First Responders Series

“Well, if it ain’t little Jess Taggert!” Mr. Elway beamed as Jess walked into the local hardware store.

“You sure did grow up to be a good-looking woman. Just as pretty as your sweet mama, Lord rest her soul.” Smiling, Jess hugged the elderly shopkeeper.

“Hello, Mr. Elway. I’m here to pick up the stuff Daddy ordered. He’s finally getting around to fixing that old barn behind the house today. Retirement won’t be kind to him when he finally does it,” she chuckled.

Mr. Elway chuckled back.

“You’re right about that, young lady. Your daddy was born with ants in his pants. That boy couldn’t be still if his life depended on it.” He turned around to the back of the store and hollered.

“Seth! Young’un get out here! I need you to help Ms. Taggert with her order!” A tall, lanky teenager with messy blond hair came jogging out, a lopsided grin on his face.

“I’m right here, Gramps. Her order’s all ready. I’ll get it loaded right away.” Jess chatted with Mr. Elway while Seth loaded the pickup truck.

The little bell above the door rang and the town’s sheriff sauntered in. He looked vaguely familiar, but his face was half hidden by his hat. He took it off and ran his hand through his thick blond hair.

“Morning, Sheriff,” greeted Mr. Elway. The tall man approached the counter and finally faced Jess. Her eyes widened in shock, and she was pretty sure her jaw dropped.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” the sheriff chuckled. “Jess Taggert, as I live and breathe.” The town’s sheriff was none other than the boy Jess had spent most of her high school years dreaming of.

Caide Walker. She wouldn’t have thought it possible for the man to get better looking but he had.

His shoulders and chest had filled out considerably, if his snug uniform shirt was anything to go by, and she tried hard not to think about the way he filled out his jeans.

“Sheriff Walker,” she said. “Of all the things I imagined you being when you grew up, sheriff wasn’t one of them.” Caide smiled, his brown eyes sparkling in amusement.

“Yep, been sheriff here for the last five years. What about you? I thought your daddy said you were a big-shot firefighter in San Francisco. You home for good now?” Jess lowered her eyes and looked away, swallowing the lump in her throat.

“Yeah, I’m home for good now. You can take the girl out of Montana, but you can’t take Montana out of the girl,” she said, smiling weakly.

Caide frowned in confusion, but he didn’t press. His gut was telling him to let it go for now.

“I have to say, Jess, you haven’t changed a bit. Still just as beautiful as you were in high school. I’m off in about twenty minutes. How about we get some coffee and catch up?”

Jess was on the cusp of saying no, but her mouth said otherwise.

“Sure. I’d like that.” Caide flashed her that panty-melting smile she remembered so well.

“Good. I’ll finish my rounds and meet you over at Dinah’s.” He drew her into a hug. “Damn good to see you, Jess. Glad you’re home.” He let her go and sauntered back out the door.

Mr. Elway had a sly look on his face.

“Seth will be done about that time, so if you want to head on over, you can. The truck will be safe here.” Jess rolled her eyes and smiled at the old man.

“Now, Mr. Elway,” she chided. “You just get that silly idea out of your head. It’s just coffee between old friends.” She couldn’t help but giggle as the old man wiggled his eyebrows.

“He’s a right good-looking and very single man, Jess. You’re a right good-looking and very single woman. That’s all I’m saying.” Jess smiled, but it was a sad smile.

“I’ve already had the best there is, Mr. Elway,” she said softly.

The older man clasped her shoulder gently.

She paid for her order and waved goodbye as she headed across the street to Dinah’s Diner. Walking in, she took in the familiar smells of hot apple pie and strong coffee.

“Jess? Honey, is that you?” A plump redhead in a striped apron came around the counter. “Well, I’ll be!” she exclaimed. “It is you! Your daddy said you were coming home.”

Dinah pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek. A look of sympathy passed through her eyes. “How are you doing, honey?” Jess shrugged her shoulders.

“I’m okay, Di. Daddy’s keeping me busy. All of a sudden, he’s decided to fix everything around the house that’s been broken for years, starting with that old barn in the back.”

Dinah laughed and hugged her again. “Well, you just let me know if you need anything, ya hear?”

Jess nodded and made her way to the corner booth by the window.

Dinah brought her a cup of black coffee and left her to her thoughts. She sipped the dark brew, letting her mind wander as she stared out the window. She didn’t know she was being watched.

Caide caught sight of her as he came around the corner of the ABC store. Her brown hair shone with caramel highlights from the rays of sunlight coming through the diner’s window. His breath caught in his throat.

He’d forgotten just how beautiful she was. Jess had been a knockout in high school, but now she was all woman. The most gorgeous woman he’d ever laid eyes on.

He stopped and watched her for a few minutes. There was such a look of melancholy on her face.

“What’s happened to you, Jess,” he whispered to himself. Finally, he stepped off the curb and headed into the diner.

“She’s right over there in the corner, hon!” Dinah shouted as Caide walked in.

He smiled and made his way over to the booth. Sliding in, he caught the mask sliding over Jess’s features. She gave him a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Dinah sat his coffee in front of him, along with cream and sugar. Jess watched him doctor his cup before taking a sip.

“Black coffee?” he asked. “I figured you for a cream and sugar girl.” She chuckled.

“No time for that when I was on duty. We stayed pretty busy, and I guess I just got used to drinking it black. I don’t think I could go back to the light and sweet side even if I wanted to. It would feel like I was betraying the brotherhood,” she laughed.

“So, tell me about fighting fires. That’s a hell of a dangerous job, but I guess it’s in your blood.” Caide put his cup down. “I’m starving, Jess. Do you mind if I eat?” She shook her head.

“If anyone understands the need to eat after a long shift, I sure do. There were days we stayed so busy at the station I didn’t eat for my whole shift. I’d grab a protein bar and shove it down between calls, but those only lasted so long,” she said.

Caide smiled.

“I’ll buy you a piece of Dinah’s apple pie as thanks for letting a hungry man eat.” His smile was just as sultry as ever.