by Piper Stone
Befuddled, the man took a step back and held up his hands. “I haven’t done a damn thing. I swear to God.”
“Let’s try again. What do you sell?”
“Coleman fuel and propane mostly. We do have some turpentine because fishers and hunters want us to keep that in stock and kerosene for lamps.”
He looked around the store, confident the man was telling the truth. “Has anyone in the last two weeks asked the same basic question, other than law enforcement?”
“Not that I know of. I have a kid that works for me on Sundays. I’ll ask him if you want to come back.”
Stoker yanked one of the store’s business cards from the small holder, writing his cell phone number on the back. “Why don’t you find out the answer to my question and give me a call. If you don’t, you might have a visit from some very unhappy firemen. Am I clear?”
“Crystal. I don’t work with criminals. I run a clean operation here,” the man half whispered, his eyes growing wide.
“I’m certain you do. Just give me a call.” Stoker glanced around at the other customers. Only two seemed to be paying him any attention. “One more thing. Do you know Mac’s gun shop?”
“Mac? Nice guy. He went out of business last year. If you’re looking for the largest selection of basic accelerants, I’d try a paint store. They sell everything from acetone to turpentine.”
“What about Ethyl Ether?” He was throwing a shot in the dark and noticed a tic on the corner of the man’s mouth. He crowded closer.
The man shook his head. “Some bad shit. Highly volatile. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re fucked.”
“And if you do?”
He looked from right to left, a bead of perspiration trickling down the side of his face. “Kaboom.”
“What do you mean I can’t get a flight out today?” Jessica huffed as she paced back and forth, her eyes darting to the already packed suitcase.
“We do have one seat in first class on a plane that leaves this afternoon,” the attendant stated, her tone huffy.
“No, I can’t afford to fly first class. You mean you don’t have anything until Sunday? Nothing at all?”
“I’m sorry, ma ‘am, but we’re booked. This is tourist season now. Would you like me to book you on that plane? Leaves Sunday at eleven.”
Jessica groaned. “Yeah. Sure. Whatever. Let me grab my credit card.” She wasn’t entirely certain how much credit she had available and refused to call Maggie for the money. She wasn’t going to stick her tail between her legs and go running home. She’d leave on her own terms, going back to… A locked house. Fuckin’ great. She’d ignored the situation with the foreclosure and had a sinking suspicion she would find an auction sign planted on a stick in her yard. Would serve her right.
“Ma’am. Do you have that card? I have customers waiting,” the attendant snarked.
“I’m here. Hold on.” Hold the fuck on, you bitch. Yes, she was in a wretched mood. There hadn’t been a single phone call from Stoker, or a note of apology. Nothing. At minimum, she would have anticipated he’d try and weasel his way out of the reason he left. A good reason. What the hell good reason could he have? “Are you ready?” As she spouted off the numbers, she tried to figure out what she was going to do with herself for two days. Two whole days to stick her head in the sand.
“Just a moment while we confirm.”
“You do that.” Jessica walked to the window, peering out at the pristine day. A cold front had settled into the area, the temperature dropping like a rock overnight. She had one sweater with her. She laughed realizing she was far too much of a city slicker to be able to live in a beefy cowboy town. She heard the slight buzz. Another incoming call. When she looked at her phone, her legs shook. Stoker. If she ended the call now, she might not get home until next week, but she wanted to talk to him. No, she didn’t. Why would she want to talk to him after what he did? Was she stupid? Ignoring the call, she pretended as if it didn’t happen.
“You’re all set, Ms. Dunn.”
“Thanks so much.” She hung up the phone, tossing the piece on the sofa and eyed the business card shoved into her hand by some wanna-be record producer. She’d blown him off after the debacle with Stoker. Wrinkling her nose, she grabbed the card, studying the name, which rang a bell.
She grabbed her laptop and after powering up, searched for the company. “Huh.” She eyed the impressive website. The man was legit, the company representing a solid two dozen of the best country performers in the business. The company a subsidiary of RCA, their artists had received dozens of gold records over the years.
Maybe Jasper was right about the change. She exhaled and lowered the lid, reading the name on the card again. Marcus Willowby. He’d given her his direct cell number along with offering a plane ticket to Nashville to visit with the executives of his firm. If she went this route, she’d certainly be pushing the concept of Fringe out of the picture. Not that they’d asked her back, but she suspected Cody would push the issue if they got back together.
Jessica flipped the card back and forth, debating making the call. What if she left for Nashville today? Maybe she could catch a direct flight from there back home. Home. The thought gave her another series of shivers. Home is where the heart is, right? Well, she had no heart. Talking to the guy wasn’t a bad idea. Couldn’t hurt. She could always say no.
She reached for her phone. Seeing the voice mail, she grimaced. After debating, she allowed herself to listen. His words were chilling, but not enough. They’d never be enough. A rumbling sound caught her attention. She wiped her eyes. This was insane.
Groaning, she moved to the front door to lock Stoker out then peered out the front window. The truck didn’t belong to Stoker. Butterflies in her stomach, she opened the door. “I didn’t expect to see you here or ever again.”
“I know. I’m sorry for the last time we spoke. Do you think we could talk?”
Jessica was surprised at Cooper’s change in demeanor. She glanced over his shoulder, unsure whether she should be talking to him.
“I promise, no yelling and no cursing.”
“I don’t know what I can tell you. I shouldn’t have meddled,” she said as she folded her arms. Why was he here?
“Yes, you should have and one day, Stoker and I will look back, grateful that you did.” Cooper gave her a half smile. “Can we talk? Promise I’ll leave you alone.”
Shrugging, she headed back into the cabin, so many questions running through her mind. “Can I get you anything? Coffee? Wine?”
“If you have a beer, I’d love one. Spending time in jail created a desire to drink,” he said then laughed half-heartedly.
“Jail?” She shot him a look then wondered whether this was the reason Stoker had left in a huff the night before.
“Yeah. I was arrested under suspicion of arson. Can you believe it? I was a smokejumper for four years on and off when I wasn’t serving my country in a war, a volunteer firefighter before that and the Sheriff believes I might have had something to do with setting those fires.” Cooper snorted then gave her a sheepish look. “I know. I’ve been an asshole to everyone. They think I’m crazy. Even my sister thinks I’m crazy. Hell, maybe I am, but I’m not a monster.”
Jessica watched the myriad of expressions. Her gut told her the man was telling the truth. “Let me get that beer.” As she reached into the fridge, she debated calling Stoker. What good would that do? Incite another argument, create additional tension between them? No, this she wanted to handle on her own. She grabbed the beer and decided against having anything alcoholic. She wanted to be very clear headed when hearing what the man had to say.
As she walked back into the room, she noticed he was standing in front of the guitar, his look haunting. “Stoker gave me the guitar. I understand you gave that to him as a gift?” Flanking his side, she handed him the beer and gazed down at the lovely instrument.
“I did. Years ago, when we were still friends, I dabbled in playing. We’d s
it around a fire pit and I’d try to play a tune or two.” Laughing, he looked away. “A lifetime ago.”
“What really happened between the two of you?”
Exhaling, he popped the top, guzzling for a few seconds. When he finished he wiped his mouth but didn’t look at her. “What did he tell you?”
“Not enough. Just that you were both in the war and a terrible incident happened. I think he blames himself, but takes his rage out on everyone who even thinks about caring about him.” She heard the strangled sound of her voice and walked back toward the front window.
“You care about him.”
“Very much, but that doesn’t seem to matter any longer. He thinks I betrayed him.”
“I’m the one who betrayed him,” Cooper said quietly.
“How? Why? What’s so horrific that you two can’t talk this out, becoming friends again.”
He chuckled as he turned toward her. “We’re both stubborn. When I came back, I was angry at the world. I didn’t give a shit about anything or anyone. I was wrapped up in the fact that my leg was gone and you bet, I blamed Stoker for a hell of a long time.”
“And the truth?” She dared to ask as she looked over her shoulder.
Cooper remained quiet, his eyes locking on hers. “Truth is, he tried to save me, keep me from jumping that terrible night. I wouldn’t listen.”
“Does he know this?”
“He wasn’t here when I returned. Granted, I was in the hospital for a few weeks. I wasn’t told he was a prisoner of war until two months later. I was so enraged I started a spiral downward, pushing away anyone who mattered to me. Thank God, Stephanie was around or I would have ended up in an institution. She refused to allow that to happen. I’ve been nothing but an asshole and a problem for her ever since. I left town for a while, thinking that would help, but I realized I was just taking the coward’s way out.”
“So why the sudden change of heart?” Jessica wanted to believe the man, prayed to God this was the beginning of a reconciliation, but she had her doubts.
“I don’t know. When I came to see Stoker, I wanted nothing more than to bury the hatchet. He was having nothing of the sort, but I knew the man was hurting. I could tell he blames himself for everything that happened. Then, when I was arrested, I figured I’d better figure this out or end up losing the rest of my life. I’d already lost my best friend.”
Jessica leaned against the glass, her heart racing. “I don’t know exactly what happened. I suppose I never will, but I can tell you that Stoker has tortured himself for these past two years, refusing to allow any comfort or love in his life. I thought…” Her words trailed off. “I guess I thought we had something special. I was wrong.”
Cooper lumbered toward her. “I know he cares for you.”
“How in the hell could you possibly know that?” Scoffing, she rolled her eyes. “Doesn’t really matter anyway. I’m leaving on Sunday. My home certainly isn’t here.”
“Jessica. I lost two years of my life because I refused to accept what happened and how my life was going to change. I was a fool. When you find something or someone you care about, you can’t let them go. Take it from a jerk. Anyway, I came here to apologize. I hope you don’t believe that I had anything to do with the fires. I swear to you on my life that I would never harm my city or the people I grew up with. That’s not what I’m made of. Takes a special asshole to destroy something so beautiful, nature and all the amazing glory.”
“Yeah. What kind of person does this?”
He shrugged. “I’ve studied fires for years. I used to do some of the training, various tasks required by jumpers before they are able to make it past the first stage. Mental evaluations are vital given what we do, or what I used to do.”
Jessica held her breath seeing the faraway look in his eyes. “I can’t imagine doing what you and Stoker do.”
“The job takes a toll, not just physically but psychologically. The concept of death is always there, given we see the worst fires imaginable. I’ve been in forests where the blaze is so hot, cars are reduced to molten metal within minutes. I’ve been up close and personal with landscape so barren after a fire, the only understanding of what it’s like is imagining a nuclear bomb. Living this day after day, year after year is destructive to even the most civilized and rational person. Imagine someone hell bent on creating fires. They might seem normal for years, but they’re simply biding their time.”
“How would you know?”
“Tests are developed a certain way. If you run them through a special program designed for weeding out potential issues, there’s always a red flag. Now, if they were followed is something else,” Cooper said quietly.
After thinking about what he’d said, she nodded. “And Stoker?”
Cooper smiled. “He was born for the job, but he’s a different man now than two years ago. Whatever they did to him in that wretched prison has taken away a part of his soul.” He inched closer. “However, what I can tell you is that you are the single person that’s given him a spark and I can see the man he used to be, whether he chooses to believe it or not.”
She smiled and shook her head. “Maybe I’ll have a glass of wine with you.” Cooper was an interesting man and very much like Stoker. No wonder they were friends. Before leaving the window, she noticed a cloud of dust. Someone was coming. She palmed the glass and waited. “Stoker.”
“He’s here?” Cooper managed as he moved closer.
Nodding, she realized this would infuriate the man, but perhaps the entire rift could end right here. At this point, there was nothing to lose. She took hurried steps, opening the front door and walking out onto the porch. She knew Cooper moved behind her and as soon as Stoker slammed on the brakes, peering out the window, she bristled. “He’s going to run away again.”
“Let him. He has to come to terms with what happened in his own time.”
As Stoker slammed the gear into reverse and floored the engine, she raced off the porch, running until she was in the middle of the driveway. Holding out her arms, she stood her ground as the truck barreled in her direction. “Stop!”
“I could have fucking killed you! What the hell did you think you were doing jumping in front of my truck?” Stoker yelled, his entire body shaking. He’d come within two inches of her. The damn woman. He glared at her then turned his head, snarling at Cooper. This wasn’t what he’d expected.
“But you didn’t and you what? You wouldn’t be standing here if I hadn’t done something drastic. Get your head out of your ass and sit down and talk with this man!” Jessica fumed, her face and neck beet red.
Stoker wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of here, but seeing her face, the way she was taking a stand, he had nothing but admiration. He’d also been petrified that something could have happened to her. His throat remained half closed as he thought about what to do. “I don’t know.”
“Come inside. Let’s all sit down and talk,” she encouraged.
“Maybe I should leave,” Cooper said as he thumped down the stairs.
“No! Neither of you are leaving. I may not know either one of you very well and you’ve made it perfectly clear that I don’t belong here, but goddamn it you are going to talk to each other. I have a mean right hook and I do not mind using it.” Jessica fumed as she paced back and forth.
A swell of pride slipped into Stoker’s heart as her words rang in his ears. This woman, this fireball of light and life was infuriating. She was also the only woman he knew he could ever love. He dropped his head, allowing the various thoughts to settle. “I never wanted to see you arrested.”
“You did this?” Jessica snapped.
“I told the Sheriff what I believed was going on. I mentioned arson before the report came back from the Fire Investigator, but I did not tell Sheriff James that I thought Cooper had anything to do with this. I swear to God.” Stoker was sick to his stomach.
She laughed. “This just gets better. You want to ruin his life the same way you’r
e destroying yours. Well happy day to both of you. You know what? I’m sick of this shit. I’m leaving Sunday and I’ll be damn glad to get the hell out of here.” After giving them both a nasty look, she stormed into the cabin, slamming the door.
Wincing, Stoker rubbed his eyes. How had everything gone to shit?
“I didn’t know you’d be here. I just wanted to apologize to Jessica. I’ll leave.” Cooper waited for a few seconds before heading toward his truck.
“Wait. Please. Don’t go anywhere.” The beautiful sky dimmed until he could only see the visions from the wretched night. “I did this but I swear to God, I never wanted you hurt. I went looking for you, away from the detail. I knew you were hurt and I knew why.”
Cooper moved closer, his eyes darting back and forth. “What is it that you thought happened? I went against a direct order. I was the one who jumped into enemy territory because I thought I was trained better than anyone else. My arrogance cost me my leg. Granted, I couldn’t say that until just a couple of days ago, but that’s the truth.”
Stoker shook his head, tears forming in his eyes. “I grabbed your ripcord. I know you became tangled in your parachute.” He was unable to look into his friend’s eyes. The entire haunting scene rushed back into his mind, every detail, every damning moment. He fell against the truck as visions of Cooper spiraling out of control rushed into his mind. “I’m. So. Sorry.”
Cooper closed the distance. “That’s not what happened. When I left that plane the chute was intact. I didn’t yank the cord in time. When I did, I was caught in a strong wind given the storm. I spiraled out of control because of my impetuous decision, not anything you did.”
“I don’t believe you,” Stoker managed. Could this be true?
“Listen to me for once, Stoker. What I’m telling you is the truth.”
“But I should have jumped with you.”
