Brave the Heat

by Sara Humphreys

  “It’s my assistant at the real estate office.” She let out a big sigh and pushed herself from the chair. “I have to take it, sorry.”

  “Go. It’s fine.” Jordan gave her a reassuring smile. As Maddy strolled away to take the call, Jordan noticed Lily and Gracie on their backs making sand angels. “You two are gonna have sand in every single crevice,” she shouted playfully. “You better rinse off. Dinner will be ready soon.”

  “Burgers are done and ready when you are.”

  Gavin swooped in and planted a firm kiss on her lips. He dropped to sit on the sand next to her, pulled his knees up, and rested his forearms on them. Beer in hand and clad in only his blue plaid bathing suit, he looked effortlessly gorgeous. He took a sip of his beer, then gestured toward Maddy, wading in the water while taking her call.

  “How’s she doing?”

  “She’s okay, I guess.” Jordan brushed sand off her hands before pulling her feet up on the chair. “I mean, as okay as she can be. I wish I could do more to help her, you know?”

  “Well, it’s a good sign that she’s here and not at home alone. In fact, I think the best thing for her is to be around people. Do you think you can convince her to come to my parents’ anniversary party next weekend? My brothers would love to see her, especially Ronan.”

  “Interesting.” Jordan squinted against the sun. “If memory serves, he had the hots for Maddy all through high school.”

  “Ronan has the hots for all women,” Gavin countered, his smile faltering. “I spoke to him the other day. I finally called all four of my brothers back. I was threatened with a good old-fashioned beating if I didn’t. Anyway, if she goes, he’ll make sure she has fun at the party. I think it could be good for her.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” Jordan settled her hand on his arm and gave it a quick squeeze. “You’re pretty terrific, you know that?”

  Those gorgeous eyes crinkled at the corners, and he winked. “Yup.”

  “And modest too,” she said, shoving him away from her playfully.

  “Are you lookin’ for a fight, missy?” Gavin shifted to a crouching position while placing his empty beer bottle on the sand. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

  With lightning-fast reflexes, he whipped his hands out and linked them around Jordan’s biceps, pulling her easily from the chair. Letting out a shriek mixed with laughter, Jordan barely had time to catch her breath before Gavin threw her over his shoulder and started toward the water.

  “What do you think, girls?” Gavin stopped next to Lily and Gracie, both wet and covered in sand. The two of them giggled and clapped as he pulled Jordan off his shoulder and into his arms. Cradling her against his chest, he said, “Should I throw her in?”

  Gavin strode into the waves amid their shrieks of agreement, Jordan clinging to him tightly. She sucked in a sharp breath when the chilly water splashed over her.

  “Are you ready?” he shouted, shooting a sidelong look at Jordan. Turning toward the girls, he started swinging Jordan back and forth. “One for the money.”

  “Gavin, you can’t be serious,” she shrieked.

  “Two for the show,” he shouted, swinging her higher this time.

  “Oh my God.” Jordan plugged her nose with one hand.

  “Three to get ready.” He swung her higher still. “And four to go!”

  With one final swing Gavin tossed Jordan into the ocean. She flew through the air before landing in the cool water, a big smile on her face. She didn’t even have time to swim to the surface, because Gavin’s strong arm linked around her waist the moment her feet touched the sandy bottom. She broke through the surface of the water as he dragged her against his chest, planting a warm kiss on her lips.

  Linking her arms around his neck, Jordan hugged him tightly. She wiped the salty water from her eyes and waved to the girls, who were cheering from shore with Maddy. Amid the squeals, they were begging to be thrown into the ocean as well.

  Though the cool water lapped over her and Gavin, Jordan barely felt it anymore. Studying his strong profile—the square jaw, strong brow, and firm lips that had explored almost every inch of her body with heartbreaking tenderness and insatiable need—she felt her heart swell with love.

  Gavin finally turned his attention back to Jordan, but his smile faltered. “What?” His eyebrows flew up and a glimmer of panic covered his face. “Shit. You’re not mad, are you?”

  “No,” she whispered, licking the salty water from her lips. “But I am madly in love with you.”

  Gavin’s mouth, warm and firm, found hers and a low groan rumbled in his chest. She sank into the sensation, her fingers threaded through his hair. They stood in the ocean enjoying one long, languid kiss. She’d never get tired of the feel or the taste of him, and she knew that there was nowhere else on earth she wanted to be. Ever. Old Brookfield was her home. Perhaps it always had been, but wrapped in Gavin’s arms in the waters of the Atlantic, Jordan was more convinced than ever that this was where she belonged.

  Breaking the kiss, she cradled his face in her hands, wiping beads of water from beneath his cheek with her thumbs. His tanned skin made those beautiful eyes of his seem even greener, and they were currently peering at her with heightened curiosity.

  “What’s going on in that head of yours?” he asked, his hands slipping down to the curve of her waist. “I see the wheels turning.”

  “I want to stay here.”

  His eyebrows flew up. “In the ocean?”

  “No.” She giggled and tugged him against her. “In Old Brookfield. I want to stay for good.”

  “I didn’t realize you’d planned on leaving,” he murmured. Concern edged his voice and his fingers clung to her that much tighter. “I thought…”

  “I don’t plan on leaving,” she added quickly. “I mean, not anymore.” She rolled her eyes and made a growl of frustration. “Sorry. What I mean is that I only rented this house because I wasn’t sure if I was going to stay more than a year or so. But now I know I want to.”

  “Okay,” he said slowly. “So…”

  “So, I’m going to buy the flower shop from Maddy.” She kissed him and slipped out of his embrace. “Come on, Chief. Those burgers are getting cold.”

  “Are you serious?” Gavin caught up to her easily and gathered her hand in his, stopping her before they reached the shoreline. As the water lapped over their calves, he took both her hands, urging her to face him. His thumb rasped over her knuckles and his brow knit with concern. “You’re sure that’s what you want?”

  “Yup.” She kissed him quickly and murmured, “And you, Chief. I’ll always want you.”

  “Mama, I’m hungry bungry,” Lily shouted from the beach. Both girls were wrapped in towels and heading to the deck.

  “Me too,” Gracie chimed in. “Hungry bungry.”

  “Okay. We’ll be right there, girls.” Jordan squinted against the sun and studied Gavin carefully. His reaction was not what she’d expected. Not that she’d thought he’d do backflips but she’d expected a little more excitement, and the lack of it gave her pause. “What do you think?”

  “I think it’s great.” The line between his eyes deepened as they walked hand in hand toward their towels. “What do you plan on doing when your lease is up? I thought you wanted to buy this house eventually.”

  “The money I got in the divorce settlement will be more than enough to buy the business, but I won’t be able to buy this place right away. The lease was for the summer, and after that it goes month to month. The Sweeneys really want to sell it.” She snagged her towel from the chair and wiped herself off quickly before pulling on her white cotton cover-up.

  “I was thinking about moving in with my mother for a little while. I could stay here on a month-to-month basis, but I don’t feel like dealing with potential buyers coming in and out. It’s too disruptive. Besides, I know my mom would love it, and the girls would too.”

  “Right.” Gavin nodded, his mouth in a firm line. “That sounds like a good pl
an.”

  “Hey, you two.” Maddy strolled over, cell phone still in hand. “I’m starving, and those burgers smelled great.”

  “I’ll go get the girls their food,” Gavin said absently. “You two have a lot to talk about.”

  As Gavin jogged up to the house, Jordan’s gut clenched. Something in Gavin’s reaction made her nervous, but she couldn’t put her finger on why. She knew he loved her and that he wanted her to stay in town, but his seemingly unenthusiastic and almost distracted reaction gave her pause.

  “What’s going on?” Maddy picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “What do we have to talk about?”

  Shaking off her silly overreaction, Jordan grabbed the beach chairs and started dragging them to the stairs. She was reading too much into Gavin’s response and had to stop doubting herself. She’d spent so many years walking on eggshells with Ted that she was probably seeing something that wasn’t there. Gavin wasn’t Ted, and she had to stop overanalyzing everything.

  “Business,” Jordan said firmly. “More specifically, me buying your business.”

  “Hang on.” Maddy ran to catch up with her, and they both stopped at the foot of the stairs. “You want to buy the flower shop?” A smile bloomed across her face and the beauty of it made Jordan’s heart ache. It seemed like forever since she’d seen it. “Are you sure?”

  “Completely.” Nodding and settling her hand on her hips, Jordan glanced at the trio on the deck. Gavin was doling out Gracie’s burger like he’d been doing it since the day she was born. “How about you and I sitting down after I give the girls their bath, and we can talk turkey?”

  “Well, it’s good timing, I guess.” Maddy linked her arm through Jordan’s and tugged her close, keeping her voice low. “That call I got?”

  “Yeah?” Jordan said with growing apprehension.

  “The Sweeneys got an offer on this place earlier this week. I didn’t want to say anything until it was definite…but they accepted it.” Letting out a slow breath, Maddy pursed her lips. “Sorry, girl. I know you were thinking about buying it.”

  “It’s okay,” Jordan said, trying to convince herself more than Maddy. “You’re right. It is for the best. If I’m going to be buying a business, then the last thing I need to worry about is carrying a mortgage.” She kissed Maddy on the cheek and grabbed the railing. “Come on, let’s eat.”

  As Jordan climbed the steps, Gavin winked at her before taking a hearty, man-sized bite out of his cheeseburger. It amazed her how such a small gesture instantly put her feelings of apprehension at ease. She would miss this little house and the fond memories they had begun to create there, but everything was going to be okay. A house was only a house; it was a home because of the people in it. She knew that now more than ever.

  Sitting on the bench next to Gavin, and with her girls’ joyful chatter drifting through the air, she knew. They were her home. Wherever they were, that was where Jordan wanted to be.

  * * *

  Gavin was so nervous, he was worried that he might puke if the kid didn’t get here soon. Pacing around his office, he checked his watch for the tenth time in as many minutes. Sweating, his stomach churning, he went to the window. Some of his nervousness eased when he saw the Open sign clearly hanging in the door across the street. If Jordan got wind of this, it would blow the whole plan.

  “Hey, Chief.” David rapped on the door of Gavin’s office before stepping inside. “My dad asked me to bring you the keys to the lighthouse, and he told me to tell you good luck.”

  “Kid, you’re the best.” Gavin let out a sound of relief as David placed the silver keys in his palm. He clutched them tightly in his fist, his excitement about tonight growing by the second. “Tell your dad that I owe him one. If he ever needs someone to take over for him as the lighthouse keeper, I’m happy to cover. I’ll get the keys back to him tomorrow.”

  “No problem.” David shuffled his feet. “My dad thinks it’s the coolest place in the world, but I think it stinks like low tide. He used to make me and Robert help him clean up around there when we were little. I didn’t mind it all that much, but Robert really hated it.”

  “I’m on your dad’s side, kid.”

  “Why do you want the keys to the old lighthouse, Chief?”

  “It’s part of a surprise for someone.”

  Gavin stuck the keys in his pocket and wiped the sweat off his forehead before shutting down his computer and gathering up the arson file, which included pictures from the school fire. He’d carried the file to and from work every day since the fire and had spent hours upon hours staring at it, but so far that hadn’t done any good. The only good news was that their firebug hadn’t made any more trouble since Rick died.

  Gavin slapped the file closed and checked his watch. Rogers was supposed to get back to him today with progress on the case but so far nothing. He and the police were looking into the Heffernan kid, but Gavin could not believe that this young man was responsible.

  No way. He was only a kid.

  “But remember, David.” He cleared his throat and turned his attention back to his partner in crime. “You don’t breathe a word about this to anyone. Got it?”

  “Sure.” David nodded. He started to leave but lingered in the doorway. “Um, Chief?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I never really got to tell you how sorry I am about Lieutenant Rick.” Hands in the pockets of his baggy shorts, he kept his eyes on his flip-flops. “I mean, I know he kinda thought I was a pain, but he was nice to me and real patient with all of my dumb questions.” He finally turned his mournful expression to Gavin. “I…I’m real sorry about what happened to him. He didn’t deserve that.”

  “Thank you.” Gavin’s throat thickened with emotion, and he fought the fresh swell of grief that the boy’s remarks had evoked. Squaring his shoulders, Gavin gripped the folder tightly in his hands and met the boy’s somber stare. Damn. If this kid was involved, then Gavin would never forgive himself for letting the boy be around the station in the first place.

  “You were lucky to see a guy like Rick on the job. He was one of the best, and losing him was…tragic…but Rick would be the first one to tell you that what we do is risky as hell. He knew this was a possibility.”

  “Yes, sir.” David stood a little taller, his mouth setting in a grim line. “I understand.”

  “Thanks again, David.” Striding around the desk, Gavin extended his hand to the young man, who took it and shook it eagerly. “I know Rick would appreciate what you said, and I sure as hell do. And if you keep up the focus and drive you have, you’re going to make one hell of a firefighter.”

  “Wow,” David said, his smile growing. “Thanks.”

  “You’ll be eighteen soon, right?”

  “Yes, sir.” He dropped Gavin’s hand, excitement edging his voice. “Our birthday is in October. Me and Robert.”

  “You’ll be old enough to volunteer. Do you plan on joining the volunteer force?”

  “You bet I do. Like I said, you guys are badass.” David waved as he backed out of the office. “Good luck at the lighthouse tonight, Chief.”

  When David spun around to leave, he ran right into Tommy Miller and almost knocked the poor guy to the ground. David grabbed him by the arm to help him, but Tommy steadied himself on the doorjamb.

  “I’m so sorry, Mr. Miller,” David sputtered. He pushed his hair off his face and looked skittishly back and forth between Gavin and Tommy. “I’m real sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” Tommy said through a soft laugh. He turned his good eye to Gavin and then to the kid. “I’m usually better at dodging teenagers in a hurry, but I guess I’m a little outta practice. You kids are always in such a rush. I better brush up on my skills before I get back to work. School will be starting before you know it.”

  “Yeah, my brother and I were wondering where we’re gonna go to school. I mean, are they gonna be able to fix it in time for us? Robert is hoping we don’t have to go back.”

  “No su
ch luck, kid.” Gavin shook his head curtly and tightened his grip on the folder in his hands. “All of the students from Old Brookfield will have to attend classes in Stonington, at least until Christmas. Hopefully the construction will be done by then.”

  “Oh, cool.” David nodded and looked between Gavin and Tommy, an awkward silence falling over the three of them. “Well, I guess I better go.”

  “Thanks again, David,” Gavin said. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

  The boy disappeared down the hall, and Tommy made his way into the office. Gavin gestured toward the chair by his desk in invitation. Holding a Red Sox baseball cap in his hands, Tommy seemed even more nervous than usual. It was a feeling Gavin was becoming familiar with.

  “Do ya have a minute?” Tommy asked quietly as he looked around the office, fiddling with his hat. “They have any idea who set the fires?”

  “No.” Gavin shook his head. “But Rogers has some leads he’s checking out, so hopefully we’ll know more soon.”

  “Oh, okay.” Tommy shuffled his feet. “There’s somethin’ else I need to say.”

  “Sure.” Gavin placed the closed folder on his desk and gestured to the chair again. “Have a seat.”

  Apprehension shimmied up his back, and the scar on his shoulder felt more present than ever. What could Tommy possibly have to say to him? Whatever it was, he would take it all in.

  “Oh no.” Tommy smoothed the gray tuft of hair over his scarred forehead and shifted his weight nervously. “It won’t take long. I know you have that big party tonight at your parents’ place.”

  “Alright.” Gavin stood by the desk and folded his hands in front of him. He was ready. Swallowing his nerves, he nodded. “What is it?”

  Silence hung between them thick as smoke, and Gavin thought he might actually choke on it. Sweat beaded on his brow while Tommy clearly struggled to speak.

  “You were lucky,” Tommy murmured, barely audibly. “That day in the barn. It coulda been Ronan who died.” He shot a sideways glance at Gavin who blanched at the notion. “Yeah, coulda been anyone. Fire don’t discriminate.”