Page 33 of Wildfire (Owl Creek #1)

It's four in the morning, and I can't sleep anymore, so I get up for a chilly early swim. Renée is coming back today. We haven't discussed the 'love you forever' bomb she dropped, and I haven't told her how I feel either.

I did my best to give her the space she needed to decide whether to stay or leave, and I will try my best to be supportive no matter what. However, I did dream up a little surprise for her if she decides to stay.

The morning drags on, and it's all I can do to keep my shit together as I give a report to the town council. I can't wait until the next election cycle to encourage some young people to run for office.

"So the firestarter has been caught, huh?"

"Yes, Mr. Price. She's going to get the help she needs."

"Help? They should put her behind bars and throw away the key."

"That's not going to help anyone. It's important to remember we had a community member who was struggling with some mental health issues."

Serena pipes up. "Why don't we think about doing some awareness campaigns?"

"Awareness? I'm aware that my neighbor isn't putting his wine bottles in his recycling container because he's trying to hide his drinking from me."

"I'm sure that's not the case, Mr. Price."

I check the clock for the twelfth time since I sat down. "Listen, I'm going to leave you folks to the business of running this town. I need to get back to the firehouse."

"Thanks, Chief."

I wave over my shoulder as I bound out the door. Renée is due back any minute, and I want to run another errand before she arrives. I walk around the corner to where I parked, and that's when I see her.

She's wearing the same shorts she wore the first day we met. Her sunny blond hair is up in a bun on top of her head, and she's leaning against the back of my truck. I feel a punch in my gut when I see her big, golden-brown eyes.

When I reach her, she throws her arms around my neck, and I lift her until she's straddling my waist. I press her against the tailgate and bury my face in her neck.

"I missed you so much. I'm glad you're home, Wildfire."

"Home," she whispers.

I pull back and gaze into her eyes, and every part of me that was going to stay neutral about her decision disappears.

"Stay here. With me. This is your home now."

"I know." She whispers. "Cole?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm in love with you. And I'm sorry about what happened on the phone. I was exhausted, and it slipped out. I wanted to say it for real. I wanted you to know I meant it."

My mouth is on hers as I press her against the back of the truck. She belongs here, with me. And I will do everything in my power to make sure she knows it.

"I love you too, Renée. I—"

"Wait." She pulls back a few inches so we are eye-to-eye. "After everything that has happened, I've made a decision. I'm not going to L.A. to be a musician. But I do want to keep playing music."

"Good. Because I have a surprise for you."