Burning Desire by Marie Harte

Chapter Twenty-Four

Bree arrived at her parents’ to see Carrie’s car in the driveway.

Last night, Bree and Melissa had visited Carrie. And while Bree had been apologizing through tears, Melissa had stood by, showing support for them both.

Bree had discussed her situation with Carrie, and Carrie had helped her frame her argument so she could tenderize her dad before going in for the kill.

“Is that Carrie’s car?” Tex asked.

“Yep. My lawyer is present.”

“Your lawyer?”

“Come with me.” She grabbed his hand, went to the front door, and knocked.

Charlie opened the door, looking relieved. “About time you got here. The blockhead is in his office.” She glanced at them holding hands and smiled. “I see you nabbed yourself a hot firefighter.”

“I did.” Bree was proud of herself for finally getting the stones—as Tex would say—to make things right. It was one thing for Bree to have to deal with an overbearing father. Another for Tex to the pay price for it. “If you’ll excuse us, we have a score to settle.”

“Don’t be too hard on him, Bree. He loves you.”

Which was what made this entire situation so bizarre. She would have asked after her father’s mental health if she hadn’t seen him performing just fine at work and knowing at home with Charlie, everything remained normal.

Carrie and Melissa nodded at them, watching something on television.

The gang was all here for backup.

Bree wanted to laugh at the notion of going up against her father with her posse in tow. She froze for a moment, the worry of damaging her relationship with her father a real threat.

“You okay?” Tex asked.

After taking in a deep breath, she let it out slowly. “Yep. Let’s go.”

She knocked on her dad’s study door.

“It’s open.”

She pushed through with Tex and saw her dad drinking a scotch while looking at old pictures.

Of her mother.

He looked startled to see Tex with her but covered that with a look of indifference. “What can I do for you two?”

Tex took a seat across from her father and crossed his arms, giving Bree the floor. “Oh, I’m just the backup. The star of the show is your daughter.”

Her father sighed. “It’s been that kind of day.”

Bree thought he seemed fragile. Her tough, reliable father had a shattered look in his eyes.

“I love you, Dad. And I love Tex.” She continued, ignoring his scowl. “I am twenty-seven years old. Not a young girl with a crush or a starry-eyed young woman being taken advantage of by some cowpoke trying to get back at his boss.”

“I take offense at cowpoke, but go on,” Tex murmured.

“What you’re doing is wrong. It’s cruel, and it’s not something my father would ever do to support his daughter. Whom he supposedly loves.”

Her dad snapped, “I do love you. You know that.”

“Actually, I don’t. Dad, I went to Paris as an eighteen-year-old. By. My. Self. If you could trust me to do that, why don’t you trust me to fall in love with a man of my choosing? Why punish Tex for wanting to love me?”

“But does he? That’s the problem. Your mother fell for a man who didn’t love her. And it broke her heart. Then she met me, and I broke it all over again.” He looked down at a picture of her mother, and his eyes welled. “You’re young. You don’t know how this job can grind on your soul. He thinks he knows, but he doesn’t.”

Tex closed his mouth, and she appreciated that he didn’t interrupt her dad. Finally, she might get some answers. She sat and waited.

“I have to be strong to keep my family together. To keep my unit together.” He pointed at Tex. “You think you’re strong, but life will kick you in the teeth one too many times. You’ll watch a baby die from smoke inhalation. You’ll see a teenager beaten to death by an abusive parent and have to sit with him while you struggle to get a pulse on the way to the hospital. You’ll watch your best friend run into a burning building and never come out again.

“It’ll happen, and you’ll be powerless to stop it. And you won’t tell anyone how much it hurts, because you’ll be seen as weak. And you can’t be weak on the squad when they need you at your peak. To be there for your brothers and sisters in your house. People as close to you as your family, because they are your family.

“You’ll drink or take a few pills. Then you’ll do what you said you’d never do.” Her dad angrily wiped his cheeks. “And you’ll feel lower than dirt. You’ll—”

“Dad, what did you to do Mom?” Bree asked, feeling his pain.

He paused, and she didn’t think he’d answer. But he seemed lost in the past when he spoke. “I never meant to. But I’d been drinking. And the woman at the bar next to me didn’t ask questions. She was just there for me. I could be ugly and find a place to let that out that didn’t hurt you or your mother. And when we were done, it meant nothing. One night, a mistake. But the damage had been done.”

She just stared. Tex reached for her hand and held it against his knee.

“Mistakes happen,” Tex said in quiet voice.

“And they can destroy lives. Allie was never the same after that. Oh, we made up. I got help. But I hurt her so badly, and I never, ever forgot that. She said she forgave me for everything, but she shouldn’t have had to do that. If I’d loved her a little more, maybe I would have given up this mess of a life and been a different man.”

“But that’s love,” Tex said when Bree would have. “My parents have been together for over thirty years. They fight, laugh, cry, and then do it all over again. You think a firefighter’s got problems? Try ranching when the drought comes or feed prices go up. Try feeding a family of six on a poor man’s salary. Hell, people everywhere have problems.”

“But we have more,” her dad said. “And that’s something you don’t understand because you’re young and you think you have all the answers. I want more for my daughter.”

“You don’t get to decide that for me, Dad.” Bree smiled sadly at her father, understanding so much now. “And really, if being a firefighter is such a bad thing, why did you marry Charlie and put her through all the pain you keep saying comes with marrying a firefighter?”

Her father flushed. “It’s not like that with Charlie. I learned from my mistakes. But I was older when she and I married. You’re young, and so is he.” He nodded to Tex. “You don’t understand how this job can make you hate yourself. I struggle every day to be someone Charlie and you girls can be proud of.”

Bree sighed. “Dad, you made a mistake. You learned from it, and Charlie loves the heck out of you. I love that you want to protect me, but all you’re doing is hurting me. And hurting Tex and his station. Your decision to take him away from his family isn’t right.”

Her father winced at that.

“Yes, you hurt a lot more people than just Tex.”

“That wasn’t my intention.”

“But it happened,” Tex said, his voice sharp. “I get why you want to protect Bree. Hell, we want the same thing. But you ripped me from my team and replaced me with a shithead.”

“Tex.”

“It’s true.” Tex glared at her father. “It’s not about being with my team. You put a man in there that won’t have their backs like I will. That won’t protect them like I will. We work together as a team. Me and my crew. C Shift. Station 44. We’re all a team. Just like me and Bree. You said I had to choose between my calling and the woman I love. And that’s horseshit. Bree is everything, worth more than a pain in the ass father-in-law.”

All three of them froze.

Tex hurried to add, “Not that we’re anywhere close to marriage, but you know what I mean.”

Bree stared at Tex, seeing the flush creep over his face.

“You can’t control everything, Chief. And before you start telling me I don’t know shit, this ain’t my first rodeo. I’ve been a rancher. I’ve been a Marine. I’ve dealt with life-and-death decisions way before putting on the uniform here. But this isn’t just a job for me. Being a firefighter is who I am. And if you can’t understand that, what the fuck have you been doing the past thirty-plus years?”

The sudden silence grew deafening.

Her dad studied Tex for so long, Bree worried her father might get violent. She could easily imagine a no-holds-barred fight between her dad and her boyfriend. Wouldn’t that go over well?

“You love my daughter that much?”

“I don’t know what ‘that much’ means, but yeah, I love her. I’m a lot of things, Chief. I make jokes. I like to have a good time at work and at home. But I’ve never felt for anyone the way I do Bree. But none of that really matters. What matters is that you deal with your issues and let Bree and me live with ours.”

“That. Right there.” Bree wanted to clap. “Dad, I’m sorry for what happened between you and Mom. But I know for a fact she loved us both very much.” She could feel her mother in the room with them just now, and her love burned so bright. “She’d want you to stop feeling guilty for something that happened a long time ago. You and Charlie are happy, aren’t you?”

He blinked. “Yes. Or at least, we were until I started bullying your Texas puppy here.”

Tex’s mouth firmed.

Bree quickly said, “Then why do you have to feel guilty? You love Mom. You made mistakes. Everyone does.”

“Some hurt more than others.”

“Yes. And Tex and I will argue and hurt each other, I’m sure. But that’s our life. Not yours. I wanted to talk to you about this long before now. But Tex told me not to. That you’re his boss making work decisions that aren’t my problem. And he’s right. Except the decision you made to pull him from him team wasn’t about his work ethic or the fire house. It was about me. And that’s got to stop. You know it, I know it. Heck, even Ed O’Brien knows it.”

Her dad sighed. “Well, hell.” He sat there looking down at his glass, tossed it back, and stood. “I guess I—”

“No.” Bree stood as well.

Tex looked from daughter to father and remained seated and quiet.

“Don’t guess anything. This can’t happen again. I don’t care if Tex and I get married and have four babies, a dog, and live in a house with a white picket fence or if we break up next month. Our life has nothing to do with decisions you make about his job.”

“I think—”

She cut her father off. “I will go above your head. I’m still friends with your boss, and if he knew what you did and why, he’d step in. I know he would. And don’t even get me started if I have to go outside the station to my friends in the mayor’s office.”

On fire now, she waited, full of nerves and ready to make that next big step. The one she didn’t want to make. Where she cut her father out of her life to make her point.

Her dad frowned. “I—”

“And if you think—”

“Bree.” Tex yanked her back to her seat. “Let the man talk before you threaten to pull his legs off one by one.”

“Thank you,” her father said wryly. “You’ve said your piece. I’ve said mine. And I need to apologize. To you, Bree. But more, to Tex.” He stood before them, a big man with broad shoulders carrying a lot more burdens than Bree had ever realized. “I don’t know how I got so turned around when I only wanted to do the right thing. But I never thought how everyone around you would be affected by moving you. You’re right. I let sentiment screw with your job. But son, this is my daughter. I’d do anything for her.”

“I understand.”

Bree looked at Tex, who smiled at her.

“I’d do anything for her too.”

Her dad sighed. “I’ll make it right. When do you go back on shift?”

“To which house?”

“Station 44.”

Bree wanted to cheer.

“Tuesday, sir.”

“I’ll make some calls. Report back to Ed Tuesday morning. I’ll move Goat Nut from your team.”

Tex coughed.

Bree stared. “Goat Nut?”

“The guys really don’t like him,” Tex said.

“Neither does Ed.” Her father sighed.

Tex and she stood as her father rounded the desk. “I apologize, Tex. My personal feelings toward you won’t affect your job again. Your relationship is not my business.”

“Good.” Bree nodded. “You keep saying that, Dad.”

He ignored her and stuck out a hand.

Tex shook it. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you for putting up with me.” Then her dad yanked Tex close and had her boyfriend’s neck in the crook of his very thick biceps. “But I’m never going to be so old I can’t protect my daughter, son. So if you think you can hurt her and I won’t come after you for it, think again.”

“Dad.”

Tex laughed. “I get it. You’re not so old you can’t kick my ass.”

“Exactly.”

“Oh my gosh. Dad, stop.”

But Tex and her dad were laughing now, so that had to be a good sign. Especially since her dad finally let him go.

“You ought to meet my momma. You think you have strong arms, you should see hers. She’d kick your tail if she caught you threatening her baby boy.”

Her dad grinned, finally looking like his old self. “Would she now?”

Bree let her dad hug her tight, and she kissed his cheek.

Tex, smart man that he was, made himself scarce.

“Honey, I’m so sorry.”

“Dad, what you said about Mom…” Her father unfaithful? Drinking too much? She’d never seen that side of him.

He looked sad. “I never wanted you to know. Neither of us did. It was one time, back when you were just a baby, but it showed me I needed real help. I hurt her and have regretted it every day of my life since.”

“Do you really think Mom would hold a grudge?”

He sighed. “No.”

“Dad, let it go. You messed up. You learned, and you loved Mom and me. But I have to tell you, you two and Charlie taught me right. Because if Tex ever cheated on me, I’d kick his butt right out that door. And I’m not ever going to support a man who’s into drinking all the time either. That man has a tough road ahead of him if he wants me.”

“Oh, he does.” Her dad smiled. “And you know, I really like him. Don’t tell him that. But he stood up to me, and not many do.”

“I’m sure it’s because of the hat, Dad. You can’t mess with Texas.”

***

Twelve days later, after watching the community’s positive reaction to her work on display, Bree wiped tears from her cheeks. Happy tears, so full of joy she was overflowing.

Her dad and Charlie were gaga over her work. So were Carrie and Melissa, who had arrived together but not together.

“But I’m working on that,” Melissa said as an aside.

Bree had never thought to see Carrie in the role of the person being wooed, considering she usually initiated her relationships. How amusing to see her on the receiving end of a slow but methodical courtship. She seemed uncertain of what do to with the rose Melissa handed her.

Bree bit back a laugh.

Stefanie from IAG swung by to compliment her on her presentation and wanted to discuss moving up a timeframe for a gallery showing in New York, at another of her showrooms. “I can’t wait, Bree. This is more than I was expecting. Just…amazing.” Her eyes lit on Tex and his friends by the food table. “Any chance you can work with any of them? Your shot of the tall one with the dark hair and cowboy hat was inspiring.”

“No kidding.” Bree grinned. “That’s my boyfriend.”

Stefanie glanced from one particular photo to Tex, looking gorgeous in a suit and tie, and nodded. “Ah, I see. Still, he’s got a face for the camera. And you have an eye for angles.”

Sometime later, Avery caught her in a free moment. “This is incredible, Bree. I’m so excited I’m friends with an arteest. Tex keeps calling you that, by the way, with that Texan twang.”

Bree chuckled.

“Coffee next week? I need an in-depth interview for work, but that’s just an excuse. I have to tell you what’s been going on with the guys that you’ve missed. I’m so excited to have a girl in the group.”

“I’d like that.” In the group. Bree was now a part of something more.

It seemed like forever before the night started to wind down.

Tex pulled her aside to hand her a bouquet of roses. “I’ve been carrying these around all night. Darlin’, you are incredible. This is your night, and you’re a star.”

She smiled and pulled him close for a kiss. “This has been the most amazing night, Tex. I feel like I’m dreaming.”

“Well, you could be. You look like a dream in that dress.” The tasteful cream-colored gown flowed from her strapless bust down to her ankles, a slim-lined piece created by a friend with an up-and-coming clothing line out of Milan.

He frowned. “Are you wearing underwear?”

“Would you like to find out?”

“If I say yes and flip your dress over your head right now, think your daddy will skin me alive?”

They glanced over to see her father watching them with a big grin on his face. He really did like Tex, though it was taking her Texan a while to warm up to her father again.

“If he doesn’t skin you alive, I will.” Bree kissed him once more. “But I bet we could make a break for it. I’ve put in my time.”

“Thank God. My feet are killin’ me in these shoes.”

She laughed as he complained about his dress shoes.

Once in his truck on the way home, he turned down the music and asked, “So does it have to be four kids, a dog, and a white picket fence? Or are you open to options?”

She stared, wide-eyed.

“I mean, maybe the dog could come first. And I’m not one for picket fences. They take a lot of painting or staining for upkeep. You know?”

“I—I, well…”

He laughed. “If you could see your face! I’m teasing. We’ll get to the hard questions down the road. But what would you think about visiting a canine pal of mine? Maybe flying down to Houston when I put in for vacation in December? Think you could work me in?”

“I bet I could. IAG wants to push up my timeline. Once I have those dates, we can go together.”

“Just a warning. You’re gonna have to meet my momma. And if you thought your daddy was a bear, my momma’s a cross between a grizzly and a dragon.” He grinned. “But don’t worry, Goldilocks. I’ll protect you.”

“Aren’t you funny.”

A terrible thought struck her. “You don’t think your brother and cousin told anyone how they first met me, do you?” When she’d flashed them wearing nothing but Tex’s shirt.

He grinned wide. “Well, now. Maybe that’s why my oldest brothers keep asking to meet you.”

“Oh my God.”

Tex grinned. “Oh, yeah. Meeting my family is going to be so much fun.”

“You know, if you want to see me naked anytime soon, let’s drop this conversation.”

“You got it.”

He put his foot down on the accelerator. And soon found she’d been telling the truth.

She didn’t have on anything under that dress.

And she did love her cowboy. A little more each day.