Fan the Flames by Katie Ruggle

jolly self. “Good. How’ve you been? I heard you had an unwelcome visitor a few nights ago.”
    Her molars clamped together. Everyone in town seemed to have a direct line into the details of her life. Still, this was the kindly chief, so she tried to sound as nonannoyed as possible. Rory thought she probably partially succeeded. “Yes. I think that’s over with, though.” She ignored the quiet scoffing noise from Ian. “Stop into the shop when you get a chance. The Mossberg is ready to be picked up, and I just got in a Colt Peacemaker I think you might like.”
    His eyes lit with interest even as he winced. “If I bring home one more, I’ll be sleeping on the couch indefinitely. Doris called me a gun hoarder the other day.”
    â€œOkay.” Rory held back a smile. “Feel free to stop in and just look at it, though. It’s really pretty. Ivory grips.”
    Squeezing his eyes closed as if he were in pain, Early groaned. “You’re the devil, Rory Sorenson.” Pivoting around, he took three steps away from their booth before tossing over his shoulder, “I’ll be in tomorrow.” Then he stomped back to his table, where Doris was waiting.
    Ian huffed a laugh. “You’re like the antimarriage counselor.”
    â€œNot really. Doris is okay.” She gave Mrs. Early a little wave. “She doesn’t really hate his guns. Doris just knows she’s the only thing keeping his addiction in check. If she didn’t fuss over every gun he bought, there’d be no holding him back. They’d end up living in a tent in the yard, because their house would be so packed there’d be no room to even move.”
    He didn’t laugh at that like she’d expected. Instead, his gaze turned distant. “There are worse addictions than gun collecting.”
    It was clear where—or to whom—his mind had gone. “Julius isn’t doing any better, huh?”
    â€œNo.”
    Rory grimaced. “Sorry.”
    â€œHas he been in the shop this week?” When she shook her head, he turned back to his food, jabbing at his meat as if it had offended him. “Figured. Don’t think he’s left his armchair for days. Someone’s supplying him with booze.” A muscle in his cheek flexed as he poked at his food some more.
    Completely at a loss about what she should do, Rory reached out to pat his forearm awkwardly. He went still under her touch, and she wondered if he felt the same surge of awareness she did whenever he touched her. The moment stretched as they stared at each other. His focus on her was so complete, so intense, it felt like the imaginary spotlight that followed Ian had turned its beam on her. For a short time, she believed that she was the center of Ian Walsh’s universe, and it felt wonderful—and terrifying. The clatter of a dish broke the spell, and she pulled back her hand, returning it to her lap. Heavy silence covered their table, and she looked anywhere but at Ian. For some reason, people had been interrupting them for the entire meal. Why had everyone chosen now to leave them in peace?
    â€œDessert?”
    Seriously , Rory thought, smiling at the expectant waitress, the people in this town have the best timing .

Chapter 5
    Dinner at Levi’s had been awkward. Entering Station One was its own special brand of uncomfortable.
    â€œUh…” Rory’s feet stopped a few steps inside the door. The whole idea of her volunteering to be a firefighter seemed outlandish now. “I think I’ll wait in the Bronco.”
    Ian’s eyebrows shot up. “For two hours?”
    â€œSure. I’m a patient person.” She turned to face the door, but Ian grabbed her arm.
    â€œYou’ll like volunteering. Just try it. If you hate it, I won’t push it anymore.” He didn’t listen to any of her objections, but just dragged her into the main training room.
    â€œHey,