The Firefighter's Cinderella (14 page)

“So what happened next?” Marta interjected, trying to get the conversation back to the subject of C.J.'s proposal.

Tasha laughed. “I forget. Let's agree to dispense with the next part. Then I woke up in the hospital and was told that I needed to go into hiding for my safety.” She looked at the floor and then at all the warm, caring people in the room. “C.J. told me he was taking me home to protect me.” She grabbed his hand for strength.

She was thinking of the love she'd felt from her parents, then the love this family willingly gave to a stranger, all because she loved their son.

“My dad and mom agreed it was best, and C.J. said he had it all worked out. I couldn't believe he was taking me home to meet you. I don't know how you dare take someone in who's a threat to your family. Thank you.”

Doug looked at her. “You're one of us now, and we protect our own.”

“But you didn't know I was engaged to C.J. then.”

“Oh, my dear Tasha. For our Chris to bring a girl home, we knew you were special. We just figured it was a matter of time before he made it official. We didn't realize he would propose before he got here.”

Tasha felt tears slip from her eyes. Everyone was smiling. The life she'd lived before had been lonely and barren. To come here and feel this was like coming to life in a new dimension.

“Your son is wonderful, and I love him very much.
He completely surprised me at the hospital when he pulled out a box with this ring in it.” She held out her hand.

All the women came close to admire it. “I was shocked when he suddenly asked me to marry him,” Tasha went on. “He told me and my parents that he didn't feel comfortable taking their only daughter into hiding if they didn't know how serious he was.”

“That's my boy.” Doug got out of his chair to hug his son, then Tasha. “No doubt he'd have liked to propose in a more romantic setting.”

Sammi looked at Tasha. “I think what he did at the party, and the experiences you two have been through, go far beyond romantic. They're the kind of things that bond a couple in a way none of us will ever understand.”

“I agree,” Doris exclaimed, “and we couldn't be happier!”

Marta nodded. “That's the truth.”

“This calls for some champagne and a toast to our newest family member,” Doug declared, before heading off to the kitchen. His loud voice got Beastly barking again, and little Christina gurgling happy.

C.J. eyed his father when he returned with two bottles, followed by Doris carrying a tray of champagne flutes.

“When did you become so fancy with champagne and the glasses to match?”

“You forget Sammi's mom married a vintner. They're always sending us their finest wines and champagnes.”

As the bottles popped and the bubbly was poured, Doris said, “Sammi and Jake gave us this collection of
glasses for Christmas. We're learning about the fine art of wine and how it's served and…mostly enjoyed.”

The last comment drew a roar of laughter from the group.

“I've missed a lot,” C.J. said.

“Nothing that can't be made up,” his mother stated cheerfully.

“To Natasha and Christopher,” Doug said. “May your lives be as happy and joyful as the last few hours have made ours.”

The glasses clinked, and Tasha felt her heart expand. This big family truly loved and lived for one another.

C.J. felt relieved as he tucked Tasha into bed. Tonight had been incredible. She fit right in with his family. “It's going to be very hard to change your clothes for bed and not touch you.”

“Then touch me.”

Her eyes held so much desire, but Cole had just given her another round of medicine. She had to rest. For their journey tomorrow she would need her strength.

“Believe me when I say it's killing me, sweetheart.”

He could see the medication taking effect, the drowsiness kicking in. He glanced at the ring on her finger and felt a contentment foreign to him. But he also knew how fiercely independent Tasha could be. He had to pray she'd be okay with her current loss of independence. Right now his job was to take care of the woman he loved till the danger was gone.

It was funny to be back in his old bedroom. His parents had left both his and Jake's rooms the same as when they'd left home. He could only imagine himself here as a teenager with a girl like Natasha. He wouldn't have had any restraint.

He began to undress her by removing her boot. It brought back memories of the marathon she'd run just
a month ago. Could it have been only four weeks? It felt like a century now. His life had been a cycle of work and pain. Then this angel had fallen into his arms and saved him from all that emptiness and sorrow.

Tasha made a whimper in her sleep. Oh, she was beautiful! That glossy dark hair splayed across the pillow.

Just concentrate on the job at hand, C.J.

He grabbed her leggings and slowly removed them, careful to keep her sweater in place. A man could handle only so much temptation. Once he got her leggings off, he couldn't help staring at her gorgeous legs. Bad idea! He quickly put on the sweatpants that had been packed for her.

Damn if she still didn't look sexier than anything. Now the sweater.
Protocol, C.J. Just bring the sheet up to her neck and lift the sweater from there.

Tasha was now sound asleep and he wasn't going to take advantage, especially since they hadn't yet been together. He got the sweater over her head, but took one look at her lying there in her bra and knew he was in trouble.

For the first time in his life he had to walk away. He headed straight out of the room and called for his mom to finish the job.

The others tried not to laugh, but when she saw his face, Doris ran down the hall and up the stairs. At that point Cole and Doug started baiting him.

“Oh, you've got it bad,” his dad said.

“Are you sure you don't want me to help your mom? As a doctor I'm very—”

“Not a word, Cole.” C.J. eyed his father. “I need to talk to Cole in your office for a moment. Is that okay?”

“I'll be here if you need me.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

They headed into the office, which was just off the living room. “Thanks for staying tonight,” C.J. told his friend.

“I'm happy to help.”

“I can't believe the fight Mom and Dad put up to have us stay here.”

“I can. They love you, Chris.”

“I love them, too. That's why I'm so worried. I don't think we were followed, but you never know.”

Cole showed him the pistol tucked under his sweater. “We're all prepared. Your dad is planning on watching the house with his rifle.”

“I'm going to help him.”

“No, Chris. You need to get some sleep. I'm going to be watching the house for intruders starting at four when your dad goes to sleep. Then we'll fly out after breakfast.”

“You need sleep, too.”

“I'm a doctor. I'm used to no sleep.”

“I'm a captain of a fire station. I'm used to being up all night, too.”

“But you're hurt. Come on. Let me see the burns. I have some salve to put on, and fresh bandages.” Cole went to work immediately. “These are worse than you told me,” he muttered angrily.

“What's your point?”

“They're going to get infected if you don't take care of them.”

“I know.” C.J. showed him the bottle of antibiotics he'd been carrying around.

“You've got to be in terrible pain.”

“I've been in worse.”

“When?” Cole's eyes narrowed.

“When I thought I couldn't find her in the fire.”

Seeing he'd lost the battle, Cole hurried through his job. As he worked, they discussed their plans for the morning in detail. At last they emerged from the office, to find Doug and Doris snuggled up together on the couch.

With a pang, C.J. realized how much he'd missed them. A feeling greater than love and gratitude filled him.

He crossed the room. “Mom and Dad? How can I thank you for everything you've done? I feel like the prodigal son returning to ask for all this help. I don't deserve what you're doing.”

“Shh…don't even think like that, Christopher.” Doris got off the couch to hug him tightly. “Do you have any idea how much we love you?” Her eyes held so much feeling he knew what she said was true. He leaned down and hugged her back.

C.J. could hear his father getting up. “Is there room for one more?”

“Always.”

His dad gave him one of his bear hugs. He was the only man C.J. knew who could squeeze the breath out of him. “No more talk of not deserving. You're our boy and we love you. You got that?”

He nodded.

“Go on up to bed and get some shut-eye.”

“You need to sleep, too,” he argued.

“This is my house and my rules hold here, right?” Doug wore that stubborn expression C.J. remembered from his childhood. “You'll have to be extra vigilant up in bear country with them going into hibernation this time of year. You're not in the city now.”

“Jake's only mentioned it to me how many times?”

“Son…”

C.J. knew his dad was done talking. As for himself, he was so tired he was ready to collapse. He did need sleep in order to take care of Tasha up in the wilderness.

“Night, you guys.”

He looked in the den to thank Cole, but the doctor was sound asleep on the pullout bed. As C.J. went up the stairs, he wondered how he'd moved away years ago with no thought of what he was leaving behind. It shocked him.

Better change in the bathroom so he wouldn't wake Tasha. Better not get too excited at the thought of sleeping close to the woman he loved. When he crawled under the covers next to her, he drew her into his arms and fell into a dreamless sleep the second his head hit the pillow.

 

T
O SAY THAT THE VIEWS
from the Cessna float plane were incredible would be an understatement. In Tasha's mind the magnificent Misty Fjords National Monument was a sight every person in the world should see.

Goose bumps broke out over her body as their tiny plane flew near regal mountains that rose from the sea to soaring heights. She felt like an eagle as the craft banked, heading to a hiding place out here among the snowy peaks passing over lush green forests and
a tranquil-looking ocean covered with bits of clouds. The striking contrast of this green compared to the grayish-blue water made her feel as if she were entering another realm.

Jake pointed to a steep, sheer cliff rising out of the rain forest. The sight reminded her of books she'd read about fairy realms where once you entered, you never came back.

They flew over a clearing in the trees and saw a brown bear with two cubs at her side. The sight sent chills through Tasha. All her life she'd wanted to see a bear in the wild. How amazing that Jake could spot them so easily. But of course, what kind of ranger would he be if he didn't have an eagle eye? As far as she was concerned, they were headed into paradise. Nature was God's gift to anyone lucky enough to see it.

C.J. tapped her shoulder. “Here's the place called the Punch Bowl. It's so famous that tourists come here year-round, but especially in the summer. There's a lot more wildlife to see and the waterfalls are magnificent from the spring runoff.”

“I can't imagine it being more spectacular,” Tasha exclaimed.

The three men looked at each other and smiled.

“Sammi loves it out here, too,” Jake said. “As a photographer, she sees the beauty in all seasons. She has me fly us to secret lakes no one goes to.”

“I don't blame her. Do you come here a lot?”

“About once a week until Christy was born. But now, with our little cub, we don't like to take her too far into the bush.”

“Why not?”

“The bears can smell the diapers and are drawn to the odor.”

“No wonder you're extra careful, then.”

“With my family, yes.” Jake relaxed and continued his backseat driving of the plane.

Tasha eyed him and then Cole, who was at the controls. “How long have you two been friends?”

Cole chuckled. “With this turkey, too long as far as I'm concerned. Why?”

“I was curious how you put up with someone hounding you while you're flying. I would go nuts.”

“So you're a little spitfire, are you?”

“The answer to your question is yes.” C.J. laughed.

“Hey,” Tasha said, “I could take your ‘chick magnet' anytime.” She was feeling more like herself today.

“No way. My car has more horsepower than yours.”

“C.J., I think the key word here is
dependable
horsepower. Mine has just over 300. More importantly, I could outmaneuver you on the street in a heartbeat.”

“I'm sorry, but are you comparing your pretty little Lexus to my 1970 Boss 302 Mustang with over 400 horsepower?”

“You betcha.” Tasha smiled sweetly.

Cole grinned. “No wonder he fell for you. I never knew a girl who could talk to C.J. about cars, let alone take
on
his precious vehicle.”

“His car has a fifty-fifty winning average. The problem is, it's not dependable! It's always breaking down,” Tasha said.

At that even C.J. laughed.

“You remember those races?” he asked her.

“What about them?” Cole asked.

“I'll tell you, Cole,” Tasha interjected. “They have these citizen-class races, and C.J. and Tim of course thought they were the greatest things in the world. So I would sit out there in the hot sun at various racetracks while they'd go get their pictures taken with the team girls.”

“Team girls?” Jake's mouth dropped open. “What does that mean?”

Tasha could feel the old insecurities come back. “Basically, women walking around in bikinis, supporting whatever big race car team is in the Grand Prix or the Indie series.”

C.J.'s face was getting red by this time. “Hey, you guys, I wasn't dating Tasha at the time. I was a free man. It was her choice to follow us out there.”

Cole and Jake were silent, waiting to hear what Tasha had to say, but it was C.J. who spoke up. “I'm glad you came along, Tasha. If you hadn't, we wouldn't be here. You wouldn't have gotten to know me and I wouldn't have gotten to know you. I think of it as a blessing in disguise.”

She reached over and rubbed his back. “I love your courtroom rebuttal, Jeremiah, and it's true what you said. But I can still take you on.”

At that comment the plane filled with guffaws, and more questions about C.J.'s antics that Jake and Cole never knew about.

 

A
S
C
OLE MADE A GRACEFUL
landing onto the glacially carved Checats Lake, C.J. felt some of his anxiety fall away. They'd finally made it.

Jake was right. It was beautiful out here. Whether or
not he lived here all his life, the sheer grandeur of his home state would always fill him with awe.

The cliffs surrounding the lake protruded through the water into the heavenly rain forest. The air felt and tasted like it was healing his lungs and body. He looked at the mountaintops, and guessed that the amount of snow on the peaks spoke of early fall. The sight of clouds and the smell of rain meant another storm would be moving in.
I've missed home,
he thought with a pang.

In front of him sat the little wooden A-frame cabin they would call home until Tasha's enemies were found. One more short trip, from the dock to the rustic dwelling. It wasn't like anything she'd ever slept in before. C.J. hoped she would like it.

Out here, C.J. could be his real self, not the firefighter, or the man he'd tried to be down in San Francisco. Very slowly Tasha had been stripping away all his layers. Hopefully, she would be happy with the Alaskan boy. This time together would prove how she truly felt. He knew she loved him. But could a wealthy, sophisticated heiress really love a small-town boy?

As he climbed the forested slope, he was comforted to know Tasha was safely stowed in the cabin. When he heard a noise, he turned and cocked his rifle, then saw a group of black-tailed Sitka deer prance through the stream and up the slope. He knew he was jumpy, but this was bear country, and they were being hunted. He was glad to know his instincts for survival hadn't suffered.

The burns on his leg hurt, but that was what kept him going. Danger lurked everywhere. When he felt the
pain, he knew he would do everything and anything to keep his beautiful fiancée safe.

He uncocked his rifle and walked into the cabin, making sure to wipe his boots on the mat Jake had put down. How could he ever thank his brother enough for all the help? One day he'd make it up to him.

Jake was already getting a fire going to make the cabin nice and toasty. The shelves were stocked with a week's worth of food. And there was always the lake, with a bounty of fish to catch.

He had also filled the place with toiletries and every other kind of supply imaginable. He'd gotten the bunks set up nicely, too. The bottom one was made up for two, but C.J. saw the top bunk was also made as per his instructions. He wasn't sure how well Tasha would be feeling, and he didn't want her to be rushed or intruded on. Plus, from the top bunk, he could look out the window and keep an eye on the cliffs above the cabin.