Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3) Read online

  Adrenaline had flooded my veins and I’d launched into action the minute Marin’s frantic text hit my phone. I chastised myself for letting her go alone, then realized I had no right to let her do anything. She wasn’t my girlfriend so she didn’t have to take my advice, but for reasons I didn’t fully understand, I felt extremely protective over her.

  I rolled over and reached for the phone I’d left on the bedside table checking the time. It was just after 8 AM and if we were going to drive the full distance today, we probably should get going. My head fell down to rest on my arm as my eyes fell on the sleeping woman in the bed opposite me.

  She was curled onto her side, her body folded into a fetal position with one hand curled up by her face. She was beautiful; her features relaxed and her skin barely showing the shadow of the old bruise and the glorious mane of blonde hair flowed loose over the pillow. I wished we’d met under different circumstances and her heart wasn’t broken. Fury rose up inside my chest. How could she love a bastard who abused her? I knew the signs of abuse and she clearly had them; I’d seen similar marks on my sister, Missy. Thank God she’d finally been able to flee her abusive situation.

  Obviously, Marin was helpless without her uncle around to help her. I wondered how she could be so isolated with so few friends, but then remembered how Derrick had isolated Missy. That’s how abusive men controlled their victims.

  Well, she had me now, whether she liked it or not. I’d be damned if I’d let anything happen to her and who knew if Carter’s family would leave her alone. It was safer to plan on them being persistent.

  I sighed and rolled onto my back. The room was shadowed by the drawn shades, the white walls appearing a lilac color and the furniture and carpeting cast in darker, though equally faux, shades of purple. I ran an open palm over my face, noting the scruff on my jawline. It felt a bit itchy in its longer state, but realized I’d failed to pack a razor in my haste to get to Minneapolis.

  I wondered if I should wake Marin. “Hey,” I said softly. “Marin.” She didn’t move so I tried again, a little louder. “Marin.”

  She stirred this time and her light grey eyes fluttered open, then closed again. “Hmmm?” She settled back into her pillow briefly before her eyes flew open and she sat up, leaning on one of her arms. “Oh,” she said blinking. “I forgot where I was for a minute.”

  “No worries. I just wondered if you wanted to get going? It’s early, so we can make the entire trip today if you want, or we can stop halfway. I have today and tomorrow off, so it’s up to you.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t want to take too much of your time, but it’s a long drive.” Marin seemed undecided. “I mean, either way it’s asking a lot of you, so you can decide which works better for you. If you want, I can pay for a plane ticket for you. I still have mine, but it doesn’t leave until tomorrow.”

  “I figured you’d want to get out of here right away, considering,” I said, throwing back the covers and pushing off of the bed. “Unless the police need more from you?”

  “The officer said the DA would decide if they were going to prosecute the case and if so, then I might need to come back to testify, but she said she didn’t think it would come to that. She said I wasn’t hurt, and the kidnapping would be hard to prove because Carter’s entire family would say I was there willingly, and it’s their word against mine.”

  I could see a visible shiver run through her and every instinct told me to fold her into my arms. She was afraid. When I lived in Billings, a lot of my friends were cops, and the DA rarely took a case they didn’t believe was a definite win. “Bastards. It sucks, but yeah, I’ve seen it several times before. Bigger cases make careers and so many criminals skate.”

  Marin nodded, ruefully. “That’s me, small potatoes.”

  I paused and looked at her. “I didn’t mean it that way. I just know it is mostly politics. It’s not right, but it often happens.”

  Marin’s eyes welled with tears. “I understand. I’ll just be glad to get out of here.” She stood up and my T-shirt, hung down to her mid-thigh. “I’m going to change.”

  I nodded. “Okay. I’ll call the front desk and let them know we’re checking out.”

  I could see a deeper fear behind her luminous eyes, and I wanted to know what was worrying her. Maybe I’d be able to find out more on the drive.

  By the time she came out of the bathroom I’d already thrown the clothes and shoes I’d worn the day before into my duffle and moved past her into the bathroom to quickly dampen my hair. I ran a quick comb through it, then brushed my teeth and shoved everything into my Dopp kit.

  “Are you ready to go?” I asked, picking up the T-shirt she’d laid on top of my bag, then quickly put it into the bag, and then the toiletries before zipping it. I put on the pair of Nikes I’d brought for the drive.

  “Yeah, I don’t have a suitcase.”

  “In that case, maybe we should drive the whole way today,” I suggested. “I’m sure you’ll be anxious to get home.” I paused, remembering her boyfriend’s funeral was this morning. “Unless you want to go to the funeral first? We can, if you’d like. Or I can go get your suitcase.”

  Marin shook her head adamantly. “No. I don’t want to antagonize Carter’s family. The stuff in the suitcase is replaceable.”

  “Okay. Probably a good idea,” I agreed. I didn’t even want to suggest it, knowing it wouldn’t be good to confront them again, especially with me in tow, so I was grateful for her answer.

  It wasn’t long before we were both seated in the white Toyota Camry I’d rented and headed west out of the city. I was already on the interstate with the rising sun behind us. “Are you hungry? We can run through a drive thru.”

  “It’s early to eat for me, but if you are, please get something.” She smiled, clearly hearing the signs of my plight.

  My stomach was growling obnoxiously, and I grinned. “I’m starving,” I admitted. It was normal for me to get up with the sun for work, and earlier lately because of the horses.

  I found a McDonald’s right off of I-394 and within a few minutes I was ordering breakfast sandwiches and two coffees. Marin said she wasn’t hungry, but I ordered extra, thinking she’d feel better about eating when the city was behind us.

  “Wow, you must be hungry,” she laughed at the half a dozen sandwiches I ordered.

  I was a big guy, who worked out a lot and I could put down three of these sandwiches easily. “Firemen eat a lot,” I said, good-naturedly, handing her the bag and putting the coffees in the console between us. “It’s your job to feed me.” I found myself looking forward to this time alone with her and I hoped she’d feel at ease.

  She pulled one of the sandwiches out of the bag and handed it to me. I had it devoured in four bites and held my hand out for another.

  She laughed and obliged as I zoomed toward the exit for Highway 169. “Want me to use maps?” Marin asked holding up her phone.

  “Nah, I can read the road signs,” I winked, unwrapping the second sandwich. “You know, you can eat one or two of those. I got extras.”

  “Good to know you’re not a hog.” She smiled.

  I patted the flat, solid wall of muscle of my abdomen. “I’m a growing boy.”

  Marin picked up her coffee and took a sip. “Thanks for coming to get me, Ben. I felt safer just knowing you were on your way.”

  Warmth spread through me. I didn’t want to put her off by getting all heavy, but I couldn’t help how her words made me feel. There was nothing I wanted more than for her to need me. I deliberately took a bite of my sandwich, chewed and swallowed before speaking. “I don’t know what the situation was with Carter, Marin, and you don’t need to tell me, but just know that I can be your friend and you can count on me.”

  She shifted in her seat toward me, still holding her coffee. I could feel her eyes on my profile as I drove. I could sense the conflict raging inside her. “I appreciate that, but… why?”

  I lifted my right shoulder in a half shrug. The last thin
g I wanted to say was that her situation reminded me of Missy’s, for two reasons; I didn’t want her to think I looked on her as a sister, and secondly, she hadn’t confided in me that Carter had abused her.

  “I can’t really say…I guess, I feel very protective of you. I know you just lost someone you loved, and you and I just met under the most terrible circumstances. As horrible as that was, I do think that I was working that night for a reason. Call it fate, I don’t know. I don’t want you to think I’m trying to take his place. I just think we could both use a friend. For now.”

  Marin swallowed and looked out the passenger window. I could see her struggling to keep tears at bay. “I agree. I’m very happy about meeting you and Gina. I’ve felt blessed to know both of you in the past days. You’re both so kind.”

  I wasn’t sure how I felt that she’d lumped me in with the nurse, but I had to remind myself that her man just died, and she wasn’t ready for anything other than friendship and probably wouldn’t be for a long time, even if he was abusive. It would be difficult not to show my attraction toward her, but I vowed that I’d keep it to myself.

  “So, tell me about growing up on the ranch.” I wanted to distract her and also stop myself from blurting out several questions about her relationship with Carter.

  I listened intently as I drove, and soon we were approaching the South Dakota boarder. Marin told me of her life in Denver before moving to Jackson when she was nine. The love she had for her uncle was clear, though she said the first few months were difficult because her uncle didn’t have a clue about raising a kid, but then they found a mutual interest in the horses.

  She told me how he taught her to ride and how she learned his business long before she went off to college. She was animated and happy when talking about her uncle, and so I hesitated to ask about her boyfriend, though after the text last night about how she feared the family would follow her to Wyoming, I felt I had to know. I needed to know what she was dealing with so I could protect her.

  It was around 11:30 AM the next time I looked at the clock on the dashboard. We didn’t need gas yet, but I knew that between Sioux Falls and Rapid City, towns were few and far between.

  “It’s too bad we can’t just have a straight line to Jackson. All this jagging increases the drive by at least two hours,” I said absently. “Do you want to stop? Who knows how far it is until the next gas station or rest area?”

  “Okay, sure. I’d love a cold drink, then when we get back on the road, I want to hear your story. I’ve been talking about me for two hours. Do you want something?”

  “Root beer sounds good.” I took that last exit into Sioux Falls and the car smoothly slid into the closest convenience store.

  Marin went into the store while I topped off the gas tank and hit the bathroom. I found her waiting in line to pay for the drinks and a bag of Fiery Cheetos. I smiled as I pulled my wallet from the side pocket of my shorts and took out some bills.

  “No, Ben, I got this,” Marin began.

  I frowned wryly and shook my head. “Pfft! I got it. You paid for the hotel.” I didn’t tell her that I’d told the desk attendant to put the room on my card and not hers, but she wouldn’t find out until she got her credit card statement.

  “Yeah, but you paid for your plane ticket to get me out of this mess.”

  I handed the bills to the older woman at the cash wrap. “Here you go, ma’am,” I said, insisting she take the cash from my hand.

  “Ben!” Marin said, exasperated.

  “Don’t argue or I’ll make you listen to elevator music all the way to the Wyoming boarder,” I teased, then grabbed the bag of Cheetos, pulled them open and started to walk toward the door.

  “Let your boyfriend take care of you, dear.” I heard the employee speaking to Marin as I popped the first few Cheetos into my mouth. “You two make a beautiful couple.”

  “Oh, we’re not—” Marin started to explain.

  “Come on, honey,” I called with a smirk, pulling my Ray bans from the neck of my T-shirt to put them back on. I was being cheeky, but it felt good that the woman would assume we were together. My response made Marin shut her mouth and smile. She looked so young and wholesome without any makeup on. “We gotta haul ass.” I winked at the clerk for good measure.

  “Bye, now. Be safe!” the woman said as I held the door open for Marin, who walked through under my arm.

  Back in the car, she reached inside to grab both of the mostly empty coffee cups, tossed them in the trash by the gas pump and placed the two soda bottles in their place.

  Being with her felt as natural as breathing, I thought as I watched her slide into the passenger seat next to me and buckle up. I handed her the open bag of Cheetos and started the engine.

  “So?” she asked within seconds.

  “So, what?” I glanced in her direction as we pulled onto the ramp back onto the highway.

  “So, what’s your story?”

  “I told you a lot of it already.”

  “No, you didn’t!” Marin admonished. “Only that your mom and dad divorced when you

  were young, and you moved to Tallahassee and you moved here from Billings with Davis.”

  “That’s pretty much it,” I said languidly. “My life isn’t very interesting.”

  “I think it is,” she answered. “At least you’ve lived in different places all over the country. I’ve only lived within the same two states all of my life.”

  The road stretched out over eastern South Dakota miles of farmland on both sides of the highway in front of us, the brilliant blue sky dotted with white cumulous clouds. I was relaxed, enjoying getting to know her. “I’ve only lived in three or four. I have to admit, Jackson is my favorite. I loved Billings too. Florida is too hot and humid for my taste, though I loved the Gulf coast.”

  “What do you love about Jackson?” she wanted to know.

  “I like that Yellowstone is close. I love the Teton Mountains. I love nature. I promised to take my nephew camping later this summer if I can get the family to come up here. They’ve all got big-time jobs and their schedules are busy.”

  “I was always sad that I didn’t have any siblings. I picture my life when I’m older, sort of lonely.”

  I wanted to tell her that whoever she ended up with could have a family and include her, but after losing Carter, I knew it would be insensitive.

  “Do you just have one sister, then?”

  “Yep, and she has a young son. Dylan. He’s awesome.”

  “I can see that you miss them. Is he your only nephew? No nieces?”

  “I think she and Jensen will have more kids. I know Missy wants a girl.”

  “I think that sounds amazing.”

  “My brother-in-law has a stepdaughter and I think they’ll probably bring her with them if they came up to camp. I’m not sure if Chase and Teagan, Remi’s parents, will join or not because their youngest, Jace, is only a toddler. Chase’s schedule is jammed in the summer. too. He plays on the National Men’s Soccer Team.”

  “That sounds impressive, but I’m not much into soccer.”

  I laughed. “Jensen and Missy both work for ESPN, as well. It’s all sports, all the time for that family.”

  “Wow!” Marin exclaimed. “But… so I’m confused.” Her pretty features wore a perplexed expression. “Your sister’s husband’s ex might travel with them?”

  “So was I, believe me.” I picked up my bottle of root beer and took a swallow. “This is the abbreviated version; Chase and Teagan were college sweethearts. Chase moved to London to play for Arsenal, and Teagan found out she was pregnant so, Jensen, Chase’s best friend, married Teagan. Then, years later, Jensen and Teagan divorced, and she got back together with Chase, but for Remi’s sake they all co-parent. I know it seems weird, but it works.”

  “That sounds amazing if they all get along.” Marin’s expression was astonished.

  “They more than get along, and it’s great for all of us. I think you’d like Missy, a lot.”r />
  “I’m sure I would. I’d love to meet them.”

  “Dylan was hyped when I told him I was helping with your horses. Maybe you could give the kids a riding lesson? I’ve invited them to Jackson for the camping trip this summer.”

  “I’d be happy, too! I’m sure Siri’s foal will be here by the time they visit.”

  “Now that would be incredible! I know Dylan and Remi would absolutely love that! I might even be able to compete with the superstar for a minute or two.”

  Marin smiled. “You’re a superstar in my eyes. You save people every day. That’s way more impressive than kicking a dumb ball around.”

  I laughed out loud, as pleasure ran through me. I glanced in Marin’s direction, taking my eyes off of the road for a brief couple of seconds. Her bruises were healing, and she seemed more at ease than I’d ever seen her. Almost serene. She was gorgeous.

  My heart contracted inside my chest and I sucked in my breath as my eyes returned to the road. I could already feel myself falling in love with her, but the last thing she needed was some dude she barely knew trying to get romantic. I’d have to bide my time… but it would be worth it.

  MARIN

  My heart had been flopping inside my chest all day.

  Ben was amazing. His smile was electric, and he was so beautiful. He was incredible, and I couldn’t understand how he didn’t have a wife or girlfriend. Watching him drive turned into an erotic experience. He was so strong, and it exuded from him. Even his strong forearms flexing when his hands gripped the wheel, or when he put the car into gear was enough to get me going.

  It was dark and we were getting close to the airport. I was sad that soon, we’d have to part company.

  “Are you too tired to drive your car home from the airport?” Ben’s voice was low and he was bathed in the blue light from the dashboard. It was like he read my mind.

  I shifted in the seat, pulling myself more into a sitting position and ran a hand through my hair. “No, I’m okay.”