Second Chance With A Firefighter (Rich & Rugged: A Hawkins Brothers Romance Book 1)

by Ellie Hall

  As the lift neared the top, the sky opened and she felt like she was a snow princess in a snow globe. The white flakes drifted down slowly, dancing in the sky. She took a deep breath and then got off the lift.

  When she stepped away from all the skiers who were eager to hit the slopes, an enormous red heart, painted in the snowbank opposite the chairlift caught her eye. It had an arrow through it and just past the tip, Tripp waited beside a snowmobile.

  He waved, wearing a smirk. Likely pleased with himself for being so clever. She rushed up to him and threw her arms around him in a hug.

  “I’ve had the best morning and you are the sweetest. Thank you.”

  “Seems like the massage and everything else put you in a good mood.” He kissed the top of her head. “Did you save me any of those nuts?”

  “Was I supposed to?”

  He smiled and laughed. “No, they were for you, but I hope you’re still hungry because we’re going to have lunch.” He turned to mount the snowmobile. “Let’s go.”

  They’d rode the trails closed off to regular guests countless times and she wondered where they were going—there was a lodge with a couple of restaurants but it was over the ridge and a different chairlift brought skiers directly to it.

  She got on behind him, laced her arms around his back, and gripped tight. She took in the scenery as they set off, along with the happy couples and families skiing.

  When they passed into the cover of the trees, she rested her cheek against Tripp’s back. A smile bloomed on her lips. It was perfect. She wished it could always be this way: a life free from burdens, heartbreak, and difficulty.

  A short time later, Tripp slowed as they reached a clearing. A square platform was set up in the middle with a table set for two. A canopy covered it and a few heat lamps surrounded it.

  Tripp pulled out her chair. “Madam,” he said grandly.

  She sat down and rubbed her hands together, feeling extremely special and taken care of for once.

  He set two covered plates between them and then took his seat. He lit a candle and then reached for her hands.

  Warmth blazed through, heating her up and not just physically. Together, they said the blessing over their meal.

  “I wanted you to have the Hawk Ridge Hollow Resort Valentine’s Day experience but with my own twist.”

  “This morning was delightful. Thank you. I didn’t know I could feel so taken care of.”

  “That’s my aim and it’s just the beginning, really. Word has gotten out that I’m back and before I move forward with all of that.” He paused and took a breath.

  She sensed he still grappled with what it would mean to step into the role his father left for him—doubly difficult because he and his brothers weren’t on speaking terms.

  “Before all that, I thought we’d enjoy a private meal in a beautiful place. As much as I love this town, it seems every time I set foot in a store, restaurant, or the resort, I’m clobbered by people wanting to chat, catch up, and find out where I’ve been.”

  “I hope you don’t feel like I’ve clobbered you.”

  His eyes lifted to meet hers. “No, you’re like a breath of fresh air. But I wouldn’t mind if you clobbered me anyway.” Then he spread his arms. “And this is a pretty beautiful setting to take a beautiful woman. It’s just us and that’s how I always want it to be.”

  The word always reached her heart but her mind wouldn’t have it. An argument started in her head about how there was no such thing as always and how she shouldn’t trust him.

  Tripp’s low voice, asking about the spa reigned in her attention. Soon, she teased him about the corny jokes and asked what was next.

  He smirked. “I’ll tell you as soon as we’re done eating.”

  She pushed her plate away in answer because despite her trepidation she wanted to know what was to come.

  Chapter 12

  Tripp

  Tripp and Sadie spent the rest of the afternoon blazing the trails on the mountain, stopping to take in scenic vistas. At one bluff, Tripp called her over to check out a view of the town. He could make out her house and hoped her father was doing alright. He’d arranged everything on short notice. The nurse was from the best agency around and specialized in caring for people with Parkinson’s. It would be a great opportunity for them to begin assessing for his long-term care in a setting where he was most comfortable.

  He wanted to give Sadie and her father the comfort that, at times in his life, he’d taken for granted. When his father was in the accident, they’d called in the best doctors, surgeons, and specialists in the world to consult for his care and recovery. It wasn’t enough, but this time he could give someone extra time with his loved ones. It was clear how much Sadie and her dad cared about each other. He wanted to see them enjoy the time they had left together. He hoped it was a long time and an even longer time for her and himself.

  With a shake of his head, he returned from the somewhat melancholy thoughts. The antidote was her smile, her laughter. “One more joke for you. What do you call a very small Valentine?”

  She tapped her chin.

  “A valentiny,” he answered, pulling her small, but perfectly curvaceous frame closer.

  She giggled. “I have one of my own. What do you call the sweetest, most thoughtful man who made this day so special?”

  “I know this one. Your Valentine.” His lips quirked, amused and delighted.

  Her cheeks tinted rosy and a smile broadened across her lips. His pulse thundered with her so close. He dove in, meeting her mouth with his. They kissed on the mountaintop and he felt like he was on top of the world. With the softly falling snow blanketing them, the quiet enveloping them, and the warmth between them, he gripped her tighter. He didn’t want this to end. She returned with a squeeze, pressing her hands against his back. He felt the connection they shared despite all the cold weather clothing between them and hoped she did too.

  The kiss deepened and slowed and the rhythm smoothed as though ironing out the wrinkles of the big emotions that once threatened to ruin them. He felt himself getting lost in her, falling for her, wanting more. He felt himself being carried away, transported, like he was leaving his body and looking down over the picture-perfect scene. He cared about her so much. She was everything he wanted. Perfect. Beautiful. Caring. Forgiving. Generous. Not to mention she was hot and making him hotter.

  With one hand he unzipped his coat. Her hands plunged between his coat and shirt. His skin pebbled from the cold but also from her touch, she filled him with such a strong sense of desire.

  He enfolded his arms around her waist and picked her up so they were eye level. She wrapped her legs around him like a pretzel. Then he spun her around as they continued to kiss, swirling like the snow. She let out a laugh and then he pecked her on the cheek, nipped the space just under her chin, kissed the spot beneath her ear. The moment was sweet like the sugar on the nuts she’d eaten on the ride up the chairlift—he’d snuck a bag when he’d arranged for them. The tension he’d carried in his jaw softened as they continued to kiss.

  Even so, he felt strong, burly, and protective over her. But could he handle her heart? The question that would unite them forever. An avalanche of thoughts threatened to crumble on top of him.

  Then his eyes met hers with assurance. “This is all I want. You, me, laughter.” His voice was low, confident, and warm all at once.

  He wrapped his arm around her as they took one last look at the view from the mountaintop. The sun had begun to set with a dim golden glow hidden behind purple and gray clouds. Despite the joy that welled inside, the color reminded him of a bruise, a wound. The one he’d caused to her heart. Perhaps she’d forgiven him, but did he forgive himself? Everything he’d arranged that day was wonderful, but would he ever be good enough for her? What she deserved?

  More thoughts butted into the moment and he realized when he was up so high, feeling so good, there was only one direction left to go: down.

  He zipped his ja
cket and banished the frown from his lips. “It’ll be dark soon. We should we head back.”

  He gave her a kiss on the forehead and worried it might be the last. They got on the snowmobile, but before he started it, he said, “You know that I’m not lazy but I sure like this life—free from responsibility, urgency, and demands.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  She’d always been a free-spirit, eager to travel and see the world. He wondered if it was to avoid the difficulties in real life—not that she’d been avoiding them lately. But if they were to marry, he’d get the inheritance and take over as head of the resort and mountain. This would mean he’d have a lot of power and with that would come things that would call him from her and what he didn’t want to consume his life: constant responsibility overseeing the welfare of employees, guests, investors, and beyond. There’d be urgent demands and time when he’d be pulled in other directions, away from Sadie and the happiness he felt when it was just the two of them.

  As they zipped along the trails, he liked the feel of her fitting to the contours of his body, nestled close, wrapped around his back as she held on tight. However, a voice in his head told him he didn’t want that for her, to hamper her free spirit and load her with more of a burden than she already carried. His sigh was muted by the roar of the snowmobile’s engine as they sped down the mountain.

  Having to focus on maneuvering safely cast all thoughts from his mind so by the time they returned to the lodge, he’d found his smile and basked in hers.

  “I haven’t had so much fun in a long time.” She beamed.

  “It’s not over.”

  “More? I should probably head home soon.”

  “Soon, but not yet, if you’ll oblige me.” That nagging voice nudged its way back in. He wanted to give her the fullness of the day, of what he’d planned, in case this was it.

  He led her to one of the unoccupied resort suites on an upper floor in the main building. After they changed out of their gear and warmed up, he met her in front of a crackling fire. He’d arranged to have a blanket spread and a picnic-style dinner, which was part of the couples’ package, but theirs was complete with jalapeno poppers, nachos, and other appetizers he knew she loved instead of the charcuterie and fancy dishes the resort served.

  They dug in and despite the trepidations that he’d had earlier and the thoughts colliding in his mind, their conversation flowed freely.

  Afterward, he led her to the balcony. Cold air rushed in. He stepped outside, pulling open the cover of the hot tub. “Care for a dip?” A cloud of steam lifted from the warm water.

  The falling snow dotted Sadie’s hair and shoulders. Her cheeks blushed red. He stepped closer, wanting to kiss her once more. To feel the soft brush of her cheek against his, her lips, and the pulse beneath her skin. He felt more for her than he ever had and yet…he fought against the thoughts piercing his mind.

  She took a step back. “I didn’t bring a bathing suit.”

  “It’s in the bathroom to the left.”

  “Seriously? You thought of everything.”

  “I tried.” But he hadn’t thought about the rush of emotions ranging from joy to fear, from delight to worry, from feeling prepared to move forward, to wanting to run for the hills, if only to protect her from the way their lives would change.

  After putting on trunks, he returned to the hot tub first. Not wasting a moment in the chilly winter air, he got in. Shortly after, she emerged from the suite wearing a robe. She was modest and probably cold, though he’d definitely seen her in a bathing suit before.

  She plopped in but kept a little bit of space between them. Perhaps she sensed the way he felt, had put her guard back up, or felt shy. He’d memorized the curve of her smile and the one she wore now was strained and didn’t reach her eyes.

  The easy conversation from earlier became stilted or maybe they were both extra relaxed and tired at the end of the long day.

  He’d intended for this to be the big moment when he’d undo the mistake of the past. The two of them, outside and free but warm and toast. Together under the stars or snow as it turned out but nonetheless, it was beautiful.

  She gazed into the distance then blinked a few times. “I feel like I’m freezing and roasting at the same time.”

  “Want to get out?” he asked.

  She nodded and donned the robe, keeping herself covered before disappearing inside. Maybe she was just cold and they’d thaw out in front of the fire.

  Their kiss earlier had been like a sugar rush, better than chocolate and candy and sweeter than anything he could imagine. However, he sensed something squeezing her heart, his too. Uncertainty about the present? The future? He’d planned on getting them hot cocoa to celebrate after leaving the suite, but like a deflated balloon, he wanted to float back to earlier when things between them felt happier, easier, more natural.

  When she finally emerged from the bathroom, her eyes were red, glossy. She nervously twirled a curl around her finger. “Tripp. This is too much. I can’t get sidetracked. Your offer was generous but I have to take care of my father. I can’t accept it. I can’t trust it. Us.”

  He stiffened and a wave of fear washed over him. “You’re afraid.” It almost didn’t sound like his own voice, like it came from far away but it was true because he felt that way too.

  She nodded. “Look, we tried again. Thank you. I’ll never forget today but maybe it wasn’t meant to be.”

  If he went through with the proposal it meant he’d inherit his portion of the money and business, a major responsibility. Leadership. He thought he was ready. Maybe she was right. Now he had second thoughts.

  “I have to leave.” Her voice was distant.

  He reached for her.

  She shook her head. “We can’t do this. Please, you have to let me go.”

  Again, he reached for her hand but she was already out the door.

  Tripp found himself speechless and suddenly understood how she’d remained silent when he broke up with her three years previous. Shock. Disbelief. Self-doubt.

  He’d told himself he wouldn’t let her go again but that was exactly what he’d done. He stepped onto the balcony and into the cold. He wanted to feel anything other than the deluge of emotion: regret, sadness, and fear about the future.

  The snow blanketed Hawk Ridge Hollow. It was a town he knew and loved. Built by his family from little more than a cabin in the woods. He gripped the rail then gazed up into the sky. He blinked. He thought he saw a shadow between the falling snow. A hawk in flight.

  That place was his legacy. He owed it to his father, the family before him and the ones to come in the future to get over his fears, buck up, and do the right thing, the brave thing, the difficult thing.

  He’d been through tough times. He could face whatever came his way.

  He blinked again, searched for the bird, then turned his attention back to the scene below. Rushing through the town square he saw a small figure in a pink coat. Sadie. His tweetheart, his valentiny. The girl he loved.

  He called to her from above and realized it was never too late.

  He flew out of the room, down the stairs, and into the night.

  Chapter 13

  Sadie

  Amidst the driving snow and the storm of her thoughts, Sadie thought she heard her name. Then there was the actual storm blustering and blowing around her. She needed to get home to her father, to her predictable life. To nights in. Simplicity. Not the tangle of emotions tying her in knots.

  She’d almost told Tripp that she loved him when they were sitting in front of the warm glow of the fire. It came over her, all-consuming, like the flame. Of course, she’d said it in the past, but this time it felt brighter, warmer, deeper. But then she recalled Valentine’s Day three years previous and what it cost her to love so much. She was rejected and left in a world of pain.

  She’d bit the words back, stuffed them away, warned them not to return.

  Tripp and she had tried once before and despite
all the sweet gestures throughout the day, that was just it: one day, not a lifetime of commitment. Sure, Tripp committed to his job as a firefighter, but could he dedicate himself to his family’s company? Eventually, it would be spread evenly among the brothers—if they ever got back on speaking terms. But he was the oldest. She felt bad and wondered what had happened, but didn’t dare ask: she sensed the wound was still raw. His family was broken. What could put them back together? What had kept hers together despite losing her mother?

  Love.

  The uncertainty from the day left her feeling hollow, cold, empty. What could fill it?

  Love.

  He’d turned his back on her. On his family and they on him. She and her father had always stuck together. She could show him a different way. A more courageous way. An everlasting way.

  She wanted the fullness, warmth, and depth of a life in love, of a life with Tripp. She stopped on the snow-covered square and turned around. Her tracks disappeared under the rapidly falling snow. She had to go back, but there was no retracing her steps. She could only move forward and she wanted to try to do it with the man she loved, Tripp Hawkins.

  She lifted her shoulders and chin, determined. She heard her name, she was sure of it that time. But the snow produced whiteout conditions. Only the faint glow of the town square lights dappled the otherwise thick blanket surrounding her.

  “Sadie,” the familiar voice came again.

  “I’m here,” she replied, feeling if he came to her rescue though this time she was stuck in the wide open. But she no longer felt stuck in the past.

  Footsteps pounded closer. Emerging from behind a curtain, Tripp came into view.

  They rushed toward each other, not stopping until they were in each other’s arms.

  When they parted, she said, “Tripp, you ruined me because I compare every man to you. But there’s no one like you. You made me doubt the call of my heart. But it belongs to you. You’re a tether, a rock. I’m flighty. Freewheeling. A kite. You hold the tail. I can’t risk my heart again but I don’t want you to let go.” She felt bold, risky speaking the words aloud. “I’ve been battling with the past but all we have is right now. This moment. My father taught me that. He’s living day to day while I’ve been stuck in the past. I want a future with you in it.” Relief swept through her and the light in Tripp’s eyes told her he understood.