Читать книгу Firefighter's Unexpected Fling / Pregnant With The Paramedic's Baby - Susan Carlisle - Страница 15

SALLY HAD MADE a serious mistake by agreeing to watch Ross’s niece and nephew. Doing so was another step into further involvement in Ross’s life. Being together at the picnic had revealed she was far too attracted to him. An attraction she neither wanted nor needed. She must stay focused. Still, she liked the guy. The last time she’d been this enamored with a man, she’d been devastated. That mustn’t happen again. She wouldn’t allow it. The upside to the day’s arrangement was that Ross would be at work the entire time.

And she would be with the kids…

In his home. His personal space. She hadn’t thought that through either. She would be where he lived. Touching, sitting and sleeping among his personal belongs. No, she hadn’t considered that part of this agreement at all. She should have done so before she’d blurted out her willingness to help. Yet helping out a fellow firefighter went with being a member of that family. It was just what a team player did in an emergency situation.

Ross had texted her his address as promised. Sally had picked up Lucy from Kody’s house on her way to Ross’s. Lucy had been so excited about seeing Jared and Olivia again she couldn’t get in the car fast enough. The idea of an overnight stay had heightened her anticipation. She’d chatted most of the way about all the fun they would have. Sally certainly hoped so. The closer she came to Ross’s house, the tighter Sally’s nerves knotted. She hadn’t acted this way over seeing a man in a long time. Control—she needed to get some over her wild emotions.

The drive was ten miles out of town to where the land rolled gently, the trees were tall and the fields green. When she had moved to this part of the country, it hadn’t taken long for her to fall in love with Texas. Even though she liked her apartment, she wished she could find a place with more outdoor space.

The day was beautiful with the sun shining in a blue sky as she turned the car off the two-lane highway onto a dirt lane. On either side were fenced pastures with a few trees here and there. The lane ended at a white clapboard house with a porch along the front. Large oaks shaded one side and the lawn surrounding the house was neatly mown. Behind it there was a small red barn with a couple of horses in the corral.

She sighed. When she got her medical degree, this was just the type of place she would look for. There was something restful, comforting about it. A place someone could find contentment. She loved everything about it, immediately.

When she’d taken Kody up on his suggestion to move to Texas, she’d realized how right he’d been. She’d had no trouble getting a job and there had been something cathartic, cleansing, about leaving all the ugliness of her marriage behind and starting over again. It had taken some time, but she’d finally settled in, had decided on a plan and was now focused on seeing it through.

Soon after arriving in Austin, she’d enrolled in college and finished her degree. Sally smiled. To think she was studying to take her MCAT now. If she did well enough, she hoped to enter medical school in the fall, while continuing to work part-time at the firehouse when she could. She wasn’t going to let anyone or anything divert her this time.

As she climbed from the car, Ross stepped out of the beveled glass front door.

A warmth washed over her. Especially not a man with striking blue eyes and a hunky chest.

He came to stand beside a wooden post of the porch. He wore his usual fire station uniform of navy pants and T-shirt with the department logo on one breast. Practical work boots completed his attire. He appeared healthy and fit. His welcoming smile made him even more handsome than she remembered. Her stomach quivered. She had to get beyond this fascination with Ross. Still, couldn’t a girl enjoy a moment of admiration for a man?

He drawled, “I see you found us.”

Returning his smile, she gathered her purse. She’d bring in her MCAT study books after he’d left. Lucy had already hopped out of the car and gone to meet Jared and Olivia, who were in the side yard.

Ross came down the wide steps. His agile movements reminded her of a panther she’d once seen in a zoo. “Are you ready for this?”

“What if I said I wasn’t?” She glanced at him as she gathered Lucy’s and her overnight bags.

He grimaced. “I don’t know what I’d do.”

She grinned, looking at the kids. “I’m going to be fine. We’ll all be fine.”

“Here, let me get those for you.” He reached for the bags.

“Thanks.” His hands brushed hers and she quickly pulled away. The physical contact had intensified her growing nervous tension.

They walked side by side to the house. Happy laughter from the kids filled the air. Ross moved ahead of her and hurried up the steps. Tucking Lucy’s bag under his arm as he reached the door, he opened it and held it. She strode by him, making sure they didn’t touch. If they had, would he have felt the same electric reaction she had when their hands had met?

The room Sally entered was dim and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust. Only a few feet inside the door, she looked around the large open space. The high ceiling was supported by dark beams. The walls were a cream color complemented by a gleaming warm wooden floor. It was furnished with a brown leather sofa and two armchairs along with an old chest she assumed he used as a coffee table. A TV hung over the mantel of a stone fireplace.

In the back of the house was the kitchen. A large bar separated it from the living area. A table for four sat to one side. Windows filled the corner, giving a beautiful view of the barn, trees and the fields beyond. Everything was neat, but masculine.

This was a man’s abode. Ross’s. Sally shivered. She had truly entered the lion’s den.

Ross set the bags down beside a door to a small hallway and walked farther into the house. “Come on in. Let me show you around. As you can see, this is the kitchen.” He pointed toward the hallway. “Over there are two bedrooms. Jared and Olivia are in them. Olivia has the one with the twin beds so there’s an extra bed for Lucy. On the other side of the house is my room. The sheets on the bed are clean. Ready for you.”

Her breath caught. Her eyes widened. Finally she blinked. “I, uh, think I’ll just sleep on the sofa. That way I’ll be closer to the kids in case one calls out.” Spending the night in Ross’s bed would be far too…personal? Uncomfortable? Nerve shaking? Lonely? Whatever the word was, she wouldn’t be doing it.

“I want you to be comfortable. I think you’d be happier in a bed. It’s the only one I have that’s available.” He shrugged. “But all that’s up to you.” She made no comment and he continued, “You can find all kinds of movies and games in the cabinet beside the fireplace. The kids know where everything is.”

She nodded.

“I’ve already ordered pizza for dinner tonight. It should be delivered at six. Right, here’s the tip.” He tapped some bills on top of the counter. “My number is on this pad if you have any questions, anytime.”

Sally moved closer to look.

“There should be plenty of sandwich fixings in the refrigerator. I also have peanut butter and jelly. Chips. And drinks.”

Her smile widened as she softly laughed.

His look turned serious. “What’s so funny?”

“You are.”

“How’s that?” He watched her too close for comfort as if he didn’t want to miss any change in her expression.

“Firehouse Captain turned Mr. Mom.”

He chuckled. One that started low and rough then slowly rolled up his throat and bubbled out. “I do sound a bit that way, don’t I?”

“You do, but it’s nice to know there’re supplies, I’ll give you that. Thanks for taking the time and thought to make it as easy as possible for me.”

“You’re welcome.” He picked keys up off the counter. “I’d better get going.”

She followed him out onto the porch.

“Oh, I forgot. Could you see that the horses are fed tonight and in the morning? Jared knows what to do.” He moved to the porch railing and called, “Jared and Olivia.”

Both children stopped playing and looked at him. “I don’t want you giving Sally any trouble. If she needs help, you do so. No argument about bedtime either.”

“Yes, sir,” they called in harmony.

He smiled and nodded. “Good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bye, Uncle Ross.” Olivia waved.

“Yeah, bye,” Jared said as an afterthought as he ran for a ball.

Ross turned to her. “I really appreciate this.”

“You’ve already said that.”

“I know, but I do.” He walked to her, stopping just out of reach. His gaze met hers. A spot of heat flushed through her middle that had everything to do with his attention. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow around one.” He went down the steps.

“Okay.”

He hadn’t made it to his truck before he said, “Call if you have any questions.”

“I will.” Sally wrapped her arm around the post he had stood beside earlier and leaned her cheek against it. She watched him leave. Ross put his hand out the window and waved. She stayed there until he was out of sight.

What would it be like to have someone who wasn’t eager to leave her? That she could say bye to who would look forward to returning to her. At one time she’d believed she had that. Instead Wade had acted as if coming home to her was a chore. Why had he married her if he hadn’t really wanted her? In less than a year he had been off with someone else.

She wanted a man who desired her. That she was enough for. Maybe one day she would try again, but that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. She had plans, dreams. That was what she should be thinking about. She was better off without the obstacle of a man in her life for the time being.

Yet here she was seeing to Ross’s niece and nephew. At his house. When he’d driven away, it had seemed as if they were husband and wife and she were seeing him off to work. But that wasn’t reality. She was the babysitter and nothing more. And she didn’t want anything but that.

Lucy interrupted her troubling thoughts with, “Aunt Sally, we’re hungry.”

“Well, it’s about lunchtime. Come on in.”

The kids stomped up to the porch.

“Let’s go see what we can find in the kitchen.”

After lunch they returned to playing. The pizza Ross had promised arrived just as he’d said it would and they ate it picnic style under one of the oak trees.

The sun was low as they finished then went to feed the horses. Jared took the lead. First, he turned on the hose to add water to the trough. Sally grinned at his puff of importance as he went into the barn to get grain. He returned with a gallon tin can full and let each of the girls dump a part of the feed into two buckets for each of the horses.

As Lucy took her turn, she hit the rail with the end of the can. It went flying and landed in the water trough. She gasped and tears filled her eyes.

Sally placed a hand on her back. “It’s okay, hon. We’ll get it.”

“I’ll do it.” Jared started pulling his shirt off.

Sally looked at him in dismay. “What’re you doing?”

“It’ll get wet if I don’t take it off.” He handed her his shirt, then leaned into the trough far enough that his head almost touched the water. When he straightened pulling the can out, the water inside spilled all down his front.

Sally laughed. “Obviously you knew what was going to happen.”

Jared grinned, dropped the can on the ground and took his shirt from her. “Yeah, we drop it in almost every time we visit.”

“How come a boy can take his shirt off and a girl can’t?” Lucy asked.

This wasn’t a discussion Sally wanted to get into, especially with other people’s children. She just had to keep the answers simple. “Well, because boys and girls are different. Especially when they get older.”

“Uncle Ross is a boy and he never takes his shirt off,” Olivia announced. “Not even when he’s swimming.”

What was she to say to that? “Guys don’t have to take their shirts off if they don’t want to.”

“When it’s hot I like to take mine off.” Jared picked the can up and headed for the barn.

Olivia’s statement left Sally curious. She’d have thought a man with Ross’s physique should be proud to show it off.

Lucy took Sally’s hand. “Sometimes when I’m playing with the water hose, I take mine off.”

It was time to change the subject. “Let’s go get a bath and have a snack before bedtime.”

By just after dark, Sally had all the kids in bed. She wasn’t sure who was happier, them or her. She’d had less active days at work. Plopping on the couch, she stretched out her legs, letting her head rest on the pillowed leather behind her. Sally closed her eyes and sighed. She and the kids had had a nice day. They were a good tired and she was as well. While she was trying to convince herself to get up and do some studying, her phone rang.

Digging in the back pocket of her jeans, she fished it out.

“Hey, how’s it going?” Ross’s rich voice filled her ear.

Her heart did a little pitty-pat. “We’re doing great. Have you been worried about us?”

“More about you. Two kids can be a handful so I can imagine three’s more difficult.”

He had been thinking about her? “Everybody’s fine. They’re all in bed now.” She yawned.

“I bet you’re thinking about going as well.” The timbre of his tone suggested ideas better left locked away. She sat straighter. “I’ll be up for a little while longer.”

“I really thank you for this.”

It was nice to feel useful to a man to whom she was attracted. For so long she’d felt unworthy. In the end duped and rejected. “You don’t have to keep saying that. How did your meeting with the Chief go?”

“Really well.”

He’d asked her some personal questions, so she felt entitled. “Do you mind if I ask what’s going on?”

“No. It’s just that I’m on the shortlist for Battalion Chief. I’ve been trying to make a good impression. Not being there when the Chief’s making his rounds wouldn’t have been good.”

“You’ll make a great Battalion Chief.” Of that she had no doubt.

“I don’t have the job yet.”

“Maybe not yet, but you’ll get it.” He was good at his job and others noticed. She certainly had.

“The competition is pretty strong. I’ve worked with all of them at one time or another.”

“I can’t imagine anyone being more qualified than you.” And she couldn’t.

“Thanks, Sal, for that vote of confidence. It means a lot.” Ross’s voice held a note of gratitude.

She couldn’t stem her curiosity about him. “Have you always wanted to be a firefighter?”

There was a pause. “Yeah, ever since I was a little boy.”

“That’s a long time.” Her amazement rang in her voice. They shared something in common. They both had known what they wanted to do since they were young.

“I’m not that old.” He chuckled.

“You know what I mean. What made you want to be a firefighter?”

This time he didn’t falter before answering her. “I saw firefighters at work when I was a kid and I decided then that I want to help people like they did.”

She almost said aww out loud. “That’s very admirable. Was it a bad fire?”

“The worst. My grandfather’s house was a total loss.” His voice had grown rougher with each word.

She could tell that it had been a life-changing event for him in more than one way. “Oh, Ross. I’m sorry. I hope he was all right.”

“He was. He rebuilt. You’re sitting in his house now. He left it to me when he died a few years ago. I’ve made some updates.”

Sally looked around. “I like your house. I want something like it one day.”

“I’m happy there.” There was a pause, then he said, “Tell me something, are you going to sleep in my bed tonight?”

Heat flowed hot and fast throughout her body. Her mouth went dry. Ross coming on to her. She liked it.

The buzz of the fire station alarm going off, then the dispatcher speaking, was all she could hear for the next few seconds.

“Gotta go,” Ross said. “See you tomorrow.” More softly, as if a caress, he finished with, “Take care, Sweet Sally.”

“Bye,” she said into an empty line. Sweet Sally? She liked the sound of that coming from Ross.

Ross neared the end of the drive to his home with keen anticipation. He was coming home to someone. Was his life really that isolated? Not until this moment did he realize how much he liked the idea of having someone waiting on him at home. He’d looked forward to seeing Sally and the kids. Hearing how their time together had gone.

He grinned. Maybe now he’d get an answer about where she’d spent the night. It still shocked him that he’d dared to ask. Had called her Sweet Sally. After all, she was doing him a favor and he’d hit on her. He hoped things wouldn’t be strained between them now. He should have kept that question to himself. In a twisted way he was relieved to have been out on a run most of the night. At least he hadn’t had time to think about her in his bed—without him.

He’d put taking a real interest in a woman on the back burner for so long his reaction to Sally was unsettling. Did he dare take a chance on her? Gambling on how a woman would respond to his scars, he’d kept most of them at arm’s length. He’d let Alice in but that hadn’t ended well either.

Maybe it was time for him to think about more than his job. Still, the idea of living through major rejection again struck him with fear. Was it Sally in particular or just that it was time for him to try again that had him thinking this way?

He parked his truck next to Sally’s car, then grabbed his duffel bag.

The kids were playing right where they had been when he’d left the day before. They called hello as he climbed the steps. A fireman’s schedule with the staggered hours had always seemed like a difficult schedule for a family to live around but there was something nice about the idea of having children. What had caused that idea to pop into his head? He’d been satisfied with Jared and Olivia’s visits and hadn’t thought of having his own children in a long time.

These days he was having all sorts of odd thoughts.

As he entered the house, he was tempted to call, “Honey, I’m home,” but he didn’t think Sally would appreciate his humor. An amazing aroma filled the air. There was food cooking in the oven. Sally’s back was to him as she chopped something.

Her hair was pulled up in a messy arrangement, yet it suited her. She wore a flowy top of some kind and jeans. There were sandals on her feet. There was nothing special about her clothes, yet the combination made her appearance fresh, simple and disturbingly sexy.

Music played softly from the radio. She swayed and hummed along. It was strangely erotic. His blood heated. He wanted to walk up behind her and pull her back against him. Leave her in no doubt of his need for her. How would she react to him kissing her neck?

Not a good idea. At all. Tamping down his desire, Ross cleared his throat. “Hey.”

She turned and smiled. “Hey. I didn’t hear you come in.”

He walked toward her, sniffing. “I’m not surprised. What’s that wonderful smell?”

“My father’s favorite meat pie. I thought since we’ve had sandwiches, pizza and cereal that we should have a real meal. We voted to wait on you.”

He could get used to this. “Are you saying what I left wasn’t nutritious enough?”

She shrugged. “I’m not complaining. I like to cook and it’s nice to do it for more than just myself.”

“You’re welcome to cook for me anytime.” He met her look and held it.

Her gaze turned unsure as she said, “Will you call the kids in and tell them to wash their hands while I get this on the table.”

“Sure thing. Let me put my bag up first.” Yes, he liked coming home to Sally, the kids and a meal. He sure did.

Picking up his bag, Ross went to his bedroom. Sally hadn’t slept there. Nothing had been moved and he had no doubt that her scent would have lingered. For some reason these days his body picked up on every detail of hers despite his best effort not to notice. The idea she had slept on the sofa bothered him. She should have been comfortable at his house.

Stepping to the bath, he saw that she hadn’t been in there either. He didn’t know much Shakespeare, but he did think maybe the woman did “protest too much.” He grinned. Maybe she was more affected by him than she wanted to admit.

He went outside to call the kids. After a good deal of noise and shuffling around, including adding a chair to the table, he and the kids were seated. Sally placed a bowl of salad on the table and joined them.

He looked at Sally. Her face was rosy from being in a warm kitchen. Tendrils of her hair had come free and fallen across her cheek. She pushed at them with the back of her hand. She was lovely. “It looks wonderful, Sweet Sally.”

Olivia giggled. “It’s just Sally.”

He waved his hand over the table. “Don’t you think she’s sweet? She did all this for us. I sure do.”

The kids chorused their agreement.

Sally giggled and her color heightened. “Thank you.”

This was a real family moment. The type of thing he’d not given a thought to having in a long time. He liked it. Found himself wanting it more often.

The kids spent the rest of the meal talking about all they had done while he was gone. Sally remained quiet, listening and smiling. Not once did she make eye contact with him, despite the fact he was sitting across from her. Was she afraid of what she might see or what he might find in her eyes? He’d have to give that more thought.

After their meal was over, she said, “Kids, please carry your plates to the sink, then you may go back out and play. Lucy, we’ll need to be leaving soon.”

They did as she asked without an argument, which Ross couldn’t believe. When they were gone, he turned to her. “How do you do that?”

She stood and picked up her plate. “Do what?”

He gave her an incredulous look and pointed with his thumb over his shoulder. “Get them to do something without back-talking?”

She shrugged and carried the plate to the sink. “I’m a woman of many talents.”

“I don’t doubt that.” Some of those he’d like to explore.

Sally began filling the dishwasher. Ross brought the rest of the dishes off the table to her. They finished straightening the place together.

“We make a pretty good team in the kitchen.” Ross returned the dishrag after wiping the table off, trying to keep his mind off the other things they might be good at together.

Sally dried her hands and hung the dishcloth on a knob. “Seems that way.”

Ross noticed a stack of books at the end of the bar and walked over to see what they were. He placed a hand on them. “Are these yours?”

“Yes.” Sally picked them up and hugged them against her chest as if protecting them. “I don’t want to forget them.”

“This says MCAT on it. Are you studying to take the test to be a doctor?” He didn’t even try to keep his surprise out of his voice.

“Yeah. I’m trying to get into medical school.”

He leaned a hip against the counter. “I’m impressed. I had no idea.” How had he not heard talk at the house? “Is it a secret?”

Sally shook her head. “No.”

Apparently, he’d been so caught up in his wish of being Battalion Chief he’d not noticed that about her. What kind of boss would he be if he didn’t see more outside of his own world? He needed to do better. “So, when’s the test?”

“Two weeks from today.”

“Good luck.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to need it.”

“I doubt that. I think you’ll make an amazing doctor.” And he did. The more he knew about Sally, the more captivated he was by her.

Her eyes were bright. “Thanks for that. I hope I do.”

He gave her his best encouraging look. “I’ve no doubt you will.”

“Thanks, that’s nice to hear. I’ve always dreamed of being a doctor.”

“Is this your first time taking the test?” Ross was far too interested in her life, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking.

“Yes.”

“Why haven’t you done it before now?”

“My husband didn’t want me to go to school. He wanted me to be there when he came home.”

Something close to anger boiled within Ross. The dirtbag hadn’t even supported his wife’s dreams. Kody had said he was a jerk, but Ross had had no idea how big of one.

Ross heard the laughter of the kids. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you didn’t get much study time here.”

“I did some this morning while the kids were playing. When I get home, I’ll go at it hard. Only thing is that they’re replacing the siding on my apartment complex, so I’ll have to work around that. Speaking of going, Lucy and I need to be doing that.”

Ross was reluctant to see her leave. He found he really didn’t like that idea.

“You’re welcome here anytime. I mean, it’s quiet here. You can come out anytime, whether or not I’m here.”

“I don’t know…” She looked uncertain.

He raised a hand. “Hey, just know the offer’s there if you need it.”

“Thanks. That’s kind of you.” She gathered her books and left them at the front door before she stepped outside and called, “Lucy. We have to go now.”

“Do we have to?” Lucy whined.

“Yes. Your daddy’s expecting you, and I have studying to do.”

Ross joined her with her bags in hand.

She grinned at him. “So much for my talents.”

He laughed. She reached for their belongings. “I’ll carry them to the car.”

The kids came up on the porch.

Olivia pointed her small finger toward the rustic star nailed over the door on the beam above his and Sally’s heads. “Look, Uncle Ross, you and Sally are standing under the Texas star. You have to kiss her!”

Ross had forgotten about the star. It was a game he’d been playing with Olivia since she was a baby. Before she left from a visit, he gave her a kiss under the star.

“When you’re standing under the star, you have to kiss the one you’re with. Isn’t that so, Uncle Ross?” Olivia gave him an expectant face.

Sally’s eyes had grown wide. “What?”

Ross spoke to Olivia. “Yeah, but that’s between you and me. It’s not for everyone.”

“But you kiss Mom and Grandma under it,” Olivia insisted.

“I, uh, don’t think that’s necessary.” Sally took a step away.

“That’s not what you said, Uncle Ross,” Jared said. “You said you must always tell the truth.”

“I did say that.” He was caught in a trap and he was afraid Sally was as well. He looked at her. “You wouldn’t want me not to be a man of my word?”

“It seems I have no choice.” She didn’t sound convinced. In fact, she acted as if she’d like to run. Yet she put the bags down and placed her books on top of them.

He took her hand and led her back to where they had been standing under the star. She must have been in shock because she offered no resistance. He placed his hands on her waist. Their looks met. He said softly, “You do know it won’t be a fate worse than death, don’t you?”

“I’d like to think so.”

He kissed her, stopping any further words with his mouth. Her lips were soft and warm. Everything he had imagined and more.

Sally’s hands came to his waist and clutched his shirt as if she needed him as a stabilizer. After the first seconds of indecision, she returned the kiss. His body hummed as his hands tightened with the intention of pulling her closer. This kiss was too sweet, too revealing, too little. It had quickly gone from an intentioned friendly kiss under the star to one of passion.

“Ooh.”

“Ick.”

“Ugh…”

The sounds coming from the kids made him draw back. Ross looked into Sally’s eyes. She appeared as shaken as he. He registered the shiver that ran through her. Sally broke from his hold and he didn’t stop her.

“Lucy, we need to go.” There was a quiver in Sally’s voice as she grabbed her books.

He reached for the bags before she had time to pick them up and followed her to the car. She opened the door and without looking at him said, “You can just throw those in the back seat.”

“Will do. Thanks again for helping me out.”

“You’re welcome. Lucy, buckle up.” Seconds later she and Lucy were ready to go.

Ross stood out of the way as Sally turned the car around and headed down the drive. He watched her go with his body still not recovered from their kiss. By the way Sally had acted, she’d been as affected as he had been. One thing was for sure, he wanted to kiss her again. If he had anything to say about it, it would happen again—soon.