Read Fire and Ice: Rekindled (The Fire and Ice Series Book 2) for Free Online Page A

waved me in and stood,
extending his hand to mine.

 
    While I wasn't big on formalities, I returned his firm
handshake before saying gruffly, "Well, you've seen me. I'd like to say it
was nice seeing you, too, Jim...but under the circumstances..." my voice
trailed off.

 
    "Yeah, goddamn shame we had to meet up again this
way," he mumbled, shaking his head back and forth.

 
    I took a step towards the door as I said, firmly,
"Well, ya never know. Maybe we'll see each other down the road
sometime." I doubted it.

 
    "Whoa, whoa, there kiddo. I didn't ask you to stop by
to give you my parting wishes," he said, abruptly halting my hasty exit.
Nodding his head towards the chair sitting directly across from him in front of
the desk, he added, "Take a seat. I have a proposition for you."

 
    With one hand on the doorknob, I ran my other hand through
my hair, and blew out a frustrated sigh. Giving Jim a sidelong glance, I said
with annoyance, "Whatever you're selling, Jim, I'm not buying."

 
    "Do me a favor and hear me out," he replied with
resignation.

 
    After a few moments, I slowly made my way to the chair,
plopping myself in it, with little regard to propriety. I figured Jim wasn't
about to let me off the hook so easily, and I was beginning to feel caged in as
I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans, before tucking my hands into the pockets
of my lightweight hoodie.

 
    "Look, Jim, I need to get going; I've got a long drive,
so can we get this over with?" I grumbled.

 
    Chuckling, Jim lumbered over to his chair, taking his time
to sit, and then tented his hands on top of his desk, as he looked at me
reverently with a slanted smile.

 
    "I have a feeling I might be able to change your mind
about that, son," he said cryptically, as he continued to smile at me.

 
    Disinterested, I broke my gaze from his, and stared towards
the door, replying, "If you think I'm spending one more day in this shit
kicking town, you're wasting your breath."

 
    "Okay, okay," he conceded, throwing up his hands
in surrender. Expelling a long breath, he continued, "I've got some news,
and I wanted you to be the first know. And I'm trusting you to keep this
between us."

 
    "Jesus Christ, Jim," I huffed out. "Don't you
think I have enough secrets on my shoulders right now?"

 
    "I'm not asking you to keep secrets, Kellan. I'm just
asking for a little discretion until we can get this all sorted out," he
tried to explain.

 
    "We're wasting daylight, here. Is there a point coming
up anytime soon?" I barked out impatiently.

 
    Jim stood and began pacing the floor before his eyes met
mine again. He scrubbed his hand over his face before blurting out, "Gail
and I are moving." When I didn't respond, he continued, "Her aunt
lives up North in Bakerton. She's getting on in years, and Gail refuses to put
her in a home. We've decided to go stay with her."

 
    "Great...send me a postcard," I said dismissively
as I stood to leave.

 
    Quickly stepping in front of my path, he exclaimed,
"Wait! Give me a chance to get this out, will ya? You owe me that
much." Growing increasingly agitated by the moment, I stood silently,
waiting for him to continue. "I'm selling the bar," he said, looking
to me expectantly.

 
    "Great," I shrugged. "You have a buyer?"
I mentally slapped myself, as I realized I was only dragging out my stay by
asking questions, when I honestly wasn't interested in the answers.

 
    "I have someone in mind," he returned.

 
    "Cool. Good luck with that, man. I hope everything
works out for you, Jim." I held out my hand for him to shake, as I
sidestepped him, latching onto the door handle as if it were a lifeline. I was
beginning to feel suffocated.

 
    "I was hoping you'd stay and run the place," he
stated matter of factly.

 
    I dropped my hand, as Jim never made a move to return my
gesture, and chuckled sarcastically. "No thanks. I have a job," I
stated with finality.

 
    Blocking my exit, Jim jumped back