by B. B. Hamel
“No, probably not. But we have an enemy now.”
“Didn’t we always?”
I grin at her. “Good point. Come here.”
She presses herself against me and we kiss, deeply and full. It feels damn good, like the first free kiss we’ve ever had. The weight of the Carter family feels lifted, and the future feels wide open.
When we finally break the kiss off, I hold her hand and look into her eyes. “I need you to know something,” I say. “I love you, Mia Hayes. Fell in love with you a while ago, since the day we met.”
She smiles huge, her whole body brightening up. “I love you too.”
“I know that.”
We kiss again, and this time it means even more.
I don’t know if Dan Carter will keep his word, but I suspect he will. He’s a father, and he works hard to keep his sons out of trouble, even if he knows they’re rotten. I’m a father too, and I understand that. Except Noah won’t be rotten like the Carter boys are, I’ll make sure of that.
And so will Mia. I know she’s going to be in my life for a long time, which means she’s going to be in Noah’s life. And the idea of Mia being his mother brings a huge smile to my face. I can help her take care of her father, and she can help raise Noah. We can be a family, together, finally. No more Carters, no more problems.
That’s all in the past. We can have what we want. She’s my girl and I’m her Daddy. I told her I’d take care of her, and I will. She never has to worry about a thing.
“Come on,” I say to her. “Let’s go home.”
She smiles, kisses me, and we leave together.
28
Mia
Two Years Later
The sun is bright and shining as I walk through the meadow. It feels good, being alone out here, even after all these years.
The preserve is always empty this early in the morning, and I love it. I still hike through it every day, even though I don’t really need this job anymore. I keep it just because it makes me happy and because Lucas likes to see me happy.
I reach down and run my hand over my swelling stomach, smiling to myself. Soon enough I won’t have time to be taking these long walks. I’ll have another responsibility in my life, a gorgeous, amazing responsibility. I can’t wait for Noah to have a little brother or sister.
I finish my hike, running my fingers over the bark of the trees. Laura is standing down in the parking lot, a frown on her face.
“You shouldn’t be going out alone this pregnant,” she says to me.
I laugh lightly. “It’s okay. I’m not due for another few weeks.”
“Still. You should take it easy.”
I shrug. “Doctor says it’s fine. Don’t worry. Lucas worries enough for everyone.”
She laughs and gives me a little hug. “Speaking of Lucas. He called a little bit ago, asked if you could have the morning off.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Really? Why?”
“Can’t say.” She gives me a little smile. “But you should go to the shop.”
“Is something wrong?”
She sighs, exasperated. “No, nothing’s wrong. Come on, Mia. Go see your damn husband.”
I laugh and throw my hands up. “Okay! Okay, fine. I don’t know why, though.”
Laura just waves and heads off. I’m confused, but as I climb into the car, I suddenly have an excited feeling coursing through me. I put my car into gear and start driving.
We got married a year ago. It’s not our anniversary today, so I’m not totally sure why Lucas wants me to come spend the morning with him at his shop, but I have a feeling. I’m not sure exactly, though.
Lucas’s shop is right in the center of town. It’s a flower shop, just like Alice runs. They don’t compete with each other, since they’re on different sides of town, and they both own them equally. But he runs his shop and she runs hers, though they split all the profits between them.
It’s a good system and business is booming. The economy has been really good, which means more people are getting married. And Alice is considered the best florist in town, since she can get the best wildflowers, thanks to my connections at the preserve. Laura conveniently turns a blind eye when Lucas and I go picking.
I pull up outside of the shop and park. I climb out and head inside, opening the front door and stepping through.
Normally, the shop is full of flowers, and today is no exception. But instead of displays and racks with gardening stuff, there’s just a single table in the middle of the store with my favorite local flowers lining the walls. Lucas steps out from behind the table, a grin on his handsome face.
My heart starts hammering fast in my chest. Even after being together for as long as we have, I still haven’t lost my incredible joy every time I see him. I’m pregnant with his child, I’m his wife, but I still feel like the first time we saw each other every time he steps into the room.
“Glad you could make it,” he says.
“What is all this?”
He grins at me. “Breakfast. Sit down.”
I walk over and sit down at the table. He disappears into the back then returns with a plate full of pancakes. I laugh as he puts them down and pours me a mug of coffee.
“Okay, what is all this for?” I ask him.
“Can’t a man just spoil his pregnant wife?”
I grin at him and brandish my fork, a piece of pancake stuck through the end. “Nope. Tell me.”
He laughs and sits opposite me. I eat my bite and he takes my hand, looking into my eyes.
“This is the anniversary of the first day we met. Remember?”
I laugh, nodding. “Sure. You came wanting to steal flowers from my work.”
He grins. “That’s right. And you flirted with me the whole time.”
“Did not.”
“Sure. You couldn’t help yourself. You knew, even back then, that I was going to be your Daddy.”
I bite my lip. I still get chills whenever he says that.
“You’re too much,” I say, feeling joy spread through my body.
“You’re going to have my kid soon,” he says. “We’re going to be busy. Two little kids to raise, your father to take care of, our jobs. But I just want you to know that I’ll never neglect you. I’ll never forget what’s important to me.” He leans across the table and kisses me softly. “It’s always you, Mia.”
I can’t help it. I let small tears fall from my eyes, not able to stop them. They’re tears of joy, of course. He’s the perfect man and I couldn’t have asked for more.
I never thought I’d have someone like him. He’s hardworking, handsome, smart, funny, a great father, and he makes me feel things I never thought possible. He’s my man, my Daddy, my husband, and he takes care of me. He spoils me and always makes sure that I know he loves me more than anything else.
It’s unreal, it’s amazing, and it’s perfect. This day is perfect. It’s exactly what I needed. He’s proof that I can be happy. He’s everything I need.
Lucas, Noah, my new baby, and I are a family. Alice and my father and everyone. We’re all one big, crazy family, and I couldn’t feel more blessed to have them in my life.
I kiss Lucas one more time.
“Okay,” he says. “Enough tears. Dig in.”
“I love you, you know that?”
“Of course I do. I love you too.” He kisses me again. “Now eat before it gets cold.”
I dig in and we get to talking like we always do, comfortable and right. I have my baby inside of me, ready to come at any minute, and I can’t wait.
Every day is like this. One new joy after another. I couldn’t ask for anything else.
Bonus Epilogue: Mia
I take a deep breath as I look out over the preserve. It feels like its been forever, even though its been about six months.
I miss Aaron already. I know he’s safe and sound back home with Alice, but still. I need to find some way to thank Alice for how much she’s helped lately. She retired as soon as Aaron was born and let Lucas
take over her flower shop. Now that he owns the two biggest shops in town, money isn’t really an issue anymore.
So I don’t technically need to work at all, but I miss the preserve. I couldn’t help but come back. I’m only working part time, just a few hours a week, but it feels so good to be back outdoors. The cool, crisp air smells amazing as I walk happily down the path.
So much has changed for us since Aaron was born. Lucas’s shop began to really take off just as Alice decided to step down and retire. Of course, Lucas takes care of her, and most of the profits from her shop still go into her bank account, but she doesn’t actually know that. She’s been helping so much with Noah and Aaron that we’re still making out better on this deal for sure.
I never expected life to be like this. Now that Lucas is doing well, I don’t have to watch my father all day and night. He’s been doing about average lately, but I think having nurses helping him day and night is actually a huge benefit to him. They know what they’re doing better than I ever could.
We all moved into a big house on the edge of town about a month after Aaron was born. It’s close to where Alice lives, which makes it easy for her to come watch Aaron and Noah. Lucas even didn’t complain when I had my father move in with us, which I was so thankful for.
We’re one big happy family. And I have Lucas to thank for that. He pulled me out of my rut and gave me the world, and for that, I’m endlessly grateful.
As I get further along my path, I suddenly smell something a little surprising. It’s acrid, a big black. It takes me a second to realize that I’m smelling smoke.
I’m pulled out of my reverie instantly. There’s been a slightly drought lately, and the weather service released a wild fire warning just a few days ago. Anna made sure to remind me of that as I was leaving on my walk this morning. I didn’t make anything of it at the time, but suddenly it all comes rushing to me.
I can’t help myself. I hurry up the path toward the smoke, unable to stop. I know I should run back to the offices and tell someone about this, but I can’t help myself.
I love the preserve too much. Ever since leaving, I’ve been dreaming about walking these paths again. Laura hired new people to help out while I was on maternity leave, and the preserve has been doing pretty well lately, all things considered. We haven’t so much as heard a peep from the Carters, and I’m pretty sure they’re pursuing ventures outside of the town, which is fine with me.
I hurry up the path and my heart beats faster. I’m getting closer to my favorite part of the park, and fear settles into my gut. The stench of burning grass and wood gets stronger as I get closer and closer to the meadow.
I spot the fire as soon as I reach the top of the rise. The meadow itself is maybe twenty feet away, and a large swathe of it is churning away under an ugly orange blaze.
“Shit!” I yell and run toward the fire. But I have to stop as the wind picks up, blowing smoke right into my face. I hack and cough as I back away from the blaze.
Horror runs through me. The meadow is on fire, my favorite part of the park. Without thinking, I turn and pull my phone from my pocket.
I don’t know why I call Lucas, but I do. As I hurry back toward the offices, he answers on the second ring.
“Hey girl,” he says.
“Lucas! There’s a fire!”
He pauses. “I know. I’m always hot.”
“Seriously,” I say, desperate. “The meadow, Lucas. It’s on fire. Please, I need help!”
He quickly understand the seriousness of the situation. “Are you safe right now?” he asks.
“I’m safe,” I say. “I’m running back to the offices.”
“Good. Hang up the phone and call the fire department.”
“But it’s burning, Lucas! The meadow! Our spot!”
“I know,” he says calmly. “Hang up and call the fire department.”
I bite back a curse. I don’t know why I didn’t do that in the first place. In my panic, I called the first person I thought of, and of course it was Lucas.
I hang up the phone and dial 9-1-1. The operator answers immediately.
“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”
“Hello, I’m at the Highland Nature Preserve. There’s a wild fire there. We need the fire department.”
“Okay miss. What’s your name?”
“Mia.”
“Are you in danger.”
“No,” I say, getting desperate. I spot the offices up ahead. “I’m safe, but please, hurry!”
“Okay Mia,” the operator says, a soothing female voice. “I’ve alerted the fire department. They’re on their way.”
“Thanks!” I say.
“Please stay—“
I hang up the phone, not caring what else she has to say. I burst into the office, a little winded and out of breath.
“Laura!” I yell. “Fire!”
She comes around the corner, eyes wide. “What?”
“In the meadow, it’s a fire!”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure! I’ve seen fire before! We have to do something.”
“I’ll call the fire department,” she says.
“I already did that.” I run up to her and grab her arms. “We have to do something. We can’t just stay here!”
“It’s too dangerous,” she says. “People die in wild fires.”
I stare at her for a second then shake my head. “I can’t wait.” I run over to the janitorial closet and grab the biggest bucket I can find.
“What the hell are you doing?” Laura asks as I run toward the door.
“Helping!” I say.
“Mia, stop!” she shouts as I shove through the door. “You can’t do that. It’s too dangerous!”
But I’m not listening. I run back toward the path holding the empty bucket and I sprint as fast as I can back toward the smell of smoke.
The smell is stronger now. I don’t know how this fire started, but it’s obviously gotten stronger in the last ten minutes. It must be an insane coincident that I found it when I did. If I hadn’t come back to work today, or if I decided not to go through with my old work routine, I might not have noticed the fire when I did, and it could have gotten even worse before it was discovered.
No time to think about that, now, though. I stop at the stream and dunk the bucket in, filling it about half way, before hauling it up the rest of the hill.
The fire is hot and the smoke thick as I stumble toward it. I come as close as I can and toss the water. It hits the fire and sizzles, and briefly the fire is beaten back.
But as soon as I turn, the wind picks up again, and the fire blazes forward.
I run back to the stream, fill the bucket as much as I can, and I haul it back up. I throw it on the fire, coughing up smoke, eyes stinging with the stuff. I can barley think and my chest is burning from the effort. My arms feel like stones, but I’m not stopping. I throw the water again and again, as fast as I possibly can.
On the fifth trip, I hit a rock with my right foot and stumble forward. I slam into the ground and the water spills uselessly onto the ground.
I scream with frustration. For a second, I think I might stay there, but I’m not that kind of person. I struggle to my feet, get the bucket, fill it up, and push my way back up the hill.
I throw the water and it hits the fire with a sizzle. I go to turn away, but the window shifts and the fire is suddenly to my left. My heart starts pounding and my head feels light as I stumble away to the right.
My route back to the stream is cut off by the flames. I have to move, I have to get away from it, but it seems like it’s everywhere. Something crashes nearby and I stumble again, gasping for air. The smoke is thick now, too thick, and I can’t think anymore.
Stark, serious fear slices through me. I realize how stupid I’m being, trying to put out this fire on my own. Of course I couldn’t do it with just one bucket. I’m a mother now, I can’t be risking my life like this.
But it’s too late, I realize w
ith horror. I think I might be trapped by the fire. It’s everywhere I look, or at least the smoke is beginning to billow and blind me. I stumble away, trying to run, but I trip again and slam into the ground. My hands are cut up from roots and rocks and both of my knees are skinned. I feel like a child, like an idiot.
But finally I get a gasp of real air. The smoke is moving upward, and I realize that I can crawl down underneath it. I take a second to get myself together before moving forward on my hands and knees.
The fire is behind and to my left now. I start moving to the right, trying to get away from it. My heart is hammering and I’m so afraid I’m going to die out here and leave my two baby sons all alone.
“Mia!”
I hear my name like a gunshot on the horizon. “I’m here!” I scream as loudly as I can, but it comes out a broken croak.
“Mia!” the voice calls out again, and I realize that it’s Lucas. But that can’t be right. He’s at work right now. I feel sluggish and tired. “Mia! Where are you?”
“Here!” I yell. “Lucas! I’m here, down here!”
Suddenly he crashes through some bushes, hacking and coughing, a bandana over his face. “Mia!” he yells, spotting me, and grabs my arms.
He drags me to my feet. He practically carries me away from the fire. We stumble down the hill together, toward the stream. When we reach its banks, I collapse onto the ground, coughing my lungs out.
“Fucking hell Mia,” he says, coughing next to me. “What were you thinking?”
“The meadow,” I say stupidly.
“Shit.” He crouches down next to me. “You’re lucky Laura told me where you were. The fire department is on their way, but I guess I got here first.”
“I’m so sorry,” I say to him.
He grabs me and pulls me close. “It’s okay,” he says. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. I told you I’d never let you get hurt.” He kisses my hair and holds me tight.
The fire department shows up not long after and we’re rushed back to the parking lot. An ambulance takes me to the hospital where they keep me overnight. I’m lucky, I have some smoke inhalation and some very minor cuts and bruises, but no burns.
