Married For Jeremy (Under Fire Book 1) Read online

  Married for Jeremy

  By Kacy Andrews

  Copyright 2015

  Chapter 1

  Red flashing emergency lights reflected off the wet pavement as James crossed the road to Rescue 57. The Ambulance’s siren faded into the distance as he put the medical responder bag back in its proper place and slammed the compartment door. If only people could be more careful driving at night. He had to admit he felt more sorry for the young bull moose, than the driver of the car that had hit him. James looked up and saw a tow trucks flashing amber light. Good. Maybe they could finish cleaning up this mess and go home.

  “How ‘bout some moose steak?” James looked over to see Zack, his young firefighting buddy walking up behind him with an unused box of flares.

  “Sure, steak and eggs for breakfast?” James gave him a crooked smile.

  “Serious?” Zack looked at him in disbelief.

  “I’m kidding. If I wanted moose I’d get some that wasn’t so banged up.”

  “True.” Zack yawned. “Man, I’m going to sleep in later this morning.”

  “Don’t rub it in. I’m working.”

  “Real work must mean real money.”

  “Not exactly.” James slammed the truck door. “Com’on, let’s get back to work, I want at least a couple hours of sleep before I have to get up again.”

  James didn’t even remember getting back into bed until he heard the annoying ring of his alarm clock. Moaning, he reached for the snooze button. He could hit it three times and still make it to work on time if he hurried. Rolling over, he closed his eyes again, then sat bolt upright. Today he had to be at the store early to rent equipment to some early-bird campers. Pushing the covers back, he got out of bed. Stronger coffee was in order this morning.

  He’d barely flipped the sign to ‘open’ when the customers arrived. A middle-aged couple walked into the store and a man with long gray hair and a red baseball cap walked up to the counter. “We’re here to rent a canoe.”

  “What’s your last name?” James flipped through the reservation book looking for today’s reservations.

  “Saunders. Alan Saunders.”

  “Seventeen foot?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. You’re all set to go then,” James said, glad they’d paid the full amount in advance because his computer and debit machine weren’t turned on yet. “As a warning, there are more bears than usual in the park, so be careful not to leave food around. “

  “We understand. We’re actually here to see some wildlife though, so I wouldn’t mind if one wandered past.”

  “Let’s go out to the shed, and I’ll get your canoe for you.”

  James realized the pair must’ve been artists when he saw the easel in the back of their red import. As he strapped their canoe to the roof of their car, he hoped they knew what they were doing so they didn’t sink their equipment.

  After the couple left, James headed back into the store and turned on the computer, then started cleaning off the counter. Once it was tidied up, he rested his chin on his hands and closed his eyes for just a moment.

  The next thing he remembered was Dave shaking him awake. “Hey Sleeping Beauty.”

  James rubbed his eyes and looked up at his boss, confused. “Did I fall asleep?”

  “Yes,” Dave said patiently. “Firecall?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Moose again?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Big one?”

  “No, just a yearling. Did enough damage though. Driver’s got a broken collarbone, broken ribs, maybe internal trauma.” James pushed himself to his feet.

  “That sucks.” Dave rubbed his chin. “Did the early customers come?”

  “Yeah. They’re artists and had a carload of supplies.”

  “Hope they don’t sink.”

  “Yeah.” James laughed as Dave voiced his earlier thoughts.

  “You make coffee?”

  “Not yet.”

  “You must need some. I’ll get the pot going.”

  James managed to stay awake until closing time and left as soon as the sign was flipped to ‘closed’. He headed from the store to the nursing home where his grandmother had lived for the past five years.

  The sterile smell of the nursing home met him as he pushed through the front door and headed to his grandmother’s room. “Hey Grandma.”

  “Hi James.” His grandmother, Anna, was already in bed, but happy to see him as usual. “How was your day?”

  James dropped into the chair beside her bed and stretched his feet out. “I’m tired.”

  “I heard on the news that someone hit a moose again.”

  “Yeah, I wish it would stop making the news,” James said with an unintended edge in his voice.

  “It’s been quiet around here lately, the reporters are just doing their job.” As usual, his grandmother always saw the potential good in a situation.

  “I know, but it interferes with mine. How was your day?”

  “My hip’s been bothering me, so I spent most of the day in here reading.”

  “What were you reading?” James asked, really only half interested.

  Anna gave him a funny look. “Well, I read my Bible mostly.”

  “That’s good, I guess.”

  “You might find it’s not as bad as you think.”

  “Grandma, it’s hard enough to read the reservation book, much less something written thousands of years ago.”

  “I’m still praying that someday you won’t feel that way.”

  “I know, but don’t count on it.”

  His grandmother dropped the subject as he knew she would if he just shrugged it off and they had a pleasant conversation for the next few minutes. Then James excused himself, knowing that she was tired. It was hard for him to understand how she kept such a positive outlook on life, when her mobility was as limited as it was. Occasionally she still used her walker, but for the most part, the pain kept her confined to bed, or her wheelchair. She claimed it was faith that kept her strong.

  He left the room and strode down the hall, too tired himself to pay attention to where he was going.

  “Hey! Watch it!”

  He crashed into a skinny brunette carrying a stack of sheets. The bedding went flying and he found himself standing face to face with a furious, brown-eyed PSW that he’d never seen before.

  “Uh, sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

  “No kidding,” she snapped.

  He grabbed her arms. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you did I?”

  “No, but you’re hurting me now.” She scrambled free of his too harsh grasp and knelt to pick up the dropped bedding.

  James dropped to his own knees.

  “You don’t have to help. You’ve caused enough trouble for one night.”

  “You’re not the friendly type are you?” James scooped up the last sheet and stood up. The girl stood staring at him.

  “Not to jerks that trip me.”

  “Well excuse me for living.” He shoved the bundle into her arms. “Good night.” He spun around and headed out of the building.

  Angry, Ellen stared after him. His black windbreaker had big red letters on the back, reading ‘Darcy-Creek Fire Rescue’. While he’d been almost strikingly handsome, he certainly wasn’t the gentlemanly fireman type she’d envisioned. He was strong though, she couldn’t help but notice that.

  “He’s hot stuff huh?” Ellen looked up at Katie, one of her co-workers.

  “What do you know about him?” Ellen asked, wanting to avoid having to give her opinion on a strange man.

  “Anna’s grandson James. Story is, he had a tough childhood and is avoiding the pa
st. We all think he’s just yummy.”

  “Well I don’t,” Ellen said, turning to head for the laundry room. Katie followed after her.

  “Imagine the girl that finally breaks through to him. Mrs. Firefighter James Walker.”

  “Katie, I don’t have time for this.”

  “I just wanted you to know the deal. All us single girls think he’s hot, so it’s weird that you don’t.”

  Ellen knew Katie was right. He was hot, even if he didn’t have a personality. “Maybe I’ll change my mind later, but I want to finish work now.”

  The firefighter came to mind later that night while Ellen made herself supper. After only three shifts at the nursing home, the other two being nights, Ellen had already grown to love Anna Walker. The sweet lady treated her like a friend, rather than a caregiver.

  Ellen wondered what kind of past Katie was referring to when she talked about James Walker. She stirred her pasta. It was lonely eating alone.

  Sometimes she wasn’t sure what possessed her to take this job and move away from everything she knew, but Darcy-Creek wasn’t a bad town. She’d heard the winters could be harsh, but the scenery was beautiful, and she was looking forward to exploring some of the hiking trails everyone boasted about. She’d asked around, and been told that the best outfitting store in the country was located just a few miles outside town. One of these days she was going to check it out and buy a new pair of hiking boots.

  James was frantically searching for a file when he heard the bell over the door. He was surprised to see the familiar PSW walking up to the counter.

  “Hey. What are you doing here?” He smiled with recognition.

  “I heard this was a good place to buy hiking boots.” If she’d known he worked here, she might not have come.

  “Yeah, they’re on the back wall.”

  “Okay.” Ellen turned to go to the back of the store.

  “Did you find those papers?” Dave burst out of the office.

  “Not yet.” James pulled out another file. He’d lost the invoice for their largest supplier and Dave was panicking. Sorting the file, James saw that the paper wasn’t in the file and stuck it back onto the shelf.

  “Found it!” Dave ran out of the office again.

  “Where was it?” James asked.

  “It was in last August’s invoice file James. It’s an April invoice!”

  “I’m sorry Dave, you know what happens when you give me stuff to file.”

  Dave sighed. “I know, I shouldn’t snap at you. It’s not your fault. I told you to file the papers.”

  “I’m just a little slow, that’s all,” James said quietly.

  Dave put his hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay, I overreacted. From now on, just put all the current invoices in the yellow file folder under the counter. I’ll either file them myself, or get Craig to do it.”

  “Okay, that’s probably better. I just wish I was more helpful with paperwork.”

  “Don’t sweat it. I hired you to deal with customers and fix stuff, not file the papers I should be filing myself.”

  Ellen was impressed with the selection the small store had. When she’s arrived, she’d concluded that the locals had overrated the place a bit, but there were still enough types of boots to make her take her time trying them on. She’d walked down an aisle of assorted fishing rods and lures, then passed backpacks and tents before reaching the boots. She couldn’t make out the words, but the two men at the front seemed extremely upset about something. After finally finding a reasonably priced, good fitting pair of boots, she went back to the front counter where the guy she’d met at the nursing home was sitting.

  “Hey, how’s it going?” he asked.

  “Good. I’d like to buy these boots.” She set the box on the counter.

  “Okay. These are the good kind, I haven’t heard any complaints about them.” He scanned the barcode. “You do a lot of hiking?”

  “No, just a little. I hear there’s a lot of good trails around here, so I think I’d like to do more.”

  “Yeah. You’ll want to be careful, some of the trails around here aren’t well marked this time of year.”

  “Why not?”

  “The winter tends to damage a lot of the trail signs. They usually aren’t repaired until closer to tourist season.”

  “I see. Where do I find out where to go then?”

  James moved to the end of the counter. “Any of these maps will help. This one’s free, and has most of the trails in it.” He handed her the pamphlet.

  “Thanks.”

  “The Beaverdam trail is really nice, but there’s a fork in it, and you have to stay to the right. The left fork isn’t safe this time of year.”

  “Okay. Are there Beavers on the trail?”

  “Usually. There’s a couple of old dams near the south end, but the beavers are moving west a little at a time.”

  “I’d love to see a real beaver,” Ellen said. She looked up at him and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I was so nasty to you at the nursing home.”

  “It’s okay.” James shoved his hands into his pockets. “I shouldn’t have run into you. It had just, well, been a long day and I was tired and not paying attention.” He smiled. “My name is James, what’s yours?”

  “Ellen.”

  “Kinda an older fashioned name you don’t hear much anymore.”

  “Yes. You’re a firefighter, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That’s neat.” Ellen shifted her feet, not sure what else to say.

  “I guess. Um, do you want me to take you hiking some day?”

  “Why, are you like a guide too?” Ellen looked up at him in surprise.

  “No, but I know the area, and I can show you around a bit.”

  “Okay.”

  “Sunday morning work?”

  “Yeah, that could work. I’ll just go to mass on Saturday night.”

  “Oh, so you’re a church girl?”

  “As much as I can be, yeah.”

  Ellen paid for the boots, then left the store, wondering what Katie would say if she found out they were going hiking together.

  Chapter 2

  James arrived at the Beaverdam trail parking lot a little before Ellen did. He parked his truck and unbuckled his seatbelt. He’d offered to take her more as a courtesy, but thinking about it now, it was practically a blind date. Hopefully it would turn out all right and not embarrass them both.

  Ellen pulled into the parking lot and James stepped out of his truck to meet her. She was wearing jeans, hiking boots and a blue windbreaker. Her dark curly hair was in a ponytail and she was wearing dark sunglasses. “Hi,” she said with a smile.

  “Hey.”

  “So, do you think I’ll get to see a real beaver?” she asked.

  “It’s possible, though the beavers are moving further from the trail now. I think they’re scared of all the tourists. This time of year though, we might get lucky.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “It’s a bit of a tough trail in spots. Are you up for that?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

  “Okay, let’s go then.” Leading the way, he headed for the trail head.

  “So, how long have you been in this area?” Ellen asked as they walked along.

  “All my life. What about you?”

  “I’ve been here a month or so. Couldn’t find work back home, so when a position came up here, I moved.”

  “Yeah, the area isn’t bad. I like how it’s not that populated.”

  “Why? Don’t you like being around people?” Ellen looked at him in surprise.

  “Not especially,” James said. “I don’t like the city at all, and honestly, I’d rather be out here in the wild then with a bunch of people.”

  “I guess,” Ellen agreed reluctantly.

  “I guess with your work, you have to like people,” James commented absently.

  “Yeah.” Ellen carefully stepped over a tree root. “I do enjoy my job. I’m finally starting to get to
know the residents.”

  “Yeah, there are a lot of them. My grandma has been there for almost five years now, so I know pretty much everyone’s names at least.”

  “You come there a lot don’t you?” Ellen stopped and looked at him.

  “Yeah, I try to go every day.”

  “That’s very dedicated. A lot of the residents are so lonely because no one visits them.”

  “Yeah, well I do what I can.” James shoved his hands in his pockets. “Grandma raised me, so I figure I should at least try to take care of her in her old age.”

  “That’s good.” Ellen smiled.

  “Com’on this way,” James said when they reached a fork in the trail. “The other trail tends to be a real mess this time of year.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Parts of it tend to wash out when the snow melts.”

  “Oh, I see.” Ellen was impressed with his knowledge. He was comfortable in the woods.

  Other than hearing one tail slap, they didn’t see any beavers, but when they arrived back at the parking lot, James gave Ellen his best smile. “That was fun.”

  “It was. Thank you for taking me.”

  James shoved his hands in his pockets. “Do you want to do something with me again sometime?”

  Ellen smiled back. “I think I’d like that.”

  “Do you have plans for lunch?”

  “No.”

  “I don’t either, I was just going to go dig some leftovers out of the fridge, but if you want to come over, I could whip up some spaghetti or something?”

  “I like spaghetti,” Ellen said quietly.

  “Well, why don’t you follow me back to my house, it’s just up the road about five minutes.”

  “Okay.”

  Ellen got into her car and waited while James turned his truck around, then turned so she could follow him. He only made one turn off the main road before signalling at a driveway. Ellen parked behind his truck and got out, surveying the surroundings. “This is a nice place,” she mused as James walked back toward her.

  “Thank you. I like it a lot.”

  The log house was rustic, but looked spacious from the outside. A covered porch stretched from one side to the other and red Adirondack chairs sat on either side of the door. James led her up the stone pathway to the door and held it open for her.