Christelle Mirin [Mirin - Fire on the Mountain

Rose Bloom stepped out on the porch of her cabin, a coolglass of water in her hand. She dropped down in her old rocking chair and gazedout into the woods that surrounded her home.

She couldnt see very far, thanks to the morning fog thatwafted down from the mountaintop. She pulled one leg up and tucked it beneathher, sipping the water. It was quiet this morning, the only sound the cawing ofthe crows. Even though it was only seven in the morning, the humidity wasclimbing. It was going to be another warm day and she dreaded it. It was hardto work in the heat, especially when she had to keep the fire stoked.

The screen door screeched and Johnny Gayheart stepped outonto the porch. Youre up awfully early, he said, stepping closer to theporch railing and raising his arms above his head in a stretch.

Rose watched him, smiling. He was dressed only in his jeans,the chiseled muscles of his back flexing as he stretched. When she noticed thescratches on his lower back, she snickered.

He dropped his arms and looked over his shoulder. Whats sofunny?

Oh, nothing. She placed her glass on the small tablebeside her chair and stood. Walking up to him, she snaked her arms around hisneck and stood on tiptoe to kiss his delicious lips. She ruffled his thick,brown hair with her fingers and dropped back down on her feet. I just loveseeing you with your hair messed up, thats all.

He grinned and tickled her ribs, sending her wriggling. Ilove seeing you dressed in nothing but a t-shirt so thin I can almost seethrough it. He tugged at the hem of her shirt, lifting it. But Id rather seeyou wearing nothing at all.

Rose giggled and jerked her shirt out of his grasp. Youregoing to be late for work if you keep this up. She padded across the porch anddropped back down in her chair.

Johnny raked his hands through his hair in an attempt tosmooth it. Yeah, youre right. Id best be getting on out of here. He walkedbare-footed toward the door, planting a kiss on the top of her head just beforehe went back in the house.

She smiled and picked up her glass again, drinking it down.Her tummy growled, reminding her it needed food as well as liquid. Easing upout of the chair, she rubbed her lower back as she headed back in the house tomake a quick breakfast.

Johnny had been a little rough with her last night notthat she didnt like it. She was going to have to do some stretching to workthe kinks out after he left for the fire station and before she started herwork for day. She had an order she needed to fill and she could use the money.What do you want for breakfast? she called out, moving into the kitchen.

Just some toast. Im running late, Johnny answered fromthe loft bedroom. Ill grab it and go.

Okay. She pulled the toaster out of the cupboard anddropped two slices of bread in. Bending over to retrieve the butter from thefridge, she was grabbed from behind. Hey! She turned to find him standingbehind her, grinning. Youve got to stop doing that. She shoved him to theside and pulled a knife to butter the toast with out of the drawer.

As she finished preparing the toast, Johnny slid his armsaround her waist and parked his chin on her shoulder. When are we going tomake this permanent?

Her heart quickened. What do you mean permanent? Thiswas a first. He had always been content with things the way they were, both ofthem enjoying each other whenever they could and as often as they could.

You know, maybe moving in together or something. Then seewhat happens from there. He leaned back and turned her toward him.

She looked up at him, gazing into his warm, hazel eyes. Hewas serious, she could tell from the look on his face. Um, Johnny, you knowhow I am. Are you sure you can put up with me?

Listen, Rose, I know youre a free spirit and to be honestwith you, its one of the reasons I love you. Im not asking you to give upyour life and settle down with me.

Youre not? This was confusing. Just what was he askingthen?

No, he said, shaking his head. I know for a fact if I tryto cage you, it wouldnt work.

So, youre saying youre okay with me indulging myself oncein a while when it comes to sex? She had told Johnny from the beginning thatone man would never be enough for her. It hadnt fazed him a bit and that waswhy their relationship was so good. She could be who she really was around him.

Ive known you all my life, Rose. Im not going to try tochange you when it comes to that part of our lives. I want to be with you,thats what Im saying. He chucked her under the chin. So, what do you say?

Let me think about it, okay? Its just that Im not used toliving with anyone and I really need to know youre okay with my lifestylebefore I say yes.

All right. He stepped back and grabbed his keys from thecounter. Ill give you time. Taking his toast from the paper plate where shehad laid it after buttering it, he walked toward the door. Hesitating, heturned back to look at her. There is one thing I wish I could change though.

Here it comes. She crossed her arms and leaned her hipagainst the counter. And what would that be, Johnny Gayheart?

I just wish youd shut down that moonshine still before youget caught.

He couldnt be serious. You know thats how I make myliving, Johnny. I cant just shut it down.

Rose, seriously, you are going to get caught one of thesedays. Half of the people in Racy County know about your still.

Yes, they do and half of those people come to my door tobuy my shine. What are you worried about? Ive been running the still for overfive years now and Ive never had a problem. She bunched up her t-shirt in herhands where they lay at her waist to keep from stomping her foot.

Well, thats true, youve never had a problem yet. Whatare you going to do when the new sheriff gets wind of it, though? He wont beas forgiving as my Uncle Roy was when he was sheriff. He took a bite of histoast and chewed rapidly.

Rose could see he was getting frustrated. She didnt care.Running the still had been what kept her paying her bills these last few years.There was no job in this county she could get that would pay her as much asselling her home-brewed shine did. Ill deal with the sheriff when it comesto it. Dont you worry.

Johnny shook his head. Well, I can see your stubborn siderearing its head so Id best just end this conversation before it ends in anargument I dont have time to finish. He pushed the screen door open and tookone step through it. Just be aware that with me being a fireman, if you getcaught, it sort of puts me in a bad position.

He was right. The sheriff would never believe Johnny didntknow about the still, who ran it, or its location. Im sorry if running withme is a bit dangerous, but didnt you just tell me a few minutes ago that mywild side was one of the things you love about me? She raised her chindefiantly.

He let out a hmph but then he smiled. Yes, I did. Thenhe turned and walked out the door, letting it slam shut behind him.

Rose chewed her bottom lip. She listened to the sound of hisboots crossing the porch, then soon after his truck started up and he droveoff. She let out the breath she hadnt realized she was holding. Rose didntwant to lose Johnny but she didnt want to be beholding to a man to support hereither. Until she came up with some other way to earn an income, the still wasgoing to stay stoked and bubbling.

Dang it, Johnny Gayheart. I wish I didnt love you somuch. Ramming her ringers through her hair, she climbed the stairs to theloft. It was time to get dressed and get busy. Shed have to ponder on Johnnylater. Right now, she had moonshine to brew.