Free Into the Fire by Donna Alward

wanting to rush into a decision that would change her entire life. I didn’t respect her wishes then, and I didn’t trust her when I should have. That was my mistake. We all should have believed in her more.”
    Did he really mean that? All of it?
    She tightened her fingers on his arm, felt the faces of her parents and the rest of the group staring at her. She had no idea what to say, but with Chris beside her she gathered strength. “No decision’s been made about the shelter yet,” she said, willing her voice to come out stronger than she felt. “I’m looking into a number of options. My parents are right, financially it’s not feasible.” She looked up at Chris. “But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.”
    Their gazes held for several seconds until someone dropped a spoon and the clatter broke the spell.
    “You about ready to go?” he said it quietly, made it sound like the plan all along was for her to go with him.
    She nodded. “I’m ready.”
    She looked at her parents’ shocked faces and felt nerves bubble inside her tummy. This felt like teenage rebellion about ten years behind schedule, but they couldn’t have it both ways. If they wanted her more independent, they’d have to accept her making her own decisions more often. “Chris’ll bring me home later,” she informed them. “Have a good afternoon.”
    She was shaking now, stunned by the surprise confrontation. On one hand, she wished Chris had just let it go. On the other, it had been so amazing to hear him stand up in defense of her. Had he truly meant all that about respect and trust and believing in her? Because no one ever had before.
    He took her hand and led her out of the fire hall to where his truck was waiting, parked along the shoulder of the road. He opened the door and she hopped in, then he closed it behind her.
    He slid behind the wheel and the jittery feeling she got every time she was around him returned. He looked over at her and smiled.
    Why did she get the feeling that everything was about to change?

Chapter Five
    Ally could hear Moose barking from the moment they stepped out of the truck. When Chris opened the back door, the Labrador came hurtling out, bouncing and jumping in welcome. “He’s settling in,” Ally joked, watching as Chris treated the dog to rubs and pats.
    “He’s still skittish. Noises send him hiding. But he generally just goes to his bed in the porch room. Yesterday, I opened the dishwasher and I thought he was going to come out of his skin. But we’re getting there. And he does love it outdoors. I ordered what I need for the fence, but it hasn’t come yet. I want to get it done soon. If I’m going to put the posts in concrete, I have to do it before the ground freezes.”
    He grabbed a ball and tossed it out on the grass for Moose, who ran after it but then tore around the yard with it in his mouth instead of bringing it back. “We’re still working on the fetch thing.”
    “He seems happier. I’m glad you took him in.”
    “Me too. He’s good company. Especially up here where there’s room for him to run around.”
    Moose eventually brought the ball back and for the next several minutes they threw it for him. Ally looked up at Chris, tall and handsome. He was so capable, so right all the time. It had been intimidating once. Now she found it unbelievably attractive. He was confident but didn’t rub it in anyone’s face. He was a good man. And he’d stood up for her today in a way no one ever had before. It was definitely more than she’d deserved. Her mother was right. She’d been a coward three years ago when she’d given him back his ring.
    “Did you mean what you said to my parents?” she asked, focusing on Moose as she threw the ball.
    Moose raced after it. “Which part?”
    “All of it,” she answered. “About the shelter. About not hating me.”
    Chris put his hand on her arm and turned her to face him. He cupped her chin in his hands. “Do I look like I hate