First Responders Series

Dinah brought out their food, and Caide dug in with relish.

“Still got that hollow leg, I see,” Jess said, as her smile slowly crept into her eyes. It made Caide’s heart pump a little faster.

“What can I say? I’m still a growing boy,” he laughed.

Oh yes, Jess thought, ~growing in all the right places~. She took a bite of pie and moaned in delight. Caide’s fork stopped as he watched her eat.

Damn, he’d never been turned on by a woman eating before, but he felt himself harden as her lips closed around another bite. He wished with all he had that he was that fork.

“I forgot how good Dinah’s apple pie was.” She took another bite, closing her eyes and moaning again at the goodness. Jess was totally oblivious to the erotic effect she was having on the man sitting across from her.

“So, what made you want to become sheriff?” she asked. Caide shrugged his massive shoulders, his shirt pulling tighter across his chest.

Holy hell, Jess thought.

“I don’t know. I was at a crossroads when we graduated, and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I had a football scholarship to Montana State University in Bozeman but I wasn’t really interested.

“I went anyway and spent a year studying shit I didn’t care about. Then one night after a party, I was driving back to my apartment and there had been an accident. A drunk driver had jumped the median and hit a family head-on.

“I pulled over to help and was struck by officers’ compassion on the scene. Thankfully, the family survived, and I realized at that moment what I wanted to do. So, here I am. Mount Saylor’s sheriff.”

“That’s amazing, Caide. I’m glad you found your way. I’m sure the town is happy to have you.” Caide watched as Jess’s eyes got that faraway look again.

“I’m thinking of getting on at the fire station with Daddy. I know it would make him happy, and I miss the rush of fighting a fire. I can’t imagine Mount Saylor being as busy as San Francisco, but I don’t think I’ll mind.”

“I think working with your dad is a great idea. Maybe you can even take over as chief when he retires.” Jess snorted.

“This is my daddy we’re talking about, Caide. Adam Taggert and retirement don’t belong in the same sentence.” Caide laughed.

“Yeah, you’re right. I hope I’m still going strong when I get to be his age.”

“Yeah, he does all right for an old man of fifty-two.” Her daddy was still a force to be reckoned with at forty-eight. At six foot four, he was a wall of muscle and attitude. He could still hold his own against men half his age.

His dark-brown hair had just started to pick up flecks of silver, but there was no dimming in his lively green eyes.

Jess had always thought her daddy a handsome man, and the women of Mount Saylor seemed to agree. Many had and still continued to hit on him, but his heart was still devoted to her mother.

He had dedicated all his time after Pamela’s death to raising Jess, and he had never given himself time to heal.

“I saw the wildfire on the news a few months ago, ” Caide said. Jess knew what he wanted to ask.

“Yes, my whole company was involved in fighting that blaze. Damn near killed me,” her voice broke a little. Caide saw the heavy scarring on the back of her left hand. He picked it up, rubbing his thumb over it.

“What happened, Jess? Your dad didn’t say anything about you almost losing your life.” She gently extracted her hand from his and gave him a small smile.

“Um, I’m really not ready to talk about all that, Caide,” she took another sip of her now lukewarm coffee, staring out the window again.

“Okay, Jess. You don’t have to. But when you’re ready, I’ll be happy to listen.” Whatever it was had taken a huge toll on her.

Her inner fire had been dampened by it, and it killed him to see her like that. He wouldn’t push it though. An awkward silence fell over them.

Caide paid the bill and walked Jess to the door. They walked back to the hardware store together.

“It’s really good to see you, Jess. Maybe we can get together for dinner one night. I’d like to see you again.”

“Oh, Caide,” she sighed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m happy to see you, I really am, but I’ve got to get my life straightened out. It’s a shitstorm right now.” Caide reached up and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear.

“I want to help you, Jess. I can see the hurt in your eyes.” Pulling out his wallet, he handed her a business card. “There’s my cell number. Call me anytime. I don’t care what time it is.” She took the card.

“Thank you, Caide.” Sighing deeply, she pulled him into a hug and wrapped her arms around his neck. He returned the gesture and held her close. He felt wetness on his shoulder and knew she was crying.

“It’s okay, Jess. You can cry on my shoulder any time,” he whispered in her ear. With a final squeeze, she let him go and got in her truck. Waving, she headed back to the farmhouse.

Caide stood in the parking lot, watching as the pickup truck disappeared down the road. The heaviness in her spirit felt like it was sitting on his chest.

He wasn’t sure how, but he would help her get past this. He wanted to see that feisty girl he fell in love with back in high school. Sadness didn’t become her, and he would make it his job to wipe it away.

Tears streamed down Jess’s face as she fought to see the road. Finally, she pulled over and just let the sorrow take over.

“Ty, I miss you so fucking bad!” She pounded the steering wheel and screamed at the top of her lungs.

When the tears had finally stopped and her sobs turned into hiccups, she put the truck back in gear and drove home. She pulled up to the barn to see her father, shirtless, on the roof pulling off old shingles.

“Hey, baby girl! I was beginning to think you got lost!” His bright smile and laughing eyes lightened her heavy heart. “Couple of the guys from the firehouse will be here shortly to lend a hand. You remember Wade and Levi, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I remember those two clowns,” she giggled. “I’ll go make some lunch for everybody. I learned a few new recipes at the station I think you guys might like.”

“Sounds good, baby girl. Can’t wait to see what them San Francisco boys eat.” A beat-up Chevy pickup truck pulled in next to her, and a couple guys jumped out.

“Adam, you didn’t tell us our little girl grew up! Hey, gorgeous!” Wade picked her up in a bear hug, making her squeal. “Just as pretty as your mama,” he grinned as he set her down.

“Now, now, don’t go hogging her! It’s my turn!” Levi scooped her up. “Lord have mercy, Jess. Look at you. All grown-up.”

“Yes, kids tend to do that. Now, get your grimy paws off my daughter and help me with this roof,” Adam boomed. The guys laughed and kissed Jess on the cheek.

Wade and Levi were two of her father’s oldest friends and had been around since she was born. They treated her like their own daughter, even though they were both happily married with kids of their own.

She affectionately thought of them as her uncles, and she didn’t have many childhood memories without their silliness in them.