Page 3 of Illinois Innkeeper
Wide eyes stare back at me as a few people shake their heads back and forth to indicate they haven’t seen the stray that adopted me as his person a few months ago. I’ve never been much of a cat person, but this particular one insisted that I accept him into my life.
I balked at first––not wanting to deal with having a pet, but quickly realized that resistance was futile. Once a cat decides that you’re going to be in each other’s lives, it’s practically impossible to keep from falling for the little furball.
“Nacho? Here kitty, kitty, kitty,” I try. When that doesn’t work, I make the “Pss, pss, pss” sound with my mouth, which I use to call him in for dinner.
That sound has never before failed to bring the animal running to twirl around in between my legs, but this time, there isn’t any sign of him. I try to remember if he was inside when I left for the grocery, but the cat comes and goes as he pleases through the kitty door, so I’m really not sure if he was in or out.
If he got trapped in the flames, I’ll never get over it. It’s bad enough to lose my home and business, but material objects can be replaced. Nacho was a living, breathing, one-of-a-kind friend to me.
He is one of a kind.I silently reprimand myself for using the past tense in my thoughts about the loving, feisty animal.
I grab the arm of a passing fireman. “Please, have you found an orange cat?”
“Nah, man. Sorry,” he answers, already shaking his arm loose to continue his trek to the rig.
“Nacho?” I call out again, silently praying that I’ll hear him mewl.
Staring at the charred building, I try to decide if it would be of any use to search for the cat inside. I don’t have a death wish, but if there is any chance of finding him alive, I’d be willing to risk it.
As if the firefighter can read my mind, he suddenly turns back. “Don’t even think about entering the perimeter to search for your lost pet. It’s not safe. Besides, if he’s in there, he’s already gone.”
The man’s grim tone and stern warning make bile rise in my throat. It’s all I can do to swallow it down past the burning lump that has lodged itself uncomfortably in my chest.
Suddenly, I see her. Miranda, the charming, attractive, and tough-as-nails female firefighter I’ve secretly had my eye on for years is heading in my direction. She’s holding something in her arms. I blink and try to make out what it is, but the smoke makes my vision hazy.
When she gets close enough, I breathe out his name on a sigh of relief and run in their direction. “Nacho.”
Miranda gives me a smile that doesn’t reach her pretty eyes as she says, “This is one smart cat. He got out of there in time and was hiding in the bushes next door.”
As she hands him to me, I say, “I’m so glad he wasn’t inside.”
“Me, too,” she agrees as the cat clamors up my chest as if he can’t get close enough to me.
We both chuckle at the animal’s obvious relief to see me.
Miranda starts to turn away, but suddenly turns back and takes my hand within hers. “I’m sorry this happened, Graham. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“You’re already doing it,” I assure her, indicating her firefighting gear. “I’m just glad no one was hurt.”
After nodding her agreement, she says, “In that case, I’d better get back to work.”
I watch her walk away, admiring the view. The gorgeous woman makes even her bulky firefighting uniform work.
A pang of regret strikes as I stare at her. It’s obvious by her flirtatious attempts to reach out that she would be open to a relationship with me. If things were different, I’d be delighted to start something romantic with her.
Unfortunately, my past mistakes make that impossible.
4
MIRANDA
Afrustrated sigh emerges from deep in my chest as I stow my gear. I’ve attempted on multiple occasions to make it clear to Graham that I’m interested in him, but he never acts on my unsubtle hints.
When I handed his terrified cat to him earlier, I made sure our hands brushed during the transfer. That simple, light touch took my breath away. My gaze immediately darted to his. His eyes lit up for a brief moment, but then he quickly masked it, as if he wanted to pretend like he didn’t notice the palpable electricity between us.
Granted, he’s dealing with way more than anyone should ever have to right now, but I’d been hoping our eyes would lock in a shared moment of solitude. I can’t imagine why he doesn’t want to admit that we have an all-consuming, magnetic attraction, and having him deny it stings and brings with it a twinge of sadness.
Perhaps it’s time for me to admit that he’s simply never going to reciprocate my feelings and move on. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. I’ve told myself for years that I should find someone else, but Graham is the only person in town who piques my interest. Too bad he’s done nothing but friend-zone me since the day we met.
