Courageous beginnings pl.., p.1
Courageous Beginnings: Playing with Fire (A Prequel), page 1
COURAGEOUS BEGINNINGS
PLAYING WITH FIRE: A PREQUEL
FLIRT’S BATTALION
GINNY STERLING
CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Epilogue
Meet the Team!
Courageous Emotions - Chase Marks
Courageous Moments - Austin Olivera
Courageous Feelings - Justin Dailey
Courageous Promises - Andy Pennington
Courageous Touches - Chief Reese Carpenter
Flyboys
Healing Hearts Series
About the Author
Playing with Fire: A Flirt’s Battalion Prequel
© copyright 2023 Ginny Sterling
Copyright notice: All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Created with Vellum
INTRODUCTION
Firefighter Kyle Rimes couldn’t believe how his entire world turned upside down in the blink of an eye – nor how he was standing on an auction block, being foisted off to the highest bidder despite his protests. Had everyone in town lost their mind – including him?
Reyna Mattingly needed some muscle – and the desperate man looking like he was ready to bolt at any moment, certainly had plenty of it. Returning home had given her a second chance to make a first impression… and she was certainly making one!
Just not the one she wanted…
… Or was it?
Because I can’t get enough of our favorite characters… can you?
I hope you enjoy this series, too!
Ginny Sterling Newsletter
The Flirt’s Battalion Facebook Group
1
“I volunteered the entire team, so make sure that your Friday is clear of any activities or events. This is non-negotiable, team, and I really need your help with this charity event. The other shift will be covering for us, and they go up on the auction block this Saturday…” Chief Carpenter said openly, putting his hands on his hips, looking over the table at them.
They’d just gotten back from a roaring blaze that had engulfed a mobile home on the outside of town, and all Kyle could smell was smoke so heavy he could taste it.
It was everywhere, seeping from the pores of his skin and in his clothes, and each of the men at the table reeked of sweat. In fact, several of them had matted down hair that was strange looking because of their thermal gear and helmets.
Hat-hair, he mused, shoveling another bite in his mouth.
“This isn’t bordering on harassment or some other rule? I mean, I’ve never heard of any job condoning this, and while I know it’s for charity… still,” Justin began nervously. “I mean, are there guidelines to this… mess?”
“Huh?” Kyle said distractedly, reaching for a slice of cornbread. “What’d the chief say?”
“Weren’t you paying attention?” Austin hissed behind his hand. “Dude, this is exciting – and scary!”
“Honestly? Noooo… I’m hungry and we just got back from a run. I can actually smell the chili and the woodsmoke together. It’s not half bad,” Kyle said chewing noisily, before blowing his nose and wincing at the smoke-filled residue he left in the napkin.
“You’re disgusting.”
“Hey, at least I didn’t do like Austin did last week…”
“Ugh, don’t remind me!” Chase muttered.
“You didn’t catch any of what the chief just said?” Justin muttered, frowning and kicking Kyle under the table that they were all sitting at.
“I heard him say ‘you guys can eat while you listen’… so I’m eating,” Kyle whined, shoveling in a massive bite. “And listening. I’m listening, too. Can you pass the butter?”
“What about the listening part?” Chase uttered. “With them big ol’ ears you should have…”
“I just said…” Kyle choked out openly, chewing with his mouth full and talking at the same time, trying to keep anything from falling out. Man, whoever made the chili this morning – it was fantastic! he thought wildly, stirring his bowl and reaching for the package of cheese once again.
“Did you have something you wanted to add, Rimes?” Fire chief Reese Carpenter said quietly, in a voice that brooked no argument.
It was said that the chief never yelled, never raised his voice, and commanded respect from his team easily by being in the thick of things with them – and treating them like equals. He liked Chief Carpenter – even if he set him on edge sometimes. The man just had a way of looking right through you…
“No sir!” Kyle said immediately, swallowing his food noisily before smiling and nodding. “I think it’s a great idea.”
“Good – you’re going to be first,” Chief Carpenter said openly, pointing at each man. “Marks, you’re second…”
“Awww man… seriously?” Chase whined immediately, rolling his eyes. “Charity… it’s for charity. You are not a piece of meat to be ogled… it’s not a date. Charity auction, donating time, not anything else… relax and don’t make this weirder than it already is.”
Chase hesitated – and then spoke up.
“Do we really have to do this?”
“Yes,” the chief said quietly, walking around the table as the men looked at each other in alarm, some in confusion, and Chase looked decidedly uncomfortable as Justin turned a weird shade of greenish-white under his tan.
Kyle’s eyes grew wide as Chase slid down even further into his seat, looking almost despondent at the announcement.
What exactly did he get volunteered for – and why would Chase Marks be worried about being ogled like a piece of meat?
“Olivera, you are third.”
“Does this count as a blind date? I can check that off my bucket list of strange new things to experience…” Austin grinned and rubbed his hands together. “I do love me some fine Texas women, and I will happily go up on the auction block. Do I have to wear a shirt? Can I show off my muscles? I can oil my abs up and…”
“Blind date? What? Wait – I think I really missed something…” Kyle choked on the bite he’d just taken, spewing little pieces of cornbread – which everyone picked up off the table and threw at him at once.
“Dailey… you’re fourth…”
“Sir, respectfully, can I just volunteer my time? I’m still reeling and going through recovery from my divorce… and I’d rather not be auctioned off for a dinner date.”
“When the person bids on you, you are welcome to discuss your evening plans with the person. They will be made aware ahead of time of the rules and what lines not to cross. No kissing, touching, harassing, no sexual misconduct…”
“WHAT?” Kyle choked again, his eyes bugging out of his skull at the strange conversation that he was suddenly a part of. This time, Austin slapped him hard on the back several times while Chase threw a paper towel at him, landing in his bowl of chili.
“Pennington… you’re fifth. I will even participate and volunteer as the sixth person on the auction block, so that gives them plenty of chance to reach their financial goals for the charity event.”
“Whoaaaa boy…” Andy grinned, looking at Chase and saluting him. “I might get my sister to come bid, just so Carpenter can come be my housemaid for the day.”
“I’m not wearing the costume unless there is a reserve on the auction – and it will cost you, kiddo,” the chief grinned… causing several of the men to laugh openly while Kyle looked around in disbelief.
The men started talking around him in a flurry, passing the bag of shredded cheese, the plastic container of chopped onion, and the tote of sour cream around the table, while Kyle was trying to comprehend what had just happened…
The chief leaned down and clapped a hand on Kyle’s shoulder, speaking softly beside his head in a hushed whisper.
“Thanks for your support, Rimes. I wasn’t sure you had it in you, but really appreciate you stepping up to the plate and backing me. According to the Battalion chief, this barely squeaked by for approval, and I think it’s going to do really well.”
“Sir?” Kyle said, without moving. “Begging your pardon… but what exactly are we doing?”
“We are doing a charity auction for a ‘Date with the Firemen of the First Battalion’ – and our entire team is going to be auctioned off to the highest bidder for a date…”
“We
“Yep…” Chief Carpenter laughed. “Just be glad you aren’t on the other team.”
“Why is that?”
“Let’s just say, it involves a photoshoot…”
This time, it was the rest of the team that nearly did a spit-take all at once as they looked up in horror. It was one thing to have to spend time with someone you barely knew, calling it a date for the sake of charity… but photography meant evidence – and they had all seen the firefighter calendars that people ogled all the time.
Kyle couldn’t imagine any of them posing nearly naked with suspenders and a helmet for charity... well, maybe Austin?
He’d gouge his eyes out with a Bic pen first…
“That’s right – the other truck is making calendars and auctioning them off for some lucky lady to be in the photo with them.”
“We got the better end of the deal,” Chase said openly, his eyes wide. “My ex would absolutely nail me to the wall and show the judge that for evidence…”
“No kidding,” Justin agreed quickly, frowning. “I don’t need any help with that foaming-at-the-mouth attorney that Lauren sicced on me…”
“Ah – so Honey and Lauren have the same lawyer?” Chase joked.
“She rides a broom in the night sky and cackles when she wins a case?”
“That’s her!”
Austin, Kyle, and Andy just looked at each other with wide eyes as Chief Carpenter shook his head, walking off with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Are your ex-wives really that bad?”
“YES,” both men said emphatically.
“I’m never getting married,” Kyle muttered openly, scooping up the last of his chili with his spoon.
“No kidding…” Austin agreed. “I don’t need the headache, the heartache, or pants-ache in my trousers. Women are bitter teases and extreme man-haters. There isn’t a girl out there that is worth the trouble or drama she causes.”
“That’s why you date around and live life for yourself,” Andy grinned. “It’s cheaper. You are generally happier. There’s no one to nag you, whine about you having one too many beers, or complaining that you spend too much time at the station…”
“Hear, hear,” Chase muttered.
Attention: MVA – motor vehicle accident…
The announcement carried on, along with a bell ringing in the distance calling them all into motion.
Sure enough, the men were flying into their positions, throwing on their protective clothing. It was almost comical to watch, because shoes were being kicked off onto the floor and flying around them, as they started dressing.
“Grab your bunker gear and packs…”
Kyle ran, grabbed his bunker gear, and threw it down on the ground, kicking off his shoes quickly and leaving them where they lay as he stepped into his boots. He grabbed his pants, hiking them up over his trousers he was wearing, and donned his weighted jacket before making sure everything was fastened appropriately.
Checking his tank and the lights on his mask, he heard Chase start yelling for the ‘round up’…
“Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!” Chase hollered, waving his hand quickly in the air in a circle.
Justin was already climbing into the driver’s seat and the massive rig flared to life as the lights started spinning wildly.
Kyle knew he had seconds to hop on, because Justin would not wait for anyone to dawdle… and you did NOT want Chief Carpenter to find that you were left behind.
“Round it up fellas and let’s get moving…”
Kyle leaped onto the truck and into his seat only seconds before the vehicle started lumbering forward and the siren began wailing in the air around him.
“Rock and Roooooll…” Austin and Andy crowed happily, angling their chins to the air, and howling like a couple of playful mutts as the rest of them laughed.
It was showtime!
Friday afternoon…
Kyle was sweating buckets – and it had nothing to do with the temperature of this strangely warm, yet beautiful November afternoon. No, he was nervous, and with good reason. They had all loaded up on one of the smaller fire trucks to make sure to make a ‘good show’ for the sake of charity…
Before they left, the captain literally inspected each of them, instantly making him wary. He didn’t, shouldn’t, have anyone to impress – and the fact that he was told to tuck in his t-shirt once again… before they were all told to get their hefty, insulated jackets – to make a good show for the people attending the auction.
Listening in disbelief, he realized that this ‘auction’ was literally going to be an actual meat-market of men for all sorts of women to ogle and bid on. Chase was right! They were going to be ogled like pieces of meat!
He was going to be going on a date with some strange woman, all for the sake of charity.
“I need an adult…” Kyle whispered openly, swallowing nervously.
“You are the adult, dipstick…” Chase whispered loudly, grinning nervously, and sweating almost as much as Kyle was.
The temperature was perfect, and the sun was beating down on them, keeping the chill from the air despite the fact it was late in the year.
“God help us all…” Justin muttered, shaking his head and rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
“Seriously, I don’t think I want to do this,” Kyle whispered, looking down the line of firemen standing there in the sun wearing their heavy yellow jackets and helmets… and Austin, his partner, wasn’t helping things in the slightest.
The outrageous man was posing for the crowd, grinning and smiling, right before slipping off his jacket, causing a group of ogling women to gather near them where they were lined up.
“Awww yeah, this is gonna be great!” Austin crowed happily. “Check this out!”
He flexed his biceps and kissed each one playfully, causing Justin to put his head down in his hands again in annoyance as the chief laughed from where he stood at the end of the line. Every man hesitated and looked down the line to gawk at the stoic man that led them, who was always so quiet.
“See?” Austin jeered happily, elbowing the two men closest to him – Justin and Chase, the two divorcees. “If Carpenter can loosen up and have some fun? Then you two spaz’s should be able to as well. I mean, seriously?! It’s a beautiful day, there’s a breeze, we are off work…” and Austin’s voice got louder, working the crowd as he stepped forward and jerked off his uniform shirt, much to Kyle’s horror. “… And all these fine women are here to support a good cause – am I right, Ladies?”
A rowdy, boisterous thunder of appreciation swelled around them as Austin flexed again and showed off his tanned six pack, his tattoo, and then openly smiled, shaking hands with the women and kissing knuckles repeatedly.
Yep. The playboy could certainly work a crowd.
“Someone’s gotta stop him,” Kyle whispered in a hushed panic. “They’re gonna expect us all to act like that…”
“Then someone’s gonna be really disappointed, aren’t they?” Chase muttered.
“No kidding…” Justin agreed.
Austin ripped… literally RIPPED… his t-shirt off of himself, causing several women to scream in excitement – and Kyle nearly died as he realized he screamed aloud as well, but in horror.
Like a girl.
What was his partner even doing?
“I can’t do this!” Kyle balked, feeling faint and definitely disturbed at the fiasco that was about to happen. “Chief! Chief! H-Hey – s-someone g-get Carpenter for me… I c-can’t do this!”
His voice was breaking and croaking like a boy going through puberty – and he was thinking of his own pasty skin, if they put him standing next to Andy or Austin. Someone was going to laugh or chase him off the pergola where the auctioneer was…
