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CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Two Weeks Later

Avery passes me a folded beach blanket and the big wicker basket she packed our dinner in. “The guys said they have fire pit fifteen reserved.”

I’m so distracted, I have to ask, “What number did you say?”

She leans up, wraps her arms around my neck, and kisses me on the cheek. “Where’s your brain, sweetheart? That’s the tenth time you’ve asked me to repeat something this weekend.”

“Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind.”

A LOT. She has no idea how much. From the fact that my son is going on his first real date to the fact that we’re about to be surrounded by all of my old work buddies from the fire department. Oh, and the fact that she’s looking too fucking hot in her tight jeans and soft pink sweater. Every man on the beach tonight is gonna be sporting wood from the sight of all her curves.

But I’ll just keep all that serious stuff to myself.

Shaking my head, I squeeze her tighter. “It’s these jeans. I can’t think when you have them on.”

“Brain lacking blood again?”

“Always around you. Just look at all the rash things I’ve done since we’ve been together.”

Ginning like the sexy little devil she is, she bats those big blues up at me. “I’m so glad I have that effect on you.”

“Me too. Me too, hot stuff. You’re worth every damned minute of insanity.”

I let out a breath. “Speaking of insanity, I still can’t believe that Linc is old enough to go to the homecoming dance tonight.”

She laughs. “He’s as much of a mess as you are, this weekend. I think he’s sent me a dozen pictures of his outfit.”

I laugh as I imagine Linc snapping selfies in the mirror of his shirt and tie. “I thought raising a boy would be easier than a girl.”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure it is. How do you think Belle’s mom feels about him taking her to the dance tonight? Speaking of, you did have the birds and the bees talk, didn’t you? ”

“Fuck. You’re giving me gray hair. I did have the talk. Even gave him some condoms just in case he does something that I told him NOT to do. But I didn’t even think about what it has to be like for her mom. Hopefully, she knows he’s a good kid.”

“Sounds like her mom likes him. Belle was over the moon to get to go. She never imagined that this thing with the bullies would be over and Belle could safely go to the dance, or any other school function for that matter. It was such a shame. But when the other kids apologized, her whole world changed.”

I tug her into my arms and kiss her temple. “It was really nice of you to buy her that dress.”

She smiles softly as she leans into me. “We had some good girl time while we were shopping. I shared with her all about my experience with bullies and gave her some suggestions on how to deal with them if anything happens again.”

“You know how much I love you?”

Wrapping her arms tighter around me, Avery says, “You could always tell me again.”

“More than swiss cheese.”

She giggles, “You don’t even like swiss cheese.”

I lift her off the ground and kiss her possessively. “So my statement was true.”

She pinches me hard.

I lower her to the ground but don’t let her go. “Okay, let’s try this one—More than running by the ocean.”

She sighs, “Now we’re getting somewhere. Speaking of, let’s get going before we miss this beach party you’ve been bragging about, unless you plan on climbing back in that truck with me.”

Growling, I nip at her neck. “Don’t tempt me, you little spitfire. I remember how hot you were the last time you were all over me in the truck.”

She dances away, but holds her hand out for me to join her. “Shhh. Keep your voice down.”

I amble over to her, catch her hand in mine. I’m proud to let everyone know she’s with me.

Not that anyone has to wonder. It’s all over the gossip news pages and freaking social media sites. “Former Fire Chief Rescues Firefighter He Resigned Over.” Right alongside a picture of us kissing that some reporter snapped at the garage fire scene.

We had some laughs about it. Avery didn’t seem to care about the attention. “At least the picture was good!” she said.

As we cross the boardwalk and weave between the clusters of people, Avery’s scanning the crowd. “I hope Gunnar comes out. It will be good for him to meet some people.”

“He’s coming. We talked earlier.”

“Oh good. I’m so glad you guys are getting along now.”

“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 glows warm 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.”

“Shit. Yes, I would. I see two problems with that. One, she might say no. Two, wouldn’t we have the same problem with fraternization? ”

His grin turns smug. “I have a feeling she’d say yes to being home with you more. About the fraternization thing, it’s nothing to worry about when I’ve been hired to sit on the board and to develop the policy manual.” He taps a finger to his temple, “I might not be able to lug gear anymore, but I’m not dead yet. There will be an exception for married couples.”

Narrowing my eyes, I say, “What makes you think we’re getting married?”

“Oh, nothing.” There’s a twinkle in his eyes when he strolls off.