Page 107 of Steel

I gave the captain of the smoke-jumping team my best dog and pony show.

To his credit, he didn’t throw me out or fall asleep.

In fact, he’d even asked a couple of questions.

All while giving me the loop-ty-loo expression, a term I used for cuckoo. I’d dressed up for the conversation, currently wearing my little black pencil skirt and a lovely silk blouse with heels. It was not even close to being appropriate for their rough and tumble world, but showcased that I wasn’t some fly by night chick on a whim.

This was serious business and I had less than twenty-four hours to provide presentation number two.

“I’ve heard quite a lot about you, Ms. Livingston.”

From what I’d experienced so far, Captain Daughtry was a tough, take no shit kind of man. “Should I be concerned?” He wasn’t exactly angry, but he wasn’t really smiling either.

Then he broke into one, which shocked the hell out of me. “Let’s just say news of the calendar traveled fast. First thing I heard when I walked in.” He nodded toward the window in his office, the glass separating his office from a main recreation room. Currently, there were at least fifteen guys hanging out pretending to watch television or playing a game of pool.

Meanwhile, they constantly glanced toward the same window, all wearing curious expressions. I was taking a chance in convincing the team the calendar was good for their souls.

And of course, my partner in crime had yet to arrive. Where was the reason I was here, Mr. June? I’d already decided he was June and Axe was December. Now I just needed to fill in the blanks. Ten hot men with one for January of the next year. From the looks of it, I wouldn’t have any trouble.

“No matter what you might have heard, Steel is a good judge of character.” When I swung my head around, he laughed. “He’s hardheaded and also what I heard from Axe, he gave you a tough time.”

“Oh. We worked out our differences.”

“That’s good because that man needs some enjoyment in his life. Anyway, now that I’ve heard your formal request, I have no issue with you using our logos, our location, and volunteers for your calendar. I’ll even have our PR team put together a few bullet points about our team and our work for you so that you can spruce up yourself with your marketing techniques. However, I can’t force my jumpers to pose for your calendar.”

“And I’m not asking you to.” I turned my head toward the group again, surprised to see a few more had joined in the party I hadn’t been invited to. I guess it was true about small towns. Gossip made them tick.

Just then, the man of the hour finally walked in carrying a duffle bag. He’d barely passed the end of the hallway that led to the series of administrative offices when one of the jumpers approached him. If only I could be a fly on the wall. I fingered my camera as I watched their interaction, my stomach doing flipflops. I wasn’t doubting Steel’s intention of helping, but I wasn’t certain how good of a salesperson he could be.

Steel had his hands on his hips and only after a couple of minutes, he slowly twisted his body until I was presented with a side view of his handsome face.

There was no way of telling what was being said or his thoughts. Yet I was experiencing the same fluttering sensations as always around him.

“Just keep in mind, planned events can change based on what we’re dealing with,” the captain continued.

“Yes, sir,” I said, returning my attention to him. “I understand it’s fire season. Today’s shots won’t take very long. There’s some paperwork to fill out along with contracts to sign at some point as well. If the project is approved, I’ll make individual appointments, the final shot with the entire crew likely somewhere at the base. I’ve yet to make any formal decisions.”

“Well, Ms. Livingston. I applaud your tenacity. Let’s see what they have to say. They’re a tough crowd. Just be forewarned.”

“And I’m a tough girl. This promotion could change my world.”

“Missoula has a way of getting under your skin. A good place to raise children.”

“Are you suggesting I stay?”

“Well,” he said, even more thoughtful than before. I caught him glancing out the same picture window toward Steel. “Good people deserve to have a bright, supportive future. When I came to Missoula with my wife ten years ago, we were trying one last time to fix our marriage. We thought the clean air and outdoor living might help as opposed to being in the heart of Chicago. It worked. We’re very happy because we allowed our guard to fall.”

I studied his face, the weathered lines indicating a well-lived life. “What are you trying to suggest, Captain?”

His chuckle was almost fatherly. “I’ll agree with the guys on the team. You’re good for Steel. Yeah, I get what you’re going to say. You barely know each other, but that’s the beauty of growing old. You don’t mince words and you rarely miss anything.”

“Now, why would you or anyone else say I’m good for him?”

“Because it’s the first time in a long time that he seems genuinely happy.”

How fascinating that they were the same words I’d said about my own son. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should. Now, I’ll wish you good luck and if you need anything, I’ll be in a room full of sharks.”