It was early on a Friday night and Gemma was driving down the road to the Dispatch Center. The engine to her Cherry Red 2016 Chevy Corvette Stingray Convertible purred as the tires spun along the weather worn asphalt.
The sun was still hanging in the sky, shining brightly as it casted heat on the lone star residents. Gemma had the top down, allowing her fiery red hair to blow in the warm wind. Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar played loudly as she sang along.
As she drew closer to her destination, she slowed down spotting a police cruiser in a gas station parking lot. She often threw caution into the wind when being behind the wheel. It was freeing to push past the speed limits and have the wind blowing through your hair. Nothing and nobody to worry about. Just you, the car and the open road. Unless the roads were busy and blue lights started to flash. Luckily, Gemma hadn't had that last encounter. Yet.
Finally, the Dispatch Center came into view and she pulled into the employee parking lot, parking next to Grace Ryder's old Toyota Camry. Withdrawing her keys, Gemma stepped out and headed inside where she knew the AC would keep her cool and the walls would save her from turning as red as her hair.
Once she was on the second level of the building, Gemma was greeted by a few of her coworkers. Her station sat empty, awaiting her arrival and ready to take calls. Her station being across from Grace's, who was currently talking to a caller about giving respirations.
Gemma took her seat, logged into the system and put on her headset, taking the first call that popped up. "911, what's your emergency?"
A dozen calls and a shift later, Gemma found herself being invited to the Ryder home. Grace's excuse was that she needed help and moral support in talking to Judd about what happened with his meeting with the new Captain at the 126.
Gemma remembered that night, four months ago, when Grace was on the call about a fire at a farm and feed factory where they stored fertilizer, ammonium nitrate. However, the crew hadn't known that until it was too late. Eleven members of the crew, including the Captain lost their lives when the factory blew up. The only survivor being Grace's husband, Judson Ryder.
For weeks, Judd was laid up in the hospital, after being knocked back and unconscious from the blast. The six months leading to now, Judd had been at home waiting for the station to reopen. Grace had taken some time off work to be with him while he healed from his injuries and to help him through his grief.
Gemma helped when she could, but didn't want to overwhelm the Texan or to be suffocating. Though they treated each other as siblings, she felt that Judd needed his wife the most. Her way of providing comfort and support was baking many variations of desserts and singing any country song Judd wanted to hear her sing. She wasn't much of a country fan, but she'd do anything for her big brother.
Now, as she followed Grace to her house, Gemma mentally prepared herself for what she was sure was about to be the Ryder attitude. She just had the feeling that the meeting hadn't gone well. She just hoped that soon, Judd could return to work and everything would be right again.
After listening to Judd rant about the meeting with who Gemma knew now as Captain Strand, the Texan had calmed down a bit and the trio made plans of going to their favorite honky tonk bar later that night.
Gemma always loved going. It was a place to let loose and leave her worries behind. Though the music was country, she didn't mind doing the line dance. Especially when Grace dragged her and Judd to a spot with her.
Later, when they arrived, Gemma stepped out of Judd's truck wearing a red flannel, black jeans, red cowboy boots and black cowboy hat. Her wavy, red hair cascaded down to the small of her back like a waterfall.
The bar was packed, but they found a table across from the bar where Gemma saw a few unfamiliar faces. However, one stood out and she could have sworn she'd seen him before. As a matter of fact, she remembered seeing him when she lived in Chicago for about a year.
"Who are we looking at?" She nearly jumped when Grace spoke in her ear. She turned to her friend and shook her head.
"Just a familiar face is all. I'll say hello another time, I'm here with you and Juddy." Gemma answered, hoping Grace would let it go at that. She didn't.
"It wouldn't be a past lover, would it?" Gemma nearly spit her tequila out at the question. Her blue eyes wide with shock.
"No!" She almost shouted. "More like an old friend. I kind of moved without saying goodbye."
Grace nodded. "Well that was a long time ago, Gem. I'm sure he isn't mad at you anymore if he ever was. Can't nobody stay mad at Gemma Wilde." She winked.
Gemma shook her head. "I still feel bad about it. We were such good friends. And anyway, it's not like I won't ever talk to him. It's just my night with my favorite couple."
Grace let it go for now and Gemma was grateful. She just wanted to enjoy the night with her friends and relax for a bit. For half an hour, the red head sat there enjoying the burn of tequila that was gradually melting her worries away. However, she kept stealing glances towards the bar where her old friend sat. Luckily, none of the group had caught her so far.
Or so she thought.
The one person she wasn't ready to talk to had caught her gaze and recognized her blue eyes and cherry red hair easily. He couldn't believe his eyes when he spotted his old friend sitting with Judd and who he assumed was the man's wife.
Telling Marjan- who asked what he was doing when he stood up- he'd be right back, Paul left the group and approached their table. Gemma was chatting with Grace who stopped mid sentence when she looked past her friends shoulder. Gemma squinted in confusion and looked behind her to see what caught her attention. Her eyes widened and she gulped nervously.
"Hey, Pauly! What you doing in Texas?" She asked, trying to sound surprised. She stood up to hug him and he returned the greeting, but crossed his arms when they released each other.
"Hey, Gemma. I just moved here and joined the 126. How long have you lived here?" He asked after silently asking if he could take a seat, which she gestured to the open stool beside her.
Gemma but her lip before answering. "Since I left Chicago." She took a deep breath before continuing. "I swear, I wanted to say goodbye, Paul. I just didn't know how. You have to understand why I left. You were there when...everything happened."
He nodded. "I'm not mad at you, Gem. I was at first, but I understand why you had to get away. Although it would have been nice to hear from you. To know that you were okay."
"I'm sorry, Paul. I wanted to contact you, I just thought you be mad and wouldn't answer."
"Well you thought wrong." He shook his head. "But, hey. We got loads of time to make up for and we can do that. Where you working?"
"Well I work at the Dispatch Center whenever they need me and I own a bar not far from my house. It's a little bigger than this one and I perform on stage; singing and dancing. My partner, Drew mans the bar, and his buddy, Jordan is the bouncer." She smiled proudly just thinking about her sanctuary.
"Is the place any fun?" Paul asked. Gemma gasped and smacked his arm.
"The hell kind of question is that, Strickland! 'Is the place any fun?' " She imitated is voice. "You bet your behind it is. I own the damn place."
Paul laughed as she pouted. He always enjoyed teasing his friend and he really missed it and her. He held his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, my bad. I'll have to swing by sometime then. What night will you be there?"
"Tomorrow, but if you have a shift, you won't be able to come."
"I can when I get off work, stop by for a bit to watch you perform like old times." He glanced over to Judd and his wife, who he found was named Grace. "Are y'all going to be there?"
Judd looked at Grace, silently telling her it was her decision. She shook her head in remorse. "I won't be able to because I've got work tomorrow night. But you can go if you want, Judd. We both know you never miss a chance to hear your sister sing if you can help it."
The big Texan met Paul's eyes and nodded. "Yeah, I'll go. We can arrive together if you prefer." He offered. "What time does the shift end?"
"Nine, unless we're still on a call at the time." He took his phone out and went to add a new contact. "What's your number, so I can text you when I'm ready to go?" Judd gave his number and received Paul's in return. Gemma watched the two getting along, and smiled to herself. She was happy to have her friend back and even happier that it felt like they were never apart.
When Paul stood again to head back to the crew, he invited Gemma along, wanting her to meet the team. She hesitated, not wanting to leave her other friends, but they practically shooed her away. Paul dragged her over to the bar and stopped in front of his Captain.
"Hey, Cap. This is my old friend, Gemma Wilde. Gem, this is Captain Strand." The two shook hands.
"Please, call me Owen. It's nice to meet you, Gemma." He smiled kindly at her.
"You as well, Owen. You enjoying being in good ole Texas?" She asked after taking a seat beside the man.
"Yeah. A lot cleaner than New York. Got everything I need and more."
Gemma nodded. "I hear you. I didn't think I'd like Texas all that much, a city gal like me. But it grew on me not long after moving here. Judd and Grace were a big part in that."
"Oh yeah? Where are you from?"
"Well, I was actually born in New York. But my parents moved us to California not long after." She answered, smiling sadly at the thought of her late parents.
Owen raised his brows. "New York? What city?"
"New York City. Which part are you from?"
"Oh, I'm originally from Santa Monica, California. Moved to Manhattan when I graduated from college." He answered with a faraway look. Gemma got the feeling he didn't like talking about his hometown, so she changed the subject.
"Well, can I meet the crew you got here? Paul dragged me over here and was supposed to introduce all of us." She glanced around, spotting her friend talking to a woman that wore a hijab. She must have been another member of the team.
"Oh, sure. Hey, guys. I want you all to meet Paul's friend, Gemma Wilde. Gemma, this is my son, TK, the woman sitting with Paul is Marjan and that is our Probie, Mateo." She shook all their hands with a warm smile.
"My, my, Owen. You've got yourself a good looking crew. I dunno about that Paul Strickland though. I guess he's alright." She teased with a wink towards the man in question.
The others laughed, already liking the fiery red head. She mingled with them while Owen slipped away towards the exit. Mentioning his hometown had brought back dark memories that he wished he could forget.
While he was gone, Gemma found herself lost in conversation with his son. She could tell that while he was enjoying his night, that he was holding back on being himself. While a smile was painted on his handsome faces, his blue eyes swirled with so many emotions it was hard to pinpoint what he was feeling.
So, Gemma did everything she could to make his smile more genuine and even succeeded in making him laugh. His eyes began to sparkle as he got more comfortable in just her presence and the sound of her voice. TK wasn't expecting his night to turn out like this, having thought he would fake it till he made it. But, here he was talking to the most beautiful woman he'd ever met, and everything that happened in New York wasn't on the forefront of his mind anymore. For that, he was glad he met Gemma Wilde.
First chapter down. Hope y'all enjoyed it.
Up next: Paul and Judd visit Gemma's bar. Another person makes a surprise visit.
Until next time,
J S Law