“I knew you wouldn’t, but you’re the best man for the job,” the foreman admitted as he sat back down at his desk.
“Why?”
“You’re her friend. You understand how her mind works.” The foreman rubbed a hand over his brow. “I know she’ll be safe with you.”
“What do you mean? You don’t trust the rest of the team?”
The foreman frowned. “I trust them to follow orders and fight fires, but I haven’t witnessed firsthand how they treat women, especially headstrong women who believe they can do a job such as this equally well as a man.”
Of the eleven firemen who served this station, were there any who couldn’t be trusted to behave as gentlemen around Mattie? Jack couldn’t be sure.
“Let’s just say, I trust you to show her respect while keeping her out of trouble,” the foreman added.
“All right,” he conceded. “I’ll watch over her.” He’d also attempt to send her on her way as quickly as possible.
When he opened the door again, Mattie stood on the other side. He narrowed his eyes. She hadn’t been listening in, had she?
The innocent expression on her face revealed the truth. Of course she’d been listening. He suppressed a growl. “Let’s go.”
He led the way down the stairs.
“You’re not going to insist I give up the notion of becoming a firefighter?” she asked.
“Nope.” Mattie was strong-willed. When she said she was going to do something, she always followed through. She’d also supported various causes as long as he’d known her. No doubt she believed this was another place where she could be of service. He’d never talk her out of the notion. Besides … “You have the station foreman on your side. The matter has already been decided.”
They reached the second floor of the station—his living quarters and where many stored their equipment.
Mattie slowed her pace and scanned the area. “Three beds?”
“Only my father and I live here at the moment, but others can sleep here as needed,” he answered as he surveyed the simple beds and storage lockers. He cracked a smile. “You weren’t expecting to bunk here, were you?” he teased.
“Certainly not,” she gasped out, her cheeks turning a becoming pink.
Bunking at the station. Just the mention prompted images of Mattie sleeping in the next bed, in little more than a nightgown. He swallowed and tore his gaze from the beds, his heart pumping hard. “I’ll escort you out,” he muttered as he headed down the staircase to the lower level.
Mattie hurried after him. “But—”
“I’m not prepared to train you today.” Or any day for that matter. Seeing Mattie once a week was difficult enough. How would he survive spending hours “training” her? Not that he had a choice. He wasn’t about to allow another man to do the job.
Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, he wasted no time in escorting her to the door. “Let’s meet here Saturday, midday.”
Her lips thinned, and disappointment glinted in her brown eyes. “All right. Saturday then.” After a breathy huff, she turned and left the station.
Damn it. A part of him wanted to call her back and soothe her temper. Was he insane? Did he enjoy torturing himself? Jack dropped his head into his hand. For the most part, he managed to avoid her. He couldn’t let this latest obstacle become his downfall.
Indeed. He had two days to come up with a plan to convince Mattie to give up on her foolish notion of becoming a firefighter, and he’d use them well. He would stand firm for Sam’s sake, and for his own.
Chapter Two
Saturday noon, Mattie strode into the fire station, ready to meet whatever challenges Jack had in store. He planned to make training so difficult for her she’d want to quit. She straightened her spine. So be it. Let him try.
She nodded toward the fire station’s clerk as she passed by the desk he sat behind. “Good morning, Mr. Hightower.”
His lunch laid out before him, the kindly gentleman tipped his hat and smiled. “Miss Duncan. Good to see you again.”
If only she would get the same welcome from Jack, but he didn’t want her here. No, he didn’t want her to become a firefighter. She had to remember her true reason for coming to the station—to spend time with Jack, to open his eyes to the possibility of more than friendship between them.
Studying the harnesses hanging from the ceiling in front of the fire engine, she caught sight of a movement along the side of the machine and heard voices.
She peeked around the corner. A rather tall, thin woman with delicate features stood before Jack, a basket in her hands. “Are you sure you’re not hungry?” the girl asked Jack. “As usual, I brought plenty for you, the foreman, and my father.”
“As usual?” Mattie muttered beneath her breath. This … person brought meals for Jack and his father?
“I appreciate the offer, Constance, but you truly don’t need to feed me or the foreman.”
“So you’ve said before, but I don’t mind,” Constance insisted.
Jack reached for his pocket. “At least let me pay you. Your family doesn’t need to shoulder the added cost.”
“Pshaw. You and your father are like family.”
Like family? Mattie studied the woman before her. Her clothes were simple and slightly worn but clean, her appearance proper although her posture was somewhat weary.
Constance smiled up at Jack. “I only wish we could afford more than bread and cheese for you hardworking men.”
The hopeful look in the girl’s eyes resonated within Mattie. She knew that yearning well. The bitter taste of jealousy threatened to choke her. Who was this woman? Without thought, Mattie huffed out a breath.
Jack’s attention snapped to her, and Constance turned, following his gaze.
Drat. Caught spying. Mattie forced a smile and stepped out from behind the engine. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I’m here for my training.”
The girl’s eyes flared wide. “Training?”
Mattie strode forward. “Jack is going to teach me how to become a firefighter.”
Constance glanced between Jack and Mattie, her expression dismayed. “Who is this, Jack? How can she—?”
“My name is Miss Mattie Duncan, and I’ve received permission to train with Jack from the station foreman.”
“Oh.” Constance gripped her basket tighter. “I … I suppose I should let you get to it then.” With a last lingering look at Jack, she stepped past Mattie and took her leave.
“Who was she?” Mattie asked, pointing over her shoulder.
“I’m sorry. I suppose I should have introduced you.” He gestured in the direction the woman had gone. “She’s Constance Hightower. Her father is the clerk you passed when you came in. Her brother, Warren, is a firefighter.”
“I see.” Constance was also a woman who offered him meals on a regular basis, one who looked at him all starry-eyed. Yet, he had described her in the plainest sense. Good.
Mild amusement glittered in his eyes as he studied her. “You see?” he asked, echoing her words. “What do you see?”