Natalie took her tissue and dabbed at her eyes. The kiss was always her favorite part, for the past four years she’d been a successful wedding planner in her hometown of Constance Iowa. Even as a child Natalie had always loved weddings, she could feel the love every flower, smile and action at weddings. She loved to be in chare of the planning, the gathering and the image.
Natalie winked at the bride as she ran past her, a new Mrs. Another happy union, but it was hardly over, the reception was next Natalie noted as she spoke into her headset, and ushered guests into their cars.
The bride’s father linked arms with Natalie, silently thanking her for his daughter’s happiness. Natalie understood the notion and appreciated the praise. She was modest, all she did was organize, it was the people who made a successful wedding. Natalie loved to make people smile, and be surrounded by love.
Weddings affected so many, she could live vicariously through them. She managed to use her instincts and desires to create the perfect wedding each time. After all, there didn’t seem to be one in Natalie’s future.

After the last child was taken, Mellody allowed herself to relax. She’d been working for the Constance Elementary for three years but none of the kids she had before had turned out as wild as this year’s group.
They were angels in the morning all tired and calm, eager to learn but after lunch those angels disappeared and were replaced by little demons. Twenty-three hyper first graders proved to be a challenge, one Mellody was eager to tackle but exhausted her daily.
Sighing Mellody throws her curly mass of red hair into a lazy ponytail. Her room was a mess and she refused to leave until it was back in order. Little Jamie Taylor had gotten her hands a hold of the finer paint again Mellody noted as she bent over to clean up a pile of building blocks. She had planned to move the drawer of paints but some how doing so had slipped her mind.
As she set her room to rights Mellody evaluated her life. She loved teaching children however tired she was every night was nothing compared to the joy she felt watching her students grow and learn in her class.
Children loved her and that helped make life easier if only she could find a way to keep them calm after they ate… Wrestling with a difficult paint spill on the carpet Mellody smiles. Her life was beyond good it was wonderful, but she couldn’t help but notice there was something missing, something she needed, craved, to maker life perfect.

Natalie ran her fingers through her loose brown curls, and exhaled deeply. She gazed at the centerpiece of lilies in the backseat of her car, and smiled. It was the fourth centerpiece she’d brought home that week. Hopefully her best friend and roommate Mellody didn’t mind.
“She can deal, they’re memories.” Natalie said more to ease her own mind.
She pulled her car into the parking lot of the local pizzeria, she’d bring a pizza home, she knew they both must have had a long day. And if she happened to flirt with the cut owner slash chef Will, well then what was she supposed to do about it?
Natalie stepped out of her Mustang and smoothed her skirt. The bell on the door jingled as she stepped in, her hair flowing behind her, she spied Will behind the counter, leaned on it and waited for him to turn.
“Ah, how’s one of my favorite customers?” He smiled, and pulled a note pad out of a shirt pocket. “What can I get ya?”
Natalie smiled back and straightened to her full five feet four inches, “I’d like the usual pepperoni and mushroom.” Her dress shirt was a V-neck accentuating her full chest and she made sure Will noticed.
He winked, “Natalie, you have always made my day better. I’ll get that pizza for you.”
“Thanks Paul.” She paid the cashier a young teen named Tyler, and sat a table.
When Paul came out with her order, she flashed him her dimples and allowed him to help her stand.
“Natalie you know I love you right?”
“Sure.”
“I’m getting married.”
“Aw, what?”
“To this girl named Amber.” Natalie pulled her hand out of his.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, but how do you think she’d feel if she saw us holding hands?”
“I have a favor Nat.”
“What?”
“Will you plan the wedding?”
Her heart sank, “Fine.”
He hugged her gratefully, “You know you’ll always be my number one. But let’s keep that a secret alright?”
She laughed and grabbed the pizza, “Sure Paul . Have her call me and we’ll set up a meeting okay?”
“Will do. Tell Mel hi for me.”
Natalie waved behind her and hurried to her car. Getting in, she huffed, “Dang it. Who’s gonna call me beautiful now? I am selfish and self-centered and need compliments. And ten percent off pizza.”
When she got to their apartment, she kicked on the door until Mellody opened angrily and said, “What are you deaf? I said come in!”
“Well excuse me, but my arms are full.”
“Well maybe if you didn’t decide to turn the apartment into a freaking garden.” Mellody mumbles grabbing the vase from her.

Clad in her usual baggy black sweats and white form fitting tank top Mellody lounged on the couch eating the deliciously unhealthy pizza with her best pal and room-mate.
She grudgingly had to admit that the lilies made the room seem more cheerful but four center pieces in one week was becoming overwhelming. She didn’t have the knack nor cared to make the time to take care of flowers. Oh well leave it to Nat, shrugging Mellody pushes the flowers out of her mind and focus’ her attention to her best friend.
“You look terrible what’s eating at you?” She smiles playfully over a slice of pizza.
“You’re pushing it pal. And if you need to know, Will is getting married.”
“Really? Wow!” Acting shocked Mellody drops her pizza on her lap, “Cut, successful, flirty Will is getting married! What a shock!” She laughs at her own joke.
Natalie narrowed her eyes and scowled, “Ha ha, you are the funniest person alive. It’s the principle of the matter.”
“Are you lonely Nat?” Her mood shifts quickly to serious as she nibbles on her slice again.
“No. Maybe. No.” She decides, letting a long piece of cheese drip onto her plate. “I guess all this wedding stuff is finally starting to catch up with me. That’s all.”
“Maybe you need a vacation or a good healthy dose of sex.”
“Ding ding ding ding! I’ll take door number two Alex.” Natalie stood and grabbed Mellody’s plate. On her way to the kitchen she called behind her shoulder, “I’m gonna take a shower let’s go out.”
“I was hoping you’d say that!” She jumps to her feet. “We’ve got to look good enough to eat tonight!” Laughing she dashes for her room.

As the firefighters entered the building the flames roared at them in challenge. Weaker men would have been frightened or intimidated. Joe led his crew on further neither heat nor the weight of his gear discouraging him. All he cared about was finding the little boy.
Judging by the size of the building and how fast the flames were spreading the child and his crew didn’t have long; fifteen minutes ate most, five for the child. Joe pushed himself harder knowing, trusting, his men to do the same.
“Joe!”
He stopped in his tracks at the shout his heart in his throat. From a room behind him Joe heard the child’s cries above the roar of the fire and the beating of his heart.
“The room’s blocked off Joe! The child is as good as dead.” The shout came form one of his newer members; Joe’d deal with him later.
“Move, I’m not leaving this building with out him!” Shoving past two of his crew Joe walked straight through the doorway his arms up to shield his face.
The fire was angry and managed to burn through the arm of his suit, but Joe ignored the pain his mind set on saving the child.
“David, get the others out of here I’ll get the kid!” Still searching for the child he orders his most trusted crewman.
He found the boy curled in the corner of a closet yet to be touched by the lick of flames. It wrenched Joe’s heart to see the little body quivering in fear and pain covered in burns.
Careful of hurting the child more he kneels and holds the boy to his chest. Joe found the window silently thanking god that they were on the first floor and kicks the glass.
Outside he finds himself surrounded by cheering. The child was taken from him and charted off to the hospital, still alive, in an ambulance. Only when it was confirmed that the child was alive did Joe relax and allow the paramedics to treat his burns.
He had wanted to go home and relax, to brood about the fire, and the child. If he could have pushed faster the child may not be in the hospital in critical condition. But the child was alive he could have died, he, Joseph Beeth had brought the child alive from the building. And his crewmen wouldn’t let him go home they were intent on celebrating.
“Come on Joe, let’s celebrate.” Thrusting a glass of beer in Joe’s hand David pas his fellow firefighter on the back. “To life!” He toasts.
Giving in Joe smiles and lifts his cup, “To life.” He drinks the beer, forcing himself to celebrate.

Natalie pulled the car to a stop in front of the bar. She was a sensible, mature adult, but she had to have fun. It’d been nothing but weddings for two months, and no relationships for four. As far as she knew, Mel hadn’t been with anyone in a while either. The night welcomed them graciously, and the two laughed from the parking lot to the door of the bar. As they stepped inside, they noticed a group of men seated at the bar. They wore firehouse shirts and smelled of smoke. “Hey Mel, look at that. Huh.” Natalie smiled and elbowed her friend in the ribs, “Huh? Huh?”
Smiling Mellody scans the group of firefighters her expert eyes catching a few lookers. “I think we’ve hit the jackpot Nat. You are bound to catch one of those hunks tonight.” She laughs.
“I suspect I might. Golly Mel, I also suspect I’m not acting much like a lady.” She put on a badly performed British accent, “I must remain proper in times like these.”
“Oh pish posh.” She laughed and pulls Nat to the bar. “Let’s see how man drinks we can get without paying. I don’t know about you but I want a beer.”
“Ah,” Natalie yawned and stretched, revealing a firm stomach, “So thirsty. Beer.” Mellody punched her in the arm as she caught the eye of one of the men.
“Hi, my name’s Adam. Can I buy you a beer?”
Natalie winked at Mellody who nodded in approval. “Sure, my name’s Natalie by the way.”
“You’re beautiful Natalie.”
“We’ll start with the beer Adam.” He wasn’t much younger than her, but he seemed sweet, and perhaps a little shy. Natalie smiled and sat next to her new friend.
“Hey Adam how about you introduce us to the rest of your friends.” Mellody puts on her most charming smile.
“Oh, uh yeah sure.” He stood and cleared his throat. “Men this is Natalie and her friend uh…” He looked back.
“Mellody.”
“Her friend Mellody.”
“Dibs!”
“Oh knock it off.” Joe elbows David in the ribs playfully.
“Does this mean you want her?” The grey haired firefighter teases.
“Well…” Joe studies the tall redhead, trying to appear passive.
He had noticed her as soon as she and her cute little friend had stepped in the bar. Who could miss two attractive women? She looked irresistible in that little black dress, and god those legs. He shifted in his seat uncomfortable with were his thoughts began to lead.
“No you can have her.” Drinking form his cup Joe forces his attention away from the woman.
“Mel! Sit! Is someone going to buy her a drink?” Hands shot into the air.
Laughing at Natalie and the men Mellody walks around the table slowly knowing most eyes follow her watching the length of her long fit legs.
Only one man, she noticed, kept his eyes off her. Not only did this irritate her it also drew Mellody’s attention, so she chose the seat next to him.
Natalie waited for the action to die down before she turned to Adam. He was cute, tall with short blonde hair and boyish blue eyes. He was a good foot over Natalie, and had well used muscles.
“So Natalie, what do you do?”
“I plan things.”
He smiled, “Tell me, how do you fell about firefighting?”
“Dangerous, terrifying and incredibly hot.”
Their eyes met and they began to talk. After a while, Natalie began to fall for those sweet eyes and caring words. If she wasn’t careful, this could turn out like her last relationship, and the one before that. No, she couldn’t let that happen, wouldn’t let that happen.
Joe could smell her, feel her, and god he wanted her. It was hard to ignore the woman when every time she moved to talk to David her body brushed against his arm leaving his skin tingling.
She was laughing, a deep throaty sexy sound that made him want to… Joe stood suddenly, “I’m going to get another round of drinks.”
Natalie smiled and ran her fingers through Adam’s hair, this could lead to trouble, but trouble was fun. He leaned close, and whispered in her ear, brushing his lips across it, “I like you Natalie. You’re funny, and smart, and sexy as hell.”
‘“The feelings may be mutual.” She laughed.
“And that laugh. I really love that dress, the red is very uh….striking. I’d like it a lot better if it were off.”
He was ignoring her and Mellody couldn’t stand it. Grabbing a random bottle she drank washing her irritation down with beer.
Joe stops by Adam and Natalie, might as well warn her now, he sighs and tabs the two on the shoulders.
“Mind if I steal your lovely date for a while?” Joe narrows his eyes daring the much smaller man to protest.
Adam eased the anger out of his brow and nodded.
“Am I missing something?” She laughed, somewhat unsteadily.
Smiling charmingly Joe leads her towards the bar, “No not at all, I’m getting more drinks you can help me order for the group.” He glances back checking if Adam is out of earshot. “Look, you seem like a sweet, charming respectable woman,” He looks down at her hoping his face shows her his seriousness.
She smiled, uneasy at first, trying to read his face, “Some would say that.”
He nods, “Be careful with Adam. He’s putting on an act to soften you up.”
Turning away Joe orders a round of beers for the table and allows Natalie time to figure out what he means.
“Soften me up? You mean sleep with me right?” She grabbed a tray of beer from him, and looked him in the eyes.
“Sure. He’s just not a good man, you deserve to know that.” That was close enough to the truth he didn’t want to make her angry on a night she obviously wanted to have fun with a friend. A drop dead gorgeous friend who’s hair drove him crazy and legs made him eager to see what was hidden underneath the little black dress. “Damn it not again…” He mutters to himself as they walk back towards the table.
“Well, thanks. You’re a good guy yourself. I’m Natalie by the way, Natalie Wilson.”
“Don’t go spreading that around I’m trying to hold my reputation as heartless bad ass boss.” He laughs, “It’s nice to meet you Natalie, I’m Joseph Beeth, but you can call me Joe.”
“Oh, I’ll keep it a secret alright.” She winked and set the glasses down in front of the men. “Here ya go boys.”
Adam looked up at her, and she turned. “So Joe, did you have anymore questions about what we were discussing?” She opened her eyes wide.
“Not at all. You answered it all.” He smiles and bends down to kiss her on the top of the head a friendly impulsive gesture.
She smiled, and winked, grabbing her purse and turning to Mellody. “Hey Mel, I just got a call from my uh…mom, she needs me to watch the dog I mean cat and so I need to go. Terrible dog emergency. Do you think someone can take you home, or do you want to go now and help watch the cat?”
Mellody stands searching for her purse, “I—“
Knowing he’ll regret it later, Joe sighs, “I’ll take her home.”
“Oh thank you so much Joe!” Natalie gave him a quick hug and started to jog out, easier said than done in two-inch stiletto heels. “Call me sometime, ask Mel for the number. Love ya Mel! I mean my mom’s dog is so important to us.”
Laughing Mel sits a new beer in her hand. She looks around finding herself surrounded by hot firefighters.
In her element Mel leans forward, “Anyone think they can out drink me? How about it boys?”
Natalie grabbed a hair tie from her glove compartment, and pulled her hair into a loose bun. She’d go buy a pint of cookie dough ice cream to make it up to Mel. That Joe was a nice guy, he reminded her of her brother. Stupid Natalie, how could you let yourself into situations like that? Adam was convincing, but they all seemed to be at first. She shook her head as she entered the local thrift shop.

She had watched him talk with Natalie seen him smile and laugh with her, and it irritated her. Mellody wasn’t angry at Nat, not at all. But how much did a woman need to throw herself at a man for him to stop ignoring her?
Damn it all, she slammed down another beer beating most of the men, except for that man, by two.
Not only was she sexy but that woman could drink, mused Joe. He liked a woman who could hold down a drink or two. Mel, that’s what Natalie called her, drank more than most of his men and still seemed able to drink more.
Joe’s eyes narrowed as he watched Adam move closer to Mel. When she didn’t pull away as his hand touched her thigh, Joe realized she’d had enough alcohol to impair her judgment. As Adam’s hand slid further up her leg Joe realized it was time to get Mel out.

Natalie put the ice cream in the freezer and dragged blankets into the living room. They could have a sleepover like old times, stay up late and talk. She kept glancing at the clock on the wall. When it reached three, she tried to call Mellody’s cell phone, but no one answered. “What the hell?” Natalie sat on the blankets to wait, only covered up just because, but it was too late and she was a little drowsy. Before she knew it, she was out.


Everything was a daze for her. Mellody didn’t protest or notice when Joe drew her form her chair and started to lead her towards his truck.. She felt short next to him when she looked up at him with dizzy eyes.
She didn’t show that she was drunk but Joe was sure she was beyond her limits. With an arm around her waist to steady her, the woman was wearing three-inch heels and managed to walk while slammed.
In the close proximity he was able to study her body a little more. She was tall, heels or not, something he liked in a woman. She carried herself with ease, even drunk.
“God I’d love to see you sober.” He laughs at not only her but himself as he helps her in his truck. “Shit! I’ve no idea where she lives!”

The sun filtered through the curtains, and landed on Natalie’s face. “Close my door Mel.” She rolled over, “Mel could you close my door,” she waited, “Mellody close my door!”
She threw the covers off, realizing she was on the couch not in her bed. Visions of the night before swam through her mind, and she realized she passes out before Mellody even came home.
“Shit shit shit shit, where the hell are you Mel?” Natalie jumped off the couch, but calmed quickly. “She’s a grown woman, this happens, no need to worry.” But Natalie knew that wouldn’t do. She flew into her room, grabbed the clothes nearest to her and pulled them on.
She slipped on some sneakers grabbed her purse, phone, and keys, and decided to call and drive around. “Damn all firefighters if I cant find her.”

As she woke Mellody regretted opening her eyes. Her head felt like it was splitting in two. Sitting up she groans groggily, it took her a moment to realize it wasn’t her baggy t-shirt she was wearing nor was it her bed.
“Oh Shit!” She jumps from the bed grabbing the nearest object for a weapon. The quick movement sent her head spinning and had her stomach reeling.
Ignoring her major hangover and clutching her weapon, on of her heels, to her chest she moves toward the door.
As the door opened and he stepped in Mellody nearly screamed in fright, she managed to hold that in but couldn’t stop herself from hurling her heel at him.
The red heel hit him square in the face, sending melody to the floor in a fit of laughter.
Joe wasn’t expecting her to be up so early, all he wanted to do was check on her, but sure as hell wasn’t expecting any flying objects.
The shoe hit his face hard and had hi stepping back in shock.
“Damn it woman you’ve got a killer arm.” Cupping a hand over a gash he allows himself to laugh, trying not to focus on the fact that she was sprawled on the floor her lace panties completely out in the open for him to see.

Natalie drove around in a suit top and pajama shorts with a little heart on the butt. They weren’t for everyday wear, which explained why half of her butt was hanging out. Mellody still hadn’t answered her phone, so she chose the next most logical option and pulled into the fire station. Her curly hair was tousled, her lips pouty from frustration and she wasn’t wearing a bra. When she stepped in, she noticed two or three men sprawled on various couches in what looked to be a lounge of some sort. Natalie cleared her throat. “Hello?” No one stirred. “Excuse me?” she started to tap her foot. She felt so unpowerful in her sneakers, how could she get her way with men if she was 5’4”?
Natalie approached a couch and slapped brunette n the back of the head.
“What the hell?!?” a young man shot up, anger flashing in drowsy eyes. When he saw Natalie, he stopped. “Shit. How can I help you?” He looked her up and down and smiled. Natalie glared.
“One you can stop staring at my chest, two my friend is missing and seeing as we were with you guys last night, I think you know where she is.”
The others started to rise and watched the two.
‘“Oh yeah, hot chicks.”
“You.” Natalie pointed to a man in the back. “Adam, have you seen my friend?”
He smiled sardonically. “Can’t say that I have.”
Someone in the back called “Oh yeah, she’s back for more dude! Nice!”
“I’m going to ignore that for now, do you know where Joe is?”
“Home.”
“Where is?”
“Number’s on the wall.”
She huffed and turned to walk out.
“Whoo! Hoo!”
“Sjake it!”
Natalie put the number in her purse and waited in her car.


She felt ridiculous sitting on the floor with the giant of a man standing over her. It irritated her even more than she was already was after realizing it was his house she woke up in.
She looked gorgeous with her curly red hair mussed from sleep and his tee shirt, quite a few sizes too big on her. If it wasn’t for the phone ringing her might not have been able to control himself.
Joe left the room quickly and picked up his nearest handheld. “Hello?”
“Is this Joe?”
“Yes this is.” He smiles having a feeling who was on the other line.
“Okay well, this is Natalie, you may not remember me.” She continued without waiting for an answer. “I can’t find my friend Mellody. Pretty red head, hot temper. You seen her?”
“Yeah, I’m bleeding because of her heels.” He laughs looking at the hand that he had used to cover the ash.
“Bleedin?”
“She hit me in eh face with one of her heels.”
“What did you do to her?”
“Gave her a place to sleep. Other than that nothing.”

“How did I …” Looking own at herself Mellody realized she did not change herself into the tee shirt. Scrambling to her feet she storms out of the room in a temper.
“You undressed me!?”
“What was that Joe? Is that her? Hello?”
“Would you rather have slept in that pretty dress of yours?” He spins away from Mel’s reach recognizing temper in her deep green eyes.
“I would have liked changing myself! I’m capable you know, and I don’t want some man I don’t know seeing me practically naked!” Irritated and grumpy through the hangover she approaches him not intimidated by his size.
“Believe me I would not have let you but you were falling all over the place. Trust me I just changed you, nothing further.” He smiles, choosing to fight her temper with calm.
“IF SOMEONE DOES NOT TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON I SWEAR TO GOD.”
Joe laughs. “I’m fighting the fire now. “
“Oh you are on the phone? How rude of you to talk to someone while you are on the phone!” she reaches up and yanks the phone away from him.
“Sorry but he’s more than a little busy right now.” She speaks into the receiver glaring at Joe.
“Mellody? Is that you? What’s going on?”
Mellody frowns, “Nat? This is Mellody.” She glares at Joe, “You were talking to Nat the whole time and you haven’t told me?!”
Joe raises his hands in surrender, “I’ve barely been allowed to speak two words since you walked out of that room.” He tries to hide his amusement.
“Are you alright? I’m gonna come get you, where are you?”
“I’m okay Nat, but he may not be. Where am I?” She steps closer to Joe as she asks.
“Can I have my phone back so I can tell her where you are?”
“I don’t care who tells me. So put your clothes on folks, and lets get a move on here.”
Mellody despite her anger laughs and hands the phone over to Joe.
“Natalie?” Putting the phone to his ear Joe watches Mellody pace his living room anger still alive in her eyes. “Meet us at the Café Natalie, I’ll treat you both to some coffee.”
“I’m afraid I may not look like the best coffee date at this moment.”
“Well in that case you’ll feel as comfortable as your friend here she’ll be wearing one of my t-shirts.”
Mellody stops pacing, “What happened to my dress?!”
“Your t-shirt you say?” She exhaled deeply, “This is a wound in my womanly pride, but if Mel is going to suffer I can deal what time?”
“I’m sure you’ll look beautiful. Meet us in twenty minutes.”
Mellody begins pacing again.