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

next time I looked at the clock on the dashboard. We didn’t need gas yet, but I knew that between Sioux Falls and Rapid City, towns were few and far between.

“It’s too bad we can’t just have a straight line to Jackson. All this jagging increases the drive by at least two hours,” I said absently. “Do you want to stop? Who knows how far it is until the next gas station or rest area?”

“Okay, sure. I’d love a cold drink, then when we get back on the road, I want to hear your story. I’ve been talking about me for two hours. Do you want something?”

“Root beer sounds good.” I took that last exit into Sioux Falls and the car smoothly slid into the closest convenience store.

Marin went into the store while I topped off the gas tank and hit the bathroom. I found her waiting in line to pay for the drinks and a bag of Fiery Cheetos. I smiled as I pulled my wallet from the side pocket of my shorts and took out some bills.

“No, Ben, I got this,” Marin began.

I frowned wryly and shook my head. “Pfft! I got it. You paid for the hotel.” I didn’t tell her that I’d told the desk attendant to put the room on my card and not hers, but she wouldn’t find out until she got her credit card statement.

“Yeah, but you paid for your plane ticket to get me out of this mess.”

I handed the bills to the older woman at the cash wrap. “Here you go, ma’am,” I said, insisting she take the cash from my hand.

“Ben!” Marin said, exasperated.

“Don’t argue or I’ll make you listen to elevator music all the way to the Wyoming boarder,” I teased, then grabbed the bag of Cheetos, pulled them open and started to walk toward the door.

“Let your boyfriend take care of you, dear.” I heard the employee speaking to Marin as I popped the first few Cheetos into my mouth. “You two make a beautiful couple.”

“Oh, we’re not—” Marin started to explain.

“Come on, honey,” I called with a smirk, pulling my Ray bans from the neck of my T-shirt to put them back on. I was being cheeky, but it felt good that the woman would assume we were together. My response made Marin shut her mouth and smile. She looked so young and wholesome without any makeup on. “We gotta haul ass.” I winked at the clerk for good measure.

“Bye, now. Be safe!” the woman said as I held the door open for Marin, who walked through under my arm.

Back in the car, she reached inside to grab both of the mostly empty coffee cups, tossed them in the trash by the gas pump and placed the two soda bottles in their place.

Being with her felt as natural as breathing, I thought as I watched her slide into the passenger seat next to me and buckle up. I handed her the open bag of Cheetos and started the engine.

“So?” she asked within seconds.

“So, what?” I glanced in her direction as we pulled onto the ramp back onto the highway.

“So, what’s your story?”

“I told you a lot of it already.”

“No, you didn’t!” Marin admonished. “Only that your mom and dad divorced when you

were young, and you moved to Tallahassee and you moved here from Billings with Davis.”

“That’s pretty much it,” I said languidly. “My life isn’t very interesting.”

“I think it is,” she answered. “At least you’ve lived in different places all over the country. I’ve only lived within the same two states all of my life.”

The road stretched out over eastern South Dakota miles of farmland on both sides of the highway in front of us, the brilliant blue sky dotted with white cumulous clouds. I was relaxed, enjoying getting to know her. “I’ve only lived in three or four. I have to admit, Jackson is my favorite. I loved Billings too. Florida is too hot and humid for my taste, though I loved the Gulf coast.”

“What do you love about Jackson?” she wanted to know.

“I like that Yellowstone is close. I love the Teton Mountains. I love nature. I promised to take my nephew camping later this summer if I can get the family to come up here. They’ve all got big-time jobs and their schedules are busy.”

“I was always sad that I didn’t have any siblings. I picture my life when I’m older, sort of lonely.”

I wanted to tell her that whoever she ended up with could have a family and include her, but after losing Carter, I knew it would be insensitive.

“Do you just have one sister, then?”

“Yep, and she has a young son. Dylan. He’s awesome.”

“I can see that you miss them. Is he your only nephew? No nieces?”

“I think she and Jensen will have more kids. I know Missy wants a girl.”

“I think that sounds amazing.”

“My brother-in-law has a stepdaughter and I think they’ll probably bring her with them if they came up to camp. I’m not sure if Chase and Teagan, Remi’s parents, will join or not because their youngest, Jace, is only a toddler. Chase’s schedule is jammed in the summer. too. He plays on the National Men’s Soccer Team.”

“That sounds impressive, but I’m not much into soccer.”

I laughed. “Jensen and Missy both work for ESPN, as well. It’s all sports, all the time for that family.”

“Wow!” Marin exclaimed. “But… so I’m confused.” Her pretty features wore a perplexed expression. “Your sister’s husband’s ex might travel with them?”

“So was I, believe me.” I picked up my bottle of root beer and took a swallow. “This is the abbreviated version; Chase and Teagan were college sweethearts. Chase moved to London to play for Arsenal, and Teagan found out she was pregnant so, Jensen, Chase’s best friend, married Teagan. Then, years later, Jensen and Teagan divorced, and she got back together with Chase, but for Remi’s sake they all co-parent. I know it seems weird, but it works.”

“That sounds amazing if they all