Standing Outside the Fire

by Jillian Neal

  They went down to the Holder County jail together. Charlie wanted to show Ed that this wasn’t just Jamie’s decision. He signed the papers for Ed’s release, agreeing not to press charges for the damages to the land.

  But as Ed was making his way toward the door, Jamie stopped him. “You ever come near her or even think of darkening the gates of Holder Ranch again, I can promise you I’ll see to it that your ass stays in jail.”

  He laced his fingers through Charlie’s and guided her out to his truck.

  They ate dinner with her father and Louann. She brought all of her scrapbooks with her and showed them to Jamie and her father.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Charlie returned to work as the lead occupational therapist at Pecan Crescent Nursing Home. The arson investigator had determined that it was a patient who’d caught his cannula line on fire while sneaking cigarettes, but it was not Mr. Graham.

  Construction was underway on the north wing and was expected to be finished soon. Some of her patients had been moved temporarily to other facilities. Others had gone home for the time being. But most of the ones she’d been working with the longest, like Mrs. Garcia, were still there.

  “You can’t dance unless you put on your dress,” Charlie gently reminded her. Continuing to work on the activities of daily living was important for early onset Alzheimer patients. Besides, she knew Mrs. Garcia could do it. She always wanted to dance. It was one of the many things Charlie adored about her.

  “I’m just picking the right one.” Mrs. Garcia stood at her small closet touching each of her four dressier dresses. Charlie wondered if she was lost in the moment, perhaps retrieving a lost memory of dancing as a young woman or if she really was just picking one.

  “The pink one is my favorite. It makes your beautiful skin sparkle.”

  Mrs. Garcia tsked. “Pond’s makes my skin sparkle, dear, and if you like the pink then the pink it shall be. It’s a special day.”

  That was the fourth time she’d said something like that. As far as Charlie knew it was just a regular Monday kind of day, but she appreciated that Mrs. Garcia was excited to see her.

  She was so thankful to have her job back she’d wanted to hug all of her patients every time she saw them for the last several weeks.

  “Do these have a runner?” She held up a pair of knee-high hose that didn’t really match the dress, but that didn’t matter. It was helping her work through the process of getting into them that mattered to Charlie.

  “I don’t see one. I think they’re perfect.” She watched carefully as Mrs. Garcia eased the hose onto her feet. Charlie helped some, but she did it almost entirely on her own. Pride welled in Charlie.

  “Okay,” she held up the gait belt and wrinkled her nose. She knew what was coming. “You know the drill.”

  “It ruins my outfit,” she fussed.

  “It keeps you safe and wearing a belt is slimming.”

  “Not a belt like that,” Mrs. Garcia fussed but she let Charlie attach the safety belt around her waist.

  “Trust me, I understand having to wear stuff like this. I’ve been in your dancing shoes before.”

  “I know you have. Let’s go. We don’t want to be late.”

  Charlie wasn’t sure what they might be late for, but she went along. They ambled down to one of the larger activity rooms, since most of the smaller ones had been destroyed in the fire. She’d already put away most of the tables to make room for the dancing lesson.

  “I downloaded us some new music,” she announced as she plugged her phone into the speaker system.

  “I hope it’s good for dancing.”

  “It’ll be perfect.” She switched on the Andrews Sisters and watched Mrs. Garcia’s eyes light. “Okay, are you still teaching me the step ball change or are we doing a different step today?”

  Her weekly dance “lessons” had become some of her most treasured time. “We don’t move onto the next step until we’ve mastered the basics.”

  “Got it.” Charlie braced her left hand behind Mrs. Garcia’s back and took the other in her right. She let her patient lead. “Remember to roll your shoulders back, open your chest,” she gently reminded as they moved.

  “Glenn used to take me dancing on his off days,” she commented with a dreamy look in her eyes.

  Charlie beamed. “Tell me about him.” Keeping her talking while moving was so good for her lungs.

  “He was a firefighter.” Charlie almost missed the next step and tripped over her own two feet.

  “You never told me that before.”

  “Well,” she shrugged, “I’d rather talk about me.”

  Chuckling at that, Charlie continued to ask questions. “Today is Jamie’s first day back at the station.” He’d already called a dozen times to check on her, but she was doing okay with it all, for the most part. “Were you ever afraid when he was at work?” she couldn’t help but ask.

  “Sometimes. Of course I was. But honey, I came up at the end of one war and then we were in another. Recession. More war. I finally decided one day there were always gonna be things to worry over. I was tired of letting the worry have my good days, though. So, I was gonna collect all the good days that I could. I wrote ‘em down too. Had a little book where I recorded everything. When my babies were born. When my grandbabies were born. And little things too. I liked to have a record of when Glenn did something stupid so I could remind him of it from time to time.”

  Charlie shook her head at that. “I bet he didn’t like that too much.”

  “Oh well,” Mrs. Garcia’s smile was bright enough to shame the sun, “he knew I was a firecracker when he married me. He liked my naughty side.”

  “Oh, I bet he did.”

  “But I’ll tell you, in all those tiny notebooks I kept, whenever I’d go back and look at all the days there were always so many more good ones than bad ones. I think if you look back on life and have that then you can’t complain too much. Worry robs too many days of their good and turns them bad.”

  “I think you’re pretty smart and quite the dancer.”

  Mrs. Garcia let go of Charlie’s hands and did a turn all on her own.

  Trisha stepped into the room with a smile. “Can I help for a minute?”

  Charlie’s brow furrowed. “We’ve got it.”

  Trisha nodded and then pointed to the back of the room. Making certain Mrs. Garcia was stable, Charlie turned to see Jamie standing with a crowd of his family, her patients, the entire Holder County Fire Department, and her father, sister, and stepmom.

  Her hand flew to her mouth to try to catch the gasp before it escaped. Jamie met her in the middle of the makeshift dance floor. “I wanted everyone we love to be here for this.” He dropped down on one knee and tears sprang to Charlie’s eyes.

  “I know I shoulda done this years ago. I’m not willing to waste any more time. Charlie, will you make me the happiest guy on this planet and marry me?”

  “Yes,” she choked out and bounced on her toes. He slipped the most beautiful vintage diamond band she’d ever seen on her finger.

  “You must dance,” Mrs. Garcia called.

  Jamie stood and gathered her in his arms. “Can I have this dance?”

  She managed a nod this time while crying and trying to hug him and look at the ring and beam at their families all at once.

  “Uh, may I?” Barrett Holder asked as he headed toward the speakers.

  He switched his phone for Charlie’s, and Harry James’s It’s Been a Long, Long Time belted out from the speakers.

  Laughing and crying all at once, she let Jamie spin her around the nursing home activity room. She couldn’t think of a more perfect way to have asked her, even if she was in her scrubs. Or a more perfect guy to marry.

  “Kiss her,” Mrs. Garcia ordered.

  “I like her,” Jamie teased just before he leaned in and mated their mouths in slow, decadent kiss.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Wearing a black tux with a white tie, per Charli
e’s orders, Jamie headed up the stairs at the church to the bridal room. His parents were at the church, but the rest of his family was setting up the reception down on the low creek of Holder Ranch, right where it needed to be. They’d be there in time for the ceremony.

  He smiled at Clint Masterson, just one of the surprises he had up his sleeve that day. Becca was stationed outside the door. She laughed. “I knew you wouldn’t wait on her to walk down.”

  “She has a habit of running from these things, you know?”

  “I know, but I don’t think that’s going to happen this time. All she’s been doing all morning is swooning and getting teary-eyed. I had to get out of there. She’s driving me slightly insane with all the tears.”

  Jamie chuckled at that. There was a very tiny and also absolutely huge reason that his baby was so emotional. And in about seven and a half months, when their first little one made an appearance, it would all make sense to Becca. He gestured to Clint. “There’s someone I think you might want to meet. This is Lieutenant Clint Masterson from the Oklahoma City fire department. You’ve, uh, met him before, but I doubt you remember.”

  Becca’s face fell and all of a sudden it wasn’t only her sister who was emotional. “Oh wow.” She scrubbed away the mere appearance of tears. “So…you’re…him?” She shook her head. “Sorry. I’m Becca Tilson. Thanks for saving me. I’m really sorry I tried to bite you.” She cringed.

  Clint laughed. “It was a rough night for all of us, and I’m thrilled to meet you. This whole day makes my job worth it.”

  Jamie smirked at his soon-to-be sister-in-law. “I was checking cattle early this morning and noticed a car that looked just like yours killing the grass down at Boone’s house.”

  Becca’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell Daddy,” she pled.

  “Daddy?” Jamie chuckled. “You need to be worried about telling Charlie.”

  “Don’t tell her either.”

  “I don’t keep things from her, so get it figured out.”

  “It’s nothing. I’m not my sister. I’m never meeting anyone at the end of an aisle, so it doesn’t matter enough to tell Charlie.”

  “Uh huh. Sure.” He gestured to the door. “I hate to make her cry harder, but I wanted to introduce them before I give her the gift.”

  Becca seemed relieved Jamie had dropped his line of questioning for the moment. “Everything makes her cry today. Hang on, let me make sure she’s dressed.”

  He stopped her. “He’s staying out here, so even better if she ain’t.” He waggled his eyebrows and let himself inside.

  Charlie laughed but Louann and his own mama gave him disapproving head shakes. “I had to make sure she hadn’t made a break for it.”

  She raced into his arms. “Never. I’ve always been looking for you, remember?”

  “And I’ll always be right here. You ready to get this show on the road?” She was beautiful. He smiled at her hair done up in one of those intricate braids that her OT had taught her to do back in the burn unit.

  “It’s still another two hours until I’m supposed to walk down.”

  “But I’m ready now. You’re in…this thing.” He gestured to the gown she’d picked for this wedding, very different than the last. It was off the shoulder and if a person knew where to look when she moved her arms you could see the scars. He was thrilled she didn’t care. She’d gotten the gown she’d dreamed of. “Let’s get this show on the road. Wait, why are there so many hooks?” he asked as he took in the back.

  “I like to be a challenge.”

  “Don’t I know it.” He discreetly slipped his hand over her pearl and satin covered belly. She beamed at him.

  “The guests aren’t here yet, babe. We can’t get married yet.”

  “Shoulda done it at dawn like I suggested.”

  His mother came to rescue Charlie. “Jamie, honey, where is your father? He was supposed to keep you in the rec room downstairs.”

  “I like how you seem to think anyone could keep me from her.”

  “Go back downstairs and let her finish getting ready.”

  “In a minute.” He turned back to Charlie, “I got you something and I wanted to give it to you now, and then there’s someone I want you to meet before we get to the marrying.”

  “Please tell me it’s not lilies.”

  “You hate lilies. Why the hell would I get you something you hate?”

  “I love you.” She hugged him tight again.

  “I love you too, sugar. Here.” He pulled a small box from his back pocket and handed it to her. The wrapping paper he’d used was a little masculine and a little worn, perfect by her estimations.

  She carefully opened the package, planning to save the paper for the wedding scrapbook. But when she saw the box, she almost dropped it all. “Jamie,” she gasped.

  He helped her remove the delicate bottle from the box. “I called around a bunch of places and looked online. Becca helped me. It’s a vintage bottle of the perfume your mom wore. I found an old supplier who had a lot of stock left, so I bought them all. You don’t have to save it if you want to wear it today. I’ve got fifty bottles.”

  “I can’t believe you did this.” She was going to cry off all of her makeup long before she ever got down the aisle. “Thank you so much. I don’t deserve you.”

  They cradled the bottle between them as he hugged her. “Same goes, angel. Can you come out in the hallway for a minute?”

  “For another surprise?” she choked.

  “Kinda.”

  Jamie introduced Charlie to Clint. She did indeed sob, but when she instinctively rubbed her hand over her womb while she continually thanked him, Clint caught on.

  He hid a grin. “Nice work,” he whispered to Jamie.

  “I do what I can.”

  “All right, ladies,” Clint tipped his hat to the Tilson girls, “I’m going to go take my wife and kids out for a little lunch before we come back for the wedding. I can’t wait to see it, and my wife can’t wait to meet you, Charlie.”

  “I’m so honored you’re here. I can’t wait to meet her either,” Charlie assured him.

  After he headed back down the stairs, Jamie sighed. “So, I guess I have to go back to the basement holding area until you’re ready.”

  She lifted her head and grinned at him. “You don’t have to. I’m the bride so if I say you can stay up here with me then everyone has to go along.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  One hour and forty-five minutes later, Jamie made his way to the altar. Ford was already there waiting on him along with her father. They watched Becca make her way down the aisle. And then the music swelled and there she was—on his daddy’s arm since her dad couldn’t be in both places at once.

  And the relatively short aisle of the church seemed like it was a mile long as he watched her walk. He didn’t want one more minute for her to be his wife. He wanted it all right now. Patience still wasn’t his virtue, but she seemed okay with it.

  This time Charlie couldn’t wait to get down the aisle, and she was marrying her best friend. It was just the way it should always be and should always have been. She lifted her wrist to her nose gently just before Barrett gave her hands to Jamie to catch the scent she’d sprayed there. She cemented her mother’s memory in that church right then.

  Even more than vowing to love and honor and cherish Jamie for the rest of their lives, she vowed to make as many good memories with him as she possibly could. Because nothing is guaranteed except that love always wins in the end.

  About the Author

  Bestselling author Jillian Neal likes her coffee strong and sweet with a shot of sinful spice, the same way she likes her cowboys. In fact, her caffeine addiction is quite possibly considered illicit in several states as are a few of the things her characters do. When she’s not writing or reading, you’ll find her in the kitchen trying out new recipes or coming up with excuses reasons to purchase yet another handbag or make an additional trip to Sephora. Though she’ll alw
ays be a Bama girl at heart, Jillian hangs up her hat and kicks up her boots outside of Atlanta with her hunk-of-a-husband and her teenage sons.

  For more information…

  jillianneal.com

  jillian@jillianneal.com

  Also by Jillian Neal

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  H.A.L.O. Undone

  H.A.L.O. Redeemed

  Fractured H.A.L.O.

  Camden Ranch

  Rodeo Summer

  Forever Wild

  Cowgirl Education

  Un-hitched

  Last Call

  Wayward Son

  Boho Beach to Camden Ranch

  Boho Cowgirl

  Coincidental Cowgirl