by Tara Randel
“Yes,” she said curtly.
“Cuppa Joe is on fire,” Lanie blurted.
For a second, Nealy froze.
“Did you hear me?”
“Yes...I’m...”
“We’ll meet you there.”
Once the shock wore off, Nealy ran from the house and jumped into the rental car. She made it downtown in record time. Parking a few blocks away from the cordoned-off street, she sprinted from the car. The acrid, burning scent of smoke assailed her nostrils. She ran along the sidewalk, nearly tripping in the shadows as she approached her family.
A fire truck parked at an angle on the street before the shop. Walkie-talkies squawked as firefighters and police officers scurried around the scene. Flames shot out of the store next to Cuppa Joe. The fire roared, instilled with a life of its own. Soot floated through the air. An arc of water sprayed the store in an attempt to quench the flames. Black, billowing smoke escaped Cuppa Joe, so thick she couldn’t tell if the shop itself was on fire.
She shivered, rubbing her hands up and down over the fabric of her long-sleeved shirt, trying to make sense of the scene. Flashing lights from the rescue vehicles illuminated the night, making the entire scene more surreal.
Her grandmother stood behind the police line, staring at the shop, tears streaking down her cheeks. Nealy’s parents flanked her. Lanie and David hovered close by. Though still in shock, Nealy slid beside her grandmother, wrapping her arms around the strong woman who now looked immensely fragile in the flickering lights.
“Grandmother, I’m so sorry.”
Dorinda leaned into Nealy.
They looked on in helpless horror at the flickering glow inside the shop. Had the flames spread inside? So much for hoping the coffee shop would escape damage.
When a police officer stopped to talk to her grandmother, Nealy stepped back, bumping into a solid form. She turned and came face-to-face with Dane, his expression somber. They stared at each other for a long moment then she sank into his embrace, a move as natural as breathing. He hugged her close, stroking her back as she gave in to the free-flowing tears she’d refused to let fall. It wasn’t until she heard Lanie’s panicked voice that she pulled away to find out if the situation had changed. Dane kept his arm around her shoulders, nudging her closer as she took refuge in his steady strength.
Lanie, her face stricken, rushed up to Nealy. “I can’t find Davey. He wasn’t home when the call came in and he’s not answering his cell. He should know what’s going on.”
With all the confusion and activity around her, Nealy felt sick. By now, she assumed, everyone in town knew about the fire. “Was he at a school function?”
Lanie shook her head. “I don’t think so. He left after dinner, saying he was going out.”
Dane squeezed Lanie’s shoulder. “I’m sure he’ll be here as soon as he hears.”
Nealy nodded, but something inside niggled at her. She brushed it off. Her nerves, along with everyone else’s, were on edge.
As the flames came under control and started to diminish, a police officer shined a spotlight into Cuppa Joe to assess the damage. Nealy stepped as close as she could without crossing the line to peer into the smoky interior. As the beam moved over the large room, water dripped from the ceiling, the smoky haze dispersed. She could barely make out the cash register, the coffeemakers and a familiar backpack sporting a bright orange sticker.
Her gaze glossed over the backpack then shot back to get a better look. Davey’s? “Oh, no.”
“What’s wrong?” Dane asked.
She was almost afraid to utter her thoughts out loud. Taking Dane’s hand, she pulled him from the throng. “Davey might be inside.”
“Why would you think that?”
“His backpack. I saw it when the officer shined the light in the shop.” She rushed toward the fire engine to find someone who would check out her concerns.
“Couldn’t he have forgotten it?” Dane asked as he trailed her. “Why would he be inside?”
“I’ll explain later.” As she approached a man in full turnout gear, he hurried past as if he didn’t see her. Frustrated, she tried again, this time flagging a police officer, but he warned her off before she had a chance to explain as a new round of shouts came from the neighboring store.
“Nobody’s paying attention.” She yelled for another officer, but the surrounding noise drowned her voice. After a few more minutes of yelling with no results, she turned to Dane. “Forget this.”
Afraid that her suspicions might be correct, Nealy shoved through the throng of curious bystanders to run to the alleyway a few stores down the street.
“Where are you going?” Dane asked, a step behind her.
“I’m not waiting for help. If Davey is in the store, we can get in the back way.”
She rounded the corner to the rear of the building. Fewer firefighters were here; those who were, were intent on their task. It seemed as though most of the damaging flames were on the front side of the building, but still, the firefighters were taking no chances.
She reached the back entrance of Cuppa Joe, but before she could grab the door handle, Dane warned her off.
“Careful. Could be hot.”
He tentatively touched the metal before giving it a hard tug. “Locked.”
Nealy dug into her jeans pocket, extracting her keys. She fumbled, dropped the ring, quickly retrieved it and with a shaking hand, inserted the key into the lock. With a quick turn, she pulled the door open, greeted by a wall of escaping smoke.
“Cover your nose and mouth,” Dane instructed.
She brought her arm up to her face, using the sleeve of her shirt for protection. Once the majority of the smoke billowed out, she moved to rush in. Dane stopped her.
“You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then let me go first.”
She nodded and grabbed the back of his shirt. “Go.”
Together they ventured into the building, only to stop short.
She tried to see around him. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s something in the way.”
Dane moved and Nealy saw the hall closet door stood open, boxes of cleaning supplies, along with broom, mop and other janitorial items scattered on the floor.
“Careful,” Dane called over his shoulder as he stepped over the items.
Heavy smoke hung in the air. Even with her nose and mouth covered, Nealy’s throat tickled. She coughed.
“Are you okay?” Dane asked.
“Yes. Keep moving.”
He took her hand. “Where should we look?”
“Behind the counter.”
They made their way through the shadows. As they reached the seating area, Nealy saw the gaping, charred hole in the communal wall between the coffee shop and neighboring store. She could make out silhouettes of firefighters moving around on the other side of the wall. Assessing the coffee shop, she went weak with relief to see the other three walls standing upright, covered with blackened soot and stained by water damage.
She chanced removing her shirtsleeve from her mouth as they rounded the counter. There, side by side, Davey and Madison lay slumped on the floor. Dropping Dane’s hand, she crouched down beside her nephew, shaking his still form. He coughed and groaned, but his eyes remained shut.
“Let’s get them out of here,” Dane said. “I’ll lift Davey. Think you can drag the girl?”
“I’m on it.”
As they began the rescue, shouts sounded from the back door. Two firefighters ran into the shop, assessed the situation and took over. “You two, out,” one commanded. The professionals lifted the teens, who were now coughing with uncontrollable spasms. The second man called the situation in and asked for EMTs.
Dane placed his hands o
n Nealy’s shoulders and guided her to the back door. Once outside, she drank in large gulps of fresh air. The rescuers rounded the corner, skidding to a stop before the teens, who had been laid on the ground. Nealy nearly buckled at the sight of Davey and Madison sitting up, aware of their surroundings.
“Hold on there.” Dane put his arms around her. She leaned into him, closing her eyes and gathering her wits about her before moving out of his embrace.
She touched his arm though, unwilling to break the connection with him. She needed the security of his strength. “Thank you.”
He nodded, looking worse for wear after their impromptu rescue mission.
The fire chief approached them, a frown on his face. “You two, back to the front. We’ll talk later.”
Nealy opened her mouth to explain, but Dane nudged her. She noticed the caution in his look and joined him as they went back onto Main Street.
“You know, your intentions were admirable, but incredibly stupid,” he told her.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t see you staying away.”
“And let you rescue your nephew without me? No way.”
Her heart swelled with love. This was the one man who would run into unknown danger by her side, no questions asked.
They reached the sidewalk, well away from the gawking crowd. She cleared her throat, still tight from inhaling the smoke.
“You always did like being in on the action,” he said.
“And you always did like taking chances.”
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” His voice choked. “I’d do anything for you.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I know.”
She’d never expected him to join her, yet wasn’t surprised when he followed her into the smoke-filled shop. She’d be forever grateful and, she confessed, forever in love with Dane. Facing an emergency with him by her side proved what she’d foolishly tried to walk away from. There was no other man for her. She loved Dane Peterson. Always had. Always would. Even when he made her crazy with his take-charge attitude.
He reached out, catching her chin between his fingers, cocking his head to meet her gaze. His touch made her quiver. She didn’t bother hiding it. “We made a pretty good team back there,” he said.
“We did. And I’m sure it’ll mean we’ll end up in trouble together.”
“Won’t be the first time.”
She hoped it wouldn’t be the last.
He thumbed her cheek. “Bit of ash,” he explained, but his touch lingered. She moved closer, shuddering at the love shining in his eyes. He felt the same as her. So why couldn’t she say the words out loud?
“We should find—”
“Nealy!”
She turned as Lanie and David joined them, their faces lined with worry. “The police chief said Davey is around back,” Lanie said.
“He is,” Nealy assured her. “The paramedics are checking him out.”
David took Lanie’s hand and they rushed to their son.
Nealy grimaced. “Once Lanie knows he’s okay, she’s going to lay into him big-time.”
“How did you know he was in there, anyway?”
“I kinda know a secret.”
One eyebrow rose.
“Davey and Madison, the daughter of the Rascal’s candy store owners, like to meet in the shop after hours and talk. Davey has a key and since Grandmother closes the place in the afternoon, I guess it’s their private rendezvous spot.”
“Every couple needs one of those.”
Just like they’d had their secret places to meet.
“So I put two and two together.”
“Good thing, for Davey’s sake.”
“I could have been wrong, but...”
“It was a chance you were willing to take?”
She nodded.
He smiled, his handsome face shadowed by the lamplight. “That’s why I love you.”
He leaned in to kiss her. When his lips brushed over hers, she placed her hands on his chest, then up around his neck to bring him closer, returning his kiss, home in his arms after twelve years.
Too soon, he ended the embrace. Brushed her hair from her face.
She smiled, leaning in for another toe curler when she heard voices behind her. She reluctantly let go of Dane.
“This isn’t over,” he told her, winking, before her parents and grandmother reached them.
“Please tell me Davey is all right,” her father said in a tortured tone.
“He’ll be fine,” she assured them.
Relief passed over their features.
“What was he doing inside?” Dorinda asked.
“I think he should explain,” Nealy said.
“Coward,” Dane teased, whispering into her ear.
“What happens now?” Nealy asked.
“The firefighters have put out the blaze,” her father answered. “I informed the inspector about the ongoing construction next door. He’ll be examining the building closely to determine how the fire started. They’ll let us know the results and the extent of the damage after he makes that determination.”
Nealy’s mother circled an arm around Dorinda’s shoulders. “Let’s get you home, Mother. There’s nothing we can do here.”
“What about Davey?” she asked.
“His parents will handle him,” Anita promised her.
Dorinda glanced between Nealy and Dane. “Thank you for going after him.”
“It was still a dumb move,” Dane said, his eyes dark and serious, “but I never seem to think straight when I’m with Nealy.”
Nealy elbowed his side. “A simple ‘you’re welcome’ would do.”
He grinned.
“I should get Grandmother and me home,” she said, weariness creeping over her as the excitement of the night came to an end. “And I want to get the smoke smell out of my hair and clothes.”
“A shower sounds great right about now.”
“Has anyone called Juliet?” Nealy asked.
“Yes,” her mother replied. “I just told her the news. She sends everyone her love and is on her way home.”
At the look of love on her mother’s face, Nealy smiled. A lot had happened to the Grainger family in the past two weeks, but the circumstances had drawn them closer.
Dane walked with her to the car. Anita, Marshall and Dorinda followed behind. Nealy paused before opening the door.
Suddenly unsure of their next step, she said, “So, um, I’ll talk to you later.”
Dane opened her door, made sure she slid inside safely then leaned his forearm on top of the door as she lowered the window. “Count on it.” He leaned in and kissed her one last time, hard and fast, before straightening up to walk away.
Nealy watched him go, indecision tearing at her. Until she knew the extent of the damage and the fate of Cuppa Joe, she’d postpone her return to California. Crystal would give her an earful, but it didn’t matter. Grandmother needed her. Dane told her he loved her. And while this decision to stay a little longer was an easy one, she wondered what she’d do now that her dream client required her to return to L.A. while her heart longed to stay in Cypress Pointe.
* * *
NEALY TOWELED HER HAIR dry as she walked into her grandmother’s living room. Wrapped in a fluffy robe, exhaustion tugged at her. Her parents had left after fussing over her grandmother and getting assurances Nealy wouldn’t leave the elderly woman’s side.
“Lanie called,” her grandmother informed Nealy from her perch on the couch. “They went to the hospital to have Davey checked out, Treated him for smoke inhalation, but he’ll be fine.”
Nealy blew out a breath as she plopped down beside her. “Thank goodness.”
“He has some explaining to do,” Dorinda chastised. “So
do you.”
“Busted.” Nealy toyed with the edge of the damp towel. “It’s not like I’m keeping a big secret. I just found out about his friendship with Madison the other day. He’s still trying to figure this whole relationship thing out.”
Dorinda smiled. “Relationship issues never end.”
“No. They don’t.”
“You and Dane seemed inseparable tonight.”
“To hear him tell it, he tagged along with my wild idea just to protect me.”
“Because he cares about you.”
“Actually, he admitted he loves me.”
“And you?”
“You know I never stopped.”
“Did you tell him?”
“No. The man drives me crazy.” She filled her grandmother in on Dane’s building purchase and his plan to move her into an office so she could start her own business. “I don’t want to change him, but why can’t he see if we are a couple, I need to be involved in the decision making?”
Dorinda leaned over, taking Nealy’s hand in hers. “Dane has always been a decision maker, at home and at work. You’re smart enough to realize you can’t change him, it’s who he is. You two have never been together long enough to press out the kinks in a relationship. It takes time, commitment and mutual love for each other. Yes, he took the steps to get an annulment, but you took off. Would things have been resolved if you’d stayed in Cypress Pointe? We’ll never know. The question now is, do you love him enough to stay? Take a chance on Dane and a business? If he loves you as much as I think he does, he’ll learn to talk to you. Learn to include you in decisions. He’s been making solitary decisions for a long time now, but as you two learn and grow together, he’ll come to value your input. But, dear, you have to do your part, too. Running never solves anything.”
Nealy swallowed around the lump in her throat. “I’ve spent years holding a grudge and where did it get me? In and out of relationships that never worked because no man measured up to Dane.” Her smile wobbled. “But in the process I have learned to be an awesome event planner.”
