Page 52 of Steel

She’d done so without trying.

While saving her from the fire had been terrifying, it wasn’t nearly as much as the instinctual realization she’d already breached my core psyche.

My instinct was that I needed to let her go.

That only made me want her that much more.

CHAPTER 11

Violet

“I’m so sorry I interrupted your evening.” My entire body was numb, my mind barely processing anything at this point. At least I could take comfort in knowing my little boy was safe.

“Why do you think you interrupted my evening?” Steel asked from the driver’s seat.

I slowly turned my head, studying his stoic figure. We’d both been quiet after being allowed to leave the scene. My poor carcass of a vehicle would be towed to some unknown lot. On my phone were two dozen pictures I’d already sent to my insurance agent.

It was almost as if the entire incident hadn’t occurred.

“One of the guys told me you were headed to some bar?”

He laughed, although the sound was devoid of emotion. We were both a little numb. “I don’t normally frequent bars. Ziggy’s is a restaurant and a bar, with the best hamburgers in town.”

“Hmmm… I’ll keep that in mind.”

I’d never felt as alone as I did right now.

Of course I had my little boy and a wayward puppy that had managed to slither his furry butt into our lives. I also had a surge of people wanting to talk to me including reporters. I’d been barraged with questions and since I’d felt so out of control, I’d spouted off about being here for a magazine. Of course, they’d wanted details. The worst part was that I’d mentioned the company name. Maybe it would mean nothing and they’d move onto another story. Mine was only so juicy. Ordinarily, and under very different circumstances, I would strongly suggest using the free press to the benefit of the upcoming promotion.

Yet the situation was uncontrollable. One day in Missoula and my beloved Cherokee had caught fire.

Poof.

It was gone.

Yes, of course, I had insurance and we were alive and without a scratch on us, but that didn’t take away the fear or the anxiety about how to handle getting around Missoula. It wasn’t like I’d seen any public transportation.

A heavy weight had been placed on my shoulders in agreeing to this nightmare and I was about ready to cave into my emotions. That wasn’t like me. But how was I going to juggle everything? While Steel’s offer was sweet, kind, and very genuine, I had a feeling he would be none too happy with me when he finallylearned the truth. Plus, I wasn’t the kind of woman who desired to be beholden to anyone.

I’d even thought about blurting out my reason for being in town. Oh, yeah, that would have gone over so well. I’d almost let it slip to the reporters.

“Mom. I’m hungry.”

“Oh, shit,” I said then slapped my hand over my mouth, fighting giggling, the response completely inappropriate.

That put my son into a fit of laughter, which given the circumstances took a little weight off my mind. He wasn’t damaged by the fact his mother’s vehicle had been torched, only upset that some of the pup’s toys had been destroyed.

Somehow in my insanity of going back to the Jeep while it was still burning, I’d managed to grab a few items, including some dog toys.

But not the food. We had limited food in the house, only what I’d grabbed quickly the day before.

“What’s wrong?” He was having a difficult time himself not laughing. Maybe cackling like a loon was so I wouldn’t start crying, which I’d almost done for the cameras only minutes before.

I’d obviously given myself permission to feel jovial because I couldn’t stop. In a few seconds, I was doubled over, trying my best to maintain some sense of decorum and failing.

He chuckled right along with us, constantly looking in my direction with concern in his eyes. Obviously, as a smokejumper, he’d seen crazy victims before.

“I grabbed some things from the Jeep, but not our food.” My stomach ached and I held my arms while I had an entire swing of emotions. Tears formed without being able to stop them and a racking sob gave away my state of mind. “We have a box of crackers, a few slices of cheese, and some lunchmeat along with a loaf of bread. That’s it.”