How to Stuff a Wild Zucchini

by Heather Horrocks

  “My father knows him.” Looking into her eyes, John’s heart raced, and it had absolutely nothing to do with the adrenaline rush of facing a potential fire.

  A vivid impression hit him and wouldn’t let go. A thought that was accompanied by a warmth in his chest that was a four-alarm bonfire of the Spirit.

  This is your future wife.

  He shook it off. What was going on? Cupid? Is that you? More likely his cousin, Stupid. Because that’s how John felt right now. Stupid. What was going on with him? He knew nothing about this woman—not even her name.

  The woman wore a CTR ring and was dressed in modest shorts and shirt, but that didn’t necessarily mean she was LDS.

  She apologized again, then said, “I’m Lori Scott. I really appreciate you guys coming out here, though I’m sorry you had to come out for nothing.”

  “Not for nothing.” If John’s chest grew any hotter, they’d have to turn the hose on him because he was going to spontaneously combust. He was surprised his uniform shirt wasn’t glowing red.

  “We enjoy coming to the aid of beautiful women,” Travis teased. “Especially if there’s no real danger.”

  An irrational jealousy flash-burned through John. He narrowed his eyes as Travis began flirting with Lori.

  “So you’re new to the area,” Travis said. “Have you heard about Lagoon?”

  John realized Travis was about to ask Lori to be his date du jour at John’s family’s annual Lagoon day, which Travis always joined, always with a new woman on his arm.

  John couldn’t let that happen.

  Luckily, as captain, he outranked his friend. He could tell Travis to help Roy check the grill, but that wouldn’t be far enough away to suit him. No, John wanted Travis out of the backyard entirely for a few minutes. “Travis, would you go get the report book from the truck?”

  Travis turned to him and raised an eyebrow. “Now?”

  John raised his own eyebrow. “Now.”

  Travis shot him a funny look, shrugged, and said, “Sure, Cap’n. Whatever you say.”

  That ought to keep Travis busy for more than a few minutes, as the report book was tucked securely in John’s back pocket.

  ~

  As Travis walked briskly across the lawn toward the gate, John stepped forward and smiled, probably looking like a doofus in the process. “Is there anything else we can do for you while we’re here, Ms. Scott?”

  “Lori.” When she returned the smile, her face lit up, and the warmth in his chest increased. “But if you’re desperate for something to do, I suppose I could start a kitchen fire.”

  He chuckled. “Probably not the best idea.”

  Again, he had the thought that she was not his usual type at all—a brash, in-your-face, black-clad New Yorker—but he was attracted to her nonetheless.

  He reached out his hand. “John Walker, Brigham City Fire Department.”

  From behind the grill, Roy called out, “Actually, it’s John Wayne Walker. He always forgets to tell people that.”

  Trust Roy to speak up when John was trying to impress Lori. “And this is my brother, Roy Rogers Walker,” he said.

  Lori laughed, more relaxed now. “A couple of real heroes.”

  And with that, John found himself saying, “My family’s having a picnic at the local amusement park this Saturday. Would you like to go with me?”

  A look of surprise flitted across her perfect face. “Um, I’m not sure.” She ran her fingers through her honey-streaked hair and her green eyes darkened. “I’ve still got to get moved in and settled. Plus, there’s my new job . . .”

  Normally he would have backed off at this point, but Travis would be back any minute now to tell him he couldn’t find the report book and John didn’t have the luxury of time. “It would mean a lot to me if you’d say yes. Otherwise I’ll be humiliated by going dateless. I have brothers who are even meaner than Roy.”

  With a surprised laugh, she looked him in the eyes for a long moment, and a wry smile curved the edges of her full lips. “I do love amusement parks. And I’ve never been out with a real hero before. Why not?”

  Relief flooded him. “I’ll call you with the information.”

  “All right.” She rattled off her cell phone number, and he recorded it into his cell phone memory instead of the report book; he didn’t want Travis to see it.

  Just in time. Travis came through the gate and, with another strange look at John, said, “Couldn’t find it.”

  “That’s okay,” said John.

  “Got it cleaned out.” Roy stood up from behind the grill and joined John.

  Travis turned to Lori. “Anyway, pretty lady, where were we? Oh, yes. Have you heard of Lagoon?”

  She shook her head. “I haven’t.”

  “It’s the local amusement park. The Beach Boys even sang about it.” Travis smiled. “And I was wondering if you’d like to go there with me on Saturday.”

  Lori flashed a glance at John, and then back at Travis. “I’m very sorry, but I’m already going with someone else that day.”

  John smiled at her. When she smiled back, his heart thumped in his chest. It might be a miracle if he could survive being in her presence for an entire day without having a heart attack.

  “Really.” Travis turned to glare at John. “Well, welcome to Brigham City. Perhaps I can show you some other local sights.”

  “Thank you again for coming out, gentlemen. I appreciate knowing this town is safe in your capable hands.”

  John smiled happily, feeling lucky that she seemed to be tolerant of doofuses. “I’ll pick you up Saturday at ten.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  He turned and walked across the lawn, through the gate, back to the truck, and started unloading his gear, whistling all the way. He avoided Roy’s and Travis’s eyes.

  Roy stepped next to him. “Did you just ask that woman out on a date?” He sounded incredulous.

  Travis punched his arm. Hard. “Hey, dude. I was hitting on her and you totally stepped in. What is up with you?”

  John smiled. “I couldn’t help myself.”

  Roy and Travis exchanged a glance.

  “This is just so totally out of character for you.” Roy looked puzzled.

  John shrugged. “What can I say? There were sparks.”

  “I thought you were a one-woman man.” Travis crossed his arms. “I wonder what Dawn is going to think of those sparks.”

  Dawn?

  The name blasted through him like ice water.

  Dawn!

  Chapter Five

  Lori finished eating her hamburger—the one she’d managed to cook in a frying pan on the stove without setting the kitchen on fire—and cleaned up, still smiling about the firefighters vying for her time and attention and still wondering why on earth she had ever agreed to go out on a date. On the rebound was no time to be dating.

  She’d felt amazingly peaceful after they’d arrived, no doubt the aftermath of the adrenaline pumping after she’d first seen the fire.

  Now she wanted to relax with a good book. Grabbing the latest Grisham, she sank onto the double bed, enjoying the soft feel of the old-lady quilt beneath her arms, adjusted the pillow, and snuggled in.

  She’d only read a page when her cell phone played “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

  “Hi, Marti,” she answered.

  “Lori, it’s been ages since I talked to you. I’ve been so busy with girls’ camp—which is finally over, thank goodness—that I haven’t had time to call, but I’ve been thinking about you for a week.”

  Lori’s best friend since grade school, Marti Owens, sounded like her usual perky self. Perky as in high school cheerleader for three years. Blonde. Cute. Popular. Married—in the temple, of course—to her high
school sweetheart as soon as he returned from his mission and together they quickly had three adorable little kids. She was such a quintessential Mormon that it was a miracle Lori had ever stayed friends with her. Marti had also been the only person who’d been able to get Lori inside an LDS church in the past thirteen years, at least for an occasional Mutual activity.

  “So how’s the soon-to-be-world-famous Broadway playwright doing? Reveling in all the accolades?”

  Lori groaned at the mention of her play. It was her own fault. She’d made a big deal of having a Broadway play produced, and now everyone actually expected there to be one. “I’m surprised you didn’t hear the flopping sounds from Schenectady. It only lasted a week.”

  “Oh, Lori, I am so sorry.” The caring in her friend’s voice soothed Lori. “But you’ve still got your screenplay. Maybe you can get that optioned soon.”

  “Forget the screenplay.” Her voice came out harsh. Deep down, Lori knew she couldn’t forget it, but she feared she might never get back to it. Or, if she did, that it would bomb like her play. In fact, her deepest fear was that she’d chosen the entirely wrong career for herself. She softened her tone. “I may never finish it.”

  “You’re kidding, right? It’s a great story.”

  “Doesn’t matter. I can’t work on it because I left it behind.” At her mother’s place. Deliberately. She wanted nothing to do with it. This time in Brigham City was a sabbatical from serious writing for Lori as much as it was for the columnist who’d left for his China adventure.

  “Are you okay? Do you want me to come over?”

  Tears stung Lori’s eyes. “I’d love you to, but I’m not exactly in New York right now. I’m not even in Kansas anymore, Toto.”

  A brief silence ensued from the woman who still lived in the same town where both Lori’s mother and the man who used to be her father also lived. “Where exactly are you, Dorothy?”

  “You’ll never believe it.” Lori started to laugh. “You will really and truly, never ever believe it.”

  “Stop driving me crazy with the suspense.” Marti’s voice took on a warning tone.

  “It always drove you crazy not to know everything. I bet you’re the obligatory official gossip of your ward.”

  Marti snorted at the insult. “Lori Elaine Scott, you’d better tell me where you are—right now.”

  “Or else?” Still laughing, Lori sat up on the bed. “Okay, okay. I am—believe it or not—currently residing in Brigham City.”

  A long pause followed, during which Lori could sense the shock on the other end of the line. “Come again?”

  “Brigham City. Utah. USA.”

  “I’m hearing the words, but they’re not computing. You, Lori Scott, proclaimed non-LDS woman forever, are living in Utah? The LDS capital of the world? Why? Were you abducted by aliens?”

  That started Lori laughing again. “It does seem pretty alien here. This town is so small that the newspaper lists the missionaries, as well as a bridal registry at a nearby town’s hardware store.”

  “Pray tell, how did you end up in Brigham City?”

  So Lori told her friend about Greg’s mock dare and throwing darts and her decision to move. “My mother thinks it’s fate.”

  “I think it’s absolutely hilarious.” Marti’s voice softened. “Though perhaps your mother’s right.”

  “Then you’d both think John Wayne Walker asking me out is fate, too, I suppose.” Now why did she have to go and mention that?

  “John Wayne Walker? Wow. Is the guy as good as his name?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “So let me get this straight. You move to Brigham City on a whim and you immediately have a date. I am blown away. Whatever happened to Scumbag?”

  “Nicholas?” Surprised, Lori pulled at a loose thread on the quilt.

  “Yeah, Nicholas Adams, Producer and Scumbag Extraordinaire. Did you finally dump him?”

  “Yes.” She sighed deeply and then spoke more forcefully. “Yes, I did.”

  “Good for you.”

  “Right after I found him with another woman. And I do mean with another woman.”

  “Oh, Lori, how horrible.”

  “It really was.” Her throat tightened with emotion. “I’ll never forget that awful, embarrassing, mortifying moment when I let myself into his apartment with the key he’d given me just the day before. Stupid, naïve, gullible Lori, carrying in groceries to surprise her man with a nice dinner. Well, I was the one surprised.”

  “Oh, sweetie. That’s awful!”

  “It was really for the best, though. It’s made me realize my pride was hurt worse than my heart.”

  “Still, it had to hurt. Or make you mad. Or something.”

  “You’re right. I was hurt. And mad. He turned out to be just like my father. Maybe I’ll make Nicholas a character and have him bumped off in my next . . . play.” The last word came out softly. She wasn’t writing another play, not for Broadway or Hollywood, but she’d experience only more concern from Marti if she made a point of it.

  “I think it’s great you’re moving on.” Marti lowered her voice. “So tell me about this guy you have a date with. Is he handsome?”

  “John has a great smile. He looks like the guy next door. You know—sandy-colored hair, blue eyes, a smattering of freckles.”

  “It’s a sign. Your first crush was on a guy with freckles.”

  Lori snorted. “I was seven at the time.”

  “It’s still a sign.”

  “Yeah, right.” Lori related the story of the fire and the two firefighters vying for her attention. She didn’t mention the peaceful feeling she’d had talking with them or how protected she’d felt that they’d come.

  “Tell me more about the one who lost out.”

  “Well, Travis is more like a beach bum. A very good-looking, blonde model beach bum. He’s been around some, I’d bet.”

  “But Freckles outmaneuvered him.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Lori smiled at the memory. “Yeah, he did.”

  “So did you like him?”

  “Yeah, I did.” Lori frowned. “But you know I’m not going to get involved with anyone right now. Not on a rebound.”

  “So why’d you say yes?”

  “I’m not sure. He caught me off guard, I guess. He was cute. And he made me laugh when he said he’d be dateless and humiliated if I didn’t.” There’d been something else about him she liked, though she couldn’t put her finger on it. “And I do love amusement parks.”

  “Hold on,” Marti said, and Lori could hear her talking with one of her children in the background. “I’m talking to Aunt Lori. Now go outside and play for a few minutes.”

  As Lori listened to the sound of children, she realized that was probably one reason why she’d gotten involved with Nicholas in the first place and stayed with him as long as she had: he was a selfish, only child and a sophisticated party guy who never wanted children.

  “Okay, Lori, I’m back. Listen, I’ve got to go in just a minute. Please be sure to call me after your date and tell all.”

  “There won’t be much to tell. I’ll have a nice day, but I’ll probably never see him again after Saturday.”

  “You can’t fight fate,” Marti teased.

  Lori rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t dare try.”

  “So what are you doing for work?”

  Lori explained about the flower column. “In fact, I need to call my new boss and set up an appointment. Give them my credentials, that sort of thing.”

  “Speaking of which, did you check out John’s credentials?”

  “Credentials?”

  “I assume he’s not Mormon or you would never have said yes.”

  “I didn’t even think to ask! This is horrible!” Lori groaned. “I might h
ave a date with an LDS guy!”

  “Gotta go check on my kids, Lori. I’ll call you later in the week.” The phone disconnected on the sound of Marti’s laughter.

  John stood at the door for a long moment. The summer heat, even at eight in the evening, was uncomfortable, but he’d rather face the heat than what lay ahead.

  In fact, he’d rather run into ten burning buildings than go through this door tonight. But he couldn’t put this off forever.

  After meeting Lori, he’d immediately called Dawn and told her he needed to talk to her when he got off shift late Thursday night. He had to let her know they weren’t exclusive after all. He wasn’t looking forward to hurting her, but it wouldn’t be right if he didn’t tell her the truth.

  With a groan, he pushed the doorbell. And waited.

  But only for half a minute.

  Dawn opened the door, wearing the blue dress he’d told her once he liked, her auburn hair softly curling down her back.

  “Hi, John,” she said sweetly, fairly glowing with happiness.

  Feeling guilty about what he had come to tell her, he forced a weak smile. “Hi, Dawn.”

  As he stepped inside, she touched his arm and leaned up for a kiss.

  Caught off guard, not knowing what else to do, he kissed her—lightly—and pulled back immediately.

  Her perfume was faint and flowery. She looked as pretty as he’d ever seen her.

  The weight of the moment descended upon him, crushing him, constricting his breath. A drop of sweat ran down his back and another beaded on his forehead, which he wiped away with his forearm.

  “My aunt’s gone to a movie with friends, so we have the apartment to ourselves.” She sat on the couch and patted the seat next to her.

  He sat, leaving a cushion of space between them.

  She laughed and closed the gap. “Come here, you handsome fireman.”

  He regretted sitting down at all. That was a tactical error. “Dawn, I need to talk with you.”

  She took his hand and smiled up at him. “Okay.”

  She started rubbing her thumb against his palm and he did his best to ignore it. “It’s important,” he said.