Up in Flames

by Rosanna Leo

  "Really.” She pushed herself away from the table and stood up. Her appetite was long gone. How dare he judge her? “With all due respect, you know nothing about me and my relationships. I don't think you're qualified to offer your opinion, and I don't recall asking for it anyway."

  "I may not know everything about you, Jules, but I do know about relationships and I know about anger. You've got plenty of that in you."

  She was dumbstruck, her eyes widening with each of his words. “I think you should stop right there."

  "And you should stop taking everything the wrong way. I'm just trying to help you, but you insist on jumping down my throat at every opportunity.” His voice was rising, but she could see he was trying to remain calm.

  "Jumping down your throat?” she shouted.

  "Look, I just think it's a shame. I had Kevin pegged as a player the first time I saw him. And you're such a smart woman. How did you let him bulldoze right over you?"

  He'd hit the nail on the head. Shane had voiced the exact thought which had been plaguing Jules for six months, but she still didn't appreciate hearing it out loud. “And what makes you such an expert? I sure don't see a wedding ring on your finger!” She looked at him, hands on her hips.

  She wanted to gloat, wanted to feel triumphant, but when she saw Shane's face tighten, her stomach turned. Suddenly, the muscles in his jaw clenched, and he looked as if he'd been slapped. Even as he glared back at Jules, he seemed to be withdrawing. Within seconds, he didn't even seem to be aware of her anymore. He just stared past her with those soft eyes of his.

  When he did speak, his voice was almost imperceptible. “I do have a wedding ring. I stopped wearing it two years after my wife died."

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  Chapter Six

  The new captain sat alone in the cramped office in the back of the fire station. The room might be small and box-like, but it was his. At least, it boasted large windows and glass walls, so from his vantage point Shane could see everything inside and out. Not a lot of privacy, to be sure, but it was probably not a good idea to hole himself up away from the other firefighters anyway.

  One in particular was commanding his attention this morning. Kevin McGuinness was currently occupied clicking on a computer keyboard, but kept glancing up towards Shane. The two men hadn't had much opportunity to talk yet, aside from their initial confrontation at Jules’ house and a brief re-introduction at the fire station. Shane knew he'd have to hash things out with Kevin eventually if they were to work side by side.

  Shane sized up the infamous Kevin, the man who had driven Juliet Baker to distraction. He wondered what it was about the man that had inspired such passion in Jules. He supposed most women might find him attractive with those hooded blue eyes and dark hair, but to Shane he just looked shifty. Especially in light of how Kevin was regarding him right now.

  If looks could kill.

  But was Kevin shifty enough to put an anonymous, threatening letter on his ex-girlfriend's windshield? It wasn't the first time he'd wondered the same thing. He'd seen how angry Kevin had become the day Shane had interrupted their argument.

  That was why he'd gone through Kevin's file with a fine-toothed comb, looking for any indication he was anything other than an upstanding firefighter with a philandering issue. There'd been no red flags, but he'd given Kevin's name to his police contact anyway. If there was anything interesting in his past, they'd find it.

  Shane shook his head. It didn't matter anyway. Jules meant nothing to him, especially after last night.

  Now if he could just stop thinking of her.

  He got up and began to pace inside the small office, finally settling on a spot by the window. What was it with that infuriating woman? What was wrong with her? She was so enticing with her sweet looks and the body he'd give anything to touch, but she was driving him mad with her quick temper. He couldn't stop picturing her delicate face, all animated by her fury. Those bright hazel eyes and those quivering lips were enough to make him want to grab her and cover her mouth with his own.

  "Why did I push her? It's no business of mine if she was a gullible girlfriend. Why should I even care?” He supposed it was because the thought of her being hurt angered him.

  Still, she flew off the handle far too easily. And the comment she had made about his wedding ring had knocked the wind out of him. Shane had been up all night pondering that one.

  Jules, in her off handed way, had managed to bring it all back. Suddenly, Shane's mind was awash with memories of Alana, as well as thoughts of Jules.

  "Alana,” he whispered. It had been five years since she died and five years since his life had changed irrevocably. Jules had said something about not looking back. Shane had tried his best to do the same. Alana was gone; there was no bringing her back. Besides, he was a different person now anyway.

  Of course, it didn't mean the thought of her didn't haunt him. Alana had been Shane's first love. He still remembered how his heart used to leap each time he saw that head of wild, red curls coming his way. At the start of their brief marriage, he'd never been happier. Alana had inspired him in ways no other woman had.

  Until a few days ago.

  But marriage had changed both of them, and not for the better. It wasn't long before Shane realized Alana was no longer the same woman with whom he'd fallen in love. That knowledge had hurt him more than anything.

  Nevertheless, she didn't deserve to die, and certainly not in such a horrific way. The visions of that ungodly scene still tormented Shane in his nightmares.

  He had done his level best to try and forget Alana, or at least relegate her to the back of his mind. But then Jules had to go and bring up the topic of marriage!

  He contemplated leaving the Baker farmhouse and his opinionated landlady. But he couldn't. He remembered how he had felt when he'd succeeded in making Jules smile, and he realized he didn't want to go anywhere.

  As much as she frustrated him, he found her bewitching. He enjoyed the flirting. Besides, he reasoned, I won't act on it. There's no harm in sticking around to watch some sparks fly, is there?

  As long as he could trust himself to keep things uncomplicated, there was nothing wrong with some innocent flirtation. And considering the way Jules obsessed over Kevin, he didn't imagine it would go further anyway.

  He couldn't let it go further, not with Jules, not with anyone. Not after Alana. Their marriage troubles, followed by her death, had bruised him to the core. Shane had vowed he'd never get so involved again. It had been easy so far. He'd thrown himself into his career, advanced at an astounding speed. There'd been no time for women.

  That didn't mean his libido didn't kick into painful overdrive every time he saw Jules.

  Now he just needed to forget the look on her face when he bandaged her hand. There had been a certain sweetness there, a chemistry he was finding it nearly impossible to ignore.

  "Mind if I come in, Captain?"

  Shane looked up to see Kevin at his office door. As much as he wanted to slam the door, he allowed his civility to rein him in. “Door's always open."

  Kevin sat down, obviously uneasy but trying to hide it with what Shane assumed to be his customary bravado. “So, did you catch the game last night?"

  "No,” Shane smiled. “I haven't had much time to catch games these days. Too busy getting settled into the new job and all."

  "Right. And have you settled in at Jules’ place?” Kevin had obviously meant it to sound like any ordinary question, but it had come out sounding more like an accusation. “I didn't know she was running a bed and breakfast."

  Shane ignored Kevin's tart tone. “She isn't yet. Anyway, it's not my place to comment."

  "So, she's just found an extra bed for my boss, then. Nice.” He shook his head. “Well, anyway, I feel I should explain my situation with her."

  "You don't have to explain anything to me. I'm just the boarder. Jules and I are not exactly what you'd call friends."

  Kevin arched an eyebro
w, making his suspicions crystal clear. “Then she hasn't told you about me? Jules is not the sort of girl to keep quiet when she thinks she's wounded."

  Thinks? This time it was Shane's voice bearing a definite edge. “She's not a ‘girl’ at all."

  Kevin was oblivious to his tone. “I don't understand. I told her those girls meant nothing to me. They were just one-night-stands, a bit of fun.” He leaned over, resting his elbows on his knees. “You know, my dad always said, ‘When an opportunity presents itself, you gotta nab it.’”

  Shane found himself growing angrier by the second, but bit his tongue, and Kevin apparently interpreted his silence as sympathy.

  "Besides,” he continued, “like I told Jules, there are girls you marry and girls you don't. Jules is the marrying kind. She's the only one I ever said those three little words to."

  "That must have been very comforting to her,” Shane replied, his fist clenching under the desk.

  "Yeah, I know she's had it rough with her parents and all. I told her I was sorry, but the women ... how do you handle it, Captain? You must have them lining up for you too, huh?"

  "I wouldn't know."

  "No, eh? I don't know what it is, but the women in this town go crazy for firefighters. If you want it, you can get it every night."

  Shane thought twice but decided to forge ahead with the question plaguing him. “So why did you stay with Jules? Why not just remain single and go crazy?"

  Kevin grinned. “I would, but Jules is awesome! She always took care of me. She's sweet and sexy and really smart. She's just into the relationship thing too much."

  "I think she was under the impression you two were committed to each other."

  "We were, but once I passed the firefighter's entrance exam, other women started coming onto me. Women who would have brushed me off in the past were all of a sudden hot for me. This uniform is like a magnet some days and I was flattered. Jules doesn't get it."

  Kevin expelled a huge breath as if happy to have gotten it all off his chest. He eyed his new captain warily once more. “Anyway, I don't mean to unload all my crap on you, but with you bunking at her place ... I don't want you to get the wrong idea, but I'm not done with her."

  "You're not ‘done’ with her?” Shane tried to keep the threat out of his voice.

  "I mean, I've had a lot of time to think. I know I let her down, and she's made her point. But I'm getting tired of all the nameless girls throwing themselves at me. I think I'm ready to settle down."

  "And you're worried I'll be in the way?"

  "Something like that."

  They stared at each other. Shane had begun his day trying desperately to get Jules out of his mind, and now he wanted nothing more than to gather her to him. He felt he needed to warn her, at the very least, that her Neanderthal ex-boyfriend was gunning for her again. Maybe he was the one who sent the note, too.

  "Jules is a grown woman. I'm sure she makes her own decisions."

  Kevin paled a little. “I just don't want anyone influencing her decisions."

  "I'm sure you have nothing to worry about."

  Relieved, Kevin stood up. “Thanks, Captain. I knew if we spoke man-to-man you'd understand.” He left the office, a decided spring in his step.

  Oh, I understand, Shane thought, I understand perfectly.

  And if you think I'm going to let you anywhere near her, you have another thing coming.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Seven

  "Let's get a drink into you, Jules."

  That evening after work, Jules allowed Claire to take her out to Duffy's to drown her sorrows. Todd had been treating a sick horse on a farm near town, and decided to meet them at the pub. Jules had been disconsolate all day, calling Claire a couple of times to vent. Now, she winced and rubbed her temple as they walked to the pub. She had a headache which was growing progressively more painful each hour.

  "So, you really stepped in it this time, huh?” Claire asked. “Did you at least apologize?"

  "I did not,” Jules snapped. “He shouldn't have been goading me. I just feel badly for making the comment about the wedding ring."

  "Yeah, that was pretty bad.” Claire admitted. “So Shane's a widower. How did he lose his wife?"

  "I don't know. After we argued, he left. He was up early this morning, and I didn't see him.” She hung her head as she walked. “Oh, Claire, I feel horrible."

  "That's because you like him."

  "No.” Jules said it so quickly it didn't sound believable, even to her own ears. “He just has this strange quality. I don't know what it is, but it makes you want to gain his good opinion. And he made it very clear he thinks I'm a gullible moron."

  Claire's face was deadpan. “You like him. And you're not a moron. Shane doesn't know the full story. He doesn't know how convincing Kevin can be. He had us all fooled."

  "Especially me."

  "So,” Claire mused, “our hunky captain had a wife. Did he tell you anything about her?"

  "You know as much as I do.” She felt her head pounding and gave the bridge of her nose an aggressive rub.

  Claire gave her sister's arm an affectionate squeeze. “Talk to him, Jules. Say you're sorry. Tell him you haven't been yourself since that idiot Kevin used you."

  The familiar anger resurfaced. She growled, “Ain't it the truth."

  They saw Todd coming towards them and met him at the pub door. “Come on,” Claire greeted her husband. “It's not often the sitter can stay the extra hour. If you buy your wife a rum and Coke, you might get lucky."

  Jules rolled her eyes. “Get a room, you two."

  "Don't be jealous. You've got a hot firefighter at home."

  Jules pushed through the pub door, only to be greeted by the raucous sound of a group of men drinking. It was a familiar sound. She knew those voices. She'd heard them plenty of times down at the fire hall.

  Kevin and his pals were engrossed in some silly, collegiate drinking game, but that didn't stop them from looking up as Jules’ group entered the pub. Jules stopped in her tracks briefly. Shane was there, sitting at the head of the table, his glass raised.

  So he was becoming one of them after all.

  All the eyes at the table of liars were trained on her. A couple of the men actually giggled at the scene before them. Kevin dared to wave hello, smiling his most genuine “aw shucks” smile, the one which used to produce butterflies in her stomach.

  Shane seemed suddenly in a foul mood, frowning at Jules as if she bothered him to the extreme. She nodded at him, and he bit his lip as he nodded back.

  Todd nudged Jules. “You wanna go somewhere else? Duffy's isn't the only pub in town."

  "No.” She concentrated on keeping her head held high as she led them to a booth. “But it's my favorite pub, and I won't be scared from it.” They sat down, and she made sure her back was to the firefighter's table.

  "Boy, you certainly made an impression on Shane. That is quite the look he is giving you,” Claire commented.

  "I know, like he wants to throttle me."

  "That's not the look I see,” her sister responded, eyebrows arched.

  Before they had a chance to order, the waitress was already approaching their table with a chocolate martini on her tray. She delivered it to Jules as if she were part of a huge romantic conspiracy. “Someone thinks you're special."

  Jules felt her cheeks burning as she stared at the martini. It was her favorite drink.

  "Don't look now,” warned her sister. “He's on his way."

  "Hi there, Claire, Todd. Hello Jules."

  She turned in her seat to face Kevin, all the while conscious of Shane's stern expression at the other table. “I don't want your drink, Kevin."

  "Come on, it's just a little drink, Jules. A peace offering. Don't tell me you lost your taste for chocolate martinis in six short months."

  "No, I lost my taste for something else entirely."

  "I deserved that,” he shrugged. “Can I join you guys?"
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  "I don't think it's a good idea,” Todd jumped in.

  "Well, let's just ask Jules here,” Kevin persisted.

  She glanced quickly back over at Shane. He had gone to the bar, and was ordering himself an orange juice, but his eyes hadn't left Jules. She had the urge to run and join him at the bar, but resisted it. This was the first time she'd seen him in his uniform. He looked good. Smoking hot, actually. He filled it out so well. As sexy as his jeans and T-shirts, just more authoritative.

  If only he didn't look so disappointed in her.

  A slow song began, its romantic saxophone line wailing from the speakers. “Damn,” Jules cursed under her breath.

  "It's our song,” Kevin said softly. “Dance with me, for old times’ sake."

  "I will not."

  "Please."

  Todd spoke up again. “Kevin, you heard her."

  Frustrated, Kevin turned to the other man. “Isn't there a kitten up a tree somewhere needing rescuing?"

  "I thought that was more your line of work."

  "Well, we can discuss that outside, Doctor Dolittle."

  "Kevin, what is wrong with you?” Jules shouted. She had jumped to her feet and had the attention of everyone in the bar, whether she liked it or not. She had hoped to keep her composure, but the flames of her anger were fanned as soon as she'd seen him in the bar, surrounded by his protectors.

  Kevin looked mortified. What had begun as a baiting game had escalated, and he didn't appear prepared to deal with it in public. He lowered his voice. “Why don't we go talk somewhere?"

  "Because I don't ever want to talk to you! Don't you get it? You are out of my life. You lost the right to talk to me, buddy!” She could feel her heart pounding. This was the moment she'd been waiting for, and dreading, all at the same time. She'd known the true confrontation would come, but hadn't counted on it being so public.

  Oh well, she thought, like Shane said, maybe it will be good for my soul.

  Over at the bar, Shane stood at attention and seemed ready to spirit her away if she gave him the signal. Still, there was a secret smile in his eyes, as if he were proud of her outburst.