Safe in the Fireman's Arms by Tina Radcliffe

Author:Tina Radcliffe
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-05-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“Morning, Maggie.”

She jumped and turned around, nearly dropping her bike. Jake appeared from around the corner. He wore a ball cap high on the back of his head. When he smiled at her, her heart did a funny little dance.

“Jake, what are you doing here? It’s only six o’clock in the morning.”

“I got a message I was supposed to meet you at the hardware store at six sharp.” He glanced at his watch. “Right on time.”

“I didn’t leave you a message. I would never be so presumptuous with your time. Especially on a Saturday.”

“Where are we going anyhow?” Jake asked.

“I’m driving to Denver to get my stuff.” She paced on the cement parking lot. “I don’t understand. Your father rented me the truck yesterday and I told him I’d pick it up this morning.”

“Oh, that explains a lot, since he’s the one who left me the message.” Jake removed his cap and slapped it back on. “Driving by yourself?”

“I’m perfectly capable.”

He held up a hand. “I know you’re capable. In fact I believe you are capable of pretty much anything, Maggie. What I’m getting at is that it’s smart to have help. Since I’m already here, I’ll tag along.”

“Don’t you have things planned for today?”

“Chuck and I were going to the drive-in tonight. That’s pretty much it for my social calendar.”

“What about the hardware store?”

“My assistant is in charge.”

“Mack?”

“Yeah. The worst he can do is put everything on sale or buy free muffins for all our customers. I’ll survive.”

Maggie laughed. “Okay, then, thanks. I’d appreciate the company.” She paused and looked at him. “You and Chuck are really going to the drive-in?”

“Lassie marathon. Chuck loves Lassie. Why? You want to come, too?”

“Let’s see how this trip goes first. After three hours to Denver and three hours back, in a small truck cab, you might not want to do anything with me except to say ‘so long.’”

“You’re sort of a pessimist, aren’t you?”

“I’m a realist,” Maggie said.

“That explains everything.” He kicked at a stone on the ground. “You know the difference between a realist and a pessimist?”

“No.”

Jake met her gaze. “Not a darn thing.”

“Thanks for that bit of morning wisdom.”

“Anytime. What say I drive through the mountains and then you can drive in the city?”

“Deal.” She pulled her backpack from the basket of the bicycle and handed him the keys.

“Coffee first,” Jake announced as he climbed into the truck and started the engine of the big yellow moving truck.

“Um, and Jake?”

He slid sunglasses on his face. “Yes?”

“Thanks for volunteering to drive through the mountains. I was a little nervous about that part.”

“Not a problem. I’m a little nervous about driving in the city.”

“You, nervous?”

Jake shrugged. “I don’t get out of Paradise much these days.”

“Do you miss Denver?”

Maggie’s glance followed his as he stared toward the mountains in the distance and shook his head.

“I guess not,” she answered for him.

He faced her and smiled. “You okay with being my copilot?”

“Anytime,” she said.

“Good to know,” Jake replied.

* * *

Three hours later Jake released his breath when they pulled up to a row of high-rises that obscured the Denver skyline.

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