Flash Point, page 17
“While Joe was there.”
“That must have been interesting.” Melissa looked up from stirring the dip. “And I don’t even know what’s really going on.”
Sarah gave her a quick recap. “So I ended it with Ryan. Finally. Choir practice should be interesting after this.”
Heather gave her a quick hug around the shoulders. “You did the right thing. I’m proud of you. And however Ryan chooses to respond is up to him.” She glanced out toward the patio where the three guys were deep in conversation. “How did Joe take it?”
“I thought he was going to punch Ryan, but instead he left us to talk. He’s been such a good friend through all this craziness.”
“Friend?” Melissa raised her eyebrows. “Honey, he’s got a lot more than ‘friend’ on his mind, even I can see that.”
Sarah’s cheeks heated. “He is always finding a way to rescue me out of various predicaments. But he’s got such a dangerous job. How do you do it, Heather?”
“I keep busy, don’t think about it. And when I do, I remember how many people he’s helping. People who need him. He’s got lots of training, and he’s good at what he does. And ultimately, God knows the number of Kyle’s days. Or any of ours, for that matter. My fretting won’t change that.”
God’s in control. She had to keep reminding herself of that.
“So, you didn’t bring Shadow?” Heather set out paper plates while Melissa grabbed plastic utensils and napkins.
“No, Joe took him on a quick walk before we left. He’s probably snoozing on my bed. Where he’s not supposed to be.” She’d seen the dog hair on her comforter, but he always looked so innocent.
“What did I do?”
Sarah spun around at Joe’s voice behind her. Her cheeks heated again. What on earth did she have to be blushing about? At this rate, she was going to look sunburned. “I didn’t hear you come in.” She turned back and concentrated on sticking a chip in the dip. What had he heard?
“That’s because I’m stealthy.”
“They teach you that at the fire academy?” Kyle walked in and wrapped his arms around Heather’s waist, giving her a kiss on the cheek before heading for the refrigerator. “Because it seems like there’s a great need for stealthy firefighters.”
“Hey, you never know.” Joe reached around Sarah for a chip, his arm brushing hers.
She hoped he didn’t see the tingles run up her arm. What was with her?
Scott leaned in through the patio door. “The grill’s ready.”
“Joe, should we do the manly thing and go play with fire and try to cook some meat?” Kyle handed him a platter of burgers.
“Of course. Toss me one of those Dr. Peppers while you’re in there. Grab one for Scott too.”
Kyle grabbed the sodas. “Medium okay for everyone?”
“Can you make one well done for me?” Melissa asked.
“Sure. One blacked hamburger coming up. I’ll let Joe make yours. He’s good with burning things.”
The guys moved outside while Heather shook her head. “The three of them together are a sight to behold.”
Sarah wrapped the camaraderie around her like a blanket. Just watching these life-long friends interact was almost as good as being part of it. Could she ever be part of something like that? Someone she could trust to stick with her no matter what?
Joe must have caught her staring at them, because he grinned at her through the patio door. Yeah, maybe she could.
“So what’s going on there? By the way you’re drooling, I’d say she was more than just Heather’s friend.”
Joe turned from staring through the patio door at Scott’s question.
“Sarah?” He wasn’t sure how to answer that. “She’s had some trouble lately, and I’m trying to help.”
“Yeah, we know how you help. I think I still have a scar from the last time you ‘helped’ me out of that tree.” Scott pushed up his sleeve and pointed to a faint scar. He turned to Kyle. “Have you warned her?”
Kyle laid the burgers on the grill. “Actually, Joe’s the least of her problems right now.” He gave Scott a quick rundown.
“Did arson send you over a copy of their report on that building of hers that burned down?” Joe popped the tab on his Dr. Pepper.
“So far it looks like it’s not my jurisdiction, and I’m not getting anywhere with the city planning department. Yeah, it could be a motive for Greg Connor’s disappearance. Or is his disappearance a way to throw the trail off his arson?”
It wasn’t the reassurance he was hoping for. “She likes working out puzzles. And that’s what she thinks this is. I’m worried about her going off on her own. I don’t think she has any kind of clue what danger she’s in. The thing at her condo shook her for a bit, but if it’s still bothering her, I can’t tell.” He took another sip. “Any way you can use your police persuasion to keep her out of the investigation?”
Scott smirked. “Just friends, huh?”
It didn’t take Scott long to get up to speed without Joe having to give him all the details. That’s what happened when you’d been friends for most of your lives.
Kyle poked at the meat then closed the lid. “I’ll admit, she’s been helpful. She knows the industry better than I do.” He started to say something else, then shook his head slightly. “I’ll make sure Sarah knows she’s not to be going off on her own.”
“Thanks.” He was grateful Kyle would talk to Sarah, but also that he didn’t harass Joe. He didn’t realize his feelings for her were so transparent. Then again, these were the guys he let his guard down around. With them, he didn’t have to be the best or achieve anything. He could simply be himself. “I’m calling the arson investigator tomorrow and see if I can’t get some better answers.”
Scott raised his eyebrows. “Gonna poke a hornet’s nest at your own place of work?”
“If I have to. I hope it doesn’t come to that.” He sighed. “I wish I could just get her out of here until this whole thing blows over. I’ve got a lot of time off coming.” He thought briefly of DiMarco’s offer of his cabin. Not that, but maybe just a place to get away and lay low. “What?”
Scott and Kyle both stared at him.
“Well, she’d never go for it. Her boss, Mark, has left her in charge of the company now, and she’d never leave him in the lurch.”
Kyle lifted the grill lid. “You’re doing a lot of advance planning for a woman who—last I knew—was dating the worship leader. You might have more than one hornet’s nest on your hands.”
“What? Dude.” Scott crossed his arms. “I need the whole story. Not just the highlight reel.”
“Ryan’s done. He left her at church Sunday when he was supposed to be her ride home. Then he showed up at her place today before we left. She ended things with him.”
“Sounds like a quality guy.” Scott downed the rest of his soda.
Kyle slid the burgers on to a tray. “I know what it’s like to risk it all to protect a woman you love.” He met Joe’s gaze. “Just make sure you know what the stakes are before you go all in.” He opened the patio door and stepped through, Scott following him.
Joe stared out over the valley visible from Kyle’s patio. Was he doing all of this just to be the rescuer he always was? Or was his heart already fully engulfed? He turned and looked inside, watching Sarah through the glass.
Yeah, he was a goner.
The doorbell rang, and Sarah slid off the barstool she’d been perched on.
“Sarah, can you get that?” Heather asked, almost like it was her house. It probably would be in just a matter of time, whenever Kyle decided to pop the question. Plus, Heather had painted every room of this house when she was under Kyle’s protection.
Sarah opened the door to Cait and Grayson. She gave Cait a hug. “You feeling okay?”
“Almost back to normal. Just a few headaches, but nothing too major.” Cait held up a bag of food. “Where do you want this?”
Sarah pointed to the kitchen. “Heather’s got everything laid out in there. Burgers are being cooked even as we speak.”
Grayson put a hand on Sarah’s arm. “Any word on the missing contractor? And I heard about your building burning. A lot is happening in that corner of Orange County.”
“No word yet. But have you ever heard of Native American artifacts showing up on any of your projects? Or any odd environmental impacts?”
He shook his head. “No, but if DiMarco is involved, you can bet something shady is going on. Nobody can ever pin anything on him, but I pulled out of working with him on a project earlier this year that skirted too close to the line. But if there are artifacts involved in that area, well with the future of that corridor, I could see why an unscrupulous developer would just plow them under. Too much money is at stake to have a project halted.”
“That’s what I was thinking too. But I still don’t see what that has to do with Greg, my trashed house, or burning down one of my buildings.”
Grayson frowned. “Maybe consider taking a vacation until this all blows over. You don’t know what could happen next.”
Footsteps sounded behind her that she instinctively knew were Joe’s. “Talking shop. I should have known.” He shook Grayson’s hand. “Joe Romero. I don’t think we’ve formally met.”
“I’ve been wanting to meet you to thank you for rescuing Cait. You made a positive impact on a lousy situation. I really appreciate it.”
“Happy I could help. Any of the guys would have done it. I’m just glad she’s okay.” He shifted his weight, seemingly uncomfortable with the praise, and slipped his arm over Sarah’s shoulders. “Burgers are ready. Hungry?”
She nodded and followed him to the kitchen. While she made her burger and filled her plate, Heather’s words played through her mind regarding Kyle helping people. Joe did too. If he hadn’t been there for Cait, what would have happened? Could Sarah let go of her grip just enough to trust that God had a good plan even if she couldn’t see it? Joe was an amazing guy. He’d already proven over and over that he could protect her and be there for her. Could she trust him with her heart? Even with his dangerous job? Dealing every day with the thing she feared most? Or was it like the mirage that shimmered off the pavement on a hot day, always just out of reach?
Everyone grabbed whatever seat they could find. She slid into the far seat of the dining room table, Joe next to her. Cait and Grayson at the opposite end. After a few moments, all was silent as everyone was busy eating. The food was delicious. There was just something about barbecued hamburgers. And her potato salad had turned out really well.
But it wasn’t quiet for long as Kyle, Joe, and Scott joked and told stories.
“I’m just happy we’ve lived long enough to tell some of these tales.” Scott tipped back in his chair, bracing his knees against the table top to hold himself in place. “Remember that time we put out that fire in the orange grove? I think that’s when you decided to become a firefighter.” He pointed at Joe.
“Okay, I’ve got to hear this.” Heather leaned forward. “I can’t ever get these two to tell me anything.”
Joe nudged Sarah, his voice brushing her ear and sending shivers cascading across her body. “I wanted to be a firefighter long before this. Don’t believe everything this guy says.”
Kyle draped his arm around Heather’s shoulders. “If I remember correctly, Scott, you started that rotten orange fight when we were walking home from school. The smell of hot, fermented oranges is imprinted in my brain forever. I don’t even like orange juice anymore.”
Scott tossed his napkin at him. “But Joe spotted the smoke and said we should go check it out. We ran to the edge of the grove, and the field next to it—full of brush—was burning. So we all ran to Joe’s house, which was the closest. He yelled at his mom to call 911 and then darted to the garage, handing us shovels.
“We were like, what are we doing? You want us to put this thing out? His mom was yelling in Spanish for us to stay put. But Joe insisted that we had to do this because the fire department might not make it in time and there were houses right next to that field.”
Sarah looked up at Joe. His cheeks were a little redder than usual. “Hey, I watched a lot of Emergency after school. Johnny and Roy would have done the same thing.” He eased back, sliding his arm along the back of her chair. She leaned into it.
Scott let his chair thump back to the floor. “They were paramedics. Anyhow, Joe had us dig a perimeter, throwing dirt on the fire. We were covered in dirt and soot and sweat when the real firefighters showed up. They put the thing out pretty quick. They had a few words of warning for us, thinking we started the fire at first. But once one of the neighbors came out and said they saw someone toss a cigarette out a car window just before everything went up, we were off the hook. We got a tour of the engine and all. It was a lot of excitement for three eleven-year-old boys.”
Kyle started in on another story, this one about them seeing a guy stealing a car and calling the cops. But Sarah studied Joe. He was relaxed, joking around. How would it feel to have such long-term friends? Comfortable? Safe? She didn’t make friends easily; Heather was her closest one. She had acquaintances, and being an only child with distant parents didn’t give her anyone to get close to. But something like this? She could get used to it. If they would let her in.
Melissa piped up. “So, stories about Kyle and Joe, but what about you, Scott? Just an innocent bystander in all of these adventures?”
He winked at her. “Classified.”
She gave him a saucy smirk. “I bet my security clearance is higher than yours.”
“Touché!” Kyle stood and took his plate to the kitchen.
Heather followed him and began putting the food away. Sarah joined her. The guys pulled out beach chairs and set them on the back patio. There was an easy comfort in everyone working together. It was similar to what she felt when it had just been Heather, Kyle, Joe, and her, but magnified. Was she attracted to Joe for who he was or for the sense of belonging he brought her?
Finished with the food, she stepped out on the patio. The ocean breeze had come up and the sun was going down. A beautiful summer twilight, palm trees silhouetted against the flaming sky. She would need to get her jacket soon; she was feeling a chill.
“Deep thoughts?”
She nearly jumped. Joe had come up behind her again without her knowing. “You’ve got to be serious about those stealthy firefighter classes. That’s the second time today you’ve done that.”
He grinned. “I think you’re just not paying attention.”
“I’ll give you that.”
“Cait put out the dessert she brought. I hate to break it to you, but you’ll have to make a crucial decision.”
She raised her eyebrows at him. “Really?”
“Yes. Whether or not to have ice cream with your brownies.”
She laughed. “Ah, I can see how that would be crucial. But a brownie with vanilla ice cream is approaching perfection.”
“Ah, perfection. Okay, well I will strive to deliver perfection if you’ll grab us a couple of seats. But I have one more important question for you.” His face turned serious.
What was he going to ask her? With Ryan out of the picture—?
“Coffee?”
It took a moment. “Oh. Yes, coffee sounds great.” There she went, letting her imagination run off with her.
“Go sit down then and save me a good seat.”
“It’s the least I can do.” Sarah moved over to a couple of chairs, sliding them a bit closer together with her foot.
A minute later, Joe came out balancing a plate and two coffee cups, her jacket draped over his arm. “You take cream in yours, right?”
“How did you know?”
“Comes with the stealthy thing.” He handed her a cup.
She gave him a look.
“Okay, I confess. I’d noticed your coffee was light, but I didn’t know if you put sugar in it. So I asked Heather.”
“Smart.”
“Occasionally.” He held out her jacket. “It’s getting cool. I thought you’d want this.”
And a mind reader too. She slipped on her jacket then took the cup and plate he handed her.
Sarah sipped her coffee, mixed exactly right, to hide her smile. Joe was sweet. And way too handsome for her own good. She suppressed a sigh. Was Joe interested in her or just being nice?
The patio filled as everyone filtered out and found their seats. The fireworks started. Four different shows could be seen—in varying degrees—from Kyle’s patio. Metallic flowers blooming and fading in succession, varying shapes, sizes, and colors.
Joe rested his arm on the chair arm. And since she had pushed them together, their arms touched, making more fireworks than just up in the sky.
The slight breeze kept the smoke cleared. It made for a great evening, but Sarah could barely keep her teeth from chattering, her coffee long gone.
“You cold?” Joe asked.
She nodded.
“It’s not that cold out here. I hope you’re not coming down with something.” He rubbed her arm.
“Me too.” The sky filled with a final barrage of fireworks before falling silent, the smoky air tinged pale orange from the light pollution of street lights.
As much as she was enjoying herself, if she was coming down with something beyond a sore throat, a good night’s sleep would go a long way to curing it.
Cait and Grayson said their goodbyes and left, fatigue etched in Cait’s face.
“We should head home too. You’re not feeling well, and Shadow’s going to want to be let out.” Joe gathered up their cups and plates then stood.
“I should help Heather clean up.”
“I got it.” Melissa shooed her through the patio door. “You get home.”
They said their goodbyes. Scott gave Joe a bro hug then reached for Sarah. “He’ll take good care of you,” he said softly in her ear.
She smiled. What had they been talking about on the patio?
Once they pulled up to her condo, Joe took her keys. “How about I take Shadow for a quick walk around while you get settled?”
