A Promise Worth Honoring (Promises Collection) (7 page)

Couldn’t breathe…

Heart racing…

Damn panic attack striking hard in the middle of a wide open space. What would he do with his life? He restored old fire trucks and had a degree in firefighting—all his life he’d put his energy into a place he didn’t belong.

“Change for yourself...before all you’re left with is regret.”

Maggie was so smart, but how could he do what she said? How did he change when all that surrounded him was death? How did he let go of his promise to his father?

Vision blurry, Garrett glanced upward, searching for stars but finding instead a mildewed canopy. Though he hadn’t believed in spirits and ethereal signs, he prayed to anyone who might listen, to the spirits said to inhabit Safe Haven, to his father. “Dad, what do I do? Tell me what to do… I’m scared I’m letting you down. I don’t know how to make things right without hurting the ones I love. Without hurting Maggie. Without hurting myself…”

Bells and whistles sounded to his right and a fortune-telling machine declared, “for the price of a quarter, all of life’s questions answered.” The plastic-headed woman with the black nylon hair and a fringed leather wrap moved up and down on a metal stick, her mouth opening and closing, synchronized with the tinny statement.

He dug through his pocket and retrieved the quarter that had helped him survive the refrigerator experience. His thumb massaged each side, spinning the quarter so familiar after thirteen years… The fortune was his last chance.

He slipped the quarter into the slot.

Like a gasoline engine filled half-way with water, the machine sputtered and popped. Then everything fell silent. The fair music faded. That Native American woman who seemed more human than doll chanted, “Breaking a promise that should never have been made isn’t wrong if you uphold the intent. Upholding the intent is honoring the promise.”

Like some spiritual rubber band, the world snapped back. The fairground sounds bubbled all around him. Children’s laughter he hadn’t noticed before filled the space he breathed. The scent of cotton candy
, corndogs, and kettle corn wafted through the air and seated in his soul. The one-dimensional lighting turned rainbow, and behind him, two little lambs bleated.

All along the answer had been right in front of him. He was holding on to other’s dreams and forcing them to be his own when they were not.
His dad always said, “Everyone gets scared, but firefighters move beyond their fear.” So Garrett might not be a true firefighter, but he could overcome his fear if the situation is important enough, just like he had when he’d rescued Ms. Aubrey.

At the realization, air whooshed from his chest and his shoulder’s sagged, releasing the tension from his neck and back. He’d been using his claustrophobia as a crutch, when the fact was he didn’t want to be a firefighter.

He had to take time to figure stuff out. Take time to find his happy place, not separate from Maggie, but a life that included the woman he loved. Only Maggie wanted to travel, which meant he’d have to find a little slice of Safe Haven—new roots in a new land—somewhere else. She’d said that together, they could conquer anything. And he loved her. That bond couldn’t be broken by a kiss from a guy she didn’t like, or by his ex’s flirtations.

With jerky moves, he rummaged through his pocket and found his cell. When her voicemail answered, he left an extended message, telling her how he loved her and so much more. Because what made him the happiest was having her in his arms. They’d nourished their relationship from a seed and he was ready to reap the reward—her love. Didn’t matter where they went as long as they were together—that’s what made him happiest.

“Garrett!”

At
the sound of his name, he spun, his heart thumping in his chest.

One of the guys from the firehouse jogged up to him. “Mitch couldn’t reach you, so he sent me to find you. The lock has been repaired. He’s ready to administer the test.
”

Live the life you’ve imagined.”

–Thoreau

When Garrett entered the station, he hadn’t expected the entire squad to cheer him on. In a way, their support made his decision to enter the confined space bittersweet, because passing meant he’d be offered a job he planned to decline.

Mitchell held his gaze and gave Garrett’s shoulder a squeeze. “Whatever the outcome, we’re proud of you.”

With stiff fingers, he clutched the corrugated door. “Thank you, Mitch.”

The door clicked shut and praise from his brother and the other men, even Dane, echoed outside. Garrett took a deep breath, tipped his head against the
ribbed wall, and closed his eyes. Maggie’s speech of how she’d found peace after her father’s death came to mind.

First
, her words circled him—we make a good team, we can conquer anything, we’ll find a way to get through the rough patch.

The lightest sensation, he imagined as her
fingertips, stroked his cheeks. She pulled him into a kiss that lasted hours. In here, they circled the dance floor, her beautiful blues locked on his. Maggie endowed his world with strength enough to face his greatest fear and never look back. She made him want to be a better man, who thrived and laughed.

Most of all
, the container surface that pressed against his back and surrounded his sides became her loving arms. The murmurs outside were replaced by her lips whispering the words he longed to hear and telling him she wanted to be part of his life forever.

United,
like Mr. and Mrs. Deter for decades to come. Hell, eternity.

If he
were with her now, he’d get down on one knee and ask for her hand.

Mitch
ell had been right. Long ago, Garrett had found
the one
. That’s why he’d never been satisfied with anyone else. Had always dated superficial girls, like Emily. Because that type was safe, he realized—no deeper than a Friday night hookup that ended at midnight.

Maggie wasn’t superficial. Soon, she’d listen to the message he left. Tonight, he prayed she’d be waiting at his
house. He’d make love to her all over again, like the very first time.

Then tomorrow at the dance, they’d wow the judges. He’d tell her about how he’d visualized her in his arms and their future and passed the test. He’d share his plans to travel right along beside her and figure out life together.

The buzzer dinged
, and the door popped open to reveal wide-eyed stares and silence when he’d expected jubilation. He squinted, allowing his eyes to adjust to the overhead light. “Well, aren’t you all going to say something?”

# # # #

From her position outside the fence, Maggie hadn’t expected Garrett to emerge from the container jumping up and down, slapping the other men with high-fives, or chest-butting his brother. She back tilted her head and smiled, and then clutched the chain link fence to keep her weight off her weakened knees. Even in the midnight hour, the dimness couldn’t shade Garrett’s boisterous shouts and beaming smile. He was happier than she’d ever seen him.

The men lifted Garrett into the air and carted him inside the firehouse
then back into the yard they circled.

An ache built in her chest. He belonged with the other firefighters…and his path no longer included her footsteps beside his.

She mashed her lips to hold back a sob. But worse, all along she’d misguided him to seek another option. She should have encouraged him to try to pass his test, stood beside him, and cheered him on with the other men. Been his friend…

With the dim street light beaming down, she wondered: where would life without him lead her?

He spotted her, his gaze locking on her face pressed up against the chain link fence. He’d surpassed the defining moment that propelled him into a world where she didn’t belong. No longer a cadet, he’d stay in Safe Haven and become a firefighter.

A
tear rolled down her check and she hugged herself, even as he jogged toward her. He didn’t need her anymore. Graduating from cadet to firefighter was what she’d wanted from the beginning—for him to stand tall and conquer his fears. But why did her heart ache and her tummy roll when she should have been cheering along with his squad?

The
moon elongated her single shadow on the sidewalk, leaving a solitary form.

She sucked in a ragged breath and swallowed her fear of facing her future alone
. Like Garrett and her mom, she would make her own path and be all right. Even be happy. If only she could convince her heart that walking away from her best friend was the right thing to do.

“Maggie, I passed!” His arms wrapped around her waist and he hoisted her up so her feet dangled.

Against her mouth, the press of his lips caused heat to brew low in her tummy. Her body responded to his touch, like when they’d made love. But what had transpired would soon be as distant as the memory of her deceased father.

Garrett had decided to press on with his dreams that didn’t include her. But how could she be unhappy for her best friend when he’d achieved his greatest dream? She linked her arms behind his head and the corners of her mouth lifted. “Garrett, I’m so proud.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you.” His eyes caught the overhead light, making them sparkle like his wide smile.

She tilted her head, but knew strength came from within. “What you accomplished was all you. Now, you can be a firefighter, like your brother and father and grandfather before you.”

He lowered her until her feet met the sidewalk and shook his head. His brows crested over darkening eyes. “Maggie, I want a life that—”

“Honors your father’s wishes. Of course, you do. And happiness is nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing to hide. So, guess what? I’m moving on, too. I bought a one-way ticket to Belize. I’m starting over, sinking my toes in the sand every single day, and maybe study abroad. My life will be wonderful!”

A car pulled onto the street and parked in the Deter’s driveway, then Mrs. Deter opened the driver’s side door, strolled around to the hatchback, and removed a blue wheelchair. With the help of a caregiver, they helped Mr. Deter out of the passenger side of the car and into the chair. Mrs. Deter waved.

Garrett cleared his throat. “Ma’am, you need more help?”

“Don’t worry about us.” Mrs. Deter paused. “We’ve battled many humps along our way. What’s one more hiccup when we’re bumping along together?”

The sentiment was great. Too bad, Maggie and Garrett would never be together.

“How lucky they are to still be in love after so many years.” Garrett’s voice lowered to just above a whisper.

“A rarity, these days… but one worth searching for.”

He tipped his head to meet her gaze. “You believe in lasting love, don’t you?”

As witnessed by her parents, even though her father had passed, her mom still loved him. “For some people, sure.” She glanced down the street, to the skyline lit only by a crescent moon.

“Garrett… come on in.” Mitchell waved a soda can.

Garrett held out his hand. “Come with me.”

She jingled her car keys. After the competition, she’d head back to Davis and clean out her apartment. Then she’d be free… “Not this time. I’m going home to pack. I leave tomorrow, right after the competition.”

His eyes widened, then his brows furrowed. “So, that’s it? You’re picking up and leaving?”

What else was there? He’d moved on and his plans didn’t include her as she’d hoped. And she’d promised herself life was too short to let her dreams fade. She rose on tippy toes and kissed his cheek, letting the bristles of his facial hair brush her lips for the very last time. “We’ve both changed. I can see that now. We don’t need to stand in the other’s way.”

She walked to her car, slid inside, and pulled away from the curb, with only tomorrow’s pageant keeping her bound to Safe Haven.

# # # #

Garrett couldn’t erase the image of Maggie’s suitcase
s tied in the back of her truck. After last night’s celebration, that’s what he’d returned home to find parked next door at her mother’s place. Now, during the competition she faced him, her turquoise dress matching her eyes so beautifully he dared not look away. “You look beautiful.”

Lifting the side of her dress, she half-curtsied. “This is last year’s gown.”

He offered his palm, which she took. After talking to her mother earlier, he knew how Maggie had indeed freed herself from all ties. “After tonight, I heard you’re stepping down.”

Only her brow rose. “Emily told you, I suppose.”

“Actually, your mom. Are you regretting quitting the pageant circuit?”

The music sequence began,
Gypsy Tango,
one they’d practiced before and the one that, surprisingly, Dane had helped Garrett master the previous night.

“There are many things I regret, but leaving the pageant will not be one.”

Step. Step. Step. Slide. Slide.
Corte
. “What will you regret?”

“It doesn’t matter now.” With splayed fingers that fanned across her eyes, she accented her view. “We’re moving in different directions.”

He cinched her waist so she gasped and settled her split legs against his solid thigh. “So, you’re leaving. To Belize, right?”

She spun away. “That’s right.”

The dress rippled and fanned her heavenly scent right up his nose. “Really?

Her cheek against his might as well have been an angel’s. But he kept prodding, playing, riding her sensibilities until she wanted him like he wanted her. “Why the change to travel sooner than later?”

She levered away. “I’m going after my dreams.”

He held on, and reeled her back. “Without me?”

The crowd cheered. One by one, the other contestants fell away as the judges removed them from the dance floor, until only Dane and Emily remained. They’d reached the semi-finals.

Face to face, her breath rushing against his skin, she fell back against his palm until she arched. “You’ve made that choice for both of us.”

He lifted her by the waist and pulled her, so her legs dragged the floor. “You’ll be staying in town, then?”

“No. We have different aspirations, now. You don’t need to worry about me.” She spun and circled him like a hungry predator.

The music hastened. Their bodies linked together as the music peaked, rose higher and higher, their feet moving to the tempo in a spellbinding way that left the judges silent and the crowd frozen in their seats, eyes wide and mouths open.

On the dance floor several feet away, Dane tripped and stumbled, then recovered.

Maggie’s movements were as precise as a bomb diffuser’s hands.

Garrett complimented her every move. “You’re good.”

“As are you. Have you been practicing without me?”

Her flat expression surprised him.

He’d still yet to win her heart. And he didn’t let on to his lesson with Dane. He changed the subject. “I’ve always wanted to travel to Bassin d'Arcachon.”

Her cheeks flushed and her lips widened until her eyes glazed. “One of the most beautiful places in the world.”

On a crescendo, he dipped her back, wanting more than anything to blurt out he’d given up firefighting for other plans that didn’t include staying in town. To kiss those lips for a lifetime.

The music fell and she slid down his thigh, gripping his calf with one hand and his hip with the other, his entire world trapped in her gaze.

The crowd roared, making the wooden floor rumble with their applause and foot stomping.

The judges directed the contestants to stand side by side, and Emily was crowned.

Garrett expected no less, with the outburst Dane had explained when she’d slapped him over the kiss and rumors that she no longer wanted to carry on with pageantry.

Maggie curtsied and Garrett waved, then bowed at the applause lavished upon their efforts. But when he reached for her hand, she pulled back, leaving him bereft.

“Well, good luck. Thank you for being my friend and partner.” She turned and walked away.

# # # #

Halfway to the fairground parking lot, Maggie couldn’t stop tears from rolling down her face. She should have been happy for Garrett’s choice to follow in his family’s footsteps. He’d obtained something he’d always wanted. And by her decision to not return to school, she, too, had the power to travel abroad once her college debt was paid. In a way, they both were winners, but she felt like someone had hacked her desired tiara in half and the diamonds had turned back into coal.

She took an unsteady step. Without him in her arms, in her future, emptiness poured over her.

“Maggie, wait up.”

With the back of her hand, she brushed her cheeks and a breeze chilled away the moisture. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face Dane.

He held her pageant bag in one hand, but his gaze and smile held an unexpected gentleness.