Page 1 of Ignite My Heart

chapter one

GARRETT

When you live in a small town, life gets predictable. Each day is pretty much like every other day. It might sound boring, but for me it’s perfect.

When I was kid, back before my mom got sick, she used to read us her favorite book from when she was a kid: Richard Scarry’s Busy, Busy Town. Every page has different scenes from things that happen in a small town: people shopping, mail being sorted, trains arriving. Because it’s a kids book, all the “people” are animals, but other than that, Busytown has always felt like Saddle Creek. I grew up knowing that my small town was perfect. So why would I ever want to live anywhere else?

Besides, Saddle Creek, Texas is a little slice of heaven. In the past couple of years, we’ve had honest-to-God celebrities have moved to town. My brother just married Jess Munoz. Yeah, that Jess Munoz. The pop princess. She could live anywhere in the world. If she thinks Saddle Creek is perfect, then I figure it is.

Secondly, I’m a firefighter. I get enough excitement at work. I like routine on my days off. I like to know what the day holds. I like knowing I can always get the perfect cup of coffee at Ruthie’s Diner. I like knowing that Nash makes the best homemade fudge in the world, and I can get it any day at The Candy Jar. I like that the hardware store in the town square carries anything I need for any project I’m working on.

My buddy, Jared, bought it a few years ago and named it “Bolts.” I’ve been a regular in the store for a while. My visits increased, however, once I bought a fixer-upper a year ago.

This morning, Jared stands behind the worn wooden countertop, his massive arms crossed over his chest. He glares in the direction of the back of the store.

“Morning, sunshine,” I quip as I step up to the counter.

Jared slowly turns to face me. “Fuck off.”

I smile broadly. “Thanks, big guy.”

“Delightful, isn’t he?” Audrey says as she makes her way behind the counter. She tips her head up and gives her boss an exaggeratedly sweet smile.

Audrey is the quintessential “tomboy,” and she’s a savant when it comes to fixing anything requiring tools. She clearly annoys Jared, but he’d be an idiot to fire her since she helps anyone with just about anything.

She hip-checks Jared. “Did you not have enough children cross over your bridge this morning? Need another snack?”

I chuckle. “The customer service is why I come to this lovely establishment. So, is my sink in? Is that why you called?”

Audrey shakes her head and looks up at Jared.

“No sink yet. Just thought you might like to know about Felicity,” he says.

My body goes still, and I stare at my buddy. “What about her?” Fuck, if he says she’s getting married, I’m gonna end up spending the day watching cartoons and eating ice cream directly out of the carton. Cookies and cream, in particular.

“She’s moved back,” Jared says nonchalantly as if that little nugget of information doesn’t completely change my life.

“To here? Saddle Creek? Felicity?”

Jared stares at me. “Did a beam fall on your head at work? What the fuck did I say?”

I exhale slowly. I bend over, my hands braced on my knees, and breathe in through my nose. I’m generally a pretty easy-going guy. I’ve been compared to a Golden Retriever more times than I can count, and I still haven’t decided if that’s a compliment. I’ve never been restless like my older brother, Dane. I’ve never been grumpy like my other older brother, Grady. I’m generally happy and satisfied with life.

“Is he having a panic attack?” Audrey asks.

“Fuck if I know.”

“I feel like one of those weird partly hairless dogs that shake a lot. You know the ones that look like they have their ears up in ponytails or whatever?”

“Japanese crested dogs,” Audrey says. “That was a pretty accurate description of them.”

I force out a tight chuckle. “Thanks.”

Audrey frowns. “Who’s Felicity?”

“The one he fucked up with,” Jared explains. “Which he could fix if he stops acting like a goddamn pussy. You’re a fireman, for fuck’s sake. Act like it.” Jared sweeps past me as he walks to the back of the store.

I suck in a breath and follow after him. “When is she getting here? Do you know where she’ll be living? Or working?”