Rescued Hearts (Hero Series) (17 page)

“Is she with anyone now?” Nick’s heart beating rapidly with this wonderful news. Mike is just sitting back, smiling throughout Nick’s questions.

“Do you know where she normally goes to lunch?”

“Well, its Wednesday so she volunteers down at the homeless shelter down on S. Kirby Street .

“Karen, thank you so much! I’m so glad we bumped into each other again!” Nick stood up and grabbed his jacket to leave. “Mike maybe you and Karen can talk about that rock band you mentioned the other day.” Nick grabbed his helmet and made a quick exit out of O’Malleys to head for the Kirby Street homeless shelter.

Now it was Karen’s turn for her eyes to light up as she asked Mike, “Really, you like rock?”

“I love it.” Mike answered.

“I know this great place that plays live punk at 7. Would you like to meet me there later?”

Pulling out his cellphone, Mike responds, “Sure, let me just get your number and yeah…wow definitely sounds like a plan?”
             

“So are you a firefighter also?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool.”

“Oh, it’s very cool. Even when you’re in 1200 degree heat, it’s still cool.”

“Wow! Be right back.” Karen informed the bartender that she changed her mind and preferred to have her lunch to stay so she could continue talking with Mike. Mike was enjoying his time with Karen and even though she had to go back to work, definitely looked forward to seeing her later that evening.

For so long Mike had looked out for Nick, that Nick thought to return the favor by introducing him to Karen. They were about the same age and he had a feeling they would click. Nick knew how smart Mike was and how well he knew his older brother. Nick never would’ve asked Karen openly about Susan. So by Mike offering his congratulations on Susan’s marriage, it brought the truth to light. The only thing that bothered Nick is if he read Susan’s body language correctly the night they said goodbye in his driveway, how come she never came back to the fire house to let him know that she broke off her relationship with Tom. Regardless, she was now available and he was going after her. Nick wanted Susan in his life and he was going to make sure she understood that very clearly.

***

Nick arrived at the Kirby Street homeless shelter and scanned the sidewalks to see if he could pick out Susan’s car. Not being too familiar with the area, he decided to park his bike in front of the facility and take a look inside. Noticing there was still a long line of folks waiting to be served, he followed it until it led to the kitchen. He walked to the back of the facility where the kitchen was located and as he glanced through the kitchen door window, he saw Susan.

Nick wanted to make his intentions known but he didn’t want to interrupt Susan while she was volunteering. He figured if she continued to serve the homeless after 2 months of seeing her last, it was fulfilling for her. Now he understood why he never saw her in the 5
^th
Street soup kitchen, she decided to serve someplace closer to the news station, if it’s around here. But that was just a guess; maybe she just didn’t want to see him at all and to avoid him altogether, she chose this new location. Whatever her reasons for not mentioning to him that her relationship with Tom had ended, didn’t matter at this point. All he wanted was to see her and let her know everything he’s been holding inside. If she was interested, fantastic but if she wasn’t at least he put all his cards on the table and didn’t hold back. All he cared about is that at least he tried. Nick decided to go back outside in front of the facility, wait patiently and surprise her when she walked outside.

Thirty-five minutes later, Susan walked out of the homeless shelter and saw Nick leaning up against a city lamp post. She smiled at him and even with a chilly November day she could feel the heat of her face rising in anticipation of speaking with Nick after purposely avoiding him for 2 months. She knew in her heart that this was the right time to see him and reconnect with him. She had seen this very moment in her dreams shortly after ending her relationship with Tom. Her father reminding her in her dreams to trust him and to wait patiently, faithfully. Wanting to run and throw her arms up and hug him tightly, she walked up calmly but with a stunning smile and said, “What a wonderful surprise. It’s so good to see you Nick.”

Susan didn’t have to search Nick’s eyes deeply to know he had been looking forward to this moment. “I’m glad you were surprised. It’s really wonderful to see you again. Wow, feels like a really long time we haven’t seen each other.”

“It certainly does. How’s Mike?”

Tired of the small talk “He’s good. Look Susan, I’ve got to get something off my chest. I know you’re not with Tom anymore. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that’s the greatest news I’ve heard all year. Since the evening I rescued you, not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought of your sweet smile. I missed talking with you, laughing with you, cooking for you. I’ve missed being with you.”

“Oh Nick, I’ve missed you as well. I really did?

“So why didn’t you tell me?”

Because I needed to heal from my breakup with Tom, settle into a new place and get comfortable with being single again. Would you really have wanted to begin a relationship with someone who just got out of one, let alone a wedding engagement? Susan asked.”

“I see your point. It’s just… you’ve made such an impact in my life.”

You changed my life too. Not only did you rescue me from that fire but you helped me to not settle in life, to grab life and live today. When I first saw you in that soup kitchen, you reminded me what it was like to serve others out of the kindness of your heart and be filled with compassion. I held on to that example and took action on it and here I am today still serving to this day and I love it.

“I’m happy for you. Still wish you would’ve texted or emailed me that you were done with Tom.”

I wanted to so many times but whether you believe me or not, I dreamed several times of this day so vividly that it gave me the strength to wait patiently for you to come find me. I knew from my dreams, it wouldn’t be terribly long.” Placing her hands on her hips and shifting to a sexy posture, Susan gave me a flirtatious expression. “Call me old fashion, but I believe it’s the man’s job to pursue the woman.”

“You’re right and now I found you.”  Stepping closer and tenderly grabbing Susan’s hand, Nick noticed Susan’s pupils dilate. “I want to know you more Susan. I want to know your heart deeply.”

“I want to know you more too.” Susan expected him to kiss her and wanted him to. Instead, he lifted her hand and gently placed it on his cheek. Closing his eyes, he cherished the moment as he longed for some time to know what her touch felt like. Kissing the back of her hand before letting go, he opened his eyes and decided to share the experience with Susan. Taking his right hand, he gently placed it on her face causing Susan to close her eyes and lean into his hand. Meanwhile, Nick’s left hand brushed her hair slightly then returned to caress her forehead, affectionately brushing his fingertips along the side of her sweet face until he stopped his hand. With both hands on Susan’s face, he drew closer until she felt his lips kiss her forehead continuing a downward trail of delicate kisses against the side of her face before ultimately connecting with her irresistible lips.

Susan leaned into him and moved her arms around his strong, broad shoulders. She longed for this moment for so long, that she allowed herself to completely forget her surroundings and embrace this precious, perfect moment with Nick. His delicate kisses communicated to Susan that he cared deeply for what they have. Wishing that he wouldn’t stop kissing her, he moved his body back slightly and grabbed her hands and looked at her breathtaking hazel eyes.

“That was really something special and surprising for me.” Susan said capturing her breath.

“I wanted to do that for so long but I knew the timing wasn’t right then.”

“It wasn’t then but it certainly is now. I’m really excited for what the future has in store for us.”

“So am I Susan. I really am. Hey! How about dinner at my place after work? I’ll make you my specialty.

“Lasagna?”

“Lasagna it is.” Nick answered.

“Come on. I’ll walk you to your car.” Nick put his right hand in his jacket pocket and gestured for Susan to grab his arm. Grabbing with both of her arms, she rested her head on his shoulder, walking towards the street where she parked her car. But she stopped and changed her mind.

“What’s wrong?” Nick asked.

“Where’s your bike?” Susan asked.

“In front of the shelter. Why?”

“I’ve never been on one. Take me for a ride.”

“It’ll be cold. I’m used to riding in this weather but if this is your first time ever, you’re going to feel it really bad. Even with my helmet.”

“That’s Ok. Holding you tight will keep me warm.”

Turning around to walk back to his bike, Nick says, “I like the sound of that.”

“I thought you might.” Susan was excited to go on her first motorcycle ride ever but more importantly with someone that was dear to her heart. Explaining to Susan how to get on the bike after him, he pointed out the pedals where she could rest her feet. Susan refused the helmet because she knew she wanted to have her face close to his. After attaching the helmet to the side, Nick got on his Honda Shadow RS cruiser bike, started it up and waved at Susan to hop on. She grabbed him tightly like she said she would and it felt magical to have him so close to her.
Thank you for finding me and coming back into my life.

Feeling the November chill hit her face as the headed down Kirby Street, she admitted to herself it was cold on her face but she was enjoying her first ride ever. More importantly she was experiencing this with a man that she knew was right for her. That’s what her father meant when he told her to wake up in her dream, that wonderful things would happen. Nick was the one that she had to wake up for. Nick was the wonderful thing, Susan’s father mentioned in her dream the night Nick rescued her. It was a perfect day for Susan and just as she thought it couldn’t get any better, she heard the sweet loving voice of her father. The voice revealing she made the right choices that led to today’s outcome with Nick.
“I’m so proud of you Susan. More good things are coming your way. Wonderful things!”

Gina Austin lives in the land of Mickey and Minnie in Orlando, Florida. After many years of digging her car out from the snow she decided to head south and trade in her shovel for sunscreen lotion. When she’s not on her laptop, she’s reading , swimming, hiking, or taking salsa and ballroom dance lessons.
This is her first book and wouldn’t mind hearing from you. You can connect with her on
Facebook by clicking on this link.