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“Cole,” she began.

“Sophie,” he countered, before she could refuse his offer, “I’ve trained for tree rescues, roof rescues, you name it. If your cat needs rescued, I’m your man.”

Her brows lifted and mirth filled her eyes.

“Professionally speaking, of course,” he felt the need to add. He couldn’t have Sophie taking what he’d said the wrong way.

“Of course,” she said with an adorable grin. “And you have my word. Should the situation ever arise again, I promise to call.”

Good. He didn’t want her risking her life for the cat. His concern was for her safety. Just a firefighter trying to keep a community member safe. Nothing more.

Yeah, right.

Chapter Eight

“So, that’s twenty-five boxes total at various businesses,” Sophie informed the group that weekend, taking a sip of her cocoa as she glanced over the paper she held in her other hand. She was grateful for the way the hot cocoa warmed her insides. She couldn’t believe how far the temperature had dropped that week.

It had even started spitting snow that morning and hadn’t let up yet. There wasn’t any significant ground cover yet, but there was starting to be a white dusting—with more scheduled to come throughout the day.

Sophie loved snow. They usually only had a few good snows each winter, and per the forecast, this one could be a big one.

She forced her attention on the paper she held so she wouldn’t focus on the man sitting across from her. Cole had been the last to join their group. When Ben and Andrew had arrived without him, she’d had a moment of wondering if he’d be a no-show. Relief she shouldn’t feel had washed over her when the café’s door had opened, and it had been Cole shaking snow from his boots on the Merry Christmas rug just inside the doorway.

He’d been nice enough when she’d brought the cookies to the fire station, but his friendliness had been on the surface only. She figured that was because he’d not wanted to encourage her.

“Next weekend is the Christmas festival,” Sophie reminded, tapping her pen against the tabletop as she studied the list she and Sarah had put together earlier that day. “Donations always peak that weekend. We’ll need to go by and collect them so we’ll have an idea of what we still need to fulfill requests.”

“Good idea,” Rosie praised, waggling her penciled-on brows at the men. “Sarah and I may need one of the men to go with us to carry all the donations that are sure to come in at the businesses on our list.”

“I’ve got that covered, Rosie,” Sarah informed her toy drive partner. “Bodie will be helping us go to the businesses, and he will carry anything we need carried.”

Rosie gave an oh-well-I-tried shrug. “If the two of you are too busy planning your wedding, I could always take care of things, so you don’t have to worry your pretty head about it.”

“Our wedding is all planned,” Sarah assured, a dreamy look settling onto her face. “Just a few more weeks, and Christmas Day will be here.”

“You’re getting married on Christmas Day?”

Sarah nodded at Cole. “I can’t imagine anything more perfect than marrying the man of my dreams on the most magical day of the year. Can you?”

Her glowy words and expression had Cole averting his gaze. He didn’t answer her question, but then, Sophie didn’t imagine Sarah noticed as she was all Bodiefied—the term Sophie and Isabelle had invented for when Sarah got all wrapped up in thoughts of her soon-to-be husband.

They ran through the rest of the meeting agenda, making plans to drop off everything to the firehall where Sophie and Sarah would make an inventory of the items collected.

“Did the Santa suit fit okay?” Sophie asked, glancing toward where Cole leaned back in his chair, quietly taking in the meeting.

“Like it was made for him,” Andrew answered for him.

Cole nodded. “He’s right. It fits perfectly. Thank you.”

“Pretty sure Bob’s got competition for next year. No green candy cane needed,” Ben added.

Cole frowned at his friends and shook his head. “The snow has apparently given you all brain freeze.”

Rosie’s phone buzzed and a smile spread across the older woman’s face as she read the text. “Sorry to bail on y’all, but I’ve got to run.”

They said their goodbyes as Rosie bundled up, then left.

Sophie grinned at Sarah. “Wonder who that was?”