Strong hands gripped her shoulders. He turned her to face him. “Nothing happened. JT was upset. I was only comforting her.” His fingers cupped her cheek as he brushed his thumb over her skin.
Julie placed her hands on his chest and pushed back, needing space. “I wanted to surprise you, but I’m the one who got the shock. I’ve got a room at the Marriot. Call me when you are off tomorrow and we can talk. We need to.” She slid her purse over her shoulder and took shaky steps toward the door.
“We will work this out.” His voice rose. “Nothing happened. I love you, and you love me.”
Julie closed her eyes as she stepped outside. He was right. She loved him. Pressing her hand on the new life inside her, she vowed to set things right. Even if he did slip, he was the father of this baby, and she wasn’t about to let him go.
***
Rick slowly climbed the stairs. His head pounded. His heart hurt. Could he have lost the only person he loved? What happened? He looked up. JT stood at the top. She wore her sweats and a T-shirt. A pained look filled her face.
“I’m sorry, Rick. It’s all my fault.”
He wanted to blame her, yell and rail at her. Anger churned his stomach, but it was directed at himself. Not anyone else. Not JT, and not his wife. “I’ll talk to her in the morning, and we’ll work it out. She’s not one to hold a grudge. I’ll make her understand.”
JT tugged her hair away from her face and fastened it into a ponytail. “If you want, I can talk to her.”
“No thanks.” He studied the young woman in front of him. She’d been in tears herself a little while ago. “Why?”
She wrapped her arms around her waist. “Why, what?”
He angled his head toward the showers. “The tears. What happened? Boyfriend?”
She wouldn’t meet his eyes. “The fire…” Her voice faltered. “It blinded me. I thought I’d catch fire then I wasn’t able to keep you safe when your hose collapsed. You could have died.” She covered her face. “It would have been my fault.”
Rick climbed the remaining stairs and pulled JT into his arms. “You aren’t at fault. Fire is unpredictable. What we do is dangerous.”
“It was my job to keep the fire off you. Keep it back.” She hiccupped.
“Was this the first near miss for you?”
JT nodded.
“I’d be in the hospital if not for you. It’s what a team does…cover each other.” He released her then softly punched her on the shoulder. “If you haven’t used all the hot water, I’m going to grab a shower. I smell to high heaven.”
She waved her hand in front of her face. A small smile played across her lips. “I wasn’t going to point out the obvious. You stink.”
He chuckled and headed into the showers.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
After checking into her room, Julie dialed Angela.
“Hello. I hope you’re calling to tell me you’ve decided to stay in D-Town.” Angela’s voice held laughter.
“Nope. I don’t want to stay in this city one more minute, but my flight’s not until Sunday,” Julie spat.
“What happened? I thought you’d be in bed with your hubby.”
“I tried to surprise him at the station and ended up getting surprised myself. He had another firefighter in his arms.” Each word came out in staccato.
“A man?”
“No.” She huffed. “A female firefighter. Wrapped in a towel on his lap.”
“Oh God, I’m sorry, Julie…but you know that man only loves you. I’m betting nothing happened.” Angela’s calm voice wasn’t helping Julie’s temper.
“Aren’t you supposed to be on my side? You should be hating him. Telling me how horrible he is.”
“Do you remember the New Year’s party at the golf course? That skanky woman hitting on Rick, asking him to dance then leaning over to brush her breasts against him? He didn’t even notice. His eyes were only on you.” Angela snorted. “That’s how I know this fire-woman couldn’t touch his heart.”
Julie dropped onto the bed. “I knew nothing had happened, too. But it hurt to see him comforting another when I’ve been doing all the work at home by myself.” She stifled a sob. “He’s supposed to be there to comfort me!”
“Honey. You’ve been so strong and amazing.” Her voice soothed.
“I’m tired of being a grown-up. I don’t want to live halfway across the US from my husband. But I won’t move here. He’s got to see we need him at home.” She moaned.
“Wish I could hug you. You shouldn’t give that man an ultimatum. He’ll be angry at you because he can’t go anywhere with the limited options for firemen in this town. Why don’t you get some sleep and call me after you and Rick talk tomorrow?” Angela sighed. “Life’s always better in the a.m.”
“All right. Night.” Julie clicked off her phone and laid it aside. She rolled onto her side and studied her wedding ring. The day he’d put it on her finger, she’d never been prouder. They’d taken their vows in the small protestant church in Whisper. Only their parents had been there with them. The intimate ceremony cemented her devotion to Rick. It was them against the world. They’d only needed each other. Money had been tight. Rick’s father took them out to dinner to celebrate, rather than a traditional reception. Luckily, they’d been able to purchase the farm, and her parents had given them a breeding pair of horses for their wedding present. How simple those early days seemed. She had been naïve enough to believe they’d always wake up side by side.
Julie slid off the bed, kicked off her shoes, and strolled to the tall windows overlooking the riverfront. The lights of Windsor, Canada sparkled bright against the dark Detroit sky.
***
Rick beat on the hotel door. His fist shook the door with each pounding. Where was she? Why wouldn’t she open the door? He held his breath and hoped she’d listen to his explanation. Everything had been going wrong since he took this job. What he’d once thought was a dream come true had quickly turned into a nightmare.
When his wife opened the door, he wrapped his arms around her tightly. He didn’t want to let go. “I’m sorry about yesterday. It wasn’t what it seemed.” The scent of her familiar shampoo calmed his beating heart. Having her in his arms felt like home.
Julie pushed away and stood with her hands on her hips. “Sorry? You hurt me. I trusted you, and when I show up at the station, you’re there with your arms around another woman—comforting another woman.” Her voice climbed with each word. “Yeah. It hurt.”
He reached out but she swatted at his hands, so he stuffed them into his pockets. “We’d faced a horrible scenario. My hose became useless, and a flashpoint shot flames toward us.” Rick reached for her again. “I thought we all might die.”
“Are you okay?” Her gaze darted over him. With his nod, she let out a sigh then gripped his hands. “We need to talk.” Julie tugged Rick over to the chairs by the window. He studied his wife. Anytime she used those words, it wasn’t a good thing. He hoped she believed him. He’d never even looked at another woman, let alone acted on his baser urges.
The bags under Julie’s eyes proved she’d not slept well last night, either. Her hair resembled a bird’s nest with pieces sticking up around her head. And yet, the sight of her had him smiling. Anything was possible between them. They’d not found a problem they couldn’t handle.
“I know things have been twice as bad with the distance between us. You’re probably blaming me because I wouldn’t move here. But Detroit won’t be my home. I love Whisper and the small-town feeling. Everyone cares about each other. They look out for their neighbors and help them without asking.”
He bit his bottom lip to keep from jumping in. Having her move here seemed like a great plan. They could be together, and the additional money would allow Julie to quit working at the ranch, giving them the opportunity to start a family. “We haven’t found the perfect place yet. We will.” He tried to convey hope with his voice. Rick truly believed this move would solve all their problems.
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Julie dropped her gaze and studied her fingers. “No. It won’t.” Lifting her chin, she defied him to say something. But he’d learned not to fight with her. Even if he won the argument, he’d lose a piece of her.
“When the job offer came, we talked about it.”
“Yes, but things didn’t work out.” She squared her shoulders. “I really wanted to find a new home here, but nothing impressed me. And, now, something has changed.”
Concerned, he knelt in front of her. Her proud stance dared him to disagree. But he needed to know her reasoning. Maybe he could sway her thinking. “What?” he inquired softly.
“I’m pregnant.”
***
Her secret was out. She’d told him.
“Pregnant? What?” Rick’s eyes widened.
“Yes. We’re due to have a little bundle of joy in about seven months. And I don’t want to raise him or her in a big city. I want our child to grow up in Whisper.” Julie laid her hand over her stomach and stared down her husband.
“My job in Detroit would allow you not to work all the time at the ranch. You’d have time to care for our child. It’s what we decided.” Rick’s gaze fastened on her abdomen.
“I also won’t raise my child with an absent dad—one who I need to visit once a month. I need a husband who’s going to be there day in and day out.”
Rick slid his hands over his face and through his hair. “I want to spend every moment I can with our child—to raise him or her together. It’d kill me to not be a part of their life.”
Julie gripped his shoulders. “You’ve not been happy here. Each night, when we talk, you ask about the ranch, your friends, our horses. Be honest.” She gave him a squeeze. “Then, there’s the problem with the equipment and lack of funds. We might not have been rich, but we were happy in Whisper. Neither of us has been happy since you’ve left.”
Rick stood and paced around the room. “So I’m just supposed to give up a chance for a promotion? I’m going to become the next chief.”
“But at what cost? Me? Our child?” Her words came out as a whisper. “I decided to let you give Detroit a try, but the cost is too high. The distance would eat away at our marriage. You’d turn to another woman.” Julie wrapped her arms around her husband and laid her head on his back. “I know you didn’t reach out to her with sexual intent, but without me here, it could happen someday. You’ll miss me and need comfort. Someone else will be there. It won’t be planned, but it will happen.”
“You’re so sure of the future, now.” His words stung, but she hoped he’d heard her pleas.
“No. But you’ve shared about the other guys at the station. How they live to get by. I won’t do it. I won’t turn a blind eye to cheating for our marriage’s sake nor for our kid’s sake.” She slid around to his chest and tugged his face down, meeting his gaze. “I don’t want to ask you to give up your dreams. You love being a firefighter, but does it have to be here? Now? A promotion could happen in Whisper or a surrounding town down the road. You’d just have to be patient.”
Julie stretched to her tiptoes and placed a chaste peck on her husband’s lips. Rick took control of the kiss, melding her body to his, teasing his tongue over her lips until she opened for him. Her panties dampened. This was what she dreamed they’d be doing when she broke the baby news. Julie slid her arms around Rick’s neck as her tongue continued to play with his.
Suddenly, Rick paused then pulled away. She met his pained gaze. “I love you, Julie, and want to be with you and our child.” He brushed his hand over his head. “But I need to think. Even though I long to make love to you, I’m taking a moment to get my head on straight.”
He strode to the hotel door.
“How long will that take?” she called out.
“I don’t know. I’ll be back when I have my decision.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
It was too early to drink, but Harry’s Pub seemed like a great place to do some thinking. Rick pushed open the dark-wood door and strolled into the dingy dive. Only the bartender and a single customer were in the bar. Rick sat down across from the bartender and laid his phone on the scarred wooden bar top.
A tall Hispanic man with bulging biceps set down the glass he’d been wiping and angled his head toward Rick. “What’ll you have?”
“Too early for a beer, so give me a coke.” Rick tugged his wallet from his pocket and laid it on the bar next to his phone.
The bartender slid the glass in front of Rick. “If you aren’t drinking, you must be here for some advice.” He chuckled. “I’m known around here for my lessons on life.”
“Really?” Rick held out his hand. “Name’s Rick.” The bartender’s white wife-beater T-shirt revealed the tribal tattoos covering his arms. This man isn’t one I’d like to meet in a dark alley. His bald head and strong jaw reminded Rick of an action star he’d once seen on the movie screen. Although, his crooked nose had probably been from a fight, not a stunt gone wrong. “You look like someone from the movies.”
“I get that a lot. I’m B-Man. Nice to meet you.” The bartender pulled a stool over and plopped down in front of Rick. “So what brings you in on this fine Detroit Saturday morning?”
“Had a fight with the missus.” Rick glanced around the bar. The other occupant appeared to be sleeping off a bender in the corner booth, his head down on the table, an empty glass next to him, snoring away. At least no one could hear Rick sharing anything with B-Man.
“I’ve never been married, but I was in a long-term relationship with this one girl. She wanted more than I was willing to give. I hadn’t started living yet. Do you understand?” B-Man ran a rag across the bar top.
He thought about what the bartender had said. “My wife expects me to give up the dream of being a fire chief and head back to Colorado. We own a ranch there and raise horses.” He lifted the glass to his lips and took a drink.
“Man, a real-life cowboy, huh? I’d love to pick your brain for this audition I have coming up.”
“You’re an actor? In Detroit?” Rick finished off his soda then leaned back on his stool.
“Yeah. Detroit has been a great place for movies lately. I work here to pay the bills, but I’m following my dreams. Even though I’m making just enough to get by, I’m not going to stop going on casting calls and auditions. Money isn’t everything. Gotta be able to look at yourself in the mirror. I took classes from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts and have done four commercials. Maybe you saw me talking about building a new addition onto your house.”
Rick shrugged. “Can’t say that I have. I don’t watch too much TV at the firehouse.”
“If you’re a cowboy from Colorado, why are you here? Detroit isn’t a place you usually find ranches.” B-Man refilled Rick’s drink.
“I took a job with the DFD. They promised me I’d be the chief in a few years, but it meant a move. My wife couldn’t find a house she liked in town or even out in the suburbs. She couldn’t leave the horses.”
“Was the ranch your dream or being a firefighter?” B-Man rubbed his chin.
“I grew up being a cowboy. It didn’t pay the bills, though. I needed something more so the wife didn’t have to work. I wanted her to be able to stay home and take care of any kids we have. And now one’s on the way.”
A hand slammed down on Rick’s shoulder. “Congrats! A baby. Why didn’t you tell us?” Rick’s fire chief sat down on the stool next to Rick. “Hey, B-Man, I’ll have a shot of Jameson, neat.”
The bartender pushed off the stool, grabbed a glass, and filled it. Placing it in front of Frank, he picked up the rag he’d been using earlier. “I’d better go check on Jackson.” He pointed toward the sleeping man. “Guy’s a homeless man who I let in when I arrive. It’s a safe place for him to sleep when he can’t get into a shelter. I don’t have the heart to keep him out.. See if you can talk some sense into this guy.” He nodded at Rick then sauntered off.
“What’s B-Man talking about?”
Rick co
uldn’t look his boss in the eyes. His wife’s ultimatum made him look like a pussy. He’d taken the job with the intent to move to Detroit and take over the station next year, so the chief could retire. But now he was in a pickle. If he explained, he might not have a job, but if he followed through on what his wife wanted, he would be leaving the city anyway. A lose-lose situation. With no way around it, he’d be honest. His father had always taught him honesty was the only way to go.
“Julie’s pregnant and is refusing to move to Michigan. She’s staying in Colorado. Basically told me if I want to see my kid, I have to move back home.” Rick sighed then faced Frank.
“No-brainer. You go back to Colorado. No sweat off my nose. Do you remember what I shared about my family?”
Rick leaned in and placed his elbows on the bar top. “Yes. But I committed to working here. A man’s word is his bond.”
“Some men become firefighters because they are adrenaline junkies. Those guys don’t last long. They burn up, not literally, but inside. Too fast-paced. Then there’re the guys who do it because they love to help others. Those guys can’t save everyone, and something breaks inside when they can’t get everyone out of a building. They’re never the same. Firefighters have a short career span. Injuries also add to the lack of longevity. But no one becomes a firefighter for the money. Cities have a limited budget, and while they’d like to give us more, and Lord knows we deserve it, they can only make a buck go so far.” Frank pulled a photo out of his wallet. He held it out in front of him. The picture was of two young boys, dressed in their Sunday best.
“These are my boys. About fifteen years ago. It was the last time I lived with them. My wife hated my job. The uncertainty of never knowing if I would come home kept her always on edge. In addition, she complained about being alone and raising the boys by herself. I worked three days on and two days off at the time, but ended up working mostly weekends and holidays. If she wanted a family holiday, it had to happen at the station. The kids hung out more with the firefighters than with their own friends. It became too much for our marriage.” He tucked the picture away, but not before Rick saw the glistening of tears in his eyes.
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