AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She blinked, tears now streaming down her cheeks.
Chet didn’t move. Every muscle in his body was tense, his breath stilled.
“I freaked out, tried to run back to get Myles.” She shook her head. “As if I could save him somehow. All my training went out the window. My mind only went to getting Myles out of there. Another firefighter grabbed me and pulled me out, but not before the right side of my leg was burned.”
Quiet fell between them, the only sound being crickets from the yard below.
Chet watched as she stared out into the night. In that moment, she wasn’t on the porch with him; she was lost in the memories of all she’d seen. All she’d suffered. His heart ached for her, and the backs of his eyes burned with tears.
“I was in the burn unit in San Jose for weeks. Third-degree burns to my leg. I needed a few skin grafts, but my leg is okay now.” She shrugged. “It bugs me from time to time.” She took adeep breath in and let it out. “My dad died of a heart attack about a year later. He left me the diner in his will, so I moved back and decided to start again here in Silver Bay. I honestly believe he died of a broken heart. I thought I’d do the same, but I guess not, seeing as I’m still here.” She gave a wry grin and gave Chet a quick look before she finished her wine, then placed her empty glass on the table.
“I guess there are more happy memories here in Silver Bay for me than anything in San Jose. The guy I was dating at the time was a fellow firefighter. Aidan. He was the one who held me back from going after Myles. I took time off after and just couldn’t ever go back. Not only could I not bring myself to fight a fire, I blamed Aidan for Myles’s death—for holding me back.” She shook her head. “I’ve come to accept that the truth is, he saved me from dying along with Myles. So…here I am. I live here and run the diner.”
Chet couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. He’d tried to imagine what could have happened to Meg in her life, but nothing came close to the story she just told him. Rachel had said Meg’s heart was shattered. But that didn’t even begin to define it. For her to be sitting there with him and not just in one piece, but running a business, being a part of a community that had to hold tough memories for her. And rather than curling up in a ball and giving up, she kept moving forward.
It made perfect sense for her to be cautious. Life had taken her heart, slashed through it with a knife, run over it, burned it, then given it back and dared her to keep living.
On instinct, Chet went to her and put out his hand, praying she would take it. She did, and as she looked up at him, he saw trust.
He gently pulled her to her feet and led her to the center of the porch. Music floated through the night, an Alison Krausssong about hearts speaking without words, the lyrics saying everything Chet couldn’t.
He pulled her to him and began to sway, ever so slightly, with the rhythm. Her body leaned into his, her head against his shoulder, her hand tucked into his, her cheeks damp with tears. Her breath caught and he felt her relax. With slow, steady strokes, he moved his hand up and down her back as he danced with her, held her. How long had she carried this alone?
The song began to wind down. Meg looked up at him. The pain was still in her eyes, but there was something else.
“Would it be okay,” she said, hesitantly, “if I kissed you?”
Chet wanted to grin like a kid. Thrown by her being the one to make a bold move, he simply said, “Yeah.”
They stopped swaying. Her arms moved up and around his neck as she closed the gap between them, her lips landing softly against his. The scent of vanilla filled his senses as he tasted the wine that lingered on her lips. Her hair was silky against his fingers as he moved his hands up her back and pulled her closer. Her body was soft against his, her armor now completely gone.
Chet had ridden wave after wave of emotion as Meg had told him her story. Heartbreak for her loss as well as a desire to curl himself around her and protect her from ever hurting again overwhelmed him. And now a heat coursed through him almost knocking him over.
She pulled back slowly, a slight smile on her face. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair mussed. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
“I didn’t plan to unload all of that on you tonight.” She brought her arms down and nestled her hands against his chest. His were still wrapped around her, his need to hold her as vital as breathing.
“I’m grateful you trusted me with it.”
Her eyes filled with surprise. “Most people aren’t comfortable with pain. They need me to be okay. I’ve spent so long pretending that I’m always okay, it’s hard to admit that sometimes I’m not.”
“I don’t need you to be okay. I just want to hold you when you’re not.”
Tears filled her eyes again, but her smile told him that this time, they weren’t sad ones.
Another song began. She rested her head on his chest, the two of them swaying again to the music as crickets joined in. Chet felt Meg’s body move against his, and he pulled her even closer. He would never let anything keep her from his arms.
Chapter Nineteen
Chet and Megsat beside each other on a picnic table bench. They’d finished their last run for the fundraiser and the Harvest Festival was that evening.
Meg had meant it when she’d told Chet it wasn’t her intention to spill everything after dinner that night. But the romance of the evening, his ongoing patience, and the way he listened had given her the space she needed, and she had zero regrets.
As for that kiss, well. She’d been just as surprised as Chet.
It was one of the most precious moments of her life.
Now, kissing was one of their favorite pastimes, but with their work schedules, they had to make do with a stolen kiss here and there, holding hands as they sat to catch their breath after a run. Texting for hours when they weren’t together.
