Only Her Smokejumper Firefighter - Cami Checketts Page 0,32

without that honor that’s so inherent in you,” she said.

“Thanks.” He appreciated the sentiment, but it still didn’t tell him what he needed to hear. That she wanted him. Every inch he had gained to make her open her heart had been hard-fought. Same with opening her heart to God. Now it was sliding under his feet faster than sand.

They studied each other for half a beat. He wanted to know if she could someday love him like he loved her, but he’d already asked if she wanted him here and she’d dodged the question. He could be humble, but being the tough firefighter supervisor hadn’t trained him how to grovel for those answers.

“I’ll wait for you,” she said quietly.

“You will?” Relief rushed through him. She’d volunteered to wait. It might be weeks, but she’d wait.

“Yes.” She nodded decisively.

“You’ll wait right here?”

She gave him a sassy smile and pointed at her feet. “Right here?”

Ren chuckled and hoped she didn’t realize what a wimp he was, how much he needed her. He reached out and pulled her close. She let him. “Thank you for staying in Mystical Lake, with my family. Please say we have a chance to figure things out when I get back.”

Mavyn glanced up at him. Her gaze didn’t give nearly enough information.

“I won’t leave Mystical Lake,” she said. Knowing she’d be here, with his family, surrounded by love and happiness at Christmastime, made him feel like a burden had been lifted. Even though he couldn’t be with her, she’d be in a great place, and she’d be here when he got back.

“Thank you.” Ren’s heart seemed to beat unevenly. Though she hadn’t committed to working things out with him, she’d stay. She’d wait. She hadn’t admitted to loving him or trusting him and the Lord, but she wouldn’t run or ditch him. She’d be here when he got back.

He bent and kissed her tenderly. It was pure and short. He’d go fight this fire and he’d come back for her.

Saying goodbye to Ren was excruciating and in some ways a relief. She rode down to the small airport with Chelsea and Aster, kissed Ren goodbye, and then watched him fly away with Aster’s pilot. Chelsea was so sweet and understanding as she hugged Mavyn until Mavyn’s tears calmed. Chelsea thought Mavyn was crying because she would miss Ren or was worried about him. Both were true, but she was also crying because she’d lied to the best man she’d ever known. There was hope though. She’d promised him she’d be here. She could at least keep that promise and not run. She’d pray hard while he was gone, for his protection and for her to be brave enough to tell him the entire story. Maybe her faith would grow … sometime soon. It was Christmas tomorrow after all. The celebration of their Lord and Savior. Good things had never happened for her at Christmas before, but maybe it was time.

She hung her head. If she believed that lying to Ren would get her blessings from above, she was even more messed up than she feared. To watch that tough, inspiring man ask her if she wanted him to stay, if she could work things out with him when he got back, had about torn her apart. She wanted him more than he would ever know, but how could they work things out when she wouldn’t toughen up and tell him the truth?

They went back to the large Christmas Eve party at the resort and Mavyn tried to enjoy the party and appear happy, but inside she churned. If only Cora or Ren could be here to help her. She wanted to trust Ren with all of her secrets and she wanted to trust God to protect Ren. If something happened to him … She had to continually force her thoughts away from that horrific fear.

She took a few minutes away from the party to talk to Cora on the phone. Her friend was at the hockey game in Quill’s family box. The game wouldn’t start for half an hour and she was nervous. Mavyn kept encouraging her and telling her everything would work out. She knew it would for Cora. Her friend and Quill deserved every happiness. Ren deserved every happiness. If only she did as well, but a liar like her only deserved more pain. She hated herself for telling Ren she’d stay. All she was going to do was hurt Ren more in the end.

Ren’s