On Fire - Deelylah Mullin Read online

  The men barreled ahead of her toward the Tower parking structure.

  The stress of the past twenty-four hours was catching up with Harper. Her feet dragged along the sidewalk and every step took a concerted effort to manage. The interrupted sleep from the previous night surely wasn’t making things better. It’ll probably be rejuvenating to get home and get things situated. I always feel better when I know everything is in order.

  When she reached her dad’s truck, the older man was reaching into the back of the extended cab to buckle Elliott into the car seat back there. While it was awkward at best to reach into the back, her father twisted and contorted himself to ensure Elliott was safely harnessed in.

  The two men in her life both liked Reed—that much was evident.

  As the truck turned out of the structure, Harper’s mind wandered until her father interrupted her meandering thoughts.

  “That Reed Stephens is sure a nice guy. Don’t you think so, Elliott?”

  Elliott clapped his hands. “Oh, yes! And he’s a fireman—they’re important. And Mr. Reed likes Momma.”

  Harper cleared her throat. “Mr. Reed likes you, too. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have asked us to come to the fire station.”

  “Momma,” Elliott whined, “Mr. Reed like likes you. I think he wants to kiss you.”

  Harper choked on air and glared at her chuckling dad. “I wonder where Elliott got that idea.”

  James shook his head. “Darlin’, out of the mouths of babes. It’s all over that boy’s face—he does want to kiss you. Maybe you should let him.”

  She glanced back at Elliott, whose eyes were round and his mouth formed a perfect O.

  “I don’t know about that. I think you’re seeing things.” Harper shifted in her seat.

  “Maybe, but that boy’s got it bad for you.” James’ index finger traced the stitching on the steering wheel.

  They traveled the rest of the way in silence. If the accident and hospitalization affected Elliott, she couldn’t tell. His high-energy multiplied three-fold when they pulled into the driveway of the ranch-style home, and he was practically vibrating with excitement.

  “Can I play Minecraft when we get inside?” her son asked.

  “I suppose. I have some things to get done, anyway,” she said.

  The truck rolled to a stop on the concrete apron before her dad got out of the vehicle and Elliott worked the buttons to get himself out of the car seat. He bounded out the door and across the lawn, dancing up and down the few steps up to the front porch until Harper called out, “The nurse said to take it easy. Sit down and wait for us, please.”

  Fortunately, Elliott listened. That didn’t keep him from being in constant motion, though. Nothing new about that.

  James removed the car seat from the back and carried it to the front door as Harper trailed behind him with her keys ready to work the locks. A moment later, they were inside the foyer of the single-level ranch.

  Elliott removed his shoes and sprinted to the family room and Minecraft.

  He’d be occupied as long as Harper let him play—he loved that game.

  “Listen, Dad. Thanks a lot for coming to get us this morning and for staying with him”—she inclined her head the direction her son had run off—“so I could get a shower last night.”

  James pulled her into a bear hug. “Anytime. You know that. Just glad you two are fine.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and stepped back so she could look him in the eye. “And you know what else? You need to give that boy, Reed, a chance. Don’t end up like me. I wonder if I’ll ever find someone who will overlook my crochety ways. It’s not too late for you, yet.” He whispered, “I think it’s time you let someone in, baby girl.” He winked at her and turned toward the door.

  Harper’s jaw hung slack as amazement burned through her veins. Her father was actually giving her dating advice. Ridiculous.

  “I have things to get done before we go to the fire station, Dad. We’ll be fine. You can go. I’m just going to get this seat installed in the Charger while he’s occupied with the game.”

  “You sure you’re up for driving it? It’ll start—I’ve been running it for a bit every couple weeks so the battery wouldn’t die and the engine would be in good shape.”

  “I’ve heard you running it,” Harper said. She picked up the seat and took a hesitant step toward the family room before turning to her father. “There’s some things I need to do myself. This is one of them.”

  James nodded and peered past Harper. Satisfied Elliott was occupied, he gave a mock salute and walked out the door.

  Sighing in relief—at last, just Elliott and herself. But, was she really enough for her son? He surely needed a male role model—and not just her dad. Would Reed be the one she’d finally let in?

  Setting the car seat by the garage door, she strode into the kitchen and got the key to the Charger from the inside of a cupboard. She felt the cool metal of the Dallas Police Department tag attached to the fob. It was heavy in her hand as she called out to Elliott, “I’m going to make sure the car starts,” Then, grabbed the seat and entered the garage.

  Beneath a black cover was her husbands Dodge Charger. He’d bought it just before Elliott was born and had planned to keep it in good condition, allowing their son to drive the sports car once he turned sixteen and earned his license. Harper intended to follow Kane’s plan—but she was just going to drive it for a few weeks. Until the insurance got their act together and she found another vehicle.

  After pulling off the dark fabric, she wadded it up and stuck it on a shelf near the car’s parking space.

  She installed the booster in the back for Elliott, and then sat in the driver’s seat. She used the opener to raise the garage door before turning the key in the ignition.

  Even though it had been five years, the interior of the car smelled like Kane—a little wild and a whole lotta alpha.

  Harper had mixed feelings about driving it. She’d never been behind the wheel while Kane was alive, and hadn’t driven the car since his death. Her dad did everything necessary for upkeep. It felt a little like cheating on her husband.

  But, that wasn’t reality. She knew—in her head—that Kane was gone. She needed to move on, stop dwelling on the past. Lose the fear of forgetting him, because Elliott needs to hear stories about his father. She wasn’t cheating on Kane—and if she decided to let Reed into her life, she wouldn’t be compromising Elliott’s time nor needs for her own. It’s what she needed to do to model self-care and healthy relationships. Wasn’t it?

  It is. Her father was right—it was past time to start trusting again and letting others into the inner sanctum.

  Before she lost her nerve, she pulled out her phone and tapped out a text to Reed. You should come to the parent meeting for the soccer club tomorrow. You can tell people about the dangers of dehydration and how to keep hydrated during a game. Not too creepy, right? She clicked send.

  Elliott opened the door between the garage and house and stood on the threshold. “Momma. That is a really pretty car. Does it go fast?”

  She chuckled. “I suppose it does. What do you think about riding in it?”

  Giving a dramatic fist-pump, Elliott practically floated down the three steps to the smooth concrete of the garage floor before crossing to the passenger side of the Charger and climbing in.

  “I’ve never sat in this car, and it’s been here forever.”

  The boy was often wise beyond his years, which sometimes made Harper all teary-eyed.

  “Are we going to take this car to go see Mr. Reed at the fire station?” he asked.

  Harper nodded. “It’s the only car we have to drive until we get a different one.” She reached over the console for his hand, which she wrapped in hers.

  Elliott glanced at her. “Mr. Reed should come over and we should have grilled cheese. We should watch Peter Pan movie, too.” The boy meant “Hook”, his favorite non-cartoon movie.

  Her cell phone chimed with an inc
oming text. She peered at the face of her phone, hoping Reed wasn’t laughing at her.

  He wasn’t.

  He accepted her invitation.

  They’d be together three days in a row—and Harper was giddy.

  “Do you think Mr. Reed would like the movie?” she asked.

  Elliott nodded his head. “Oh, yes. I’ll bet his favorite character is Peter—just like mine.”

  If Reed is Peter Pan, I definitely want to be one of the children in Neverland—just so I can spend forever with him.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Reed was pretty lucky Elliott loved pizza from Mama’s as much as Reed did. It made it easy to get the boy’s assistance in swaying his mother in favor of going out for dinner.

  The visit to the station had been nice—Elliott got to see a lot of the equipment, including the Jaws of Life. He also learned that it’s not all fun and games. Firemen have to do work other than putting out fires and saving people.

  As they sat in a cozy booth covered with a checkered tablecloth, Elliott colored on the placemat in front of him.

  Harper watched him attentively, but managed to keep up her conversation with Reed.

  “So, Elliott. What are your favorite things to do, besides hang out at the fire station?”

  The youngster rests his chin in his palm and taps his lip with his index finger. “When my momma doesn’t need me to do something or help with something else, I like to play soccer and play outside. I especially like swinging and slides.” He leaned forward as though to tell a secret. “I want to be a policeman when I grow up—just like my daddy—but I need to make sure Momma doesn’t cry.”

  Reed watched Harper’s reaction. She was still, and he didn’t think air was entering and leaving her lungs. Her eyes grew wide. Then, her chest expanded as she sucked in a deep breath. Her eyes darted from Reed to Elliott as she struggled to regain her composure.

  “I’ve got a friend—Dave Miller—who works on the Dallas Police Department. Maybe we can go see him someday.” Reed’s chest ached for Harper; her anguish was palpable. “But, maybe not. He has a pretty busy schedule these days.”

  Elliott nodded, his expression falling. “Policemen are really important and busy. If they have a family, they’re even busier.”

  How does this kid see so much for just five years old?

  “I think we need to get going. Elliott has school tomorrow and we still need to get him a bath tonight,” Harper said.

  Reed’s gut churned. Ask her. The worst she can do is say no.

  The trio clambered out of the booth, waving to the server. Elliott insisted on holding Reed’s hand, and Reed thought it was the cutest thing ever.

  Elliott was a well-behaved kid, and for some reason, he liked Reed. Which totally boggled him. Normally, children gave him a wide berth.

  As they approached the Charger, Harper began, “Thanks so much for showing Elliott the fire station. And for dinner. You really didn’t have to pick up the tab.” Her downcast eyes fluttered and met his for just a moment—the moment Reed believed could be the beginning of something awesome.

  “So, what are you doing after the soccer meeting tomorrow night?” Reed asked Harper.

  She didn’t respond, so he trailed the backs of his fingers down her arm. “Wanna get dinner again? I can cook…”

  She shook her head, then unlocked the door. “Elliott, get in—and don’t stand on the seat.”

  “I want Mr. Reed to buckle me!” Elliott singsonged.

  A lump formed in Reed’s throat.

  “Listen, I think you’re a really great guy, but—”

  “But, you don’t think you’re ready for a relationship. For that answer, I call bullshit. There’s something between us. I think we owe it to ourselves to figure out what it might be.” Reed reached into the backseat and clicked different latches to keep Elliott safe. Which wouldn’t have been a big deal.

  Until now.

  For some reason, Harper and Elliott brought the future into focus for him. It had been hazy, colors dull. Crisp, brilliant images greeted me as I looked down the street. “So, I think you and Elliott need to have dinner with me tomorrow night after the meeting. We can go out, or I can cook.”

  Harper sighed and leaned toward him. “This is entirely too fast if you’re intending to woo me. There’s no safety net here that’ll catch Elliott if something about us crushes him.”

  She made sense.

  “I’ll let you take a pass this time, but next time? Dinner. Even if we have to casually run into each other at the park and casually go to the same restaurant.” Reed wrung his hands, looking for the fastest way to sweep Harper off her feet.

  Patience. Need patience so I don’t scare her away.

  He leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on Harper’s cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and took three steps before turning to face the Charger and it’s wonderful occupants.

  Reed stared at the shrinking tail lights as the car drove away, feeling like part of him were missing and needed to be made whole.

  ****

  “Please get your pajamas in the bathroom and get ready for your bath,” Harper said, exasperated, as she finished packing Elliott’s lunch for the next day.

  “I want to make sure my homework is done, though,” he said as he rummaged around in his backpack, hanging off a ladder back chair in the dining room.

  “It’s done. I’ve already signed it. Please get your pajamas in the bathroom. Come tell me when you’re done.”

  Elliott zipped down the hallway and slammed into the wall as he tried to make the turn into his bedroom. “I’m okay,” he called.

  Harper heard his feet hitting the hardwood floor as he left the bedroom and went into the bathroom across the hall. A sound akin to thunder rolled down the hallway as Elliott returned to her side.

  “Done, Mamma. I got the Superman ones.” He beamed with pride. “What do I get to do next?”

  “Go pick out a T-shirt to wear to school tomorrow. You’re going to wear cargo shorts with it.”

  “Okay.” And, Elliott was off and running. Again.

  Harper finished making his lunch—several slices of turkey wrapped around a celery stick, a peeled tangelo, hummus and baby carrots, and a juicebox. She carefully packaged all the items inside Elliott’s lunch bag inspired by classic Justice League cartoons.

  Elliott thumped down the hallway again. “I got my Aquaman shirt out for tomorrow.” He glanced around the room before asking, “Can I wear my swim fins and snorkel to school with my Aquaman T-shirt tomorrow?”

  Harper laughed. “I don’t think they’ll let you, baby boy.”

  Elliott tugged her hand until she squatted down in front of him. He patted her cheek. “I’m not a baby, Momma. It’s okay to let go.”

  She chuckled. That kid—one day, he’s going to meet someone, fall in love, and leave me. What will I do, then?

  Elliott checked over his lunch and put it in the refrigerator. “Let’s get my bath done. I’m tired.”

  “So am I,” she said.

  “You didn’t sleep good last night. You were awake every time the nurses came in to check on me—just like I was.” He grabbed her hand and tugged. “We can go to sleep early—without having story time.”

  "I think that might be a good idea.” Harper yawned. “I just can’t imagine staying awake any longer.”

  Elliott led her down the hallway to the bathroom. Once inside, she sat on the toilet—lid down—turned the faucets for the right temperature, and watched as Elliott removed his clothing and climbed in the tub while the water was still running.

  “Okay. No playing around tonight. Let’s get the job done and we’ll get to sleep in our own beds.”

  “Okay. I’m going to scrub up and then rinse off and we’ll be done.” He stopped what he was doing and looked at her. “I should have just taken a shower.”

  Harper laughed. “There isn’t too much water in the bottom—unplug the drain an
d we’ll turn the shower on.”

  Elliott was all business—he washed his own hair and only asked for help to make sure all the soap was out. He gave her a play-by-play from behind the curtain. In no time at all, he proclaimed, “I’m done. Can I just turn the water off normal?”

  “Mmhm. And make sure you dry off as much as you can before stepping out. That’s one of the bonuses of taking a shower.”

  After towel-drying his hair and dressing in his pajamas, Elliott grabbed Harper’s hand and pulled her into his bedroom across the hall. He climbed into bed and patted the covers next to him.

  Harper sat. Then, she sang him a ballad version of “So Long, Farewell” from The Sound of Music. She crooned the song to him every night since he was born before adding their special bedtime song.

  And, they always worked like a charm.

  Soon, Elliott’s eyes drifted closed and she exhaled in relief, having made it one more day as a single parent.

  After standing, she bent and brushed a kiss across his forehead before slipping into the hallway and wandering through the house, checking the windows and door locks. Like she had done every night for the past five years.

  She turned out the lights as she meandered through the rooms, putting away the odd toy or picking up something she needed.

  Like her cell phone.

  One thing Harper had changed was dropping the landline. She took her cell into her room and plugged it in before changing into pajamas. After climbing into bed, she glanced at the device.

  Nah. I don’t need to text him.

  The phone kept beckoning her, though. And a tiny part of her brain urged her to text Reed.

  It wouldn’t be creeperish—I’d just thank him for dinner and for coming to the soccer meeting tomorrow.

  Harper started and deleted the text message a dozen times before she settled on: Thanks again for dinner tonight and going to the meeting tomorrow. You’re really giving of your time.

  A few minutes later, his response came back: Not a problem. What’s your favorite color?

  Harper answered his question and the bevy of others he fired at her. She glanced at her alarm clock, and then texted: I have to be up in 5.5 hours, and we went to bed early because we slept so poorly in the hospital last night. See you tomorrow.