Page 23 of My Three Hometown Firefighters (Aspen Springs #2)
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Warren
I grab a birthday present from the pile, handing it to Jackson. He tears into the wrapping paper, pulling out a huge magnet tile set.
His eyes pop wide, and he mutters a hushed, “Wow.”
“Go tell all of them thank you,” I say, pointing to the couch where Hadley, Conrad, Austin, and Brooks are sitting.
He gives all the guys fist bumps and Evelyn a high five. When he gets to Hadley, he hesitates for a second but gives her a small hug when she scooches to the edge of the couch.
He starts to walk back toward me, but spins back around to where Cash is lying near Hadley’s feet. He kneels beside him, wrapping his arms around the fluffy dog’s neck. Jacks giggles when Cash nuzzles his face against him.
I can’t believe he’s four. It’s hard to believe I had a life before he came around because everything I do is for him now.
Well… other than everything going on with Sienna. That’s just for me.
My eyes catch hers from across the room. She looks gorgeous tonight in a pair of jeans and a burnt orange sweater that falls off one of her shoulders. Her hair is pulled back with little pieces hanging around her face.
Jackson insisted on inviting her to his party. I’m pretty sure she’s one of his favorite people now. Not that I questioned inviting her. Having her here in our home makes it feel more like a home than it does with just the two of us.
Jackson plops down beside me, opening a few more presents.
He opens gifts from Tucker, Grayson, some of the other firefighters who couldn’t be here, and from my parents, who also couldn’t make the trip right now. We’ll see them over the holidays.
Sienna looks at me from across the room, silently asking if it’s time. I give her a small nod, and she ducks out through the kitchen into the garage.
“Hey, bud. Are you ready for your last gift?” I ask him.
He looks confused until Sienna walks into the living room carrying one of the puppies Jackson fell in love with at the school fair. He doesn’t even say anything. He just sits there, frozen beside me.
Sienna kneels in front of him, placing the excited dog in his lap. A warm smile is plastered on her face.
“Is he mine?” he asks. His eyes swivel between me and Sienna.
“Yeah, bud. He’s yours,” I tell him.
He hugs the dog so close to his chest, I think he might crush him. He rests his face against his fur, a single tear tracking down his face.
Shit. Hold it together. I cannot cry right now.
I swipe the tear away, kissing the top of my son’s head. “Happy birthday, bud.”
He releases one of his arms from the dog to hug me.
“He’s from Sienna, too. She helped get all the stuff we’ll need for him,” I say.
I expect him to give her a hug, but he just moves over until he’s sitting on her lap. She adjusts her position, so she’s sitting beside me.
“What’s his name?” Jackson asks.
“He doesn’t have one yet,” she says, petting the dog’s caramel-colored fur alongside Jackson. “You get to pick his name.”
His forehead wrinkles as he starts to think about names. This should be good coming from a barely four-year-old.
“What about Pancake?” Tucker says from his spot on the opposite side of the room.
“Don’t listen to him,” Grayson says. “Pick a good one. That’s a big responsibility.”
“Pancake is a good name,” Tucker retorts. “He’s the color of maple syrup.”
“Says the guy who doesn’t even have a pet.” Brooks laughs.
Jackson’s eyes light up. “Mack,” he says, turning to look at Sienna.
“That’s a good name,” she says, running her fingers through his hair. “I like it.”
He turns his head to gauge whether I like it or not. “It’s perfect, bud.”
The semi-truck named Mack in Cars is his favorite character, so I’m not surprised . It is kind of perfect, though.
Mack darts out of his arms, and Jacks quickly follows suit. Soon, they’re rolling around on the floor in a ball of fur and giggles. Cash barks and leaps over to join in on the fun, making everyone laugh.
Taking care of a puppy won’t be easy with my schedule, but seeing how happy it has made Jackson makes all of it worth it.
Of course, none of it would have been possible without the woman sitting beside me. She selflessly agreed to help take care of the dog when I’m working if I need it.
She shifts a little, her fingers grazing against mine. Instead of instantly pulling them away, she lets her fingers hook through mine for a brief moment before pulling her hand back into her lap. She gives me a small smile over her shoulder.
I just want to wrap my arm around her. I want her to be mine . I’ve accepted that Grayson and Tucker are a part of the package deal that is Sienna. I just want her.
I sigh, trying to focus on anything else. As much as my brain knows that it’s never going to happen, my heart hasn’t received the same message.
Because I’m pretty sure I’m already falling in love with her.