure to get plenty of sleep. He had some soreness in his shoulder and lower back, but other than that, he was good.
“We’re walking down to the river for a picnic. Do you want to join us?” Amy continued moving the stroller, and the girls continued to sleep.
“I can’t. I’m here to meet someone.”
“Oh?” His cousin’s face brightened.
“No. It’s not like that. She’s a blogger.”
“Another interview,” her shoulders deflated sympathetically.
His family knew how much he hated talking to the media.
“Yep. But if I finish up early, I’ll head down there, and maybe these sleepy heads will be awake.”
Nikki joined them again, to-go bag in hand. “Let’s rock and roll. You comin’, Cuzzo?”
“He can’t. He’s here meeting someone—” Amy filled her in.
“Oh?” Nikki interrupted as her expression brightened with interest.
“To do an interview,” Amy finished.
“Sorry,” Nikki commiserated.
Amy’s tone turned upbeat as she started to turn the stroller around and head for the door, “You’re coming to dinner Sunday, right?”
Wild horses couldn’t keep him away from Aunt Rosalie’s cooking. She was born and raised in Italy. Her pasta was always cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth and her garlic bread was so good it was downright sinful. He’d had to refrain from Sunday dinners during his training because they weren’t exactly “good carbs.” But this weekend he planned to have seconds and thirds, maybe even fourths.
“Yep. I’ll be there.” He waved as they left.
Gabe watched from the window as his cousins looked both ways before crossing the street and headed down toward the recreation area that lined the river that ran through Hope Falls. His eyes drifted and surveyed the small businesses that were lined with a wooden sidewalk. It was peak tourist season, and the area was filled with visitors patronizing the shops and taking pictures of the scenic surroundings.
He scanned the downtown area of his new home and just as it had when he arrived, a sense of peace settled in his chest. There was no question in his mind that this was where he belonged.
He was just about to check his phone, again, when it buzzed on the table. He picked it up and saw a text from Maxi letting him know that Rena was running late because of car trouble and she’d have an ETA shortly.
He messaged back the response she’d always given him growing up, Cool beans.
Leaning back in his chair, he lifted his arm above his head and grabbed his elbow to stretch it out as he looked back out the window. He noticed that a car had pulled up and parked in front of the restaurant. More accurately, he noticed the breathtaking woman that was seated in the car that was now parked directly in front of the window.
The first thing that drew his attention was dark, chestnut hair flowing over the smooth skin of her bared shoulder. Full, cherry red lips sat below a cute button nose. Her skin was creamy and looked soft to the touch. He was suddenly filled with the urge to just reach out and touch her.
Gabe squinted and leaned forward in an attempt to see her more clearly through the glass. She was either talking to herself or was on the phone. He watched, captivated, unable to tear his gaze away from her as she took several deep breaths. She looked nervous. Scared. Uncertain.
Every protective instinct in his body flared to life. He wanted to fix whatever it was that was bothering her. He wanted to make anything in her life that was wrong, right.
In the back of his mind, he knew that was crazy. But at the moment all he cared about was for the first time in years he felt something. Something powerful. Something raw. Something visceral. She made him feel again.
*
“Where are you again, Sunshine?” Her mother asked as her face appeared on Adriana’s screen.
“Hope Falls.” Adriana spoke up so her mother could hear her over the video games and the Frozen soundtrack.
“Where is that?”
“It’s by Lake Tahoe.” She winced as she saw a doll fly across the back of the frame a second before Lexi screamed. “Are you sure everything is okay there?”
“Of course it is.” Her mother smiled serenely, seeming unaffected by the mayhem. “A house filled with love can only be okay.”
Naomi Hale subscribed to all things peace, love, and harmony. She took her hippie lifestyle to the extreme. She was the poster child for a nonconformist, free-spirit bohemian. Which, on paper might sound like a great person to be raised by, but not necessarily in Adriana’s experience.
Growing up, Adriana was the last girl in her class to shave her legs and wear deodorant because her mother believed in being natural. That all changed when Adriana was twelve and Emily came to stay with them while she went to college.
Adriana’s older cousin had taken her under her wing, and if it weren’t for Emily, she would’ve had a much different middle and high school experience. She’d been like a big sister, a mother, and a best friend all wrapped into one. Her cousin was as street smart as she was book smart, not to mention hilarious and gorgeous.
And she was gone.
She held back the tears that were threatening to break out and tried to take calming, soothing breaths.
When she’d gotten herself under control, she focused on her mother. “Remember, Mrs. Bosh is right next door if you need anything and Gabby said she’s available if you need her. And Jonah is not old enough to watch the girls, so even if it’s just to run to the store, you need to make sure that Mrs. Bosh or Gabby can come over.”
“Yes, sunshine. You told me. And you wrote it down and put it on the fridge. Everything is fine. I’ve got everything well in hand.”
As much as she’d love to accept her mother’s assurance, she couldn’t help the sick feeling in her stomach. Her mother’s track record wasn’t the best. Adriana could remember being as young as six and her mother going out for the evening and leaving her by herself for hours. Whenever Naomi had been challenged by a teacher, neighbor, or Adriana herself, her mother always stood behind the philosophy that she was raising Adriana to be independent. It was a philosophy that allowed her mother to do whatever she wanted.
Adriana had never left her mother with the girls for more than an hour or two, and she’d never left them overnight with anyone. Ever. But this was an emergency situation. Trying to untie the knot of unease that was residing in her stomach, she reminded herself that Jonah had a cell phone. And retired s
chool principal Mrs. Bosh was right next door. And Gabby, Adriana’s regular babysitter, was only one block over.
“Don’t worry so much.” Her mother said lightly. “You were always such a worrier.”
Someone had to be, Adriana’s inner voice dryly remarked.
By eight, she’d known that the electrical bill was due on the twelfth of every month and the water was due on the twenty-second. Those dates were branded into her memory since the utilities were shut off with such frequency. Once she started reminding her mother of the due dates it helped cut down on the number of times she had to brush her teeth at school because the water was shut off or the amount of food that went bad because the fridge was out.
Her mother continued, “Relax and have fun. You deserve a break.”
Adriana wasn’t here for a break, but she hadn’t filled her mother in on the real reason for her spur-of-the-moment getaway. She couldn’t trust her not to say something she shouldn’t in front of the kids.
So, instead of the truth, she’d told her that she was here meeting with a potential investor. Over the past few years she’d had several offers to buy her out, and logically she knew that would probably be for the best. Her business was growing at breakneck speed and so far Adriana had been able to keep up with the demand by contracting and hiring staff over the internet.
She had thirty-five people across the country that assembled the pieces she designed. And, after a little trial and error, she now had systems in place to assure quality control, and for the most part, things were running smoothly. It wasn’t ideal, but she was making it work and also employing people that needed to work from home.
She’d started by offering the job to stay-at-home moms that needed to supplement their income, and that demographic still composed the majority of her assemblers. But now her staff included a man that wasn’t able to work full-time because he cared for his elderly parent, a few college students that were able to fit their work around their class schedules, and even a combat veteran that had difficulty holding down a job due to his PTSD.
Fire and Foreplay Page 3
