didn’t know.” She’d sensed it, though, but Ashley’s reference triggered more questions. “He mentioned his broken engagement. Do you know what happened?”
“Devon doesn’t say much, but from what I understand it was totally unexpected, and it left Clint wondering what he’d done to end their relationship.”
Paula’s chest tightened, recalling the same unwelcome experience she’d also encountered. “Perhaps he did nothing wrong at all. He’s totally thoughtful and nice.” She pictured his endearing smile and quirky comments. Someone that sweet and good-natured had to be easy to be with. “His fiancée may have been the one with the problem.”
Ashley nodded. “You know, I think you’re right. Now all you have to do is help Clint see that.”
“Me?”
Her cousin rose with a playful expression, yet beneath it was sincerity.
“Why me?”
“No specific reason. I just think you’d be the woman to do that.” Ashley squeezed Paula’s shoulder. “I need to get back to our guests, but I wanted to tell you that I’m happy you’ve met Clint.” She spun around, gave her a crooked smile and moved toward the dining tables.
Paula gazed ahead, looking past the tables until she spotted Clint. Why would Ashley think she could do anything for anyone? The only thing on her mind at the moment was to get a job and find a house to move into. She couldn’t take advantage of her uncle for too long. He’d invited her to stay until she got settled. Settled was the key word.
The thought smacked the truth. She’d never been settled. Not really.
Chapter Two
“How was the honeymoon?” Clint gave Devon a wink as he strolled to his locker to slip into his work gear.
Devon arched his eyebrow, a silly taunt on his face. “Were you worried?”
“Not one bit. I knew you were in good hands.” Clint gave him a thumbs-up. “Ashley can handle you.” More than a week had passed since the wedding, and while he’d missed seeing Devon at the fire station, he’d found Paula on his mind more than his good friend.
“You’re right, Ashley’s amazing.” Devon turned to face him. “In all seriousness, the longer I’ve known her the more I admire her and the more I love her.”
Clint’s chest tightened, picturing Paula and what he liked about her. He’d be happy to see the end of his worries about trusting again so he could take steps to form a friendship with her. After the incident with Elise, his motto had become “Get hurt once but not twice.”
“Seriously, though, the honeymoon was wonderful. I had never been on a cruise, and the Caribbean is beautiful—scenery and summer weather.” He took an imaginary key and locked his lips. “But enough yakking. I’ll have photos and you can see for yourself.”
“Can’t wait.”
Devon’s expression let Clint know he’d recognized his playful sarcasm. But for once, Devon was wrong. Clint had never cruised, either, and wouldn’t unless he had someone with him to share the experience. He really wanted to see the photos.
Devon’s locker door clanged shut, and Clint’s mind snapped back to his task. As he slipped into his work gear, he reflected on what he’d really wanted to know from Devon. Had he seen Paula since he’d been back or had Ashley said anything about Paula mentioning him?
Though he’d had a great time with her and thought she’d enjoyed his company, too, he’d hesitated asking to see her again. His hesitation made him want to kick himself. But Paula made him uncertain. She seemed to have built a wall and stepped behind it. If he moved too fast, he could easily find the barricade a permanent shield.
And then he posed a question to himself. What did he want from her? A relationship hadn’t been a priority for years. Involvement sometimes led to marriage, and he wasn’t positive he wanted to marry. At thirty-seven, he liked being stuck in his own ways, and marriage meant making changes, adjusting to someone else’s likes and dislikes.
Clint closed his locker and strode in for roll call before digesting and discussing the information passed on by the previous shift. Devon, the on-duty lieutenant, listed the tasks each of the crew would be responsible for, and when he finished, Clint headed into the equipment room to assess the gear he might need during the day.
As he checked off the equipment assigned to him, Devon appeared at his side. “We’re having a little party Friday night for the wedding attendants and a few others. All the women want to see our gifts and the photos, so we thought it would be fun. I hope you can come. We’ll have pizza. It’s casual.”
As if he’d been invited to an audience with Queen Elizabeth, Clint felt his pulse take off in a gallop. He monitored his zealous reactions. “Sounds great. I’ll be there.”
Devon squeezed his arm and moved on to his duties while Clint stood a moment to deal with the unbelievable reaction he’d experienced, particularly assuming Paula would be there. If he couldn’t control his emotions better than that he needed to go into hiding. He’d prided himself on being a staunch, capable firefighter who could handle a life-and-death job every day. Emotions were locked tight so his mind could make the quick decisions that each dire situation needed.
What had happened to that skill today?
He shook his head and turned his mind on the training session and the next tour of the firehouse he would lead. School would be out soon, and one of the treats for elementary children was visiting the fire station. This duty shone as one of his favorites. He’d always loved kids and, sometimes, never having children of his own hurt worse than the day his marriage plans died.
Though his heart had healed, he couldn’t help thinking about Elise. What had driven her away? What had changed her mind about their marriage?
Dumb questions, and what difference did the answers make? He needed closure, he sensed, like people did with a shocking death. Those who grieved always pondered what had happened or what they could have done to make a difference.
He had looked back on the situation and had come to the realization she’d fallen for someone else. Probably the jerk in her office she talked about so much. He’d been married, and at the time, he’d dismissed the possibility. But marriage didn’t mean as much to some people as it did to him. Vows were made and God blessed marriages. To him, marriage meant forever.
* * *
Paula crumpled into one of her uncle’s easy chairs and rubbed her temples. She’d had another job interview, which again left her with a hopeless feeling. Though she had the numerous skills they’d listed, she didn’t have experience with their software program. Then, another strike against her appeared to be her newness to the area. When they looked at her résumé, they noticed she hadn’t worked a few months before her mother died. She’d been her caregiver. Work had been impossible.
Most businesses looked for someone with stick-to-itiveness and experience, but if no one would give her a chance, how could she get the experience? Another one of these conundrums that made no sense but seemed to be prevalent in the world of business.
The back door opened, and Paula pulled up her shoulders. Though five foot nine, today she felt a lot shorter.
