Hearts Ablaze (Hearts On Fire Series) Read online

  I look up at the clock on the wall, noticing the kids should be back from recess soon. I’m a preschool teacher and I absolutely love it. Kennedy is just down the hall with her kindergarteners. I’ve wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember, and I’m so happy that I get to work with such amazing kids every day. It’s hard to feel down when you have all their adorable little faces waiting for you to teach them something new. It can be a harder job than one would think, but it’s so incredibly rewarding.

  A few hours later, I’m packing up my messenger bag and heading out the door. As I reach my car, I hear my phone chime with a new text message. Checking it, I see it’s Landon.

  Landon: Hey, sis. Can we talk?

  Aubrey: Landon! Where have you been? Are you going to Mom and Dad’s tonight?

  Landon: Work has been crazy. Sorry. I’ll try to come tonight, but no promises.

  Aubrey: What do you need to talk about?

  Landon: Talk to you later.

  Huh. That was strange. But at least he was going to try to come to dinner. Maybe I could talk to him while we were there. I understood that he was upset, but he can’t ignore Mom and Dad. They need us right now.

  Older brothers. Why do I always have to be the logical one? Sometimes it’s hard to believe he’s almost thirty years old.

  I roll my windows down and enjoy the short drive to my place. Once I arrive at my apartment, I let myself in and head to my bedroom to change. Taking off my work clothes, I throw on a comfy pair of boyfriend jeans, a pair of worn Chucks, and a flannel shirt. I pull my hair back in a ponytail as best as I can, leave a note for Kennedy on the bulletin board next to the front door, and I’m off.

  I roll the windows down and crank up the Luke Bryan song on the radio. It’s starting to get warmer out the closer we get to summer—only a couple months to go. I love having my summers completely off.

  It doesn’t take long before I pull into my parents’ driveway, parking next to my dad’s Explorer before heading up the small walkway. Opening the front door, I’m immediately greeted with the smell of my mom’s home cooking.

  “Hey, guys! I’m here!” I walk into the living room and see my dad sitting in his worn recliner, watching a Braves game.

  “Hey, baby girl. Was wondering when you were gonna show up!”

  I give him a kiss on the cheek then sit down on the loveseat next to him. “I stopped at home to change. Where’s Mom?”

  “She ran down to the store to get some milk. Have you talked to your brother?” I hated seeing the look on his face when he asked about Landon. I could tell it was hurting him the way Landon was keeping his distance.

  “Yeah, he texted me earlier, asking if we could talk. He said he was going to try and come here, but I don’t know. Just give him some time, Daddy. This has been a shock to us all.”

  “You think I don’t know that, Aubrey?” His words come out harsher than I expected, and tears quickly fill my eyes. I look away, not wanting to cry, especially in front of him. Dad leans forward, pulling me off the loveseat and onto his lap. He hugs me close and kisses the top of my head.

  “I’m sorry, baby girl. Forgive me. I just hate that this is happening. I can accept having to go through this, but it’s killing me knowing how much it hurts my family.”

  “It’s okay, Daddy. I love you. We’re all here for you. And Landon will come around. He’s just having a hard time. He doesn’t know how to deal with it is all. None of us really do. Let’s just take it one day at a time. We got this.” I smile as I move off his lap.

  “How did you get so smart?” He gives me a grin, with his eyebrows raised.

  “I had a great teacher.” I blow him a kiss then head into the kitchen to see if Mom has anything waiting.

  A couple minutes later, I hear her come into the attached garage off the kitchen. “Hey, Aubrey!” She walks into the house with a gallon of milk in one hand, a mesh bag filled with fresh vegetables in the other. “Hungry?”

  “Starving. What are you making?”

  “Mamaw’s special meatloaf, fresh veggies, and roasted red potatoes.” My mamaw, my mom’s mom, used to make the best meatloaf in the entire world from a secret recipe that I still don’t know the ingredients to.

  I sit at the breakfast bar and fill my mom in on the week with the kids. She loves to hear all about them, as she was a first grade teacher until she retired last year.

  “I’m taking them on a field trip tomorrow. My teacher’s assistant, Emily, and I arranged to take them to the fire station downtown. There’s going to be a tour, and they’ll show them the firehouse and trucks. They even offered to get a bunch of those plastic firefighter hats to give the kids. They are going to have so much fun.”

  ***

  Dinner goes well, but Landon never came. He sent me a text saying that something had come up at work and he had to stay late, but I knew he was full of it. Landon was in construction, and he always made sure to get his work done on time; he would never be held up. He just wasn’t ready to be around Dad. It’s hard, but I get it. Growing up, he was Dad’s sidekick, playing baseball together or going to the backyard pond we had and fishing all day. They’ve always been extremely close.

  But Dad needs him. I think I need to have a talk with my big brother.

  The next morning, I wake up to my alarm clock blaring and hop out of bed, jumping into the shower and quickly going through my routine. When I get out, I wrap a towel around myself then head to my closet, trying to decide what to wear. We’re walking to the fire station with a few parent volunteers, so I go for a pair of cropped khaki pants, a white blouse, and my blue Nikes. I decide on letting my hair air dry, which always results in beachy waves. Throwing on my usual mascara and lip gloss, I make my way to the kitchen. My trusty coffee pot has my morning fuel waiting for me, so I quickly pour some into my travel mug with cream and sugar.

  As I take a sip, Kennedy comes walking into the kitchen, all dressed and ready to go. We usually carpool to work, alternating days, and it’s her day to drive. She fills her own mug with coffee and we head out the door.

  Climbing behind the wheel of her Accord, she starts the car and turns the music up. “Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line comes blasting through the speakers and we start singing along. Thank God we have the same love for country music; we’ve been to so many concerts over the years, and we always have the best time.

  We get to the school early like always and say our good-byes as we head to our separate classrooms.

  Eleven a.m. comes quickly and it’s time for us to head down to the fire station. It’s a beautiful sunny day out, and I can’t wait to see how much fun they’re going to have. Between me, Emily, and the four parent volunteers, we should be able to handle the fourteen children in my class. Holding hands with their walking buddies, we make the short trip to the station. The kids all start shouting and giggling when they see the firetruck parked out front, on display for them I’m sure. An older man comes walking out of the bay towards us, wearing his uniform with the ‘Chief’ nametag on the front.

  “Miss Stevens, I presume. So nice to meet you. I’m Chief Bryan Johnson. Welcome to Firehouse 85. Make yourselves comfortable and I’ll be right back with your tour guides. They’ve been waiting for you.” With a smile to the kids, he heads back inside.

  The man who comes through the doors is incredibly tall and fit, with sparkling hazel eyes and dark brown hair. It’s short on the sides with a longer top that falls into his eyes. He sweeps it back from his face as he comes over to me and holds his hand out.

  “Hey. I’m Grayson Michaels. You must be the teacher of these rug rats.”

  “Hi, Mr. Michaels. Yes, I am. My name is Aubrey Stevens, and it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m sorry, but I thought two of you were supposed to be taking care of this. Will you be able to handle all fourteen of them by yourselves?”

  “Call me Grayson, please. Mr. Michaels makes me feel like my father is here. And no, I have someone helping me. He was right behind me. Oh, her
e he comes.” He turns to look over his shoulder as another man walks out towards us.

  I can feel my mouth drop open and he looks equally shocked, pausing before finally reaching us.

  “Noah? What are you doing here?” I know, stupid question, but I was not expecting this at all. It’s insane.

  “Hey, Aubrey! What a surprise! How are you doing?” He leans down to kiss me on the cheek, his stubble brushing my skin. Goose bumps immediately break out across my skin.

  “I’m doing well. Why didn’t you tell me you were a firefighter?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were a teacher?”

  “Fair point. Well, the kids are ready, so where do you need them?”

  “Come this way. We’ll take it from here.” With a wink, Noah walks away with Grayson following after him. I can’t believe this is happening. What are the chances? I can’t wait to see Kennedy this afternoon; she’s going to flip!

  I head back to the kids and parents, grateful they weren’t able to see that exchange. I’m pretty sure I turned beet red after he kissed me. Grayson and Noah are introducing themselves, and needless to say, the kids are enthralled with them; after all, they’re real-life firefighters. They take them around the station, showing them where they eat and sleep, even where they hang out. When they come back out front next to the firetruck, I watch as Noah lifts them one by one to take a turn in the driver’s seat. I brought along my trusty Canon, so I snap a picture of each child as they smile.

  While I wait for the last child to get her turn, Grayson comes up beside me. “So, you’re the blonde girl from the bar.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Noah. He couldn’t stop talking about this blonde bombshell he met at Wheelers last week. He just told me that her name was Aubrey. And seeing how you’re blonde, your name is Aubrey, and you looked surprised to see him? Bingo.” He’s grinning at me like the freaking Cheshire Cat.

  “Oh. Yeah, that was me, I guess. Listen, I’m gonna get back to the kids now.”

  “Can I give him your number? I know he’d love to see you again.”

  “Sorry. Noah’s a really great guy and I had a lot of fun last week, but there just isn’t time in my life for a relationship. Not even a date. I hope he understands.” I don’t want to get into my personal business with him, so I leave it at that and head back over to the kids.

  I can feel Grayson watching me as I walk away, no doubt trying to figure me out. He seems like a really good friend to Noah, but it just isn’t the time for me. Hopefully, I don’t have to talk to Noah again. Every time he flashes that smile at one of the kids I want to melt into a puddle. And that uniform? Holy shit! I thought he was good-looking at the bar, but now that I’m seeing him in daylight, I’m realizing more about him. Like that dimple he has on one side of his mouth that becomes much more prominent when he smiles. Or the way the sleeves of his T-shirt are pulling at the edges, tight around his biceps which are very nicely toned. And that damn baseball hat. Why does it have to be so attractive on him? I’m pretty sure I’m drooling. I seriously need to get myself under control; he’s just a guy I’m never going to see again after today, after all.

  Pulling myself out of my daydreaming, I notice the guys are handing out the hats to the kids, and there are all kinds of laughter and cheering. I can’t help but smile when one of the kids tries to share his hat with Grayson, who is holding him on one shoulder. They’re having so much fun and it’s awesome to see. I pull out my camera and take more pictures, including one I plan to use in the end-of-the-year slideshow I always put together for the parents.

  Soon enough, it’s time to head back to the school, so the parents, Emily, and I get the kids all ready to go. Luckily enough, I’m able to make it out of the firehouse without having to speak to Noah again. He gives me a smile and wave when we leave, and Grayson winks at me.

  What is up with that man? It’s almost like he wants me to date Noah more than Noah wants me to date Noah. He’s weird. Too bad, because he was really hot. Maybe I should set him up with Kenni….

  Later that day, the bell rings and I usher my kids into the gymnasium to wait for their parents to pick them up or get onto their bus. I need to get out of here so I can talk to Kennedy. I’m waiting for her at the car when she comes walking out.

  “Hey, lady! How was the field trip?” She unlocks the car doors and we climb inside.

  “Oh, it was good. The kids had a blast. But you’re never going to believe who gave them the tour. I still can’t believe it.”

  “Who?”

  “Noah. Freaking Noah. What are the chances, huh? Why did it have to be him?”

  “Sounds to me like you like him. Why can’t you just admit that to yourself, Aubs? I know your life is hectic with your dad, but maybe Noah would understand if you just talked to him. I see the look in your eyes, so why not call him?” Kennedy’s just staring at me while we sit at a red light.

  “I just can’t. Not right now. My dad is my priority. School is out for the summer in six weeks. Maybe then I can spend more time with Dad, but dating is not gonna happen. Yeah, he’s a really nice guy, and pretty hot too. But it isn’t the time.”

  Kennedy leaves the subject alone, but even I know I’m lying to myself.

  I barely know him, so why can’t I stop thinking about him?

  CHAPTER 4

  NOAH

  “Well, shit, man. She was hot!” Grayson announces once Aubrey and the class have left. I’m still at a loss for words. What a coincidence. And once again, she put up that steely exterior, as if I did something to offend her. Well, fine, I’ll just let it go. Clearly, she isn’t interested. I must’ve read her wrong the other night at the bar.

  “Yeah, she’s gorgeous, but she seems so different from the woman I met a week ago. She was laughing and smiling. Hell, she was having a good time. I mean, you can’t fake fun. But then once we stopped dancing, she got all weird and left. The same way today, all proper and cold. What’s up with that shit?”

  “Chicks, dude. Who the fuck knows?” Grayson chuckles before heading back into the bunkhouse. Our shift was over earlier this morning, but we’d agreed to hang out later and give the tour to the kids. I walk inside and grab my duffle bag, ready to go home. We went out on two calls last night, but they were long ones, so I’m in need of a serious nap. I tell Gray I’ll call him later, see if he wants to hang out and shoot some pool or something. Because our shifts are twenty-four hours on, forty-eight hours off, we always get together between shifts with some of the guys from our crew.

  I drive home, planning to catch up on some sleep then head over to my parents’ house. My mom’s been asking me to come over, so I figure I’ll do dinner with them before meeting up with anyone else. I don’t even bother with getting any food or taking a shower once I get home, just shuffle straight upstairs to bed and crash as soon as my head hits the pillow.

  Later that night, I pull into my parents’ driveway, bottle of my mom’s favorite wine in the front seat of my truck. I love my parents’ house. They have a small ranch on a private and secluded three-acre plot, surrounded by trees. My sister, Carmen, and I used to love playing in the woods when we were kids, climbing trees and whatnot.

  My mom and dad are sitting in their rockers on the front porch, waiting for me. As I make my way up the front steps Mom stands and comes to give me a hug. I bend over and wrap my arms around her shoulders. She’s a little thing, no more than five feet tall, but that woman is the boss—she rules the roost. Dad claps me on the back when I let go of my mom and heads inside to grab another beer. I hand Mom her wine and follow them into the house, Dad offering me a beer as we stand around the island in the kitchen.

  “How’s work going, son?”

  “Going well, Dad. Gray says hello, by the way. We had a group of preschoolers come in this morning for a tour of the fire station. That was pretty sweet.”

  Mom’s looking at me funny. She can tell I’m leaving something out, that something’s bugging me.
/>   “Noah, what’s going on? Everything okay?” She pops the cork from the bottle and pours herself a glass of wine. Sitting down on one of the stools, she motions for me to do the same.

  “Remember how I told you I met that girl when Gray and I went to that new bar last week? Well, she was there today. She was the teacher.”

  Mom raises an eyebrow, but waits for me to continue. I take a sip of beer and place the bottle on the counter.

  “I don’t know, Mom. It was weird. When we were talking at Wheelers, she was so spunky, cracking jokes and giving me a hard time. She was awesome. And then she just up and left without so much as a phone number or anything. I just figured she needed to get home or something, whatever. But today, she was so cold and closed off with me. She was clearly shocked to see me, but I don’t know… I really thought we had a connection. Guess I was just wrong. It sucks.” I take another pull of my drink, playing with the label.

  Mom reaches over and pats my hand. “Well, honey, maybe she has a lot going on. Maybe she’s really shy when she’s not in an environment where she’s had a few drinks in her, you never know. I hate to see you so disappointed, but it’ll be okay. Now, I hope you’re hungry. Dad’s going to throw the steak on the grill, and I’ve made my world famous potato salad.”

  “Not really sure about ‘world famous,’ woman, considering your children and I are the only ones to have it.” Dad ducks as Mom tries to whack him with the newspaper lying on the counter, and I can’t help but laugh watching them. Dad leans over and kisses my mom, knowing he’ll be forgiven. Like always.

  My parents have been in love since they were teenagers, married for thirty-one years, and it’s still an incredible thing to see. That’s what I want. Maybe someday.