Chapter 3

Kyle Olson was finishing sweeping the fire hall when Petey walked in.
“Ah, I see they’ve been putting you to good use.” Petey strolled over to Kyle, who had transferred to Hutchinson FD from Alexandria. He was still considered a rookie by a few of the older guys, but Petey saw him as someone with more experience with fires than half the department. He was also quickly becoming a good friend.

“Just trying to get things ready for the picnic. Chief said the ladies get in an uproar if things aren’t cleaned up before they get here.”

Petey snorted. “You got that right. The things we do for our women.”

Kyle didn’t have anything to say to that. There wasn’t anyone special in his life, unless he counted his dog Copper, and there wasn’t any romance there. Kyle had the chocolate Lab for the last ten years, and there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell he would ever let him go. It took more effort than he had expected to find an apartment that allowed dogs when he moved, and he paid extra for it.

“When can we expect the ladies to show up? I’d like to go home and clean up before they get here.”

Petey looked at the clock. “You’ve got about an hour. Make it quick.”

Kyle put the broom away and ran home, literally. His apartment was three blocks from the hall. He let Copper out before hopping in the shower. His apartment wasn’t anything special. He didn’t have anyone to impress, so it was sparsely furnished. The living room had his TV, a couch, recliner, and two junky tables he found at a garage sale. The tiny kitchen had all he needed for now, not that he ate many meals there.

Kyle picked out clean jeans and a brown polo that complimented his sandy-blond hair and made his blue eyes shine. He looked at the mirror quick, and thought, Hey, I’d do me. The most action he’d seen in a long time was on fire and rescue scenes. On occasion, his buddies in Alex would get him to go out, which usually meant they wanted to find him a girl. Getting drunk at the bar, trying to see who would go home with him was not something Kyle liked, and moving away from those friends had so far proven to be a good choice.

The guys in his new fire department seemed more settled in their lives than the guys in Alex. He liked that they would get together at someone’s house rather than a bar. They were more relaxed and comfortable to be around, too. At twenty-nine, Kyle was looking forward to buying a house and settling down. He’d had his wild days in college, and the first year after graduation. After losing his job as a result of too much partying, he had to take a serious look at what he wanted in life and make some changes.

He walked to the hall for the picnic. Petey was true to his word, and the women and most of the families had started to show up. Kyle walked over to one of the coolers and took out a soda. He searched the crowd for faces he knew, and walked over to Nick, the real rookie of the department. They had been hired at the same time, but Nick was a complete greenhorn. He was still taking his first firefighter and first responder courses.

“Hey, man, how’s it going?” Kyle asked Nick.

“Not too bad. I can’t wait to eat. Did you see what the girls made us?”

Kyle looked towards the kitchen. Roasters and bowls filled the tables along the wall. Boone’s wife was directing where things should go. Another woman in a soft pink tank top and jeans caught his eye. She had wavy blonde hair that went to her mid-back, and man did that back look smoking hot.

“Nice spread. Who’s the chick in pink?” Kyle said without changing the direction he was looking.

Nick followed his gaze. “Can’t say I’ve seen her before. Thinking about making a move?”

Kyle nodded, and looked for Boone. “I’m going to find out who she is. Catch you later, man.”

 

*****

 

Beth was helping in the kitchen. She wasn’t about to just stand around when there was work to be done.

“We’ve missed you, Beth,” Bonnie, the chief’s wife gave Beth a quick hug. “It’s so good to have you around here again.”

Beth smiled warmly at Bonnie. She had organized meals for Beth, courtesy of the other wives, during the first month after Josh had died, and yard help last summer. Beth appreciated all her work.

“Thanks, Bonnie. It’s hard, but I’m glad I came today.”

“That’s what I like to hear. We could still use your help, if you’re willing.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Becca handed her a bowl. “Here. Be useful and put this on the table by the other salads. I’ll be out in a minute.”

Beth walked out of the kitchen into the hall where they had the food set up. Becca followed her and pointed to where there was room. Beth put the bowl down, and went to go back to the kitchen when she felt a pair of eyes on her. She looked over across the hall to where two new faces were. Claire was in the kitchen when she got back in there.

“Hi, Beth. I see you decided on the pink today, not the green dress.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t sure how dressy I wanted to get.” She stood next to Claire. “Did they take on some new hires recently?”

“Who? Kyle and Nick? They’ve been on a few months now. Kyle’s not exactly a rookie. Petey’s been spending a lot of time with him.”

“The one in brown or blue?”

“Brown. Maybe I can introduce you later, if you’d like.”

Beth tensed at the idea that Claire might be trying to set her up. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that.”

Claire rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t have to be like that, silly. We’ll probably spend a lot of time together as a group, so you might as well get to know him. Besides, I think he’s coming with for Labor Day weekend.”

Beth almost forgot the camping trip with the Petersons and Kellys. She hadn’t been sure she would go this year, but wanted to keep taking steps forward in her life after Josh. She could handle a weekend with other couples, even if it meant there was going to be a single guy around as well.

The picnic went well. Beth ate with Becca and Boone. They were finishing up when Petey and the new guy walked by with a tray of cake.

“Dessert anyone?” Petey asked.

“I’ll take a piece,” said Becca.

“Hey, I thought I was the only piece you wanted,” Boone joked with his wife.

Beth laughed. She was still smiling when Petey handed her a slice.

“Beth, have you met one of our latest hires?”

“I can’t say I have.”

Petey smiled. “Beth, I’d like you to meet Kyle Olson, fire fighter extraordinaire. Kyle moved here from Alex, and we allowed him to transfer on. Kyle, meet Beth Paulson.”

Beth nearly blushed as Kyle gave her a pearly white grin.

“Nice to meet you, Beth.”

“You too, Kyle.”

“Beth is going to be at camping with us,” Petey said to Kyle.

“Great. I hope you know your way around a tent better than I do. Last time I set one up, it fell down half way through the night.”

“Remind me not to crash in your tent,” Petey jabbed Kyle as they continued on.

Beth felt Becca’s eyes on her as the dessert guys walked away. Her cheeks still felt warm, a feeling she had missed.

“Camping should be interesting this year,” Becca said.

 

*****

 

Kyle and Petey were back in the kitchen cleaning the dessert tray.

“So, what’s there to know about Beth?” Kyle asked.

“Beth? Great woman. Still hurting from losing her husband. She’s really close with Claire. Definitely a sweetheart.”

“What happened to her husband? Was he on the department, or how does she fit into this group?”

Petey looked over at Kyle, a look of sadness . “He died on a call. Best friend a guy could ask for.” And with that he walked out of the room, leaving Kyle alone.

Kyle’s shoulders sank. Beth seemed like someone he would like to get to know better. It would be a little harder than he thought to get Beth interested in him. He was going to have to start spending more time with Boone and Petey outside of the fire hall.