by Susan Stoker
“Wes is already here,” Calder told Boone. “I heard him telling Dax that he wanted to talk to you about the possibility of bringing over one of his heifers to breed with your bull.”
Boone nodded. “I’ll just go and find him then.”
When they were gone, Calder leaned down and asked, “You doing okay? I know it’s a lot of people, but as is typical, when they heard you and Billy were here, they all wanted to meet you as soon as possible.”
“I’m okay,” Hope told him. “A little overwhelmed, but okay.”
“Billy seems to be doing well,” Calder said, turning to look into the living area. Billy was sitting on the couch next to Corrie, holding a small book in his hand as the woman explained how braille worked.
“Yeah. I’m a little surprised. He struggles in big groups sometimes.”
Calder shrugged. “Our friends are good with kids. And Billy knows you’re right here if he needs you.”
“Our friends?” Hope grinned.
“Yeah, sweetheart. Ours.”
The doorbell rang again before Hope could say anything else.
Next to arrive was Conor, a game warden for the state of Texas, and his wife, Erin. Calder had already told her about how Erin had been kidnapped so a crazy guy could hunt her in the forest. Hope didn’t want to believe it, but after what had happened to Billy, she couldn’t deny there were a ton of mentally abusive and deranged people in the world.
TJ arrived next with Milena, and while Hope was relieved to see another man she already knew from the diner, Milena made her nervous. She had a little boy perched on her hip who had his fist wrapped around a lock of her blonde hair, and that should’ve helped her relax. Still, knowing what happened to Billy was tied into what had happened to this woman, left Hope uneasy.
But she shouldn’t have been. As soon as Milena saw her, she reached out and gave her a one-armed hug. The embrace was shorter than Mackenzie’s, but no less heartfelt. “I’m so sorry about what that jerkface did to your son,” Milena said.
“I’m sorry about what happened to you and your son. JT, right?” Hope said politely, having gotten the whole story from Calder about Milena’s kidnapping by a pedophile.
Milena smiled and opened her mouth to say something else—when all of a sudden, Blythe was there. She’d arrived with a man who had to be her fiancé, Sawyer. He was tall and wore a pair of glasses better than anyone Hope had ever seen.
But Hope froze when she met Blythe’s gaze. She hadn’t seen the other woman since she’d been homeless on the streets—well, since they’d both been homeless on the streets—and she wasn’t sure what to say.
Blythe didn’t give her a chance to say anything. She burst into tears right on Calder’s doorstep.
Moving without thought, Hope reached out and wrapped her arms around the other woman and held on tight. She felt tears spring into her own eyes, guilt filling her for not getting in touch with Blythe sooner.
“I’m sorry I haven’t called,” Hope said.
“No, don’t be. I’m just so happy you’re all right,” Blythe said. “I was so worried about you guys.”
Then Hope heard a noise next to her and looked down to see Billy. He’d heard the commotion at the door and had wandered over. She was worried about how he’d feel seeing Blythe again, as she was the one who’d found him in the abandoned building and gotten him out of there. Hope didn’t want Billy to have any flashbacks.
But it seemed her worries were for nothing as Billy latched onto Blythe and buried his head in her stomach, holding on tight.
“Hi, Billy,” Blythe choked out, overcome with emotion.
Hope felt Calder come up behind her. His arms snaked around her waist and crossed over her stomach, holding her tightly. It felt good, comforting and soothing. She ran a hand over Billy’s head.
She hadn’t been entirely thrilled with everyone coming to the house to check her out—because she knew that’s what they were doing—but seeing Billy overcome with happiness at the sight of Blythe made it all worth it.
Now everyone was sitting around in the living room, laughing and talking as if they’d known each other all their lives. And more than that, they were including both her and Billy as if they’d know them their entire lives. No one seemed to care that Billy wasn’t actually speaking. For the most part, they figured out what he wanted to communicate, and when they didn’t, they were so nice and laid-back about it, Billy didn’t get upset once.
Mackenzie was the leader of every conversation, but no one seemed to mind in the least. And Hope had to admit that the other woman had a way of making everyone relax and have a good time.
Calder had ended up ordering pizza to feed everyone. Hope had drunk three glasses of wine and was feeling mellow and relaxed…and more content than she’d been in a long time.
She and Calder had claimed the beanbag and were snuggled together from ankles to chest. He was behind her with his head propped up on a hand, his other one draped over her hip. Hope was mostly on her side in front of Calder, one hand holding her glass of wine, and the other was intertwined with Calder’s at her hip. It felt intimate and comfortable.
“Just to get it said,” Mackenzie announced, “I’m so happy, and jealous, that you won a million bucks!”
Hope stiffened in Calder’s arms, but he didn’t tense at all.
“I think it’s the coolest story,” Erin enthused.
“Right? You got the ticket as a tip. That’s so cool,” Milena piped in.
The comments flew around the room, ranging from agreement that it was extremely lucky to what Hope should buy with her newfound wealth.
It was Blythe who shut everyone up with her simple statement of, “Guys, Hope was homeless. She’s not going to go out and buy designer shoes and bags. She’s gonna use coupons, and shop at Walmart, and put every penny away just in case. Just like I’m doing. One million or one thousand dollars, it doesn’t matter. It’s all about making sure what happened in the past doesn’t happen again.”
The room was so quiet, Hope didn’t think anyone was even breathing, much less willing to speak.
Then JT, Milena and TJ’s son, broke the silence by saying, “Cookie!”
Everyone chuckled, and TJ got up to get his son another cookie as he’d demanded. Hope didn’t like the way everyone was now looking slightly awkward, as if they weren’t sure what to say next.
“You’re right,” Hope told Blythe. “Having the money seems like a miracle. For so long, I had nothing, and finding a quarter on the street felt like I’d hit the jackpot. But money can’t buy friends, and it’s been forever since I’ve been able to sit in a room with a group of people and feel completely at ease. It’s been even longer since I’ve felt safe. And that’s something money can’t buy either. But I have a feeling relaxing and watching TV would be what we’d be doing tonight even if I hadn’t won the money. Calder is the best thing to happen to me and Billy, and through him, we’re all here now.”
“I like her,” Cruz said suddenly, and everyone laughed.
When they all started talking at once, agreeing with her, making the awkward silence a thing of the past, Calder leaned forward and spoke in her ear. His warm breath gave her goosebumps and made her shiver. “Damn straight, I’m the best thing that’s happened to you.”
Hope grinned.
“And you’re the light in my otherwise lonely life. You’ve done what no one has been able to do before…made me see that there’s more to life than work. Made me look forward to something other than getting a call to break up my monotonous days. Thank you, sweetheart.”
If they’d been alone, Hope had a feeling she would’ve turned in his arms and jumped his bones right then and there. But they weren’t, so she had to be content to turn her head and nuzzle against his cheek, scratchy with his ever-present barely-there beard.
“And that looks like our cue to go,” Conor said with a laugh.
Hope blushed as everyone hooted and hollered at their public display of affection. Ma
ckenzie helped pull her out of the beanbag, and Hope said goodbye to each and every one of the men and women who’d come over to see them.
When it came time to say goodbye to Blythe, Hope found herself getting extra emotional. This was the woman who’d almost gotten killed when she’d ventured back to the crappy part of town where the shelters were located, in the hopes of finding her and Billy.
“I’m glad you’re all right,” Blythe said. Her fiancé stood next to her with his hand on the small of her back. The other woman looked happy and healthy, and Hope was so thankful for her friendship.
“You too. Thank you for having Calder look for me.”
“As if I could have stopped him,” Blythe said with a roll of her eyes. “Seriously, seeing you and Billy happy and relaxed is amazing.”
“Thanks to you,” Hope whispered. “Thank you for finding my son. For doing what you did.” Hope’s vision went blurry as her eyes filled with tears, but not before she saw Blythe’s doing the same thing.
“Oh, jeez,” Sawyer mock complained. “Here we go.”
“Shut up,” Blythe said and elbowed her fiancé.
Sawyer kissed Blythe’s temple and said, “Come on. I’m sure Hope is tired after meeting everyone, and it’s probably past Billy’s bedtime.”
It was. But Hope was loath to see Blythe go.
As if the other woman could read her mind, she said, “It’s okay. I’ll see you soon, I’m sure. Sophie wants to say hello, as do the other firefighter wives and girlfriends.”
“There’s more of you?” Hope joked.
“Lots more,” Blythe warned with a smile.
Then the two women hugged again and Calder gave Sawyer a chin lift. Then it was just the two of them once more…well, three if she included Billy, who was currently taking a bath before bedtime.
Calder pulled Hope close and latched his fingers together at the small of her back as he held her. “Okay?”
“Yeah. I’m great. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For inviting them all over.”
“Hon, I didn’t invite anyone. They just showed up.”
Hope giggled. “Well then, thank you for not kicking them out.”
Calder returned her smile. “You’re welcome. I’d do anything to see you smile like that.”
Her smile faded as she looked up at him. “I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this without you.”
“With no trouble whatsoever, I’m sure,” he retorted.
At her uncertain look, he went on. “Hope, you’re the most resilient and incredible woman I’ve ever met. You get knocked down and simply keep getting back up. You don’t know how rare that is. I know how hard it must have been to get back on your feet after being homeless.”
“I wasn’t exactly standing,” Hope said dryly. “More like kneeling.”
“But you were up,” Calder protested. “And you would’ve gotten there eventually.”
“I don’t know,” she mumbled, looking at the button near the base of Calder’s throat.
“Look at me,” he said softly.
Hope brought her eyes up to his.
“You. Are. Amazing.” He kissed her between each word, hard, yet chaste kisses on the lips. “Don’t ever doubt yourself. I’m fucking thrilled to be standing here with you.”
“Thanks.”
Calder smiled and stepped back.
Hope held on to his shirt and stopped his retreat. “I…I want you, Calder.”
He smiled then, a look so sexy, Hope felt her knees go weak. “I want you too,” he said. “But not tonight. I want to woo you. I want to pick you up at your apartment and take you on a date. I want to kiss you at your door and feel frustrated as hell when I have to leave you there and go home and jack off just to be able to fall asleep. I want to send you flowers and candies and take Billy to his little league games and sit in the stands with you and cheer him on. I want to help him with his homework and be there with you when he starts speaking again.
“I want it all, Hope. But more importantly, I want you to want it all. And I know as soon as we find the perfect apartment for you, you will. You need to be on your own. See how it feels to have made it. I’ve just started sleeping through the night again because I know you’re safe. That you and Billy aren’t behind a flimsy door at that motel. If I make love to you tonight, and you leave, I’ll go back to sleeping like shit because I’ll be missing you. Missing the way you feel tucked against me. The way you smell. I want you, Hope. More than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life…but I’m not ready yet.”
Hope had never met a guy who turned down sex. She understood what he was saying because she felt the same way. If she slept with him, she’d never want to leave. Sure, she’d gotten her and Billy off the streets, but having an apartment seemed like the final step to proving to herself that she’d “made it.” Him wanting to wait to make love made Calder that much sexier in her eyes. “Okay, Calder.”
“Okay.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “How about you go up and check on Billy? Get him tucked in and I’ll come up and say goodnight.”
She nodded and headed for the stairs. At the top, Hope turned and looked down at Calder.
He was still standing by the front door. His head was bent and one hand was clenched around the back of his neck. Not liking that he was obviously struggling with his decision, she nevertheless trusted him even more as a result.
Smiling, ignoring the need coursing through her body, Hope went to find her son and get him settled for the night.
Chapter Ten
“Hope, get up.”
Hope sat straight up in bed and looked over at the doorway. She could just make out Calder standing there. The hall light was on behind him.
“Did you hear me?” Calder asked urgently. “You need to get up. Billy too.”
She was moving even before she’d thought about it. The urgency in Calder’s tone making it impossible to do anything else. “What’s wrong?”
“The diner’s on fire.”
Hope stopped at the end of the bed and stared at Calder in shock.
“Hurry, honey. I got a call from Squirrel, Blythe’s fiancé. You met him last night, he’s one of the firefighters at Station 7. He’s off tonight, but he knows you work there, and he gave me a ring when he heard it come over the radio. I don’t know what’s going on, but I want to head down to check it out, check on Joseph. I’m not going to leave you here alone though, just in case.”
“Joseph!” Hope practically screeched. The older man had an apartment not too far from the diner, but she knew he often slept on the couch in the office in the back. Said since he didn’t have anyone waiting for him at home, it was easier to just stay there.
She hurriedly tore off her sleep shorts, ignoring the fact that Calder was still standing there, and put on a pair of sweats. Calder handed her one of his sweatshirts and she pulled that over the T-shirt she was wearing, not bothering with putting on a bra.
“Do you want to wake him, or should I just pick him up and put him in the truck?” Calder asked, gesturing to Billy.
“Truck,” Hope said immediately. Billy had been exhausted when he’d finally fallen asleep, and it was likely that he’d continue to sleep as long as they were careful.
Hope watched as Calder gently scooped Billy up, blankets and all, and carried him out of the room. She frantically put on a pair of sneakers, picked up a pair of shoes for Billy, and followed. By the time she caught up with them, Calder had already put her son in the back of his truck. He’d grabbed some pillows off the couch and made sure Billy was comfortable after he’d buckled him in.
Ever the gentleman, even in a situation like this, Calder helped her into the truck before running around and getting in on the other side. He drove quickly but not recklessly.
“What do you know?” Hope asked as they drove toward downtown.
“Not much. Just that several fire departments were called in. It’s big, sweetheart.”
“Was Joseph
there? Do you know?”
“I don’t. I’m sorry.” Calder reached out and grabbed her hand and Hope held on tightly.
“I can’t lose him,” she whispered.
“Don’t borrow trouble,” Calder warned. “Until we know what happened, you can’t assume the worst.”
“It seems like with the good, always comes the bad,” Hope said quietly.
“Hang on to me,” Calder said.
“Okay.”
“I’m here no matter what. All you have to do is hang on.”
Hope nodded but didn’t say anything. She closed her eyes and tightened her grip on Calder’s hand, reassured when he squeezed her fingers back. “Please be okay,” she mouthed silently as they raced toward the diner.
Calder clenched his teeth and prayed harder than he’d prayed in a long time. He didn’t know Joseph all that well but knew he and Hope were extremely close. He hoped like hell the old man hadn’t decided to spend the night at the diner tonight. Or if he had, that he’d been able to get out before the place went up in flames.
They had to park several blocks away from the diner and, after waiting for Hope to put shoes on a still-sleeping Billy, Calder gathered the little boy from the backseat and cradled him close. He felt Hope grab hold of his shirt and they walked as fast as possible together toward the diner.
The second they turned a corner, his heart sank.
The fire was mostly put out, but the smoke still hung thick in the air. All that was left of the diner was a burned-out hull of a building. Blackened wood creaked and the lights from the firetrucks spun crazily around them.
“Oh my God,” Hope breathed.
Calder wanted to take her in his arms, but since they were currently filled with her son, he couldn’t.
Billy stirred and rubbed his eyes tiredly. “I’m going to put you down, Billy,” Calder warned him.
He leaned over until the boy’s feet were on the ground, and then he shifted him until he was leaning against his mom.
“I’m going to go see if I can find someone I know and find out what happened,” Calder told Hope.
