Flirting with Destiny

by Christyne Butler

  “Okay, that’s enough.” Dev cut off his sister-in-law. “The last thing I want to hear about is some guy’s...furniture.”

  “Does that mean I shouldn’t mention that your mother also said—”

  The pastor joined them and Fay stopped midsentence. She accepted the quilt, hugging it to her chest as the two of them chatted for a few minutes about the blessing ceremony Fay and Adam were planning for A.J. in a few weeks.

  Dev waited until he and Fay were alone again, and then said, “I know I’ll regret asking, but what else did Mom say?”

  “Oh, she just made it clear that Tanya was already spoken for.”

  Spoken for? What century was this?

  He opened his mouth, but for once had no idea how to respond, other than to snap his jaw shut and roll his eyes.

  “You know your mom, Dev.” Fay poked a finger into his shoulder. “Playing matchmaker is one of her favorite hobbies. She told us how cozy you and Tanya looked eating dinner in the gazebo, which I thought was very sweet. Of course, Tanya was a bit—”

  “Devlin Murphy? Sweet?” A low, rumbling voice that sounded like cars driving over gravel cut through the din of the crowd. “Now there’s two things I’m not sure I’d ever put together.”

  Dev got to his feet so fast his body didn’t have time to register how utterly wrong the sudden movement would be.

  Everything went numb from his waist down, and he had no idea how he was still on his feet. Thankfully, the table was close enough for him to grab on to it, but his cane was out of reach.

  “Ch-chief.” Dev fought to keep his voice steady as he faced the man who led the town’s fire department. “It’s good to see you again.”

  Dressed in his typical uniform of black pants, white short-sleeved shirt with the DFD shoulder patch on his left arm and the gold five-crossed bugle collar pins that showed his rank, Chief Alex Morgan had been with the fire department as long as Dev had been alive.

  “Good to see you, too, Murphy,” he said, his upper lip barely visible beneath the groomed but bushy handlebar mustache Dev had never seen the man without. “Especially since the last time we talked you were flat on your back in a hospital bed.”

  And he was probably minutes away from being flat on his back again, right here in the church hall. “Yes, I remember.”

  “Well, I’ll let you men talk while I head back.” Fay scooted around the back of the table and rose up on her toes to place a quick kiss on Dev’s cheek.

  He then felt the cool rubber grip of his cane being pressed into his hand.

  He offered his sister-in-law a look of thanks as he wrapped his fingers around the handle, taking a moment to steady himself while the chief was distracted by a couple of teenagers asking about the fire department’s cadet program for high school juniors and seniors.

  “Get them while they’re young, huh?” Dev asked, surer of his ability to remain upright as sensation returned to his legs. He’d rather have the pain than nothing at all. “I should’ve started that way.”

  “You came to us when it was the right time for you.”

  The man was right. If Dev had joined the department’s volunteer squad after he’d moved back home following college, his drinking would’ve gotten him kicked out within the first year.

  Either that or killed.

  Now it was time for Dev to do his own butt kicking. He’d been asked by his fellow—or should he say former—coworkers earlier in the evening about his recovery and when he was coming back to the department. Their questions had been heartfelt, but all Dev could think about was how he was no longer one of them.

  Now was the moment to face that reality head on.

  “Chief, this probably isn’t the right time or place, but if you have a few minutes...”

  The man nodded and pointed at a couple of chairs against the back wall, next to the lighted display of called numbers. “How about we head over there?”

  Dev nodded, thankful he could manage to walk the short distance. But when he got there, he ignored the folding chair.

  Determined to do this standing up, he compromised by at least bracing his back against the wall. “I’ll be dropping by your office soon with an official notice in writing, but I want to let you know I’m resigning from the department’s volunteer ranks.”

  “Denied.”

  Dev blinked, sure he hadn’t heard the man correctly. “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. Your resignation is denied. You’re not going anywhere.”

  “Chief, anyone can tell just from looking at me I can’t fulfill the duties of a firefighter.” Dev lowered his voice; he was gripping his cane with both hands now. “I’m no good to the department anymore.”

  “You having a HUYA moment?” Chief shoved his hands in his pocket.

  Dev sighed. The chief’s acronym, a favorite of his, stood for an event that happened often around the firehouse. Officially known as a Head Up Your A—

  “You done now?” He didn’t wait for Dev to answer. “Good. Did any of the crew mention the upcoming firefighters’ competition?”

  They had, and Dev had only nodded politely during any talk about the annual event firefighters from various towns participated in. The weekend-long competition, being held in nearby Johnson City this year, consisted of a variety of challenges, both team and individual, designed to test the skill and abilities of the firefighter and provide entertainment to both the teams and the public who attended.

  He’d been last year’s overall winner after competing with Destiny’s team ever since he’d joined the department five years ago.

  “We’ve got six weeks to get ready and there are a couple of rookies on the team who could use some expert help.” Someone called the chief’s name. He motioned that he heard, but kept on talking. “Stop by my office and pick up the training schedule.”

  He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Chief, I can’t—”

  “Is it your day job? I’m sure you’re still trying to get caught up, but that never got in the way of your volunteer work before.”

  Dev shook his head. The chief misunderstood. “It’s not a matter of time. Look at me. I have nothing to contribute—”

  “You have a brain, a mouth and experience. Your department and fellow firefighters need you, son. Don’t let us down.”

  With that, the man walked away, and Dev felt helpless to do anything but watch him go.

  What in the hell was he going to do now?

  The pastor waved at him and then pointed to his watch, a silent message that the break was just about over.

  Except Dev decided the night was over for him.

  Now, how to get out of—

  An idea popped into his head that would solve at least a few of his problems. He made it back to the head table as the crowd returned to their seats.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special surprise for you all.” Dev paused, waiting for the noise to die down. He pressed the cane close to his side, doing his best to keep it out of sight as he addressed the crowd. “Tonight’s last hour of games will be led by a guest caller. Now, this is someone who’s been a terrific fill-in for me a few times in the past, so I’m sure he won’t mind helping out again tonight. Dean Zippenella. Come on down, Zip!”

  Dev watched as first surprise and then a knowing grin crossed Dean’s face. He got to his feet, acknowledging the crowd’s applause with a wave of his hand before leaning over and whispering something to Tanya.

  The sight of his friend’s head so close to hers was the icing on an already bitter cake, and the way she smiled at whatever the man said didn’t help. Then again, nothing at the moment was going to improve his mood.

  When Zip finally joined him, Dev muted the microphone, handed it off and then shared a quick handshake with the man. “They’re all yours,” he said. “E
njoy.”

  “This wasn’t necessary, you know.” Zip shot back. “Your ‘hands off’ glare came through loud and clear.”

  “No idea what you’re talking about, man.”

  Zip only grinned, turned the microphone back on and addressed the crowd. “How about a big round of applause for Devlin Murphy? We’ve missed having him here and let’s hope we can get him back to the weekly bingo nights on a regular basis real soon.”

  Now it was Dev’s turn to wave to the crowd as he grabbed his Stetson from the end of the table. Picking speed over grace, he walked away as quickly as he could while Zip got the evening started back up with a new game.

  Dev reached the concession area, tucked into the corner of the room near one of the exits. Waving off any offers of food, he quickly donned his hat and asked for a soda, enjoying the feel of the icy-cold can when handed to him.

  Damn, this would be great rolled across his lower back.

  He set the can down and tried to open it one-handed, unwilling to let go of his cane. Failing that, he glanced around for the closest chair, knowing he had to sit down, but then graceful fingers appeared and quickly popped the top for him.

  He didn’t have to turn to know Tanya had left her bingo cards to join him; her familiar scent, a mixture of sharp lemon citrus and sweet lavender, surrounded him. He’d been intrigued by that scent earlier tonight at the gazebo, and it clung to his clothes, wafting up to his nose every time he’d moved tonight.

  “Can I do anything to help?” she asked.

  “You just did.” He took a long swallow, enjoying the cold liquid as it rushed down his throat.

  “I can tell you’re hurting.” Her soft voice filled his ear. “Is it your leg again?”

  “As a matter of fact, it is,” Dev snapped, glaring at her. “What do you suggest we do about it? Drop my jeans right here so your magic fingers can go to work again?”

  “Actually, I had something else in mind.” She lifted the can from his grip and set it down on the table. “Now, give me your hand.”

  Chapter Nine

  “Excuse me?”

  Tanya ignored Dev’s expression and reached for the hand that didn’t have a death grip on the cane. Ignoring the now-familiar tingling sensation as her fingers brushed his, she slid her hand against his palm. Using her thumb, she quickly found the fleshy area on the back of his hand between his thumb and forefinger.

  “What are you doing?” Dev demanded.

  “Just give me a moment.” Pressing firmly and evenly, Tanya manipulated the pressure point with ease. “This isn’t going to produce the same results as needles—um, as an acupuncture session—but you should start to feel some relief in only a few minutes.”

  “That’s cra...zy.”

  She offered him a raised eyebrow as his voice trailed off, knowing the acupressure was already working.

  While she’d enjoyed the evening’s fun, watching the rising pain in Dev as he moved around, even though he’d done his best to hide the effects, had torn at her heart.

  Meeting Dev’s sisters-in-law, Fay and Laurie, had been nice, too, even if they, along with Dev’s mother and her friends, had been way too interested in her connection to him.

  She’d tried to make it clear that their interactions were strictly business and that it’d been her grandfather’s idea, but she’d seen the glances and knowing smiles exchanged among the women.

  Playing bingo alongside everyone else, she watched Dev’s easy rapport with the crowd and how he really seemed to be having a good time. Right up until the last game. That’s when she guessed the discomfort had gotten too much to bear.

  When he’d headed to the concession stand she’d seen his ungainly walk and nothing could have kept her from going to him.

  “Hey, that’s not bad.”

  The surprise on Dev’s face made her smile. “I’m certain whatever pain you’re feeling isn’t completely gone, but lessened maybe?”

  “Enough so that I won’t fall flat on my face any time soon.”

  “It’s called acupressure. I did the same thing to help get rid of your leg cramp last week, remember?”

  He curled his fingers around her hand, lightly caressing her knuckles. “Yeah, I remember.”

  Darn those sparks! “The relief won’t last long,” she said, pulling from his touch, “but you should be okay until you can get off your feet.”

  “Thanks. Sorry to take you away from your fun.”

  “I’ve had enough fun.” A step backwards created much-needed space between them that allowed the cool breeze coming from the open doorway to brush against her body. “I told your mom she could finish playing my cards.”

  “You’re leaving?”

  “Aren’t you?”

  Dev nodded, looking at his hand as he flexed it a few times. “Yeah, I’m done for the night. Besides, it looks like Zip’s got a handle on things. As usual.”

  Tanya glanced over at the big man, who was busy calling numbers and playing to the crowd with the same ease as Dev. “Yes, he seems to be having a good time.”

  She’d been surprised when the good-looking man with biceps that tested the seams of his short-sleeved T-shirt sat down beside her and started flirting.

  And not just with her. He’d put his dazzling smile and sexy brown eyes to good use with all the ladies—young and old—sitting at the table.

  Then Devlin’s mother and sisters-in-law, in whispered tones so as not to disturb the game, had talked about her and Dean’s related occupations and the beauty of his log home.

  But when the man had offered a personal tour of his place if anyone was interested, Elise Murphy had actually told him to take his wanton ways elsewhere as everyone at the table was taken.

  Including Tanya!

  That was around the time Dev called Dean down to the front of the room. Which was when Elise had leaned over to Tanya and teased that her son had probably done it because Dean was sitting so close to her.

  “There’s no reason for you to leave, you know.” Dev’s cutting voice pulled her from her thoughts. “In case you’re thinking I need help getting back to my Jeep.”

  “Of course you need help.” She dismissed his words, chalking up his tone to his discomfort.

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Yes, you do.” Geez, this man had cornered the market on stubbornness! Tanya tightened her grip on her purse. “So do you want to race to see who gets to the cars first? I can guarantee who’ll win.”

  Dev’s lips twitched. She wasn’t sure if he was trying to hide his pain or a smile.

  “Where are you parked?” he asked.

  “In the lot behind the bakery. You?”

  “Out on Main Street.”

  “Okay. We’ll go to the Jeep first.”

  Dev took a step forward, once again invading her personal space. “I always make sure the lady gets to her car safe and sound.”

  Just as gallant as she’d guessed he’d be. “Well, this lady is ready to head home. Thanks for agreeing to be my escort.”

  She watched his eyes, seeing the exact moment Dev realized he’d been played.

  He gestured to the door with the sweep of his hand. “After you, ma’am.”

  Tanya pointed across the room. “Aren’t you going to say goodbye to your mother?”

  Dev turned, seeking out his mother’s gaze. It didn’t take long for him to catch her attention because Elise Murphy was staring right at them. For how long, Tanya had no idea, but Dev gestured toward the door and his mother responded by blowing him a kiss.

  Tanya then noticed Zip looking her way, so she sent him a quick wave. He winked at her before he went back to the game.

  “You sure you’re ready to leave?”

  Dev’s words took on a hard edge again, but Tanya only no
dded. “Yep. Let’s go.”

  They left the hall, and by the time they crossed the crowded parking lot and reached the sidewalk, a light rain had started to fall.

  “Maybe you better go back inside. I can get my Jeep and drive you to your car.”

  She looked skyward, the mist cool and refreshing on her face and bare arms after the stuffiness of the people-packed church hall. “I’m not made of sugar. I won’t melt.”

  “Yeah, well, maybe I will,” Dev said.

  “Hmm, I don’t think so. You don’t seem to be too sweet at the moment.” Tanya made sure to keep her stride short, matching his slower pace. “What happened to your good mood?”

  “It’s gone.”

  “I can see that.” His mood swings seemed to be connected to his soreness. Despite her mini acupressure lesson earlier, the hurt had to be rising again. “Are you in a lot of pain?”

  “No.”

  “Was it being around your fellow firefighters?”

  His footsteps faltered for a moment, but he kept on walking. “No.”

  Tanya knew she should just let it go. It was clear Dev wasn’t in the mood to talk, but her concern for him got the better of her. “I only ask because I saw you speaking with the fire chief—”

  “How did you know that’s who he was?”

  “Well, the uniform was a giveaway, but Dean told me.”

  His head snapped toward her, and even though she couldn’t see his eyes—his hat was pulled low over his brow, casting a shadow over his face—she could feel the heat of his gaze.

  “Dean told you?”

  Wow, it felt as if the night’s warm temperature had just dropped a few degrees. “Yes, he said he’s a member of the volunteer fire department, too,” Tanya quickly explained. “Did you know that? He joined a few months ago, so he’s still a probie. I think that’s the word he used.”

  “Yeah, that’s the right word. It means he’s still in probationary training, and no, I didn’t know he was on the squad.”