Fighting the Flames (Firefighter Romance #1)(10)

She melted, just a little bit. They had spoken about children many times in the past, but he’d always seemed hesitant on the subject. She wanted so badly to believe him, wanted them to pick up where we’d left off, when everything had gone so horribly wrong after her dad died.

“Why now?” she asked him.

He looked at her and covered her hands with his. “Because I love you and I almost lost you. Maybe I still have; I hope not. But, you need to know that, if you’ll have me, I’ll work every day of my life to re-earn your trust. I’ll never stop trying to deserve you.”

It was becoming too much. The bar. The promise of love. The tenderness she still felt for him.

“I need to go,” she said, standing so abruptly the table rocked. “This isn’t a no. This isn’t a yes. This is me needing to process everything you’ve just told me.”

“Already? We just got here. Are you running again,” he asked, his hands on her shoulders.

Was she? No! Not this time.

“No, I’m not running. I just can’t do this right now. Why don’t you call me sometime this week? Maybe we can go on a date, get to know each other again.”

He smiled at her. “I think that’s a really great idea. I’ll be calling again. Soon.” He leaned forward and placed his lips on her forehead. “Goodbye for now, Jessie.”





Chapter 6


Six months later, Jessie pulled into the parking lot of the Saddle Spur and could hardly recognize it as the same place.

True to his word, they took it slowly. He had called and they went out on their second ‘first date’. He hadn’t pushed her, had expected nothing from her. She appreciated that and date one led to date two another…and date three…

Now, exactly half a year from the day they sat across from each other and resolved to start over, she was here for another reason… the big grand re-opening of the Saddle Spur. It had taken six months, but the big reveal was finally happening. Derrick had been inspired, watching too many business rescue shows, he decided to close it down for the last month. He wanted to make sure the reveal was a complete surprise and get a head start on the staff training.

A spotlight lit up the sky just as it was getting dark, and seven o’clock couldn’t come fast enough. Already a line was forming as many people were anxious to see the new place. There must be a hundred people or so already braving the winter chill. Barely audible over the random noise of all the people was the country music playing from speakers in the roof. The dull beige walls outside now offered hand painted illustrations. Horses and cowboys ponied up to a hand-painted version of the bar inside, instead of a traditional watering hole.

Jessie had to admit, she was proud of Derrick. He seemed so happy, and their relationship was stronger than she even imagined it could be. She could see how he had changed, grown up significantly. Now that he owned the bar, he was more serious, not just about the business, but about making things work between the two of them. Jessie even helped with the decorating when he let her, but he was adamant about doing it alone. “I won’t f*ck this up,” he promised.


The bar had become his home, literally. He figured he wouldn’t be home much and there was no point in paying a mortgage. He’d called a realtor, sold his place within a month and converted a large room in the back of the bar into an apartment.

Standing at the large wooden front door, painted to look like old west swinging doors, she felt almost like an owner herself. Derrick was at her side, greeting people and smiling bigger than she’d ever seen him. He’d even won over Lisa—at least a little bit—and Lisa was on the other side of me, enjoying a rare evening out.

Pulling Derrick’s arm down, Jessie whispered in his ear, “Derrick, I’m really proud of you. This is a special night and I wish you the best success.”

He pulled her close and said, “I couldn’t have done it without your support and help. I want this to be a special night for you as well.”

It was.

When the band broke into a slow rendition of You Look So Good In Love, Derrick pulled her onto the dance floor and they swayed slowly to the music. Suddenly, he stopped and dropped to one knee, pulling the familiar ring from his pocket.

Everyone around them stopped dancing and formed a circle, growing quiet. The band played on, only softer.

“Jessica Marie Taylor,” he began, and from the corner of her eye, she saw Lisa push to the front of the circle, her hand clapped over her mouth. Before Jessie could decide if it was from excitement or horror, Derrick continued, “Most people on this earth don’t get second chances. They don’t get a chance to make up for the wrong they’ve done. They don’t get a second chance to prove they’ve learned from their mistakes and will do better.”

Tears sparkled at Jessie’s eyes at his public admission, even as her heart thumped in her chest, a heavy thumping of indecision. She hadn’t expected this. She was completely surprised. His next words pulled at her soul.

“If you’ll give me a second chance, I’ll never need a third one. If you’ll accept me as your husband, I’ll make sure to make you’re happy for all eternity.”

Oh. My. God.

Seconds passed and she saw pain flicker across his face and his hand tightened on hers, as if he was afraid she’d run if he didn’t hold on. It was that small gesture, the fear so clearly written across his expression that made her whisper, “Yes.”