Page 46 of Fire and Icing (The Firemen of Waterford TN #1)

Emberleigh

Learning to trust is one of life's most difficult tasks.

~ Isaac Watts

I watch him walk away, tears welling up in my eyes. I’m tempted to call out to him, Come back, Dustin!

His name is on my tongue.

More than that, it’s etched in my heart.

I’ve never loved before. I’m sure of it now.

No one has ever mattered this much or had the power to devastate me the way Dustin does.

And the worst part is that he doesn’t want to hurt me.

He’d take a bullet for me. I know that. We met with him running into a burning building to save my life. And that was when I was a stranger.

I close the door and press my back to the wood, trying to keep it together.

I haven’t cried this much in years. As wrecked as I was when Drew left, I wasn’t truly sad.

Not like this. I was hurt, betrayed, shocked.

I felt duped. I had put all my chips on the table only to find out I was playing against the house. He walked away taking it all.

I didn’t miss Drew as much as I missed my dignity and common sense. And I swore to myself no one would get the better of me again. If I never dated, I’d never be busted. I’d keep my chips and walk away the winner.

I thought I loved Drew.

I know I love Dustin.

I walk into the living room and pick up my phone.

I plop onto the couch and dial Syd.

Before she even greets me, I say, “We talked.”

“I’m so proud of you!” she shouts. “How’d it go?”

“Not great. But I am glad we talked. He stayed for dinner. We kissed goodbye. But we haven’t resolved anything.”

“Do you need me to come over?”

“No. Thank you. I think I just need to be alone and think.”

“Girl. That's literally the last thing you need. I’m coming over. Let me just wrap something up and I’ll be there with our two friends.”

“I don’t want anyone else to come right now. I’m hanging by a thread.”

“Not even Ben? And Jerry?”

“Oh! Them. Yes. They’re welcome to tag along.”

“That’s what I thought. I’ll see you in just a bit.”

I hang up the phone, a light smile on my face. I have Syd. That’s something.

The next day, Dustin’s on shift from seven a.m. to seven a.m. And when he gets off the following morning, I’m at the bakery.

Now that we’re not living in the same house, our jagged schedules feel out of alignment.

How did we manage to see one another so much before, and now I can’t seem to cross his path no matter how much I want to?

Maybe it’s Nashville and the potential separation. Everything’s been off since he made his announcement. Whatever it is, we can’t seem to find time to see one another.

I’m at the bakery the next day, Dustin’s day off, and the shop is packed with customers. It’s the beginning of summer. People stop in more through the weekdays and we hustle all morning long. The bell over the door tinkles, but I don’t even look up because I’m busy ringing up a birthday cake.

“I’m here for the donuts,” a warm, deep voice says.

My eyes lift to meet his. “Dustin.”

“Emberleigh.” His mouth tips up in that lopsided smile that always makes my stomach do a little flip.

I turn back to my customer, handing over the boxed cake. “Thank you, Steph. Tell Madson happy birthday from us.”

“Thanks, Emberleigh,” Steph says.

I turn to Dustin. “May I help you?”

“Always.”

I smile despite the crack in my heart. I’ll always want him and he’ll always affect me. That’s the trouble.

“Today, though,” he continues. “I want to pick up the donut order.”

“The donut order? Isn’t this your day off?”

“It is. Thank you for knowing that. I’m bringing a box by to the B crew.”

“That’s nice of you.”

“No. It’s selfish.”

I give Dustin a confused look.

“I had to think of some excuse to come see you. Then I thought, donuts! So I’m picking up donuts for the guys. Not my crew, but at least it’s giving me five minutes with you.”

“You’re making a point, aren’t you?”

“I’m not really trying to make a point. I’m just trying to see you before I leave to do my demo.”

“They set a date?”

“Tomorrow. I’ll be gone for three days. Captain gave me time off.

” He pauses. “Three days, Emberleigh. I’ll be back four days from now.

After recording tomorrow and the next day, and industry meetings both days, I’ll be on a late-night talk show.

Then they booked a gig for me the day after that.

If you and Sydney want to come down, I’d love to see you there. ”

I look around the shop. Every table is full. There are people standing around on the sidewalk outside the plate glass windows. There’s a line at the register.

“I don’t think I can get away.”

“I understand.”

“Here. Tell me what flavors you want.” I grab a box for a dozen donuts and pop it open.

“Whatever you think is best.” His voice sounds a little dejected.

I fill the box with twelve donuts. Then I grab a separate paper bag and I plop two blueberry-lemon into it.

“On the house,” I say, handing the box and bag over to Dustin.

“Thanks, Firecracker. I guess I’ll see you when I’m back.”

“Yeah. That sounds good.”

He turns and my eyes follow him until he’s out of sight.

I’m an idiot. I should rip off my apron and chase him down like some lovesick heroine in a romance movie.

If life were a movie, I would. The townspeople would cheer.

He’d drop the donuts and catch me up in his arms. Maybe he’d even spin me.

I’d slide down and he’d hold me midair and kiss me.

We’d say something sappy and the screen would fade to black, assuming the happily ever after was a bygone conclusion. If life were a movie …

I look at Syd. She raises her brows and thins her lips.

“I know,” I mouth to her.

“Can I get a cookie?” one of my favorite preschoolers asks from below the counter.

“Hey, Chance. Of course you can get a cookie. What kind do you want?” I smile at his mom and walk down the display case to the spot where all our cookies sit neatly in trays according to their type—even the remaining white-chocolate strawberry ones.

The day never lets up. Customers flow in consistently. Syd and I take turns taking our lunch breaks. It’s afternoon when a delivery person walks into the shop.

“Emberleigh?”

“Yes. I’m here.”

He walks over and hands me a clipboard. “Sign, please.”

I sign and he hands me a box.

I step away from the counter to grab scissors and carefully open the package.

“What is it?” Syd asks.

“I don’t know. It’s from Plated Network.”

I open the box and tip it. A frame slides out. Inside the frame is a certificate saying that Dustin and I won this year’s contest. Next to the certificate is a photo of me and Dustin with the host.

“Aww. I love that,” Syd says from over my shoulder. “Let’s hang it in the shop for everyone to see.”

“Okay.” I agree. But all I can think is how the contest feels like a lifetime ago and Dustin feels like my favorite memories all wrapped up into one soul.

He’s the best person I know. And he deserves to pursue his dreams. I want to be the woman who stands by him and supports him every step of the way.

I just don’t know how to do that and still be true to who I am.

I have a full-time business in a town I love.

My community relies on me. I’m tied here.

It’s my home. My thoughts circle around the same two loops they’ve been treading ever since Dustin told me his big news.

I want him to chase his dreams. I don’t know how to support him without giving up everything else that matters to me.

I barely have time to process the framed photo before Mayor Briggs strolls in.

“What can we get for you, Mayor?” Syd asks.

“Nothing. I’m here to talk to Emberleigh.”

I step over next to Syd. “What’s up?”

“Well, we’re celebrating you and Dustin and your win. We’ve decided to host a little ceremony in the town square tomorrow. Nothing fancy. We’ll have a band on the bandstand. You can say a few words. I’ll hand you a key to the city.”

“A key to the city?”

“It doesn’t open anything. I don’t know exactly why we have them. But you’re getting one. It’s an honor.”

“Of course it is,” Syd says. “She’ll be there.”

“Dustin won’t,” I say to no one in particular.

“What’s that?” Mayor Briggs asks.

“Dustin will be Nashville recording a demo, sir,” Syd says.

“Oh, I had heard rumor of that. Good for him. Well, the event’s all arranged. You’ll simply have to accept for the both of you.”

“She’ll be glad to,” Syd says for me.

I nod.

The next day, Dustin texts me early in the morning. It’s a photo of him outside the recording studio. The caption he writes is, “Here goes nothing.”

I send him back a photo of me in the bakery kitchen. I’m holding up a warm donut and I caption it, “The donuts miss you.”

He types back, “I miss them too. Save some for me.”

I type, “I am. Your order will be waiting for you.”

I don’t hear anything else from him all day.

We close the shop mid-afternoon for the ceremony honoring me and Dustin.

The gazebo in town square is flanked with rows of white folding chairs. There’s a band, one typical of Waterford. Up on the gazebo platform, a group of older men are all gathered with their fiddles, a bass, and of course, a washboard. They’re playing bluegrass.

The mayor steps up to the microphone and addresses the small crowd gathered for the occasion.

After he says a few words, he calls me up and presents me with a key to the city.

I paste on a smile for the cameraman of the local paper, but when I glance to the empty spot beside me, I can’t keep up the facade.

The crowd is dismissed. The bluegrass band continues to play. Kids run here and there on the grassy lawn. The adults grab cups of lemonade and snacks off of folding tables.

I’m about to attempt to make my exit when Vanessa approaches me. Most of us are wearing shorts or sundresses. She looks like Catherine, the Princess of Wales, in her pressed suit and heels.

“Congratulations, Emberleigh,” she says. “You deserve it.”

“Thanks,” I answer her. I force a smile.

“I heard there’s trouble in paradise,” her voice drips with superiority.

“It wouldn’t be paradise if there were trouble, so I doubt you heard correctly.”

I turn and look for Sydney.

Syd’s talking to Cass and Winona. I join them.

Syd leans over and whispers to me. “You should be on top of the world. What's wrong?”

I whisper back. “It's just ... it doesn't feel right without Dustin here.”

Syd pops a hand on her hip. Her voice is still quiet. “That’s because the contest doesn’t matter as much to you anymore. You’ve got your eye on a different prize now.”

“I miss him,” I admit. “And he only just left.”

“Then go to him,” Syd urges in a hushed voice.

“I can't,” I whisper.

“What are you two whispering about?” Cass says. “Didn’t your mamas teach you that was rude?” She smiles teasingly.

“Sorry,” Syd says. “It’s Emberleigh. She’s got man trouble.”

“What on earth could be wrong with that man?” Winona asks.

“Nothing’s wrong with him, trust me,” I say. “He’s got an opportunity that might take him out of Waterford. Ever since I found out, I’ve been a wreck.”

Syd tells them all about Dustin and Nashville, ending with, “And he’s there, recording a demo today!”

“That’s amazing,” Cass says.

“And he invited Emberleigh and me to go see him perform live down there the day after tomorrow!”

“That sounds so fun!” Winona says.

“We’re not going,” I tell them.

“Why on earth not? Your boyfriend is performing an hour from here? Why can’t you go?”

“I should stay. The morning rush is crazy this time of year. I can’t afford to be out all hours and then try to make it in early to serve a line out the door the next morning.”

“That’s not an excuse,” Cass says. “Close for the next day. Or open later. Go see him perform. The town will survive without their muffins for one morning.”

Muffins .

“Maybe,” I say. Then I change the subject.

The next morning, I sleep in. It’s not my day off, so I’m frazzled, running around my house grabbing everything I need and dashing to my car.

I text Syd on my way there to tell her I'm running late. She doesn’t answer.

I stop at our favorite breakfast spot and grab us something to eat.

I’ve been so consumed that I haven’t been the best friend lately. And she’s still acting a bit off.

I park my car in the spaces behind the bakery and walk up the steps to the back door. I’m carrying two paper bags filled with egg sandwiches, home fries and fried tomatoes.

I throw the door open and announce my arrival. “Hey! I brought us …”

I freeze, unable to finish my sentence. The bags fall to the ground and my hand flies up to cover my gaping mouth.

Two people are kissing.

In my kitchen.

The woman is undeniably my best friend. Her blonde-brown hair cascades down her back.

The man has dark brown hair. His hand is tangled in Syd’s hair. Her arms are wrapped around his neck.

“What’s going on?” I manage to get the words out despite my state of shock.

They break apart. And I gasp.

“Evan?”

“Emberleigh.” He drops his hands from Syd’s shoulders and takes a full step back from her.

Evan. Drew’s brother. My head feels woozy.

“You?” I manage to breathe out. “You’re the reason she’s been acting so weird? The sweatshirt? It was yours. The phone calls? The texts? That was all you.”

Syd looks horrified. Evan steps back another step. Neither of them says a word.

I can’t process what I’m seeing. There’s no place in my mind where it makes sense for my best friend to be dating my ex-boyfriend’s brother. Of all the people, Syd knows how much pain Drew and his family caused me. She lived through their chronic rejection of me.

“Em—” Syd finally speaks.

“Don’t. Just … don’t.” I turn and walk out.