by Emma Renshaw
“Y’all are back on the screen!” Mak shouted, laughing and shaking Delilah’s shoulders. I didn’t look away from the clover green of Zoe’s eyes, and she didn’t look at the screen either.
“What the hell,” she whispered. “Since I know I won’t be chased through the woods, there’s nothing to lose.”
That was all the answer I needed. I cupped the side of her neck and brought her lips toward mine. I only meant for it to be a small kiss, to satisfy the damn kiss cam, but the moment her lips met mine, I knew a quick kiss wouldn’t be enough.
She was warm and soft. Her mouth opened and our tongues met, sliding against each other in a slow rhythm. Her pulse point raced under my thumb as our kiss continued. The noise of the stadium faded away. I had no idea if the kiss cam was still on us, but I hoped it wasn’t. I nipped her bottom lip as I broke the kiss and slowly pulled away from her.
“I don’t think they’ll show you two again after that.” Foster laughed.
My thumb stroked her soft skin, unable to keep my hands completely off her. I leaned forward to place a small kiss against her lips. If that was all I would ever get from her, I wanted just one more small taste. She kissed me back, and I felt her smile against my lips before we broke apart.
As my hand slipped away from her soft, creamy skin, she sat back in her seat with a smile on her face and brought up a hand to cover her blushing cheeks. Makenna knocked into her shoulder and she chuckled.
Zoe looked at me again. “Even if someone did come chasing me through the woods because of that kiss, I think it would be worth it.”
9
Zoe
I slid my sunglasses up into my hair as I pushed through the door of Joe & Pages, the local coffee and bookshop. While it still looked the same on the outside, the inside was much brighter than it had been. There was no sign of peeling paint or yellow-paged books.
I took in the new decor and full shelves. My eyebrows arched when I spotted a romance section. Eleven years ago, the older woman who owned the store refused to house any romance novels, but now there was an entire section.
I stopped at the coffee counter and ran my hand over the smooth white marble with gray and black veins running through it. The cabinets behind the counter were white with black iron handles. Steam was coming up from the coffee pot, and the espresso machine was softly whirring, but I hadn’t spotted a single person since walking in. I glanced around the store, wondering if they were even open.
“Um, hello?” I called out.
I heard a gasp between some bookshelves before a woman’s head popped into view. She took a deep breath and stepped into the aisle, plastering a smile on her face. I frowned as she faced me. Her eyes were red-rimmed and small specks of mascara had gathered under them. “What can I get for you?” There was a slight wobble to her bottom lip and a quiver in her voice.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Of course,” she answered, but tears filled her eyes as her breath hitched and a sob broke free. Her hands covered her face as she started crying.
I walked around the counter and wrapped her in a hug. I was used to easy affection with strangers and offering comfort due to my job. It wasn’t the first time I’d had someone cry on my shoulder, and it wouldn’t be the last. “I’m always willing to listen if you want to talk about it. Sometimes it’s easier with strangers.”
She hiccupped and backed out of my embrace, wiping away the tears from her flushed cheeks. “I can’t believe I’m sobbing all over you. We haven’t seen each other since high school algebra, and I’m staining your shirt.” She motioned toward my shirt. I glanced down at the top I was wearing. There was a bit of mascara, but I didn’t mind.
“High school?” I looked at her more closely. She did look slightly familiar, but I couldn’t place her.
“Adeline Hansen. We had algebra together, and we were in Mrs. Lane’s third grade class together.”
A memory of her from third grade and then from high school popped into my mind. She still had the same long chestnut waves and deep brown eyes. I smiled. “Addie, I remember now. I’m sorry I didn’t before.”
She waved a hand in the air. “It’s no big deal.”
“Are you okay, Addie?”
“It’s nothing,” she said and turned toward the espresso maker, pressing buttons. I hadn’t ordered yet. I tilted my head, peeking past her hair. There were fresh tears there.
“I’ll listen,” I assured her again.
She nodded. “Okay. That might be helpful. I’m just not sure what to do anymore. Let me make you a drink first. What would you like?”
I ordered a mocha latte and a scone before sitting at a little round table in front of the counter waiting for her to join me. When she did, she placed a full mug of delicious coffee in front of me. I sighed as the aroma hit my nose. I wrapped my hands around the warm mug and let that sensation fuel me. Coffee and a pastry in the morning, while overlooking the snowcapped Rockies, had been some of my favorite times with Georgia. We’d sit watching deer bound through the woods and birds come and go from the bird feeder. When it became harder to bring her outside the house, the view of the mountains and wildlife was one of the things that brought her the most joy.
I licked my lips as regrets took over the fleeting warmth the coffee had left within me. She’d never asked, but I should’ve done it anyway. I should’ve brought her back home one more time. I swallowed, pushing aside the guilt that threatened to consume me from all sides. No matter what choices I made, I seemed to ruin others’ lives, while I was able to walk away.
Adeline took a sip of her coffee and set it back down. “Are you sure you’re willing to listen? I don’t… I don’t have a lot of people to bounce any ideas off of.”
I nodded, forcing a soft smile to my face. “Of course.”
“I’ve worked here since high school. The owners gave me more and more responsibility over the years, and now I run it while they travel around the states in their RV. They even let me add a romance section when I proved how profitable that could be. So I’ve been here a long time, and I’ve gotten to know the customers really well. There’s one man in particular.”
The corner of her lip tugged up as she pulled a piece of bread off her croissant. “He’s ornery. Brash. An old man set in his ways. Hard to handle, but I like him. When I needed a second job, he offered me an assistant role. I’m truly more of a caretaker while his nurse isn’t there, but he calls me his assistant.”
“Is he not doing well?” I asked, fearing where this was going.
She blew out a long breath. “He hasn’t been doing well for years, but I think he’ll hang on to life forever, just to spite everyone. It’s early April and he’s fired six nurses since the beginning of the year. Each time, I have to find a replacement, and in a town this size, there isn’t an abundance to begin with, The nurses who have worked for him are warning others away, and no one will come out to help.”
I chuckled. “I’ve known a lot of patients like him. To be honest, they’re some of my favorites. I like to chip away at their walls and fight their brashness with brashness of my own.”
She shook her head. “I can’t do that. I need that job.”
I reached out a hand covering hers with mine. “I understand. But I can. I’m a nurse. While my license will allow me to practice in Texas, I’m not working here, so I won’t be able to do anything in an official capacity or administer drugs, but I will help you while I’m here.”
The offer came out of my mouth before I’d even thought about it. I didn’t regret it though. I couldn’t let Adeline handle this on her own. I didn’t know her well—or, truly, at all—but she was kind and caring. I missed my residents, and while I waited for my parents, I could fill my time by helping her.
“Are you serious?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Wait, no, I couldn’t do that. You said you aren’t here for good? Are you on vacation? I can’t ask that of you.”
“I’m here for some p
ersonal reasons, but I have the time during the day. I’ll help you search for another nurse and, hopefully, we can find the right fit before I leave.”
Adeline launched herself around the table and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “Thank you so much. I just hope Earl doesn’t scare you away.”
“I’m sure I’ll be able to handle him.”
After I walked out of Joe & Pages, I strolled down Main Street toward Sweet Stems, breathing in the scent of the new blossoms on the trees lining the street. I swung open the door to the shop and went inside, looking around for Makenna. She was standing at the counter with her mom, tying a ribbon around the stems of a bouquet.
“Roxanne, what would I have to do to get you to let Mak blow off work for the rest of the day?”
She smiled, but it fell as Makenna spoke. “Nothing. I can leave.”
Roxanne put her hand on her shoulder, stopping her. “Not so fast. If you want my daughter to get off work early to go out with you, I require you to be at my dinner table at least once before you leave town.”
“Done.” I leaned across the counter to place a kiss on her cheek. “It’s been too long since I’ve had a family dinner like yours.”
“They look a little different now, but they’re still good.”
I nodded. My family dinners with Georgia had been different than they used to be, but I didn’t value them any less. It didn’t matter to me that I spoon fed her or had to wait for her to be able to speak. It only mattered that she was next to me, and I’d give anything in my life for even one more day with her. I knew Makenna’s family table would look different now too. Without her dad in the picture, his spot would be empty.
Makenna and I waved as we strode through the door. “Got anything in mind or are we playing hooky?”
“I got an email from my parents this morning. They’re supposed to call in a few days with a travel update. I’ve given up on washing my three outfits over and over. I need more clothes, and I’ll need something for Delilah and Gunner’s housewarming.”
Mak hooked her arm through mine. “Sounds good.”
“Have you told your mom about Chase?”
“No. I don’t want to, but I need to. I’d rather her hear that he’s in town from me and not from the gossip that I’m sure will come when people find out he’s from the other family.”
I frowned. “I’m sorry, Makenna.”
She shook her head. “I won’t be stopping by to see the fire boys anytime soon. Let’s talk about something more interesting, like that kiss you shared with Ridge.”
Her shoulder bumped into mine as we walked toward the lot at the end of Main Street, where both of our cars were parked. It had been a week since the baseball game, and my lips still tingled from the kiss with Ridge. I’d replayed it so many times in my mind. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.
“It was a great kiss, but only a kiss. And that’s all it’ll ever be.” I broke away from Makenna, walking to the driver’s side of my rental car.
“You know, I bet you could use a fling. Something fun while you’re in town. When’s the last time you had fun?”
I bleeped the locks on the car and slid in behind the wheel. Makenna landed in the passenger’s seat.
I swallowed and stayed silent as I rolled down all the windows to air out the heat, pulled onto Main Street, and stopped at the traffic light. “It’s been a long time.”
“Think about it. I’d bet Ridge wouldn’t say no. I heard his ex is back in town, and I’ll bet he wants something or someone to take his mind off of that.”
“His ex?” I asked, but before she could answer me a lifted truck screeched to a halt next to the car. Through the window I could only see the giant wheel of the truck. It was practically right on top of the car.
“What the hell?” Makenna yelled. Before I could honk, the driver of the truck threw something through the open rear window before racing away. I turned in my seat and yelped.
“Get out of the car!” I screamed, throwing open the door. Makenna didn’t question me; she leaped out of the car. I ran around the hood and pulled her with me to the sidewalk. “That person threw a fucking firework into the car!”
Makenna tugged her phone from her purse and dialed 9-1-1 as her mom ran outside. “I heard you scream. What’s happening?”
I pointed toward the sparks lighting up the back seat of the rental car as the firework went off. The cloth interior caught fire. Makenna was answering the dispatcher’s questions with tears in her eyes. I held on to one of her hands as tightly as possible, and her mom wrapped her in a hug as we heard the wailing sirens growing closer.
10
Ridge
A car fire on Main Street was the only information I had before pulling up to the scene. My gut tightened as I spotted Zoe on the other side of a car with flames coming out of it. The Zoe on the street in front of me collided with my memory of her from eleven years ago. This fire wasn’t nearly as bad, but I didn’t want to ever see her near flames again.
As I jumped out of the truck, I scanned her from head to toe before doing my duty and working with my crew. The fire was mostly contained to the back seat of the vehicle, but it was trying to work its way into the front seat. It didn’t burn too hot.
We had it smothered in minutes.
As soon as it was done, I opened my turnout out gear and strode toward Zoe. Adele and Rick, the paramedics on duty, were checking them out.
“Are you hurt?”
Zoe and Makenna shook their heads. “No, we jumped out really fast. Adele said this is a precaution.”
“They’re good to go.” Adele patted me on the shoulder before going to the ambulance. A rush of air exited my lungs, and tension seeped from my muscles. I didn’t know how badly I needed to hear that they weren’t injured.
“It’s good to see you, Ridge,” Makenna’s mom said.
“Nice to see you too, ma’am. Wish it were under better circumstances.”
I tracked Makenna’s gaze to Chase. It hadn’t been long before I’d heard who he was to her. Judging from the angry look on her face, she didn’t want him here, and I hoped he wouldn’t follow me to ask what he needed to do next. I wasn’t sure if Roxanne knew who he was.
Jeremy, the officer on duty, approached with his notebook out to ask questions. My eyes didn’t leave Zoe’s face, even as I backed away for a moment to grab two blankets. Roxanne squeezed my arm when I came back and whispered, “I’m going to grab y’all some water.”
I nodded my appreciation.
There wasn’t a chill in the air, but I felt better after wrapping a blanket around Zoe’s and Makenna’s shoulders. “Are y’all alright?”
They nodded. “It happened so fast,” Makenna whispered as Colt pulled up in his police car and slammed on the brakes. I’m pretty sure he was out of the car before it even stopped moving. He strode across the street toward us. Jeremy, another officer, had been the first on the scene and had asked questions while we put out the fire. It hadn’t been bad and had been quickly put down, but my heart was pumping with the knowledge Zoe had been in the car at all.
If they hadn’t acted quickly, it could’ve been much worse. If it had landed in the front with them—I cut off that thought before it could even take root. I couldn’t think about Zoe or Makenna in that situation.
“What do I even say to the car rental company? Will I have to pay for this?”
I shook my head, wrapping her in a hug and bringing her to my chest. I knew I smelled of smoke, but I couldn’t resist bringing her body to mine. “That’s what insurance is for. It’ll be fine. I’ll help you if you need it.”
“What happened, Makenna?” Colt barked.
The dazed look on Mak’s face vanished, and in its place was white-hot anger. She glared at Colt. “I already answered questions.”
“Now I’m asking them again.”
Colt’s gaze shifted to Zoe before sliding back to Makenna. “What happened, Zoe?”
“We were at a red light, a tr
uck pulled up right next to the car, and the driver threw in a firework,” Zoe said.
“Does anyone know what your rental looks like?” I asked her.
She shook her head, still wrapped in my arms. The other guys were clearing the scene and waiting for the tow truck to arrive to haul her car away. “I’ve barely been out or seen anyone outside of y’all.”
“Would anyone want to harm you?”
A pained expression took over her face for a moment before she coughed and stepped out of my arms, looking down at her shoes. “No.”
“Did you get a license plate?” Colt asked.
“No,” Makenna said. “It happened so fast, and the truck was right on top of the car. The only thing I could see was its tire, and they peeled away as we noticed the firework. Then we only cared about getting out of the car. Sorry, I didn’t notice any details, officer.”
I bit back a chuckle as Makenna sassed Colt.
He scowled at her. “Nothing is more important than you getting out of that car,” he said. “I’ll find the bastard.”
He walked away without looking back and approached the other officers on the scene. Zoe was looking back and forth between Makenna and Colt, and a small smile appeared on her lips.
I looked over my shoulder as the tow truck arrived and backed up to hitch Zoe’s car. “Did you leave anything in the car?”
She rubbed a hand over her forehead. “No. I have what I need, and I’ve already snapped a few photos for the rental car place. I’ll call them in a few minutes.”
“We’re headed out, Ridge,” Foster called and waved toward Makenna and Zoe before hopping into the rig.
“Will I see you at the party?” I asked. Zoe had mentioned at the game that she was going to Delilah and Gunner’s party, but I also knew that, as soon as she was able, she’d leave Hawk Valley without a second glance in the rearview mirror.
“Yes, I’ll be there.”
