The Fireman's Secret (2 page)

He nodded. “And if I’m not mistaken, you’re Caleb’s little sister. Shelby Beck.” He glanced at her left hand. “It’s still Beck, isn’t it?”

Her? Married? Right, he’d left before the fire. He didn’t know about the scars marring her skin.

“Still just a Beck.”

As teenagers, Miles, Caleb and Joel had been inseparable for the few years Joel lived with a foster family in Goose Harbor.

“It’s so good to see you.” She squeezed his hand.

He looked at their hands for a moment. “That’s nice to hear. I didn’t know how people would feel about me coming back.”

She let go of his hand. What had come over her to latch on to him like that? Besides, they’d forgotten something important while they’d been catching up and taking care of her cut. “Wait. What about the deer?”

“Deer?”

“When you went to get your flashlight did you check the deer? How is it?” She jammed the deed papers into her purse, slung the bag over her shoulder and locked the car door.

He scratched his chin. “Um, I didn’t take a look at the deer. I was more worried about you.”

“Well, I’m fine.”

“You’re sure?”

“Listen, my head hurts like there’s a small child jumping on my brain, but I’ll survive. Nothing’s broken. Believe me, I’ve survived much worse than a small accident.” Shelby pressed past him and stumbled up the incline.

He grabbed her elbow to steady her. “Whoa, there. Let’s walk easy. Maybe I should call Caleb for you. Does he still live in town?”

Shelby swallowed. When Caleb proposed to Paige Windom, Shelby made a promise to herself to move out of her brother’s home and begin making a life of her own apart from Caleb. She needed to learn to be independent and stop letting Caleb take care of everything.

She spun around too quickly. “No. I don’t want that.”

Feeling woozy from the fast movement, she grabbed on to the first thing she could find to steady herself. That ended up being the fabric of Joel’s coat near his chest.

Joel’s arms came around her. “Listen, Shelby, I don’t think—”

She spotted the deer. It rested in the gravel on the edge of the street. Shelby let go of Joel’s coat and inched toward the animal. She fell to her knees beside her. No breath. No movement.

“Oh, you poor thing. I’m so sorry.” Tears welled in her eyes. Shelby turned to Joel. He stood behind her, working his jaw back and forth. Hands shoved deep in his pockets.

“I killed her.” She got up. Why had they talked so long? She should have climbed out of the car the second it went into the ditch in order to help the deer.

Joel shrugged. “It was just a deer. The important thing is you’re okay.”

She scowled at him. “We should have at least tried to save her. If we hadn’t talked so long we might have been able to do something.”

“Listen.” Joel placed a hand on Shelby’s shoulder guiding her away from the deer. “Even if we’d come up here right away and it was still breathing, it had three broken legs. Not to mention plenty of internal damage. We would only have been extending its suffering by trying to help.”

Shelby pulled away from him. “Just because something was wrong with her—something she didn’t deserve—doesn’t mean she wasn’t worth saving. Her life still meant something.” Shelby fisted her hands to hide that she was shaking. Why did people only want something or believe it had worth if it was perfect—unblemished. The deer might not have been able to live in the wild again, but they could have taken it somewhere to rehabilitate it. Some zoo or nature preserve.

“She probably died on impact, Shelby. Accidents happen. Let’s just leave it be.”

“I didn’t mean for it to die,” she whispered.

Joel blew out a long stream of air. “Yeah, well, if I’ve learned anything in life, it’s that a lot of things happen that we don’t mean for, and a lot of hurt tends to happen along the way.” He offered his hand and his voice grew softer. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

Joel was right about the deer, but Shelby hated that the animal had died. She slipped her hand into his and her gaze darted to his eyes.

It would be nice to have someone around who could get to know her without viewing her as the guarded baby sister, the way the entire town did.

Perhaps this time Joel wouldn’t be only Caleb’s friend.

Maybe he’d be her friend, too.

* * *

Joel gulped. Man alive, Shelby was pretty.

Lights from his pickup splashed across the pavement, illuminating her. He marveled at her creamy skin. Red-brown hair cascaded just over her shoulders in waves, a couple of freckles dusted her nose and her eyes were as green as a summer meadow. The set of her regal little jaw told him she was trying her hardest not to cry about the deer.

If it was humanly possible, he’d kick himself.
Dummy
. He was so used to being around men at the firehouse; he needed to remember to phrase things more gently when talking to women. She probably thought he was some animal-hating brute, and for a reason he didn’t want to think about, it bothered him that Shelby might peg him wrong on their first meeting as adults.

It felt more than nice, though, to have someone holding his hand like Shelby was. Tight—as if she trusted him already. No one had ever held on to him like that. Well, honestly, had he ever held someone’s hand? Not counting the police officers who had pulled him away from his mother all those years ago. No.

He eyed the gash on her temple. “Are you dizzy at all?”

With her free hand, she hugged her stomach tightly. “I’m perfectly fine.”

Joel glanced at her busted car. The rust bucket of a vehicle was a goner. He shrugged. A police report could wait until morning. “Come on. Let’s grab your personal stuff from your car and get you into town.”

“I have my purse. Everything else in there should be fine.” She patted the small bag.

Good. At least she wasn’t one of those women who toted around half of her belongings in a suitcase-sized bag.

He hesitated. “You’re not afraid of dogs, are you?”

Shelby tipped back her head and laughed loudly.

Joel scratched his chin. “Does that mean no?”

“I own a dog-walking business. I got in the wreck on my way home from a dog-sitting gig. What do you think?”

“Well, that’s good, because my guy, Dante, is in the cab. He’s harmless, though. I promise. Where am I taking you?”

“I live on the main square, above Gran’s Candy Shoppe.”

“Unreal. That place still exists?” Joel rounded the truck and opened the passenger door for her.

Dante yelped and lurched forward, his tongue going into full action mode as he soundly licked Shelby’s cheek. Most women would have shrieked, but Shelby scratched Dante’s head and kissed him right on the muzzle.

Joel let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Accepting Dante was as good as accepting him, if not better. Shelby Beck had just passed the most important test to winning Joel’s trust.

* * *

The truck boasted a hole the size of a baseball on the floor. Shelby positioned her feet around the spot. Joel pulled onto the highway, the trailer carrying his motorcycle creaking along behind them. She stared at the radio dial. No sound. Maybe it was busted. Or he didn’t like having it on. Either way, Shelby couldn’t stand the silence.

She ran her fingers over the silky hairs of the dog’s head and noticed his shape and colorings. He possessed the black-and-white blending of a border collie, but had patches of brown, as well. The dog gazed at her with crystal blue eyes. “This is an Australian cattle dog.”

Joel looped his hand over the steering wheel and regarded her. “The lady knows her dogs.”

Shelby shrugged. “Occupational hazard. He’s beautiful. I love his markings. It’s a boy, right?”

“Yeah. This is Dante. He’s partially deaf so if you talk to him and he doesn’t look at you, don’t take offense. He’s an old boy now, so he moves slow. But he’s my best friend.” Joel patted the dog on the rump and then left his hand resting there. “We found each other eight years ago and have been inseparable ever since.”

“You found each other. That sounds intriguing.”

The lights of the small downtown strip of Goose Harbor came in to view.

Joel kept his eyes on the road. “It wasn’t a good time for me. I was...in between homes and found Dante wandering in an alley. He was so scrawny. His rib cage looked like blades jutting out of his body.” He rubbed his hand over Dante’s back. “I brought him to a local vet. The doctor recognized him right away. I guess they don’t get a lot of Dante’s breed in that town.”

Recognized? “But you didn’t have to give him back?”

“Turns out his owner died and neither of her two adult children wanted to take Dante, so instead of finding him a home they brought him into town and dumped him on the street.”

“That’s awful.” Shelby gasped. “How can people be so cruel?”

“People—most people—just don’t care beyond themselves.”

The truck’s tires thumped over the brick-paved block that made up the main square of the town.

“But how could someone not want Dante? He seems so sweet.” Shelby scratched behind his ears and the dog sighed happily. “Who wouldn’t want to open their home to him if they could?”

At the single stoplight in town, Joel bowed his head. Eyes closed, he took a deep breath. “They just didn’t want him. No one wanted him. That’s all there was to it,” he whispered.

The light turned green and he pulled around the corner and parked in front of Gran’s Candy Shoppe. A streetlight illuminated the interior of the truck’s cab. Joel’s smile was gone. His brow furrowed.

They just didn’t want him. No one wanted him.

Joel had been in the foster system when he’d lived in Goose Harbor. An older couple from their church had taken him. After Joel disappeared, the couple had sold their home and moved to Florida.

She listened to Dante’s even breaths for a minute. “Dogs are wonderful. I love them because they don’t judge. They don’t care if something’s wrong with you. That’s why I started working with them.”

“Exactly. He’s become everything to me.” Joel scratched Dante’s back.

Shelby leaned across Dante and placed her hand over Joel’s. “I’m glad he found you.”

“Me, too.” The trace of something that wanted to be a smile pulled on his lips. He fished a pen and a folded receipt from one of the truck’s cup holders. “Let me give you my number. Promise me that if you start feeling worse or your head starts hurting or you get dizzy you’ll call me.”

“Sure.” She reached to take the piece of paper from him.

He didn’t let go of it. “Anytime of the night. I’m serious.”

She met his eyes. The intensity of his gaze made her catch her breath. “I promise,” she whispered.

He let go of the paper. “Have a good night, Shelby.”

“You, too.” She grabbed her purse. “And take care of sweet Dante.”

“Will do.” Joel saluted her.

She laughed and made her way to the door on the side of the building that led up to her apartment, the whole time keenly aware that Joel hadn’t pulled away until she was safely inside.

* * *

Joel straightened his shirt, took a deep breath and then stepped into the fire chief’s office. Three chairs and a mammoth mahogany desk filled the small room, leaving him no choice but to stand in the small square of space in the open doorway.

Chief Wheeler hopped to his feet when he spotted Joel, a boisterous laugh making his red beard waggle as he offered his hand. “Great to see you again, Palermo. Are you settling into your new place all right?”

“I only just got in last night. I haven’t even unpacked yet, sir.”

“Well, take time to enjoy the town this week—chief’s orders.” He plunked into his chair.

“Will do.” Joel sat in the seat across from Wheeler. “Is there anything else you need from me before I start?”

“Nothing I can think of, other than never call me sir again.” He laughed.

“Chief?” A light tap sounded on the door. “Do you have a minute.” Shelby Beck popped her head into the office. “Oh, I’m so sorry. You’re busy. I can come back later.”

“Hogwash. You know I always have time for you.” The chief motioned for her to join them. “Shelby, I want you to meet our newest fireman, Joel Palermo. I believe he’s about your age. If I recall correctly, he’s also single.”

A small grin played over Shelby’s face. “We’ve met.”

“I see.” The chief winked at them.

She grabbed the last available seat in the room, which brought her knee to knee with Joel. Her smile was infectious.

He leaned forward to examine the cut on her temple. “How’s your head?”

“Good.” She moved her hair to cover the barely visible gash. “How’s Dante?

Joel leaned back in his chair. “I’m sure he’s happy to have a yard to sniff around in. Our last place didn’t have one. He may be old, but he really likes being outside.”

“You know,” she began, “when you’re on your days staying here at the firehouse, I could walk Dante for you and stop in to make sure he’s okay.”

Joel nudged her knee with his. “Look at you, Miss Businesswoman, adding me to your clientele when I’ve been in town less than twenty-four hours.”

“No. I didn’t mean—I’m offering as a friend.” Shelby’s cheeks flushed. “I don’t want your money.”

“I was kidding with you.” He winked.

Chief Wheeler crossed his arms over his chest. “So, Shelby, I’m assuming you came in here to do more than just flirt with my handsome new fireman.”

Shelby’s cheeks blazed fire-engine red. “I’m not—”

Joel opened his mouth to defend her.

But the chief slapped the table and laughed. “I’m kidding, girl. Although, if you like him, I could order him to take you on a date.”

Shelby looked down at the floor. “Like I said, I can come back another time if that’s better.”

Chief Wheeler adjusted his tie. “Relax, Shelby. What can I do for you?”

She knit her fingers together as she blew out a long breath. Then she tugged a bundle of papers from her purse. “My father left me this. I can rebuild. Finally. I’m going to meet with Ida today. When her husband was mayor, I remember him raising money for just that purpose. I want to see if that money is still available, but even if it is, I’m sure it won’t be enough.”