Love & Liberty: Independence Day (Holidays In Hallbrook Book 6) Read online

  “Thanks. I’d like to think I have it together anyway.” Ashley chuckled. “But there’s something to be said for stability. I’m sure you have an amazing husband and kids.”

  “I do at that.” Tricia nodded.

  “Mommy,” Cory said, the tone of his voice alarming.

  Ashley started to rise, concerned about what might be wrong. “What is it, honey? What’s wrong?” she asked, advancing toward him.

  “Um, there’s a fire.” He frowned.

  “Fire?” Ashley raced to the kitchen, Cory’s words sending her into a panic. Just as she reached the doorway, the smoke alarm began emitting a high-pitched screech. “Oh my gosh, the kitchen is on fire. Tricia, call 911. We’ve got to get out of the house.” The flames were already licking at the ceiling, the fire too big for her to put out. She wasn’t even sure if there was a fire extinguisher in the place. Whoosh. The kitchen curtains caught fire and were destroyed in seconds, the old, dry material like gasoline. The acrid odor of smoke burned her nose.

  Cory. The only thing that mattered was getting him to safety.

  Ashley scooped her son into her arms, adrenaline racing through her body as she tried to think clearly and not overreact. Cory started to cry. They headed for the door, Ashley clutching him tightly. She stopped only to grab her briefcase and camera bag. Luckily, she’d left them by the front door for tomorrow’s expedition into the forest.

  Tricia followed her outside. They headed for the sidewalk, well away from the house and close to where her friend had parked.

  “I called, and they’re on their way. I made sure they knew everyone is out of the house.” Tricia’s calm attitude despite the danger was exactly what she needed to help her remain focused.

  “This is awful. I can’t imagine what would’ve started the fire. Thank goodness Cory said something.” Ashley couldn’t believe what was happening, but as she heard sirens in the distance coming closer and closer, it was becoming more real than she wanted. It was just one more thing in a long line of failure and setbacks. And what if it was her fault? The only thing she’d done was turn on the tea kettle.

  She fought to control her emotions for Cory’s sake, hugging him close. “I’m so proud of you for telling me about the fire.”

  Everything they owned was in the house. Everything. What if the fire department couldn’t save the cottage? Ashley prayed that wouldn’t happen. She took a deep breath and exhaled.

  Everyone was safe. And that’s what was most important. Not things. Just people. Thank you, Lord. She drew another cleansing breath and tried to hold on to that thought.

  The owners of the rental would be furious, and Ashley prayed they had adequate insurance coverage. Judging by the smoke pouring from the house, if the firefighters didn’t arrive soon, they might not ever find out what had caused the fire. In the space of minutes, her life had turned into another round of turmoil.

  The loud wailing grew closer.

  “Are the fire trucks coming here, Mommy?” Cory tried to get down out of her arms.

  She set him down but kept firm hold of his hand. “Yes, honey. They’ll stop the fire, and everything will be okay.”

  “They’re here.” Tricia pointed at the fire trucks as they rounded the corner, sirens blasting. “Maybe we should move off to the side.” Her friend took her arm and led her to the farthest point down the sidewalk away from the driveway.

  Two fire trucks pulled up, and the firefighters jumped off the enormous red vehicles and went into action. Everywhere she looked, firefighters dressed in long, yellow fireproof jackets and galoshes went to work. Some unloaded the hoses off the trucks. A couple of them disappeared behind the house, while others stayed in front and headed for the front door. One of the firefighters pushed the door open and smoke came pouring out. The man lowered his oxygen mask into place before entering the cottage. Ashley said a prayer for the man’s safety.

  A black Dodge truck pulled up, and the lone occupant stepped out of the vehicle with a beautiful dalmatian hot on his heels. Ashley watched as the man assessed the situation and called out directions to some of the firefighters. He turned to look her way and then headed straight toward her.

  David Beckett. Her brother’s best friend. And her ex-boyfriend. The man who’d broken her heart with no reason back in high school.

  Of course, it had to be David. With everything else in her life going to pot, Ashley wasn’t surprised at another heaping dose of insult to injury being added.

  Ashley’s hand moved to touch the eagle pendant she’d worn ever since David had given it to her. He’d told her the eagle represented freedom, independence, and his love. He wanted her to follow her dreams and travel the world to discover the beauty of wildlife and nature. It was the one thing from David she hadn’t been able to expunge from her life. That, and her memories, of course.

  For Ashley, the pendant was a symbol of freedom and independence, not undying love. Because one thing she knew for a certainty, David’s love had died.

  Chapter Two

  David froze for a second as he recognized the face of a woman he hadn’t seen in over a decade. Ashley Anderson. She was married now, and for the life of him, he couldn’t remember her new last name, although he was sure her brother had mentioned it. Selective memory?

  He’d known someone had moved into town and rented the old cottage, but Ashley? That was like a punch to the solar plexus. Twice. David hadn’t seen her in over eleven years, not since he went away to college with Trent, his best friend, and her brother.

  After Ashley’s mother passed away and she moved to California, Ashley hadn’t come back to Hallbrook to his knowledge. At least Trent had never said anything to him about it. But he knew for sure that since he’d moved back to town a few years ago, she hadn’t been around. He’d missed seeing Ashley, but he also realized it was better that way. Out of sight, out of mind.

  Or almost.

  Woof. David shoved memory lane aside, Kojak forcing him back to the here and now. Which included putting out a fire. That was his only goal and demanded his total attention. Part of his job, however, meant dealing with Ashley. Kojak walked next to him, the dog just as much on the job as he was.

  “Ladies,” David said, nodding in their general direction. “Our initial report states there are no people or animals inside. Is that still accurate?” He tried to keep his voice level and businesslike.

  “Yes.” Tricia Hunter spoke up. David remembered she’d been close friends with Ashley in high school, so it was no surprise to see her here.

  “Perfect. I needed to double-check just to be sure there are no wires crossed. I’m sure the guys will have the fire contained shortly. Any idea what happened?” David was itching to break away and help the team get the fire under control. Still, the questions were important if they wanted to know what they were dealing with and see any potential problems that might arise. He didn’t like surprises.

  David addressed them both, but his gaze never left Ashley and the boy she picked up and held clutched to her chest. The kid looked just like her. The son Trent had mentioned almost four years ago. Cute kid. Just like his mother.

  “I don’t know. I plugged in a kettle, and we were just sitting in the living room chatting. The next thing I know, Cory was telling me there was a fire in the house. I raced to the kitchen, but it was too late. The flames were already spreading across the wall and up toward the ceiling. I grabbed Cory, and we got out.” Ashley looked distraught. Her jaw was clenched, and there was fear in her eyes as she recounted the story.

  David’s heart went out to her. He wished he could make her feel better about what she was witnessing, but there was nothing he could say to a person to wipe away the stress of a housefire. It was something everyone feared, but luckily, most never experienced.

  And then there was the small matter of their past. He had to keep his distance. When it came to Ashley, he was weak. He’d almost followed in his father’s footsteps and fallen in love, wanting to spend the rest of this life w
ith the gorgeous brunette standing in front of him. Trent had come to his rescue, providing him the perfect out to end things before he made a huge mess of his life. And Ashley’s.

  “Have you had any other problems with the place since you moved in? Any problems with the wiring before?” The place was old, and he knew that meant it came with its own set of problems. Ashley didn’t seem to realize it, but her comment about the flames licking up the walls meant something to him. He’d keep his guesses to himself until he had more information and the investigation was complete.

  “No.” She shrugged. “I mean, the lights have flickered a couple of times. And a couple of switches don’t work, but it’s an old house, so I’m not surprised. Do you think my kettle was defective?” Her nervous glance in the direction of the house told him that’s exactly what she thought.

  “I didn’t say that,” he said, trying to alleviate her fears. Ashley was always quick to think everything was her fault, like she deserved to be blamed for things. She’d even assumed it was something she’d done when he’d broken it off with her, although nothing could have been further from the truth. That was all on him. “I’m just trying to get a sense of what was going on when it happened. I’m the battalion chief of the White Mountain Fire Department, and I’m trying to piece together what might have happened and point the investigators in the right direction if possible.”

  “I understand. Thanks, David. You’ve done well for yourself. Battalion chief and all. Taking after your father, I see.” Ashley smiled, and the sight caught him off guard. Her smiles were something he hadn’t been able to forget. But then he’d never stopped looking at the photo he kept of her in his wallet. For old times’ sake.

  As to taking after his father, he hoped not. Justin Beckett had loved his wife and son more than anything, but he’d given everything to his job as a firefighter. Including his life. As a kid, he’d wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps. It was in his blood. Right? But it was more than that to him now. His father had talked about the day they would serve side by side as a team. But it hadn’t worked out that way. Today, he was a firefighter to honor his father’s legacy. “Something like that.” It was the closest he’d come to talk about the past.

  “Can I pet the doggy, Mr. Fireman?” the little boy asked, struggling to get down.

  “It’s all right by me, if it’s all right by your mother. Kojak is a friendly dog.” He looked at Ashley for confirmation.

  “That’s fine.” She set Cory down on the ground, holding one of his hands as he approached the dog.

  “Hold out your hand so he can smell you first. Dogs like to recognize new friends by sight and smell,” David explained, kneeling next to Kojak. “Easy, boy.” He didn’t need to say anything, but it never hurt for a newcomer to hear the words to put them at ease.

  Cory reached his hand out tentatively, doing as David suggested. Seconds later, Kojak sniffed his hand and then licked it, causing the little boy to laugh. David knew from experience the dog’s tongue could be ticklish.

  The two of them had been a team for over five years now, ever since David rescued him as a one-year-old. Kojak had become the fire department’s mascot and a fantastic fire dog after David put him through the training and served as his partner. David trusted Kojak with his life, which wasn’t something he would say about everyone he met.

  “Hi, Kojak. My name is Cory. I like you.” The little boy looked up at David and smiled. “Why does your doggy have all those black spots?”

  “Because he’s a dalmatian. Kojak is special because he’s a fire dog,” David explained.

  “What’s a fire dog?” Cory was apparently one of those inquisitive boys, but David didn’t mind.

  “A fire dog is on the scene to help us look for trouble. They can rescue people and alert us to danger. They’re trained just like a firefighter to know what to do in certain situations. This is a standard house fire, and with no one inside, so he’s helping me keep an eye on things from out here.” Other than the minor distraction of meeting Cory, that is.

  “I saw a fire dog once in a cartoon. His name was Sparky. I liked Sparky. He was a dalmatian, too,” Cory said, beaming with pride that he’d remembered all that information.

  “Yes, I’ve heard of him. He’s a very famous fire dog.” David clapped the boy on the shoulder. “You have a good memory, young man.”

  “Thanks.” Cory hugged Kojak. Friendly kid with excellent manners. Ashley was a good mother—not that he’d expected otherwise.

  “Hey, Chief.” Scott, one of the firefighters from the local crew, approached. “The fire’s under control. The flames spread quickly through the walls and burnt up the floor. Between the water damage and fire damage, I’m not sure the place is salvageable. I’ll know more once the fire’s completely out.”

  “Thanks for the update, Scott.”

  The man glanced at Ashley and then at Tricia. “Sorry, ladies. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but whatever’s left in there will probably have enough smoke and water damage that you won’t want it. It’ll be a complete loss.”

  “Everything?” Ashley’s voice broke on the one word.

  David didn’t know her situation, but anytime someone lost everything, it was never good.

  “This is awful. I’m so sorry, Ashley,” Tricia wrapped an arm around her shoulder and drew her close.

  “Did you have renter’s insurance?” David asked, knowing the answer based on her forlorn expression. A lot of renters didn’t have it when they needed it most.

  “No. I just got here and hadn’t even given it any thought.” Ashley bit her lower lip, a habit she’d had when she was emotionally undone. Some things never changed. He just wished he could change the outcome of this situation for her.

  “That’s unfortunate. Do you have a place to stay?” He didn’t want to let her think too much about what was already done. It was better to focus on the what-next rather than dwell on the past.

  “I’m sure I’ll figure something out,” she said, her voice breaking.

  Ashley had been his friend before she’d become his girlfriend, not to mention, she was his best friend’s sister. Trent would never forgive him if he didn’t offer to help. “You could stay with me.” He shrugged, trying to play down the significance of his words. If she knew how fast his heart was racing just by asking, she’d more than likely run back to California. “I’ve got plenty of room.”

  Ashley stared at him as if he’d grown two heads. Any emotion she’d been wearing on her sleeve vanished with his simple offer to help. The new steely determination in her expression more than proved how she felt about him, even before she spoke. “I don’t think so. I may be in a difficult position, but I’m not desperate. I think once around with you was more than enough.” Her eyes had grown cold and hard, but it was her words that packed a powerful punch.

  “Suit yourself. I’ve got a perfectly good garage apartment available for use. My mother’s recovering in a medical rehab facility after leg and hip surgery. She won’t need the place for at least another month.” It wouldn’t be comfortable having Ashley live there, but it was a far cry better than living in the house with him. That, even he couldn’t do. He cared far too much about her. Something else that had never changed.

  Ashley looked dumbfounded, narrowing her eyes at him. She let out a deep breath and shook her head. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m sure I’ll figure something out. Trent will put us up on the couch, I’m sure.”

  Except Trent wasn’t in a position to offer her a place to stay. And if his friend had felt strong enough about who dated and didn’t date his sister back in high school, imagine what he’d say to her living with two single men. Young, single men.

  Ashley would find out soon enough when she talked to Trent. That was one conversation he didn’t want to have with her. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. Once upon a time, we were friends, and I’d like to think of us as friends still. And friends help friends. If for no other reason, let me help fo
r Trent’s sake.”

  “Thanks for the generous offer, but I’m sure I can work things out on my own.” Ashley took her son by the hand and drew him close.

  Tricia, on the other hand, didn’t look so sure as she gazed back and forth between the two of them, the questioning look on her face all too clear.

  Chapter Three

  Staying with David would be like taking a step back in time. Moving backward. And that was something Ashley was determined not to do. Once around the block with David had been enough to leave a lasting hurt. And after her marriage ending the way it did, she wasn’t willing to fall into the trap of love again. Not with anyone, and especially not with David.

  She’d been shocked by his offer to stay at his place. Outraged was more like it. He was the one who had broken things off with her. The one who’d walked away. When he’d calmly suggested he could waltz back in her life, and she could just move in with him, it had sent her over the edge.

  How was she to know he hadn’t been talking about moving into his house with him? But it was too late to take back the response she’d fired off before she knew all the facts. His offer of the garage apartment and his pointed remark about the reasons he would extend the offer were obvious.

  He wasn’t interested in her. He was interested in doing the right thing. Good old, David. Nice guy extraordinaire. Or so she once believed.

  David headed for his truck, Kojak following close on his heels.

  “Bye-bye, doggy.” Cory waved at the dog, his pout making it clear he wasn’t happy they were leaving. Ashley and her son were on polar-opposite sides regarding their departure.

  “I see things between the two of you haven’t changed,” Tricia said, shaking her head, a broad grin on her face. Her friend was way off base.

  “What do you mean?” Ashley frowned. She didn’t have time to discuss David or the past, but the question slipped out before she could stop it. What she really needed to do was find a place to stay tonight and for the next few weeks she was in town.