Blonde Demolition

Chapter 7: Confronted With a Child

Mallory smacked her own forehead. What would a therapist say?

Against her better judgment, she said, “I'll do it."

“You sure? Maybe one of the college kids can do it."

She snorted. “Some of those kids can't tie their own shoes."

“Well, that's true," he agreed.

“I'll do it."

“Thanks, Mal. I had someone else, but they cancelled. There are coloring books and plastic helmets in the cabinet."

She half heard him, while she wondered just how she'd get through it. In every class, there was some impish blond kid. Five years old he'd be and full of mischief and personality.

Just how she'd been as a child. What kept her from being adopted they told her. She was too much child for most people.

She shook away the memories and she bid Jesse goodbye, then headed for the shower.

The day was going to be very long.

***

Cal stepped out of his truck as Mark bounded up to him. The new kid was so full of energy. Cal didn't remember being quite that enthusiastic at that age. Right now he wasn't sure he'd been enthusiastic at any age.

He was tired of being tired.

“Did you hear?" Mark asked.

“What?"

He hoped it wasn't bad news, but he couldn't tell from the kid's expression.

“There was a bomb in the trailer. The beer trailer."

Beer trailer? Bomb?

Holy crap. He'd taken one evening off and it all went to hell. Why would there be a bomb in the beer trailer? His cop mind went into overdrive with the questions that he didn't have the energy to ask.

“Yeah?"

“The chief found it and Mallory defused it. She was so cool as if she'd done it a hundred times."

Mallory defused a bomb? Something about that niggled at the back of his brain. “Well. Did the bomb squad come?"

“Yep, but Mallory had it done by the time they came."

Cal kicked himself for going home. He could have helped. At least kept the members calm or something.

Even today, he wasn't his usual cheery self. He didn't want to be here, but he knew how much the fire company needed this fundraiser.

He sighed. “Thanks for letting me know, Mark. Do you know where Mallory is?"

“I think she's doing a tour in a few minutes for some kids."

“Thanks."

Cal leaned against his truck as Mark strode away. At twenty one Mark wasn't anywhere near the man he would be, but Cal thought he'd make a fine one once he settled down.

With great effort, he put one foot in front of the other in the humidity, he headed towards the firehouse thoughts of a possible child in his brain.

He hadn't dreamt anymore that night, but he awoke the thoughts that he still had family propelled him out of bed.

Right now he longed for that energy back.

“Maybe I need to go to the doctor's."

***

As Mallory suspected he would, Trey walked past her on the fairgrounds. He didn't look like Trey except if you were expecting him. And she had a sixth sense about his presence anyway.

Her heart beat double time and not from the impending tour. She'd shoved that from her mind for the moment.

“Have you thought about what I said?" Trey murmured.

That time he'd snuck up behind her. She jumped at his words. So much for that sixth sense. She understood she was out of practice.

“Don't make a habit of that," she said.

They stood under the food tent. Firefighters made planks and cinder blocks into tables and benches. The township inspector looked over all the gas connections to stoves and the pizza ovens.

Most of the fair workers put together the tilt-a-whirl and the giant Ferris wheel that people would see for miles. Things were still on schedule.

She glanced at Trey. He raised a dark eyebrow. “You used to know when I was near."

“Been a long time since I've had to watch my back," she said.

Long slender fingers spread across his own chest. “That hurt."

“Truth does."

Cal looked her way from the beer tent, his brows knit. The carnies didn't often stop to talk to the firefighters. Cal moved his big frame in front of her as if she needed protection.

She noted that he looked tired. Maybe she shouldn't bring up her idea about finding her parents today. It could wait until the fair was over.

His pace was slow but steady towards her and he tugged Mark, the new guy along with him.

The idea always amused her when they circled the wagons around her. It was sweet how they protected her.

They had no clue that she could defend herself armed or unarmed. That information didn't go along with her trust fund reputation. No need to enlighten them.

Trey's words brought her back. “Have you thought about it?"

“Yes."

“And."

“I didn't come up with an answer," she said.

She wouldn't be rushed. She would decide this in her own damn time. Not on someone else's schedule.

“Better soon."

“You better move on, Trey."

He glanced back at the firefighters who walked his way. A sardonic grin creased his face. “Well, well."

“Leave, Trey. I don't want to see anyone hurt."

“Me or them?"

He walked past her as if she didn't exist.

“He bothering you?" Cal asked.

She shook her head. “Nope, just asking the time."

“You didn't look at your watch."

“I don't have one so I couldn't tell him the time," she answered. “He was harmless, guys. Thanks anyway."

Cal stared after Trey who now turned bolts on the massive Ferris wheel. He wasn't harmless, but he'd never hurt her physically.

Just emotionally.

***

The kids came in wide-eyed and eager for knowledge with their mothers. The noise level in the firehouse catapulted.

Mallory had spent the last fifteen minutes in front of the mirror convincing herself she could do this.