For a Hero Read Free Page B

might even have a pole for you. Which cousin?”
    “Sara. Thank God for family.” David rolled his eyes as Blaine pressed the little button on the key to his Ferrari, causing both his and David’s door to fold open.
    “Sara is a bombshell. Those perfect breasts underneath that flowing blonde hair drive me crazy. If I had known she was coming, I would have reserved her a seat at my table.”
    “I’m sure your harem of social-climbers would charm her, Blaine. By the way, she is family so there will be no driving each other anywhere. Especially not crazy.”
    “She isn’t REALLY family,” Blaine pulled out onto I-35 and accelerated up the feeder. “She is the niece of your adopted mother. She may be close enough to protect you from the piranhas at the auction, but she is definitely distant enough to go on one simple, harmless date with me.”
    “I don’t think so. I’m not sure you can handle her anyway. She’s pretty tough. Where are you taking me by the way?” Blaine’s black sports car weaved through traffic heading north on the interstate.
    “Challenge accepted. I have an important meeting this evening. I know you need to be at the fire hall for that dinner thingy, right? I won’t let you miss it. I’ll have you know I am driving a full 3.4 miles out of my way to drop you off at the bus stop so you can be taken there. You’re welcome.”
    “Thank you, Blaine. I am so happy that, as a friend, you are willing to stop at a bus station for me. You are going to keep these frilly, purple bags here with you. I am not riding public transportation with a banana hammock in a girly bag.”
    The sleek black automobile soothed to a halt under the Capital City Metro sign. “Tell Sara I say ‘Hello.’” With a wink and a salute, Blaine sped off, leaving David at the whim of the city.
     
    *****
     
    Jenna held her effects tightly. The bus system in Austin was very nice, relatively, and convenient for a girl in a new city all by her lonesome. The first day in the new office was as nice as she expected it to be. She would eventually make friends with the people there, in fact, a girl offered to take her out for drinks tonight to welcome her to the town. No matter how nice it was, she still suffered over her promotion. Maybe she would be happy one day, but dang-it, she had earned the right to bitch about it for a little while.
    She reached into her purse and pulled out the letter she received in the mail that morning. Maggie sent her a Hallmark card. Wow, she was so sweet. She pulled it from the envelope for the twentieth time today. The front of the card read “You’re on my mind so I decided to send you a hunk.” She opened it to reveal a very muscular, very naked fireman wearing nothing but his red hat. “Sex on Fire” by the Kings of Leon began to play and the caption read, “a hunk-a, hunk-a burning love!” Underneath the fire hose was a personal message to Jenna written in pen. “Hey Girl, miss you already! Scoop you up a hot one! The good ones are worth waiting for, I promise! With love, Maggie.”
    The sentiment touched Jenna. Margaret had not given up on her. She gazed at the man. He was built, but there was no use getting excited about it. He wasn’t real. Real men don’t look like that. The only men who look like that are gay or criminals. Still, it would be nice. To be touched and held by a man with strong arms. To feel protected and safe, cherished by someone who could slay dragons for you if need be, something bigger than yourself. Her biting of her own lip snapped her back to reality. She folded the card and put it back into her purse.
    Jenna looked up and out the windows. The city screeched by. She didn’t know it yet. She wouldn’t be sure she was close to home until she could see the tall building her apartment was in. It wasn’t quite dark yet, but the city was settling down. Austin came alive at night, she was told. Art, culture, and politics all had their place in the heart of the Lone