The Fireman's Secret

by Jessica Keller

  Joel let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Accepting Dante was as good as accepting him, if not better. Shelby Beck had just passed the most important test to winning Joel’s trust.

  * * *

  The truck boasted a hole the size of a baseball on the floor. Shelby positioned her feet around the spot. Joel pulled onto the highway, the trailer carrying his motorcycle creaking along behind them. She stared at the radio dial. No sound. Maybe it was busted. Or he didn’t like having it on. Either way, Shelby couldn’t stand the silence.

  She ran her fingers over the silky hairs of the dog’s head and noticed his shape and colorings. He possessed the black-and-white blending of a border collie, but had patches of brown, as well. The dog gazed at her with crystal blue eyes. “This is an Australian cattle dog.”

  Joel looped his hand over the steering wheel and regarded her. “The lady knows her dogs.”

  Shelby shrugged. “Occupational hazard. He’s beautiful. I love his markings. It’s a boy, right?”

  “Yeah. This is Dante. He’s partially deaf so if you talk to him and he doesn’t look at you, don’t take offense. He’s an old boy now, so he moves slow. But he’s my best friend.” Joel patted the dog on the rump and then left his hand resting there. “We found each other eight years ago and have been inseparable ever since.”

  “You found each other. That sounds intriguing.”

  The lights of the small downtown strip of Goose Harbor came in to view.

  Joel kept his eyes on the road. “It wasn’t a good time for me. I was...in between homes and found Dante wandering in an alley. He was so scrawny. His rib cage looked like blades jutting out of his body.” He rubbed his hand over Dante’s back. “I brought him to a local vet. The doctor recognized him right away. I guess they don’t get a lot of Dante’s breed in that town.”

  Recognized? “But you didn’t have to give him back?”

  “Turns out his owner died and neither of her two adult children wanted to take Dante, so instead of finding him a home they brought him into town and dumped him on the street.”

  “That’s awful.” Shelby gasped. “How can people be so cruel?”

  “People—most people—just don’t care beyond themselves.”

  The truck’s tires thumped over the brick-paved block that made up the main square of the town.

  “But how could someone not want Dante? He seems so sweet.” Shelby scratched behind his ears and the dog sighed happily. “Who wouldn’t want to open their home to him if they could?”

  At the single stoplight in town, Joel bowed his head. Eyes closed, he took a deep breath. “They just didn’t want him. No one wanted him. That’s all there was to it,” he whispered.

  The light turned green and he pulled around the corner and parked in front of Gran’s Candy Shoppe. A streetlight illuminated the interior of the truck’s cab. Joel’s smile was gone. His brow furrowed.

  They just didn’t want him. No one wanted him.

  Joel had been in the foster system when he’d lived in Goose Harbor. An older couple from their church had taken him. After Joel disappeared, the couple had sold their home and moved to Florida.

  She listened to Dante’s even breaths for a minute. “Dogs are wonderful. I love them because they don’t judge. They don’t care if something’s wrong with you. That’s why I started working with them.”

  “Exactly. He’s become everything to me.” Joel scratched Dante’s back.

  Shelby leaned across Dante and placed her hand over Joel’s. “I’m glad he found you.”

  “Me, too.” The trace of something that wanted to be a smile pulled on his lips. He fished a pen and a folded receipt from one of the truck’s cup holders. “Let me give you my number. Promise me that if you start feeling worse or your head starts hurting or you get dizzy you’ll call me.”

  “Sure.” She reached to take the piece of paper from him.

  He didn’t let go of it. “Anytime of the night. I’m serious.”

  She met his eyes. The intensity of his gaze made her catch her breath. “I promise,” she whispered.

  He let go of the paper. “Have a good night, Shelby.”

  “You, too.” She grabbed her purse. “And take care of sweet Dante.”

  “Will do.” Joel saluted her.

  She laughed and made her way to the door on the side of the building that led up to her apartment, the whole time keenly aware that Joel hadn’t pulled away until she was safely inside.

  * * *

  Joel straightened his shirt, took a deep breath and then stepped into the fire chief’s office. Three chairs and a mammoth mahogany desk filled the small room, leaving him no choice but to stand in the small square of space in the open doorway.

  Chief Wheeler hopped to his feet when he spotted Joel, a boisterous laugh making his red beard waggle as he offered his hand. “Great to see you again, Palermo. Are you settling into your new place all right?”

  “I only just got in last night. I haven’t even unpacked yet, sir.”

  “Well, take time to enjoy the town this week—chief’s orders.” He plunked into his chair.

  “Will do.” Joel sat in the seat across from Wheeler. “Is there anything else you need from me before I start?”

  “Nothing I can think of, other than never call me sir again.” He laughed.

  “Chief?” A light tap sounded on the door. “Do you have a minute.” Shelby Beck popped her head into the office. “Oh, I’m so sorry. You’re busy. I can come back later.”

  “Hogwash. You know I always have time for you.” The chief motioned for her to join them. “Shelby, I want you to meet our newest fireman, Joel Palermo. I believe he’s about your age. If I recall correctly, he’s also single.”

  A small grin played over Shelby’s face. “We’ve met.”

  “I see.” The chief winked at them.

  She grabbed the last available seat in the room, which brought her knee to knee with Joel. Her smile was infectious.

  He leaned forward to examine the cut on her temple. “How’s your head?”

  “Good.” She moved her hair to cover the barely visible gash. “How’s Dante?

  Joel leaned back in his chair. “I’m sure he’s happy to have a yard to sniff around in. Our last place didn’t have one. He may be old, but he really likes being outside.”

  “You know,” she began, “when you’re on your days staying here at the firehouse, I could walk Dante for you and stop in to make sure he’s okay.”

  Joel nudged her knee with his. “Look at you, Miss Businesswoman, adding me to your clientele when I’ve been in town less than twenty-four hours.”

  “No. I didn’t mean—I’m offering as a friend.” Shelby’s cheeks flushed. “I don’t want your money.”

  “I was kidding with you.” He winked.

  Chief Wheeler crossed his arms over his chest. “So, Shelby, I’m assuming you came in here to do more than just flirt with my handsome new fireman.”

  Shelby’s cheeks blazed fire-engine red. “I’m not—”

  Joel opened his mouth to defend her.

  But the chief slapped the table and laughed. “I’m kidding, girl. Although, if you like him, I could order him to take you on a date.”

  Shelby looked down at the floor. “Like I said, I can come back another time if that’s better.”

  Chief Wheeler adjusted his tie. “Relax, Shelby. What can I do for you?”

  She knit her fingers together as she blew out a long breath. Then she tugged a bundle of papers from her purse. “My father left me this. I can rebuild. Finally. I’m going to meet with Ida today. When her husband was mayor, I remember him raising money for just that purpose. I want to see if that money is still available, but even if it is, I’m sure it won’t be enough.”

  The chief sat a little straighter. “And you’re asking if the fire department would help you raise more?”

  “People love firefighters.” She shrugged.

  “Dashing men in unif
orm coming to the rescue. What’s not to love, right, Joel?”

  Unsure of the correct way to interact with his new boss, Joel only offered a smile.

  The chief extended his hand to shake Shelby’s. “Of course we’ll help. In fact, Joel, since you’re new around here, as your first order of business upon joining the department, I’m going to have you team with Shelby on planning a fund-raiser. You’ll get to meet the whole town that way.”

  “Sure. Why not?” Helping host a fund-raiser was the perfect opportunity to get in good with the people of Goose Harbor, which was what he needed if this was going to be his forever home. He wanted them to forget the moody teenager who ran away. If he had tried, he couldn’t have come up with a better way to enter the town again.

  “I was thinking a pancake breakfast,” Shelby piped up.

  Joel leaned his elbows on his knees. “Food included. This gig is getting better by the minute. So, what are we fund-raising for?”

  “To rebuild the church.”

  Her words hit his gut like a two-ton weight. Rebuild the church? There had been only one in town when he left. But—he swallowed hard. It felt like there was gravel in his throat—it couldn’t be. “What church?”

  Shelby touched his forearm. “The only church in town. You remember, don’t you? Wait, you wouldn’t because it was still standing when you lived here last time, wasn’t it?”

  Joel’s heart beat so hard and fast he was afraid it showed through his shirt.

  “What happened to it?” He had to ask since they thought he didn’t know. Not looking curious would cast suspicion his way.

  Shelby tugged on her sleeves and glanced at the ground.

  Chief Wheeler cleared his throat. “It burned down, but I figured you knew that.”

  Of course Joel already knew.

  Because fourteen years ago, he’d been the one who set it on fire.

  Chapter Two

  Joel’s gaze followed Shelby as she left the chief’s office.

  Chief Wheeler rose from his desk, crossed the room and shut the door to his office. “Shelby is a very special young woman.”

  “Yes, I know.” With the news about the church’s destruction swirling through his mind, Joel couldn’t quite make eye contact with the chief. What if someone discovered the role he played in the fire? Would he be able to justify his actions? He hadn’t realized he’d destroyed the whole building. He’d only meant to ruin a wall or something of that magnitude. Just enough to send the message to God that he was not okay with what had been happening in his life.

  “How well do you know Shelby?” The chief moved to the edge of his desk and scooted so he was sitting, which brought him very near to where Joel sat.

  Relax. He commanded the muscles in his back and arms to ease. Focusing on Shelby helped, since she had nothing to do with the fire. “I knew her years ago. From when I lived here before. I was more friends with Caleb than with her, but she tagged along most of the time when we hung out...like an annoying little sister should.”

  He chuckled as a memory pushed its way into his mind, one of Shelby trying to chase after Caleb, Miles and Joel as they tried to sneak out of youth group to go waterskiing. When they wouldn’t let her follow she went and tattled on them. The youth pastor made the boys clean the church’s bathrooms every Saturday for the next month.

  “A lot can happen in fourteen years, son.” The tone in Chief Wheeler’s voice changed on the last word. It became softer, kinder.

  It sounded a bit like forgiveness. Or was Joel hearing things through the filter of misguided hope?

  Joel finally met the man’s eyes. “You’re right. That’s a lot of time. Life’s moved on for all of us, and I’m just glad for the chance to be back, however long that is. Chief, I’m not sure how much you remember about how I was as a teen—”

  “Enough.” Wheeler grinned. The chief had been a regular fireman back then, and in a town where everyone knew everyone, Joel was aware that despite the buffer of fourteen years, some of his troubled past was still common knowledge in Goose Harbor.

  “I’m not that kid anymore. I hope you know that.”

  “I wouldn’t have hired you if I thought you were.” The chief tugged a manila folder from the stack on his desk. “Speaking of which, I wanted to talk to you about the employee information form I asked you to fill out.”

  Joel gripped the armrest. Please don’t ask about Charlie. Charlie Greave had saved Joel’s life, let him live with his family while Joel pursued his training, and helped Joel land his first position in a firehouse. Charlie had been the only lasting father figure he’d ever known, but then Charlie had left, too. Although, Charlie had fought his illness bravely, he’d lost. Joel didn’t trust himself to talk about it.

  Wheeler tugged a single piece of paper from the folder and handed it to Joel. “I think you forgot to list an emergency contact.”

  “No. It’s all filled out.” Joel refused to glance at the page. He didn’t want to see the blank lines that he’d never be able to fill in. Name of spouse. Names and ages of children. He didn’t know the first thing about how to be a good boyfriend, husband or father. All he had to offer a girl was a bunch of baggage, and if Joel knew anything, it was that he was man enough to save a woman that sort of disappointment.

  Chief Wheeler stood and paced to the window in his office that overlooked the shopping district in town. “Why haven’t you listed an emergency contact?”

  “Because I don’t have one.” Why did his stomach feel as if he’d swallowed acid?

  “No one?” The chief turned around to face him. “This isn’t your first department, so I’m not going to pretend you don’t know how dangerous our work can be. I do everything in my power to keep the people under my command safe. You understand that, don’t you?”

  Joel nodded.

  “But I can’t guarantee you won’t get hurt.” Wheeler crossed his arms over his barrel-sized chest. “Many a fireman has had to pay the ultimate price in order to save others.”

  “I’m aware of the dangers, sir.” In fact, it was the whole reason Joel had become a firefighter six years ago. The job made his life matter. Finally.

  Wheeler’s bushy orange eyebrows dove. “I thought I told you no more calling me sir.”

  “You did. I’m sorry. I’m just having a hard time understanding what you need from me.”

  Wheeler dropped into the chair Shelby had vacated. “You’re telling me that if the worst should happen to you, there’s no one in the world you would want me to contact? Not one single person?”

  Joel shuffled his feet. “Is that a problem?”

  “No relations? No friends who might wish to be told?”

  Joel tucked his hands into his coat pockets. “My mom overdosed about a year after she got released from prison the last time around, and she’s the only family member I knew of.” He shouldn’t have shared that. The chief didn’t need to know about his personal struggles. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry. Why is this important to my paperwork?”

  “I’m worried about you, Palermo. That’s what. Not having an emergency contact could make you a reckless firefighter. I can’t have you taking chances that’ll harm my other men. An attachment outside of the fire keeps you sane.”

  The chief couldn’t be letting him go. Not after Joel moved his whole life up here. How long would his status as an orphan be held against him? Until he died? No, the chief had done a bang-up job reminding him no one would mourn Joel when his time came.

  Joel sat up straighter. “You have my paperwork from my last station. At my last post I was recognized for—”

  The chief held up his hand to stop Joel’s words. “I’ve read about your accolades and awards. You’re a member of a standby hotshot team. I’m not minimizing that at all. What I am saying, however, is that the rest of this department has strong ties to spouses, children, parents, longtime friends or extended family. When they’re in a burning building they can keep their cool and make decisions becau
se in the back of their minds they’re reminded they have someone who needs them at home. It adds a layer of...weight to their work that keeps them from putting themselves and others in unnecessarily dangerous positions. You don’t have that.”

  “Well, I’m not sure what you want me to do exactly. There’s still no one I can add to the line for emergency contacts. Not one person in the world would miss me if I was gone.” He tried to swallow, but his throat felt so tight. Dante was the only creature on earth that’d even miss him.

  Chief Wheeler gripped Joel’s shoulder. “Want to know how you can fix this for me? Find something worth coming home to.”

  * * *

  Shelby ran her sleeve across her forehead. It might only have been the start of summer, but the temperature was already rising. And riding across town on two half-filled bike tires didn’t help, either. She’d yet to hear back from the mechanic about her car, but hopefully the old Volkswagen could be saved, because she wouldn’t be able to bike to all her dog-walking locations. While she was happy her small business had taken off in the past month, she didn’t love driving all over the county in order to make enough to pay rent. If only she could find a way to merge her love of animals with something that would keep her from having to commute from house to house.

  Ida Ashby lived in a small cottage just to the right of the West Oaks Inn bed-and-breakfast. The cottage could have popped right off the page of a fairy tale.

  She licked her lips, grabbed hold of the copper knocker and knocked.

  “Well, now, come on in with you,” Ida’s soft, sweet voice called through one of the open windows.

  Shelby eased open the door. “Hi, Ida.”

  “Hi there, sweet thing. What brings you down my way?” Though she had been alone in her house, Ida wore a dress. Her hair was pulled back and her Mary Jane shoes shimmered below her crossed ankles.

  “I hate to sound rude, but I came to ask you about some money.” Shelby fidgeted with her bag.

  Ida set down her mug of tea and peered over her glasses. “You look a mite old to be selling cookies door to door, but if you are, I’ll take two boxes.”