A Promise Worth Honoring (Promises Collection) Read Free Page A

the porch’s wicker bench.
    Garrett crouched and glared where spiked nails pierced the beams and eighty years of cobwebs decorated the timbers.
    “I don’t know how you’ll get my ring without getting hung up on the nails.”
    He scrubbed his face. “Going to take a freaking miracle….”
    “What did you say, dear?” Mrs. Deter shifted her glasses.
    He doubted her squinting would clarify his slip. Cupping her elbow, he turned her toward the front door. “I’m not worried. Why don’t you go inside?”
    Maggie came to stand beside him and her fingers brushed his.
    He resisted glancing her way, resisted acknowledging the sensations that had tormented him since she’d shown up at the station. He swallowed, cleared his throat, then narrowed his eyes at the porch floorboards. If he removed a couple slats and used a cherry picker, he’d complete the job before the other firefighters returned. He thumbed toward the station. “I’m going to grab the saw—”
    “Heavens, no!” Mrs. Deter plopped onto the wicker bench. “These redwood planks came from a tree my Eddie grew from a seed. Thirty years later, and look at the beautiful deck we rest our feet on every night.”
    Garrett scratched his head. Well, shit . No way would he destroy something that had taken the couple years of hard work to grow before they’d reaped the benefits. He bent down to examine the porch, each planked grooved and knotted to reflect they were cut from the same tree. “Thirty years from a seed, huh?”
    Maggie whispered in his ear, “You’re claustrophobic and too big. Under there, if you freeze up, we really will have to cut through the porch to get you out. There has to be another way. I’ll go in your place.”
    Her honest words made his gut cramp. He glanced away. “No. I can do this.”
    She sidled up beside him, and again her fingers mingled with his.
    He caught her upturned gaze with eyes as clear as the blue sky that broke through the tree canopy. He licked his lips. He didn’t want to stare at her kissable mouth, or the way her hair tumbled over her shoulders. No denying his  heart wanted more than a treasured friendship.
    Thirty years from a seed sounded perfect. He’d wait that long for Maggie, if he knew he’d actually get her in the end.
    “Garrett, your eyes look glassy. You hit your head in that tube?”
    A half-grin slid onto his face. How could he tell her how much his feelings for her had grown? Since she was obviously attracted to the hero type, he had to be more focused, like Dane, and less distracted, like Red, and get that damn ring. No way could he freak out in her presence. Then he’d have to handle that dance competition that was so important to her. He had to prove he could evolve into the man of her dreams.
    Mrs. Deter leaned over the railing. “What’s taking so long?”
    He palmed his chin before dropping to all fours. “I’m analyzing the situation. Safety first.” Sounded cliché, but he had to buy some time. Had to think his way around retrieving the ring without proving he was claustrophobic in front of Maggie.
    “Well, my Eddie always says if you can visualize success, success will find you tenfold.”
    Sounded like a quote from Thoreau . He poked his head under the porch, the mustiness of the peat rushing up his nose. “Wise advice.”
    “I’m going inside to check on my pies.” The screen door banged shut and dust rained down into the dim space.
    Suddenly, Maggie was beside him. “We’ll go together.”
    With a raised eyebrow, he scanned her pink top with the sequin insignia and her manicured nails. “Stay here.”
    A loud honk blared and Garrett craned his neck to see his brother’s truck entering the garage, which meant the others would soon return to the station.
    He suddenly had a vision of Dane rescuing him. The image was worse than imagining Maggie getting her pink nails, elbows and jeans dirty.
    Maggie laid on the ground.
    “Maggie, get up. You’re not doing my