Page 10 of Smoke and Roses

I already feel protective over Lindsey and I barely know the woman, but I can’t stop thinking about her looking up at me, hugging herself as she told me to be careful.

Like someone who knew what it was like to lose somebody.

Caleb hangs up the call and joins us. He looks like that call aged him.

“Gabe and I will tell Lindsey. Nobody says a word to anybody before then.” Caleb looks directly at me. “Understood?”

“Copy,” I reply. I won’t tell her a damned thing, but I’ll be close for the aftermath.

Chapter Four

My shop phone rings from an unknown number.

“Lindsey’s Florist,” I answer.

“Hey, it’s Travis.”

My mouth drops open. “Oh my God. Are you okay? Is the fire out?”

“All good.”

“Whew,” I exhale hard. “I bet you’re tired.”

“I am.” He’s very quiet on the other end of the line. In the background there’s an engine running.

“You still out there?”

“We’re heading back to the station soon.”

I climb onto the stool, my heart still a little wobbly from worrying about the fire crew. Then I realize the enormity of Travis calling me.

“You called me.”

He clears his throat. “Yeah. I did. Look at me. Talking.”

“Don’t hurt yourself.”

He half chuckles, but it’s gone quickly. “Well, I just wanted you to know the crew was all safe.”

“That was so nice of you,” I say sincerely. “I’ve been worried all day. I could see smoke from here.”

“Can I bring you dinner from the diner?”

He blurts it. I fumble for an answer.

“Wait. Is Travis Raines offering to bring me dinner? I must not have heard you correctly.”

“I’m starving,” he rumbles. “I’ll bring food.”

I grin at the phone. “Well, okay then. Just don’t bring Brussels sprouts and we’ll be good.”

He’s more quiet when he says, “Noted.”

There are voices in the distant background. I picture his crew loading up to return to town.

Raspy, he says, “Look, I’ve got to go. I’ll be there. Okay. Just know I’ll be there.”

“Okay. You know where to find me.”