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She shrugs, “Just a guy we took to the hospital last week. He wanted to thank me for saving his life by buying me breakfast.”
“I see. So you have to save me from near death before you’ll agree to share a meal?” he teases.
“Something like that.” She gives him a quick wink before turning to me. “You said you needed to talk to me privately?”
I see her eyes widen ever so slightly and take the cue for what it is. It’s a plea to help extricate her from the conversation. “Yeah. Bryce doesn’t mind me stealing you away for a few minutes.”
“Nah, I have plenty of errands I still need to get done. Groceries won’t buy themselves, and my refrigerator is empty. I’ll catch you later, Pollyanna. You, too, Carter.”
We both wait for him to be out of hearing distance when she thanks me for the rescue.
“Look, Leanna. I’m sorry you found out about my past the way you did, but there’s much more to the story than the small bit you were exposed to this morning. I owe you an explanation, one I should have told you a long time ago. If you want, I promise we can sit down and talk as soon as I get back, and I’ll answer any questions you might have.”
“Do you have another assignment?”
“No. Our team is on standby, but I need to use the free time to go home and take care of a few things. I’ll only be gone a few days at most.” I take her hand and pull her to me, drawing her into my embrace. I savor the feel of her arms around me as I inhale her sweet cherry scent. Before I leave, I place a lingering kiss on her cheek. Maybe by the time I return, I’ll have the courage to place it on her lips.
Chapter thirteen
Leanna
WhenCartergetsinhis truck and makes a U-turn in the middle of the road, I flash him a smile and give him a quick wave goodbye. While I stand there and watch until his taillights disappear, an ominous feeling followed by a cold shiver suddenly comes upon me. Unable to shake it and becoming instantly chilled, I cross my arms and begin to head indoors where it’s warmer.
I stop when I see a shock of color and quick movement out of the corner of my eye. Yet, when I glance in that direction, I don’t notice anything or anyone out of the ordinary. I tried to shrug it off, but for the rest of my shift, it felt like I was being watched.
It’s a quarter till eight and not too much longer before it’s time for me to go home. Only I can’t do that because I agreed to go on a date with Joe. I don’t know what I was thinking since it’s honestly the last thing I want to do right now. I’d much rather lay my head on a pillow and sleep for the next two days.
“Are you ready for your hot date, Kiddo?” Trey asks, leaning his head into the room.
“Not really. I’m exhausted and need a hot shower more than I need food or company. But seeing that I didn’t get Joe’s number, I have no way to cancel or reschedule.”
“Well, it’s too late for that anyway. He’s in the lounge waiting for you.”
I look at my watch and note the time. “He’s early!”
“Relax, Leanna. He’s talking with your brothers and having a cup of coffee. We have ten minutes before our shift ends, and we still need to do our shift change briefing. They’ll keep him occupied while we finish up.”
“Did you say brothers? As in plural? And you left Joe alone with them?”
“Of course I did. It’s his first test! If he can hold his own against them, then he stands a chance against you!” His booming laugh echoes off the walls as he walks down the hall, where I begrudgingly trail behind.
When my duties are complete, I hurry toward the lounge area to save Joe once again. Only this time, it’s from my brothers instead of a rogue peanut. I slow down to eavesdrop when I hear Brody and Ansel talking with my date. Trey stands behind me quietly to catch the tail end of the conversation as well.
“Do you like rock climbing or paintball?” Ansel asks. He’s the youngest of my three brothers, although he’s two years older than me. It doesn’t surprise me that it’s Ansel who asks the question, especially with his love of extreme sports.
“Um. I’ve never tried either one. I’m more of aHaloorCall of Dutykind of guy.”
“I can get behind that. PC or console?” Brody questions. He’s the brother who would have gone into professional gaming and streaming his plays if he hadn’t decided to become a firefighter.
“That depends. If I’m by myself, I’ll play on the PC. If I have friends over, it’s the console all the way.” I hear the slapping noise of a high-five and figure Joe must have answered the question to Brody’s satisfaction.
“Don’t get my brother started on gaming, or we’ll never make it to the gym. Back to my question. If you’ve never tried rock climbing or paintball, what outdoor activitieshave youtried?” Based on Ansel’s tone, I can tell that Joe’s answer matters to him. It matters to me as well.
“I’ve gone tubing down a river with my friends before. Does that count?” he asks, laughing.
No one joins him.
When it comes to the Arbaroa family, we take two things seriously other than God and family: Firefighting and Paintball. Indoor rock climbing almost makes the cut, but it falls a little short, with only a two-thirds participation rate.
