Fireworks Over Fairfield Read online

  “I hope you don’t mind if I stay for just a bit,” Brock asked nervously.

  “Not at all,” she answered honestly. “I…I’d like your company.” Relaxing when she saw his smile, she suggested they move back to the living room.

  Brock allowed her to lead the way and he could not help but notice the soft sway of her hips as she moved. His dick jumped to life, but he quickly willed it to behave. Jesus, I haven’t had a reaction like that in…well a really long time.

  Jean sat down on one end of the sofa and he turned his back on her for a moment to both look at the pictures on the mantle to learn more about her and to give his cock a chance to settle down before facing her again.

  His eyes moved along the pictures until they landed on one that stopped him cold. It was a much younger Jean in a wedding dress standing next to a handsome young man. Both smiling. Both happy. Fuck. I didn’t realize she was married. Jesus, it seems like she knows everything about me and I know abso-fuckin’-lutely nothing about her at all.

  Jean watched as he stilled in front of her wedding photograph and knew the instant that he assumed she was married. She often did not correct men’s assumptions that she was married. It made it easier to not have to pretend interest in someone when she felt nothing. But suddenly it was very important to her to have him know the truth.

  “I’m widowed,” she blurted out. Well that could have been smoother, but she could not pull the words back in.

  He turned and looked at her, a sincere sadness on his face. “I’m sorry, Jean. I’m…well, I’m sorry.”

  She stood and walked over to the fireplace next to him. “It was a long time ago. I’ve…I can’t say I’ve moved on from our memories but they no longer hurt as deeply as they did.”

  He nodded, saying, “It was twenty-five years ago when I lost Sarah and we never had what you had. A marriage, you know? In fact, what we had really was a one-night stand but I wanted it to be so much more.” He ducked his head in embarrassment. “Here I am rambling on and you actually loved and lost your husband.”

  Jean placed her hand on his arm, feeling the steely cords of muscle underneath her fingertips. “Don’t disparage your grief and sense of loss. Different circumstances, same feelings.” Turning she walked back to the sofa, sat, and watched as he glanced around the room before deciding to join her on the couch.

  “Have you decided what you want to do?” she asked, surprised that she was hoping he would stay in Fairfield. At least for a while.

  He shook his head, saying, “Honestly, Jean, I haven’t got a goddamn clue.” Throwing his head back, he heaved a huge sigh. “Two weeks ago I was sitting in my apartment, doing what I’ve been doing for the past twenty-five years…taking care of myself. I had the soldiers beside me and then under me for years. In the three years that I’ve been retired, I still teach some classes over at the base. Just me…kind of boring, but it was all I knew. Then with a knock on the door from Rob and BAM—my life has changed.” He looked quickly over at the understanding eyes gazing back at him and added, “Not changed in a bad way, you understand? But changed nonetheless. A week later I open the same door and see my past staring me in the face.”

  Jean looked at the man sitting with her and felt the desire to hold him close. Where did that come from? He would think I was crazy! But she saw the anguish on his face, deepening the lines that years of being in the sun had carved by the sides of his eyes. What must that have been like to open the door to the daughter you never knew, seeing her mother’s face staring back at you?

  He gave an unassuming laugh as he looked over at her again. “This must all sound like a bad soap-opera to you.”

  She smiled, saying, “Not really. In my job as a school social worker, I see and hear all kinds of different things about families. I just know how difficult this must be for everyone. You and Laurie trying to find a way around the past. Rob trying to be everything that she needs. Even Jake, Tom, and Carol are wanting to help as well.”

  Brock turned to face her, hearing the concern in her voice. “I had the same feeling earlier. I was amazed at the people that seem to want her to be happy and healthy.”

  She leaned over and placed her hand on his, finding herself drawn to him in a way that she had not felt in many years. “Fairfield is the kind of town that will draw you in and take care of you. Even if you live away, I hope you will come often to visit.”

  “I’m not going anywhere right now,” he confided, loving the feel of her fingers touching his. Resisting the urge to lace his fingers with hers, he added, “I’m staying at the Fairfield Hotel for now. Will you call me later to let me know how she is?”

  “The Fairfield Hotel? That place is a treasure all to itself,” she laughed. “You will find the owners Helen and Roger to be delightful. Their daughter, Wendy, and her husband run the best bar in town. You’ll have to make a visit to Smokey’s sometime while you are here.”

  Smiling his first genuine smile since the day had begun, Brock agreed. “I’ll do that if you’ll do me the honor of accompanying me.”

  Looking into his handsome face, she could not help but agree. “I’d love to.”

  The two stood, awkwardly looking at each other, until Jean moved in to give him a hug. “I’m glad you came today,” she said honestly. “I’ll let Laurie know you were here when she wakes up.”

  Returning her hug, he agreed. “Coming here was the only thing I wanted to do. Being here for Laurie is the most important thing to me.”

  As he walked back to his truck, his heart felt lighter than it had in a long time. Coming here for my daughter is my main concern. Meeting Jean is icing on the cake! Hopping in his truck, he pulled out of her drive to head back to the hotel.

  Jean watched him drive off and wondered about her reaction to him. She turned and walked back to the fireplace, staring at the picture of her and Rick. So young and idealistic. Every time she had gone on the rare date since his death, she always returned to the picture and felt the pang of his loss. That always quelled whatever interest she may have had in someone new. This time, those feelings did not rise. Instead, all she saw was his smiling face, as though he was agreeing that Brock was special.

  Chapter Three

  Brock settled into the hotel to stay for an indefinite period of time and decided to meet the couple that Jean had told him about. Helen and Roger had run the Fairfield Hotel for as long as anyone could remember. The next day, he was walking by the office on his way to find breakfast when they called him in.

  “Roger checked you in the other day and I didn’t get a chance to meet you,” Helen greeted warmly, taking him by the hand. Her smile left as she seemed to be lost in thought. Gently pulling his hand away from hers, he wondered about the faraway look on her face.

  Suddenly, as though coming out of a trance, Helen smiled brightly at him, patted his arm and said, “You’ll find everything you’re looking for right here in Fairfield.”

  Roger beamed from behind the counter proclaiming, “You listen to my Helen. She sees things, you know. And I’ve never known her to be wrong!”

  Brock felt a little leery, but the smiles on their faces seemed genuine so he relaxed. Actually, if she was right about Laurie, I would find everything in Fairfield. His mind then wandered to the lovely Jean. And if I was really lucky, I could count Jean as one of the things I’m looking for.

  After sharing coffee and pastries with the odd, but loveable pair, Brock headed to the fire station wanting to meet with Rob. Arriving there, he parked and walked into the main area. Several firefighters greeted him and told him that Rob had just left to run an errand but would be back soon.

  “Can I help you?” boomed a voice behind him. Turning around, he looked into the sparkling eyes of the fire chief.

  “My name’s Brock Sinclair. I was just looking for Rob but I can come back later,” he explained.

  “I’m Mac. No need to leave; he’ll be back soon. Come on up and have a cup of coffee while you wait.”

  Brock fol
lowed the big man up the stairs and into the kitchen. Pouring them both a cup of coffee he handed one to Brock and then invited him into his office. Brock looked at the black hair sprinkled with gray and the bright blue eyes. Even without seeing the MACDONALD name on his shirt, he would have known him to be Rob’s father.

  “So you’re Laurie’s father. Gotta tell you that she’s the best thing to ever happen to my son. My wife, Bernie, and I couldn’t be happier that she came along.”

  Smiling at the compliment to his daughter, Brock acknowledged, “Thank you. But it’s all on her and her aunt Emma. I’m…well that is to say, I—”

  Waving his hand, Mac said, “Don’t worry about trying to explain. Rob’s told us all about you and Laurie’s mother. Damn shame, how life kicks us sometimes. But, you’ve got a second chance here now.”

  The men sat comfortably for a few minutes drinking their coffee and chatting about the military. Mac had served in the Air Force before his civilian career with the Fairfield Fire Department.

  “You gonna be staying in town for a while?” Mac asked.

  Brock slowly nodded, saying, “Yeah, I think so. All I have near the base is a small, one-bedroom apartment with no maintenance and I just do some volunteering at the base.”

  “Well, I’m always in the need for some volunteers here at the firehouse. Wouldn’t have to have the training, but as a volunteer you could help with our dispatcher. You can think about it and let me know once your plans are more settled.”

  Just then Rob came into the room, a worried look on his face. “Is she okay? Is there something wrong?”

  Brock could not help but notice that Rob assumed that he would know. Shaking his head, he replied, “I don’t know anything specific. I got a text from Jean yesterday that said that she was better when she woke and will go to the doc again tomorrow.”

  Rob nodded, obviously upset that Laurie had not contacted him herself He knew she was still angry for going behind her back. Brock recalled his excitement when he had looked at his phone and saw her name. Funny, how long has it been since I felt that? Then he realized the answer was never. Standing he thanked Mac for the coffee and volunteer position. Turning to Rob, he said, “Look. I’m kind of stumbling here in the dark, not knowing what to do or say. But I’m going to be at the doctor’s office tomorrow when she comes out. She may not want to see me, but what the hell? I’ve got to give it a shot. And…I thought I’d ask if you wanted to come along.”

  Rob looked at him gratefully. “Do you think she’ll see me? That she’ll talk to me?”

  “Only one way to find out, son,” Mac said, walking over to them. Looking at Brock, he added, “Thanks for thinking of my Rob. You’re a good man.”

  “Don’t know how good I am, but I’m willing to be better,” he replied. He missed the looked shared by Mac and Rob, both silently acknowledging their approval of him.

  That night in his hotel room, Brock pulled out his phone, trying to decide if he should text Jean or not. His fingers hovered over the keys. What the fuck is wrong with me? Just do it, for fuck’s sake.

  He quickly typed out a simple message, letting her know that he would try to see Laurie tomorrow. He was pleased when she replied almost immediately letting him know that she thought that would be a good idea.

  Deciding to take a chance, he texted again. Thanks for all you are doing. Hope to see you soon.

  There was silence for a moment and his stomach dropped. Damn, I shouldn’t have added that last part.

  Suddenly, his phone beeped with a return message. Looking at it, he could not help but smile. Would love to see you again. The sooner the better. Letting out a huge breath, he realized that he had been holding it.

  Sending one last text, telling her he would call her tomorrow, he settled down for the night and began to ponder what he would say to Laurie when he saw her. Wanting it to be epic, he worried until sleep finally claimed him.

  Jean looked down at her phone, grinning at the message from Brock. What is wrong with me? You’d think I’ve never liked anyone before. Well…it has been a long time.

  “Are you all right?” Laurie asked, cutting into her thoughts.

  Jean jumped. “Yes, Yes. I was just…um…checking for missed phone calls.”

  Laurie eyed her suspiciously. Jean turned to the kitchen to keep her blushing face away from Laurie. Brock is her estranged father; the last thing I need to do is start something with him. Sucking in a deep breath, she turned back around to hug her friend and changed the conversation. “Will you be all right at the doctor’s tomorrow?”

  Laurie made a face of disgust. “Yeah. I promised Emma I’d call her as soon as it was over.” Sighing, she added, “I’m heading to bed. I need all the rest I can get if I’m going to face twenty-four little first graders tomorrow.”

  Jean soon followed, taking her phone with her. It seemed silly, but just in case Brock texted again, she did not want to miss it. Lying in bed, she looked at the picture on her nightstand. Taken just a few weeks before Rick was killed, it showed them standing in front of the house she now lived in. They had just put a contract on it, but had not moved in. Rick never got the chance to live here. But somehow Jean could never think of calling anywhere else home.

  Closing her eyes, she found herself thinking of the tall, dark-haired Brock in her living room. And slept peacefully.

  The doctor’s appointment should have been over but there was no sign of Laurie. Brock and Rob sat in the truck, neither speaking, each lost in their own thoughts.

  “There she is,” Rob said suddenly.

  Both men looked up as she walked slowly out of the office, talking on her cell phone.

  “She’s on the phone to Emma,” Rob explained. Brock looked at him questioningly and Rob continued, “They’re as close as twins practically. Emma raised her and Laurie relies on her for support. She’s hoping that Emma will move here this summer.”

  Brock just nodded and then stepped out of his truck as he saw Laurie walk slowly toward her little, yellow Volkswagen bug after tossing her cell phone into her purse.

  She was looking down, lost in thought, not seeing Brock until she was standing at his truck parked next to her bug. She looked up, surprised and yet smiling. The two stood and gazed at each other, their faces becoming familiar to one another.

  He pushed off of his truck and walked the few feet over to her.

  She spoke first. “Brock. What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to make sure you were okay.” Jerking his head toward the medical building, he asked, “How’d it go today?”

  Laurie looked up into her father’s grey eyes, the same eyes that stared back at her each day in the mirror. Giving him a tentative smile she said, “It went…well. I gave him all of your information and he was very positive about things. I start some new medications this week, so we’ll see how it goes.”

  The tentative smile on her face reached in and touched a part of Brock he never knew existed. Throwing caution to the wind, he stepped closer, looking down at his daughter’s beautiful face and continued.

  “Laurie, I don’t know what place I have in your life. I don’t know if you want me to have a place.” Looking down at his rough worn hands clutched tightly, he sighed. “I guess it sounds like I don’t know much.”

  Tears welled in his eyes as he swallowed hard a few times to choke them back. Shaking his head as though to pull his thoughts from the past back to the future, he brushed a tear away and looked down at the face that reminded him so much of Sarah.

  “No, that’s not right. I do know somethin’. I know I fell in love in one night with a beautiful girl that made me feel things I didn’t know I could feel. I know I wanted to be with her and for twenty-five years I thought she was completely lost to me. I can’t go back. I can’t change what happened. Too many past mistakes in life for us to make ourselves crazy over. But I now know she isn’t totally lost to me. She lives on in you. I may have missed the first twenty-five years of your life, but I sure as he
ll don’t want to miss any more.

  “So unless you tell me to leave, I ain’t goin’ anywhere, Laurie. I just hope you want to let me in at least part of your life,” he said. Lips curling up in a small smile, he added, “I ain’t too proud to beg.”

  Reaching over to capture his work-worn hand in her much smaller one, Laurie smiled up at him. Tears spilling over, heart aching with a need that she never knew existed, Laurie spoke a word that had never crossed her lips. “Dad.”

  His grey eyes looked into hers and his brow furrowed in question.

  “I have a Dad. I knew that somewhere I had a father. I convinced myself that I didn’t need a father. I had Mom, Grandma and Grandpa, and Emma. A father simply wasn’t needed or missed. But now I have a Dad. And I don’t want to lose him.”

  Brock wrapped his hand around hers, holding it so tightly she could feel it right to her heart. Tears, falling freely and unashamedly, now coursed down his cheeks. “Well, all right then. You’ve got your Dad. And I’m not goin’ anywhere.”

  He pulled her in for a hug and felt a piece of himself fall into place. Not wanting to let her go, he knew that he needed to. It was time for someone else. Leaning back, he smiled and jerked his head over toward his truck and said, “And Laurie? You need to go put that boy outta his misery.”

  As he drove out of the parking lot, he looked into his rearview mirror and saw his daughter and Rob embracing. His daughter. That feels fuckin’ great.

  He was almost to the hotel when he decided to take a detour. And a chance. Turning the truck around, he drove to Jean’s house instead. Pulling into her driveway, he sat for a moment looking at her house. He had not really noticed it the day before.

  It was quaint in a nice little neighborhood, with mature trees and flower beds just beginning to come to life. Her two-story house was seated back from the street with a picket fence around the large yard. I wonder who cuts the grass for her in the summer. Was this the house they lived in together? Cold feet almost took over, but then he looked up as she stepped out onto her front porch. Her smile warmed him and he found himself at the bottom of her porch steps without even realizing how he got there.