Chapter 9

9

LIAM

I stand up after pounding nails for an hour, using my vantage point from the roof to take in the view as I roll my shoulders back.

My body feels better than usual today. I'm a healthy guy, without any aches or pains unless I've been working particularly hard. But now, after having spent the night with Opal, it feels like I'm glowing from the inside out.

Dropping her off this morning made me dream about what it would be like if she lived with me. Seeing that lovely, smiling face every single morning. Having those moments in the kitchen where we get in each other's way, and I use every excuse to run my hands across her luscious ass.

A lot of my friends are getting married these days, and I'm happy for them. I didn't know if I'd ever find a woman I really clicked with. But there we were last night, clicking away as if we were meant to be.

I'm not usually the kind of guy who gets his hopes up. Right now they're as high as this roof. Looking out across the forest, I notice the wind gusts are erratic today. They’re the sort that can blow shingles down before I've nailed them. Or blow a small campfire straight into a pile of dry leaves.

"Hello up there!"

I look down and wave to Mrs. Lindrop. "Hey. The noise driving you crazy yet?"

"Oh no, dear. I just wondered whether you needed a bottle of water or some iced tea."

"Thank you, ma'am. But I’m fine. I'll be done in half an hour, then there's just the cleanup. Thanks again, though."

She waves again and bustles inside. I know her husband Dan from running into him all the time in the hardware store. Small town connections and all that.

As I finish up the job, my mind begins to spin. Will West Stoneburg be big enough for Opal? She's a vibrant artist. A creator. Will there be enough to keep her interested here? Hell, will I be enough to keep her interested over the long term?

I finish up, haul my supplies back to the truck, then sweep the area with my magnet broom and do a visual check for anything that might have fallen around the house. It's this attention to detail that's always kept my life and home in order. I think it’s also one of the reasons that people respect me and trust me with their roofing jobs.

What will the guys at the VFFT think when they see me with my sweet, blonde, budding pyromaniac? I can't ask her not to pursue her life's work. I guess all I can do is help her stay as safe as possible.

Mrs. Lindrop sends me home with a container of carrot muffins and the assurance that her husband will transfer the payment tonight. Before I start the truck, I check my phone.

Opal: I was inspired by your giant grill. There's something about steel and fire together that's so primitive, right? Check it out!

There's a photo of a gigantic rusted-out iron frying pan with huge flames leaping out of it. Granted, the size of the fire depends on how big that pan is, but it seems a bit large for one person to control. I can't see what kind of combustible material she's using. Can't quite tell from the background whether she’s outside in the shade, or inside in the garage.

The need to race over there to check on her is almost overwhelming, but I tamp it down. She's an adult, and I need to give her the space she needs to do her work.

We haven't talked about the fact that she’s younger than me yet. But I do have a lot more life experience, especially when it comes to fire control. I don't want to squash her confidence or her creativity, and at the same time…damn. Keeping her safe is now my number one priority.

Taking a deep breath, I count to twenty before typing carefully, rereading it three times before hitting the send button.

Yes, steel and fire look amazing. That's an intensely dramatic shot. You're outside with that, right? Those flames are pretty high. Sorry, I have to ask…I'm sure you have water buckets around, yeah?

There's no response immediately, which makes sense if she's working. But still… I have a bad feeling.

Once Opal is living with me, I can make her a fireproof setup in the backyard and give her all the safety equipment she could possibly need. A lot more than those damn lobster print oven mitts.

Wait. That’s a pretty big assumption. We've only been together a few days. And here I am just thinking she's going to want to move in with me? Stay with me forever? I've never had such a possessive streak before. Never thought about making something permanent so fast.

Yet I know that that is precisely what I need. What will pull my entire life together.

Opal. Even if she is a somewhat dangerous fire opal, this girl is my precious gem.