Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3), Kahlen Aymes [essential reading txt] 📗

I didn’t want to sound chauvinistic in my comments, but it would be tough for any healthy woman. They weighed up to seventy-five pounds each. “Besides,” I continued gently. “You’re injured, and I’m happy to help.”

She winced a couple of times when the puppy got too rambunctious in her arms and there was a yellowish bruise on her face that was too old to have happened the night before. My jaw flexed as I clenched my teeth. Did the man who died abuse her? Was she a battered woman like Missy had been? Rage burst inside my chest, and the image of the charred man on the shop floor suddenly wasn’t so horrible to me. The bastard probably got what he deserved.

Marin’s grey eyes were stormy. “I just feel so bad asking,” she began.

“Hey, you didn’t ask. I volunteered, okay? I love horses and I always wanted one as a kid. Really, it’s you who is doing me a favor.” The corner of my mouth lifted in the start of a grin.

“Alright,” she said with a small smile. “I do appreciate it.”

“Sure.” I felt my smile deepen. “Is there anything you need? Groceries? Should I pick up dinner?” I groaned inwardly. I didn’t mean for it to sound like I was inviting myself for dinner, however, she had to eat, and it would be hard to cook in her injured state. “I mean, you should have some stuff that’s ready to eat in the house. For a few days at least, right?”

Marin bit her lip and hugged Gem close. “Okay,” she agreed reluctantly. “I don’t feel very well.”

I licked my lips and swallowed. “It’s settled then. See ya, later.” I took two steps forward and rubbed the puppy’s head. “You too, sweet face.”

Marin’s head cocked and a surprised look dawned on her face.

I was concerned. “What is it?”

“Nothing. It’s just… that’s my nickname for her. Did I tell you? Is that how you knew? I was sort of out of it last night.”

I shook my head and smiled. “Nope. But she does have a sweet face. Gem certainly suits her. I think I’m already in love.” I winked, casually. “I should get back to work.”

Marin nodded and started to walk toward Gina’s car. “See you later, then.”

MARIN

Gem settled onto my lap and fell asleep on the way out to the ranch. I gave directions to my new friend, Gina.

Once we headed out of Jackson in her dark grey Toyota Camry, she grinned and threw me an offhand glance as she watched the road. “Who’s the cute fireman?” she asked. The expression on her face was lit up with undisguised interest. “I mean, I know his name but um...”

I flushed with guilt and an odd sort of jealousy. It wasn’t even twenty-four hours since Carter had died. “Um…” I began, almost unwilling to share more. I didn’t really know anything, but I felt strangely selfish about him.

Instantly, her expression changed to one of regret. “Oh, I’m so sorry. That was incredibly insensitive after all you’ve lost.”

There was a big part of me that wanted to confide in her; tell her how Carter had abused me and beat me, how I was glad to be rid of him, even if I would have preferred him to just leave rather than dying in the fiery inferno that I had caused. I felt sick to my stomach remembering his blood-curdling screams.

I shook my head, still stroking the silky puppy on my lap. Her warm presence offered a little comfort as my fingers threaded through her soft black coat. “Oh, no, you’re fine. I don’t know that much about him,” I answered honestly. “He was kind last night after the fire. He helped me with this little one and my horses when I had to go to the hospital. He’s been so nice.”

“He’s like some bronze god and if that wasn’t enough, he straps on all that silver armor,” she murmured, almost to herself. She seemed to regret her words. “I mean, it’s great he was there to help you. And then the way he came to check on you, he seemed genuinely concerned.”

Her words echoed my thoughts. Ben was physically stunning, but his personality was the thing that made him stand apart. If only Carter could have had just a fraction of the qualities I’d seen in the handsome fireman. If only I’d met Ben instead of Carter. I was always in the wrong place at the wrong time, picking the wrong guy.

I nodded. “Yes,” I said softly. “I don’t know what I would have done if I’d had to leave my animals stranded out there all night. Ben was a huge help.”

“Is this where I turn? Up here?” Gina’s face turned toward me when I didn’t answer right away.

My eyes started to burn behind my sunglasses, and then I swallowed hard trying to suck up my misery. I pointed to the dirt road in front of us.

“Yes, take a right at the next intersection.” She must have heard the catch in my voice.

“I seem to remember my dad bringing a couple of cars out here to The Shop when I was growing up.”

Her words, though innocent, conjured so much pain. The true knight in shining armor of my life had been my Uncle Leonard. I put a hand over my mouth as my shoulders started to shake. Sobs racked my body as if a dam had burst.

“Oh, Marin. I’m such a twit yammering on and on about nonsense when you’re suffering so badly.”

After a few minutes, I was able to curtail my pathetic display. I sniffed and put the back of my hand to my nose, but tears continued to roll down my face. “No, it’s just… my uncle was the only person who really cared about me in the entire world and I feel so lost now.”

I could see the question flash across her features even as she kept her gaze on the road ahead. She was wondering why I didn’t include