Page 34 of Built of Flames
“Me too.” Although it made her feel like she needed to take the final step in putting the incident in her past. Talking to the Chief. Was she able to do that and not turn back into the little girl willing to do anything for her father’s approval?
An hour later, she and Aisling had crowded all of Bella’s stuff into one corner and covered everything with a tarp. They’d moved a lot of Aisling’s equipment from the lodge to her cabin when Graham, Mitch, and Sam returned from their Midnight Security section and helped with the table saw. Then they met the delivery truck at the sawmill and brought all the materials to her cabin.
“I didn’t realize the golf cart was solar powered.” Bella smiled when Sam parked it at its charging station.
Aisling nodded. “Graham and Tansy converted it. They’re working on an ATV as well. It’ll be easier to bring in some loads.”
No kidding. With the two-mile hike, anyone who stayed at Midnight Lake would find themselves in better shape than when they arrived without even trying.
Once lunch was over and Pennyworth was doing the dishes, she and Mitch headed outside for a walk. The leaves were turning into the deep golds and burgundies that would hold for another week before they fell.
The wind was low and the clouds were white and fluffy. A perfect fall day. At the moment, almost everything in her life was good. Except for that one niggle.
Mitch took her hand, and they walked along the shore. “I’m looking forward to seeing this place in the winter.”
Bella nodded. “Me too. It’s such a pretty spot, but I can’t believe Tansy lived here on her own for so many months last winter. I’d have been lonely.”
Mitch tugged her into his side. “From what you’ve said, youhavebeen lonely. I’m so glad you ended up here and with such great friends.”
He cleared his throat. “On that note, Troy wants me to come into town tonight to meet with the local town council. They want to talk about their plans, find out what is workable, what’s not. We’ll talk about more details, find out if it’s something worth pursuing on both ends.”
Excitement zipped through Bella. “You’re really considering it, then?”
He returned her grin. “I am. And not only because you’re here, although you’re a hell of a draw all on your own. But the idea is intriguing. I’d be in at the beginning of something important. I’d help to steer things in the right direction and help train volunteers with how the unit would work.”
“It’s a big step up for the town as well. Having to rely on outside areas makes it difficult if there’s an actual emergency.”
Which they’d almost had a few weeks before when some counterfeiters had been using the blacksmith shop as a drop zone. They’d tried to set the Midnight Security cabin on fire, but quick action from everyone on site had helped save the structure.
“The salary probably won’t match what I was getting back in Kelsor, but Sam and Graham have invited me to be part of their team as well. As long as you’re okay with it.” His grin told her his feelings weren’t hurt at all by the stipulation.
“I think I can learn to live with it.”
He blew out a breath. “I hope I’m not getting ahead of myself, or jinxing things, but I’m really hoping this works out.”
“Me too.”
They walked in silence for a few minutes, then Mitch took another deep breath. “I’ve got to head back tomorrow.”
She nodded because she’d been thinking about it as well.
“If you don’t have any pressing projects, why don’t you come with me? I’ve got a 24-hour shift up first, but you could use my car if you wanted to poke around the town. You could come to the firehall. See Roberto. Do some research into the fires. Maybe even talk to the Chief at some point.”
The suggestion had her feet stumbling, and she ground to a halt.
Mitch turned to her and ran his hands lightly up and down her arms. “He’s going to hear about us all reconnecting somehow. Either Christo or I will say something to someone and it will enter the grapevine. And that never ends well. If you choose when and where to see him, it’s on your own terms. I’m not trying to push you. It’s just a suggestion.”
“Have you been hiding some psychic skills?”
Mitch’s eyebrows rose and his eyes widened. “What?”
Bella shook her head a little. “I was thinking earlier that I might be ready to find the Chief and talk to him. I don’t want to hide anymore. I don’t want to be the woman who ran away and stayed hidden. The only way to do that is to see him. Get some closure in that area.”
“So, you’ll come with me for a few days?”
She nodded. “Aisling wants me out of her hair for a few days, so it’s perfect timing.”
Mitch pouted, but his eyes twinkled. “So the only reason you’re coming is to get your fire lab done more quickly.”