Page 107 of Avery's Hero

“We realized we have some important things in common.”

She raises a brow. “Some things?”

I pull her under my arm, “Namely, you and your happiness.”

Wrapping her arm around my waist, she says, “Feeling pretty lucky right now, Chief.”

“Former Chief—for a very short time, I wasn’t even in the job for a month.”

She smiles up at me as we cross the sand toward the groups of people that are dancing and laughing around all of the big concrete fire rings. “You’re still the chief in my eyes. Chief of my heart… and our bedroom.”

I chuckle, my nerves easing some, as my heart glowswarm enough to heat the whole beach. “Okay. I’ll take that.”

All around us on the wide expanse of beach, the Lynn’s Cove annual Bonfire Party is in full effect. Kids are running and splashing at the edge of the water like wild animals as their parents watch from clusters of adult friends. Beer and fire-roasted hotdogs are being downed by some. Fancy beach picnics with fine wine are being enjoyed by others. It’s a true cross-section of the people who live and visit Lynn’s Cove.

A food vendor pushing a fat-tire beach cart stops in front of us, “Popcorn and cotton candy!”

“We’re all good.” I hold up the basket that’s full of things I prepared and Avery packed. Another thing I love about us. The teamwork.

“You made it!” shouts Reeves as he jogs past us, his arms full of cases of beer.

Avery laughs lightly, “Looks like someone’s having a good time. Jeepers, look at the size of the bonfire.”

“The LCFD boys always have the best fire on the beach.”

“Is that why all the ladies are gathered around?”

“What do you think?”

She squeezes my hand. “I think it’s the hotties, but there’s one less on the market this year.”

When we arrive on the scene of the raging hot bonfire, the crew throws up a round of cheers. There’s lots of back slapping and teasing.

Avery goes to help set up some food the guys have brought so they don’t make a total mess of things.

“Good to see you smiling, Brock.” Former Chief Pendergrass passes me a beer.

“Life’s good.”

I tip my chin toward the bottle in his hand. It’s got fruit all over the label. “Having juice?”

“Hell, yeah. Doctor’s orders. Some kind of frou-frou power juice my wife buys for me.”

“She’s a good woman. Glad someone is looking out for you.”

He wiggles a brow at me. “Same could be said for you. You ready to get to work again?”

Oh, boy. Here we go. I knew he was up to something by the look in his crafty eyes. When you work for a man for years, you start to recognize when his cogs are turning in your direction. Nonchalantly, I say, “I am working. I bought another property to flip.”

He gives me a smartass eye-roll from his wrinkled, weathered face. “Real work.”

I snort, and take a sip off the beer. “What do you have in mind? Because, obviously, you’re up to something.”

“The county is going to start a fire academy in partnership with Levi County. I want you to run it and I want your girl to be one of the instructors.”

Bottle halfway to my mouth, I freeze and look around. I’m sure the expression on my face shows my shock. “Excuse me?”

He grins as he watches the firefighters who are carrying more wood to the bonfire. “You’ve got good ears, you heard me. She will do an excellent job of teaching. I’ve never met anyone besides you that knows firefighting as well as she does. Plus, I’m sure you’d rather her do that than have to work all those long shifts, out all hours of the night when you’d like to have her home in your bed.”