His gorgeous skin.
How bout I take you out to dinner tomorrow? Tony asked. We could get some burgers. You could tell me more about this tearoom idea of yours.
Oh, she was tempted. For one thing, she hadnt been out to eat at a real restaurant in weeks because shed been hoarding her pennies.
But she had an idea that if she let Tony take her out, even for an innocent hamburger, before long he would be telling her more about what a great place Bradys was and how wrong she was to change it to a tearoom, and she would start to doubt herself.
She didnt need that. Shed doubted her judgment enough after finding out the man she loved had been lying to her for monthsmaybe longer. She needed to surround herself with people who would encourage her and support her and help her make Belindas a resounding success.
Julie wouldnt have cared so much about this venture if it was just about herself, but she would do whatever it took for Belinda. Her sweet, brilliant baby sister was going to have the chance to make something fantastic of herself, and nothing was going to prevent it. Not the miserable, self-serving Davidsons, not her parents apathy and certainly not a fireman who was sentimental about a run-down eyesore of a neighborhood bar. Even if he was sexy as hell.
Im sorry, Tony. I appreciate the invitation, but I have so much to do, she said coolly. Which was true enough.
Another time, then. I better get back to work. He flashed her a dazzling grin, turned with a jaunty wave and exited out the squeaky front door.
She hoped he wasnt serious about asking her out again. She might not have the strength to turn down his next invitation.
Chapter Two
I never met Uncle Brady, did I? Belinda asked as she and Julie climbed the stairs to the apartment above the bar where Brady had lived.
No, I dont think you ever met him. She only had a vague memory herself of a big bear of a man who showed up at Thanksgiving with a fruitcake, drank too much wine and was asked to leave. He sent Mom a little check every once in a whileher part of the profits from the bar. But he and Mom hardly ever talked. Mom sent him a Christmas card every year, but he never reciprocated.
Tony said he was a great guy.
Brady probably gave Tony free beer. But Tony had painted an image of Brady that Julie couldnt get out of her mind. A soft touch. Generous and kind. Sure didnt sound like the mooch her mother had described.
How much do you think well get for all that stuff downstairs? Belinda asked.
Ill have to do some research, but I bet those vintage signs will fetch a good price.
What about those green glass lampshades? Trey has some of those, doesnt he?
Julie gave an unladylike snort. Treys are reproductions. Ours are the real thing. In fact, maybe Ill keep those. Theyll look pretty in the tearoom, dont you think?
Belinda shrugged. Will you keep the jukebox?
No, that Im going to sell. Its an old Wurlitzer, and the vinyl records alone are worth a fortune.
Rather than sounding excited about the prospect, Belinda gave a sad little huff.
What?
Oh, its just a bit tragic thinking about tearing the place up.
Belinda, you must be joking. Its disgusting.
Yeah, but that guy Tony was right. If you scrubbed it up, it wouldnt be so bad.
Dont even think about it. Im not running a bar. Even if she had the experience or knowledge, she preferred the idea of improving the neighborhood. Bradys had been an eyesore, no doubt drawing unsavory characters. Belindas was going to be beautiful. Maybe the firefighters were unhappy about her planned changes, but she bet most of the residents around here would be delighted.
I know, I know, Belinda said. Im just saying its a little sad, thats all.
Julie tried several keys from the big key ring the lawyer had given her mother, finally locating the right one. Shed been avoiding the place where her uncle had died, but she knew she had to check it out. She was planning to live here while she oversaw the renovationsand maybe afterward, too. It would save her a long commute to work, plus she would have her privacy back. Living in her parents tiny house, where they were all on top of each other and getting on each others nerves, wasnt going to work for much longer.
This apartment would do until she could afford something better. Someday, shed like to have her own house. It didnt have to be anything as grand as Treys Highland Park house, where she would be living now if she hadnt canceled the wedding. But she wanted a front porch. And flower boxes in the windows. And a real backyard, maybe with a deck where she could sit outside on a Sunday morning and read the paper, a golden retriever by her side.
Still, a one-bedroom apartment rent-free wasnt bad. She held her breath and pushed open the door.
Bradys living space was surprisingly neat, clean and spartan, given the excessive grime and clutter of the bar. Julie had always heard Brady described as a man who couldnt be trusted. Lazy, slovenly, a freeloaderthose were words her mother commonly used to describe Brady. Yet that image didnt match his digs.
Julie poked around to see if there might be any valuables, but aside from a couple of old paintings and some vintage Fiesta dishes, nothing jumped out as a real treasure.
The bedroom was empty except for a dresser. Someone had removed the bed in which Brady had expired, which was a huge relief. No way would Julie have been able to sleep there.
She returned to the living room and sank onto a worn sofa. It was pretty softshe could sleep on this. And Belinda would be happy to get her own room back at their parents house. The sisters had been sharing a room and a bed, just like old times, for the past couple of weeks.
So what do you think? Belinda asked. Can you live here?
Sure. Ive lived in worse places. Her first apartmentwhen shed gotten her first real job as a stock girl at Bailey-Davidsonshad been one ratty room in the attic of an old East Dallas house. Shed done her cooking on a hot plate.
Bradys living quarters were a palace compared to that but something of a comedown from her last placea classy Park Cities town house shed rented from the Davidsons. Still, she had a little money to live on, the proceeds from returning all the wedding presentsthe ones her friends and family had refused to take back. And Treys parents had given her a handsome severance check in return for her silence about his little secret, which shed been happy to acceptnot that she ever would have gone blabbing about the illegitimate child hed conceived with his mistress even as hed been planning a lavish wedding to Julie. Gossip like that would only make her look dumb. Her stash was enough to keep her going until the tearoom opened.
The view is certainly nice, Belinda said dreamily.
Julie glanced out the window to see what her sister was talking about. All she could see was the fire station, a hundred-year-old brick monstrosity in need of a good sandblasting.
Then she looked closer and realized the blinds to the second-floor window were open; inside a man was pulling off his T-shirt. Belinda!
What? I can look, cant I?
Julie joined her sister at the window. The man picked up a barbell and started doing some curls. It was none other than her firefighting Adonis. Hes doing that on purpose.
What? I can look, cant I?
Julie joined her sister at the window. The man picked up a barbell and started doing some curls. It was none other than her firefighting Adonis. Hes doing that on purpose.
Oh, like he knew wed be up here, staring out the window? Get a grip, Jules. Youre paranoid.
Maybe she was. But her reaction to Tony Veracruz had unnerved her.
Shed once felt that way about Trey. Hed flirted with her shamelessly, focused all his attention on her, swept her off her feet. Shed fallen in love, hard, with a man she thought she knew. Handsome, smart, ambitious, funny, generous
Unfaithful.
Feeling all gooey inside over a man, getting caught up in flirtation and charmnone of those offered any guarantee of that mans deep-down character. Julie would do well to remember that and to focus on building a secure future for herself without relying on anyone else.
Tony looked out the window, saw them staring and flashed that cocky smile.
Julie abruptly closed the blinds.
Hey! Belinda objected.
Hes too old for you.
But not for you. Earlier, he was checking out your butt.
Really? Despite herself, Julie felt a little thrill. He probably checks out every girls butt.
He didnt look at mine. Besides, hes going to be your neighbor. You have to be friendly.
No, I dont. Tony Veracruz was trouble with a capital T, and she certainly didnt need any more of that.
SO ARE YOU GOING TO tell us what happened? Priscilla asked. As busy as their shift had been earlier, activity had died down completely. Pris was killing time in Station 59s exercise room, running on the treadmill.
Priscilla was a maniac when it came to fitness and shed guilted almost every firefighter on their shift into working out more. It was humiliating when a wisp of a woman like Pris could lift more weight than you.
Tony had found it difficult to admit to his coworkers the horrible news about what was happening to Bradys Tavern. Theyd given him a task: convince the bars new owner to reopen Bradys just as it was. And though he knew he had nothing to do with Julies decision to turn Bradys into a tea-room, he still felt as if hed let down his comrades.
Mission failed.
Not only that, but beautiful Julie Polk had said no when hed asked her out. Oh, she was interested. Shed acted a little fluttery when hed told her she was pretty, and hed felt some definite vibes flash through the air between them. But shed been prickly, too. Her mind was so filled with plans for her tearoom that romance was way down on her priority list.
He knew darn well he shouldnt be thinking about romance either. He was still smarting from Daralees sudden rejection. Hed thought their relationship was going somewhere. Theyd been so crazy about each other. Now he knew hed been nothing but a boy toy to her, someone to irk her exhusband. When that hadnt worked, hed become history.
But just looking at Julie sent his hormones into a frenzy. Could he help it if he liked having a girlfriend? Still, the next time he fell head over heels for someone, he wanted the same feelings in return. He didnt want to be a low priority or an afterthought.
Earth to Tony, Priscilla said impatiently. Did you hear me?
Sooner or later everyone would find out about Julies plans. He might as well break the news. I heard you. Its just too horrible what shes doing to Bradys.
Priscilla gasped. Is she tearing down the building? Granted, it needs work, but isnt it a historical landmark or something?
Shes doing worse than that. Its sacrilege.
Now he had Ethans and Otiss attention, too. And Jim Petersons. Would you just tell us instead of being a drama queen? said Peterson, pedaling at a leisurely pace on the stationary bike.
Shes turning Bradys into a tearoom.
Otis dropped his barbell with a clang. Ethans jaw sagged.
Priscilla, however, didnt appear horrified. A tearoom. Right here in our neighborhood.
Ethan groaned. Only you, Priscilla, would find this news welcome.
I would miss Bradys, but a tearoom could be good. I could do lunch there.
Otis threw his sweaty towel at her. And where exactly are us men supposed to hang out?
Priscilla turned off the treadmill and slowed to a stop. At least maybe we could get some healthy food there. A salad or Loud groans cut her off. She shrugged. I cant help you if you wont help yourselves.
Pris, maybe you should talk to her, Tony said. Woman to woman. Tell her how important Bradys is to this neighborhood. Its important for us and the cops to have a neutral place to meet and talk things over.
Pris gave Tony an appraising look. If you cant convince her, I dont have a chance. Is she married?
I dont think so. He hadnt seen a ring, anyway.
Youre just gonna have to try harder, Ethan said.
Seduce her, Otis added. Once shes sleeping with you, shell have to listen to you. Chicks are like that.
Priscilla threw the sweaty towel back at Otis. Typical male logic. Men think with their gonads. Women think with their brains.
Just give it the old college try, Ethan said. Get to know her, let her get to know you and then convince her to reopen Bradys. Were sick of seeing you mope about Daralee. About time you found a new girlfriend.
Tony couldnt deny he wanted to give Julie another trysmart move or not. Since meeting her a few minutes earlier, hed had a hard time remembering exactly why hed thought he was in love with Daralee. But cold-blooded seduction wasnt his game. He liked women. He didnt like the idea of using them, even for a good cause. And then there was his own much-stomped-on heart to think of.
Id love to have a new girlfriend, Tony said more candidly than hed meant to. He focused on Ethan. I want what you and Kat have. But Im not sure Julies the one to provide it. Shes a tough cookie.
Ethan shook his head as he wiped down the weight bench hed been using. If you go in with that attitude, expecting to strike out
Look, said Otis, heres what you do. You harden your heart. Every time you look at Julie, you think Daralee. You remember how bad she treated you. You remind yourself that women are evil incarnate.
Hey, Priscilla objected.
Present company excluded, Otis said quickly. Hed been one of the ones to object the loudest when the fire station got invaded by a woman, but he and Priscilla had formed an unlikely friendship, surprising everyone. If you feel yourself softening even a little bit toward this Julie person, you come talk to me and Ill set you straight.
Tony supposed Otis would be the one to do that. He had three ex-wives. If youre such an expert, why dont you seduce her?
Me? He gave a loud, hearty laugh and patted his gut. That girl isnt looking for a fat, old black man. Shes looking for a young stud like you. Besides, my Ruby would kill me if I went near that sweet young thing.
The P.A. system crackled to life. Dinner is now being served in the kitchen, Lt. Murph McCraes gruff voice announced. Come get it now or go hungry.
The firefighters didnt have to be asked twice. They tromped down the stairs in a hungry stampede. But before they could sit down, the alarm sounded. And before theyd even climbed into their turnout gear, a second alarm went out.