Page 2 of Wildfire (Owl Creek #1)

Getting a fire call at five in the morning is not my idea of a good time. However, as the new Chief, I have to show everyone that I'm more than capable of filling Chief Johnson's shoes.

Luckily, it wasn't a blazer because the old-growth forest is nearby. And with the hotter weather the last couple of years, we've had longer and longer burn bans in place. I know some people are really up in arms about this, considering how wet it used to be around here.

Not anymore.

Seth met me at the scene with the rig, and he's heading back now, but I take a shortcut down Pine Hill Road to stop in and see Chief's widow.

Before I take the turn that leads to her driveway, I see a car pulled over on the side of the road with the flashers on.

I pull over, but nobody's inside. Luckily, there are no pets either.

It's unbelievable how many people leave their pets in a hot car like they don't understand that it can reach over a hundred degrees inside in no time on a scorcher like today.

I decided to skip seeing Mrs. Johnson and head toward town to see if the person was walking. There is no sense in getting a sunburn or heat stroke on a day like today. Just as I turn the bend before the long last stretch of road that leads to Owl Creek, I see her.

Legs. For miles. Black boots that could hurt a guy if he isn't careful. Blue jean cutoffs that hug her heart-shaped ass. This woman should not be allowed outside in those. She's going to cause an accident.

I pull up next to her, and she acts like I'm not there. I pace her in the truck and roll down my window so I can talk to her.

"Hey, I'm the local Fire Chief. You need some help?"

She scowls as she looks at the red pickup truck with the light on top, assessing the truth of my words.

"I saw your car back there. Or I'm guessing it's—"

"Yeah." She stops and turns to face me fully. She leans her arm against the window frame and eyes me momentarily, and it's enough to stop my heart. "Can you get me into town so I can find someone to tow my car?"

"I can do you one better. I'll call the town mechanic right now and give you a ride wherever you need."

"Auto shop is fine."

I tried to hide my chuckle. This chick is a wild spirit. I can tell by the fire in her caramel-colored eyes.

"Hop in. It's just down the road."

She pulls open the door and climbs inside and I feel the heat in the truck increase tenfold. I don't know if it's because she's been walking in this hot weather or because I just fought a fire, but it feels like the mercury is rising fast.

I tap a few buttons on my phone before I push the accelerator. After a couple of rings, I hear a voice.

"Yeah?"

"Is that any way to greet your big brother?"

"You mean the guy who—"

"Not now, Caleb. You're on speaker phone and—"

"I don't give two shits about your speaker phone."

"And I have a young woman here who needs her car towed. I'm bringing her to you now. Her car's on the side of Pine Hill just after Chief… er…Mrs. Johnson's house."

"Got the keys?"

I look over at her, and she nods curtly.

"Yeah. We got the keys."

"How soon… never mind. I see your ass now."

We pull into Buzz's Auto Body parking lot, and my brother is already standing outside with a shitful look. His eyes meet mine, and then they sweep over to my passenger. I think he just set a new record for how quickly his demeanor changed.

He cocks his head to the side, the edges of his mouth pull up in the characteristic Caleb way, and I feel my chest tighten.

I don't know why, but I won't let him get his claws into her.

She's too…something. I really can't get a good read on her.

She's guarded, that's for sure. And I guess that's just how women have to be these days, especially when they're alone.

I climb out of the truck just as Caleb is reaching for the passenger side door and holding out his hand to help her like she's goddamn royalty. I feel my teeth grinding at the sight of it.

I walk around and stand right next to her, and I see him eyeing me, sizing up the situation. We're not on the best terms right now, and I worry he will do something just to spite me.

That's so Caleb.

"So your car needs a tow, huh? What happened?" He's standing too close and looking at her again like she's a piece of candy he wants to eat, and I feel a growl forming in my throat.

"Car was fine for the last hundred or so miles.

Then, I was climbing the hill on Highway Twenty-Two, and I felt a jolt, and it lost power.

The battery's fine, with plenty of gas. It's still running, but there is no way I'm making it out of these hills with the loss of power. So maybe I threw a rod?"

Caleb's face shifts a tiny bit. She knows about cars just enough that he can't pull his knight in shining armor routine, and I can't help but smile.

"Something funny?"

"Not at all. You gonna go get her car?"

"Yeah." He holds out his hand. "Got the keys, sweetheart?"

She reaches into the front of her tight-ass cutoffs and pulls out the keys, but before she plunks them in his hand, she dangles them in the air. "Name's Renée. Call me sweetheart again, and my foot is up your ass."

He throws his hands in the air. "Okay, I get it. No need to get the claws out."

"Claws?"

I see the fire in her eyes again, and this time they're blazing. My brother might have just met his match, and all I want is some buttered popcorn so I can watch this go down.

"Forget I said anything. I'll go get your car."

"And don't scratch it. That's the original paint job."

He rolls his eyes, but I can tell this is just how he likes to play. He thinks he's not done with her yet, and I can't get her out of here fast enough.

"You hungry? I had an early fire call and want to grab some breakfast."

She turns to face me, and she softens just a bit. "Are you buying? I think I'm going broke paying for that car to be repaired."

"He may be inappropriate sometimes, but he's honest and does good work. And based on the way I saw him look at you, I'm guessing you'll get the hot girl discount."

Renée raises an eyebrow at me and smirks. "Lead the way, Captain."

"Chief."

"Huh?"

"I'm the Fire Chief. Not a captain."

"I was just sort of… you know what? Never mind."

I can tell she's still got her hackles raised, so I point toward The Daily Dose, our local hip breakfast joint, and start walking.