Page 41 of My Three Hometown Firefighters (Aspen Springs #2)
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Sienna
I have a hot cocoa clasped in one hand and Jackson’s small hand in my other one as we stand waiting for the next racer to start.
Taking a deep breath, I inhale Warren’s earthy scent, which clings to his coat that’s wrapped around me.
I might have adamantly opposed wearing it at first, but not only am I warmer than I was this morning, I have had his scent there for the taking all day long.
“Well, look at all of you,” a familiar voice says behind me.
I turn, seeing my grandma standing there with Martha at her side. I swear those two never do anything apart. Some might call it codependence, but at their age who gives a shit.
They both look crazy with the hats they made last year in their one and only attempt at learning how to knit. You’d think, as old ladies, they would be blessed with the ability to master that skill, but not them.
“Hi, Gram,” I say.
Before I can say anything else, she holds up her hand.
“We can’t stay. We have places to be. I just wanted to say hi to you and your little harem of men.
” Dear lord. “And that little cutie over there,” she adds, pointing to Jackson, who’s still holding my hand even with his body turned to keep watching the horses.
“Never know what’s going to come out of that mouth of yours.” Tucker laughs.
Gram reaches up, patting him on the shoulder. “And you love me for it.”
“Of course I do,” he says.
Such a ladies’ man.
With that, she blows me a kiss over her shoulder as they walk away.
“Bye, I guess,” I shout after her.
“Your grandma is a little crazy,” Warren says, surprising me.
I smile because he isn’t wrong.
“She’s the good kind of crazy, though,” Grayson says, taking my empty cup from my hand.
“If you say so.”
“Are you getting tired?” Tucker asks, glancing at me when I lean against him.
I want to say no, but I really am tired. Today was so fun. I’m just exhausted. Jackson looks like he’s about ready to pass out, too.
“Yeah, I am,” I say.
Tucker taps the other two guys on the shoulder, telling them we should head out.
Grayson bends down in front of Jackson. “You want a piggyback ride, bud?”
Jackson gives him a small, sleepy smile and nods. Grayson turns so Jackson can climb on.
As we start walking back to where Warren’s truck is parked, I can’t help but keep making sideways glances at Grayson. He’s going to be an amazing dad, and he’s going to look damn hot doing it.
My smile falls when I see Kevin Sheridan, the mayor of Aspen Springs. He turns, locking eyes with me as a sneer spreads across my face.
He’s a horrible mayor, and I don’t understand how he was elected. I already didn’t like the man, but after he made some nasty remarks to Hadley about her relationship, that dislike grew exponentially.
“Look at this,” Kevin says, gesturing to our group. “Just what our town needs, more insane relationships that will trash the wholesome vibe of our small town. And what? Because all of you can’t get enough of the same sl?—”
Warren gently maneuvers himself in front of me, effectively bringing our whole group to a stop.
“I wouldn’t finish that sentence if I were you,” he growls.
The mayor just laughs. I can’t see him because of Warren’s massive frame in front of me, but I can imagine the entitled look plastered across his dumb face.
Idiot.
“If one more ill-intended word flies from your mouth about any of the people standing behind me, it will be the last thing you ever do,” Warren says in an eerily calm voice.
Fuck. He’s so sexy right now.
He reaches back, grabbing my hand. I follow along as he starts to lead us away from the psycho.
“You’d better hope I don’t get you fired,” Kevin yells after us.
Warren pauses, glancing back over his shoulder. “And you’d better hope you aren’t ever in a burning building where I’m supposed to save your life.”
With that, Warren tightens his grip on my hand and walks down the sidewalk, despite the nonsense being spewed behind us.
I look to my side. Tucker gives me a look that seems to say, “holy shit.” I smirk and widen my eyes back at him because yeah, “holy shit.”
Without even looking at him, I know Warren is still raging. I can feel it coming off him in waves. With each block that passes, the anger slowly leaves his body.
When we get back to the truck, Grayson and Tucker work together, getting Jackson into his car seat.
Warren goes to open my door, but I grab his forearm to stop him. “Thanks for standing up for me.” I swallow heavily. “For us.”
I don’t know if by us I mean the baby and me or all of us. Screw that. I know exactly what I meant. All of us.
He shakes his head. “I shouldn’t have gone off like that.”
I shrug. “He deserved it.”
“Doesn’t mean I should have said those things.”
“Eh, I’m sure he’s heard worse. That guy’s a dick.”
“Yeah,” he says, nodding.
“It was also hot as fuck seeing you go all protective caveman like that,” I blurt out. While every word I said is true, I still shouldn’t have said it out loud.
His forehead wrinkles. “Really?”
“Yes. I love your sweet and calm side, but it’s good to know there’s a savage inside there too,” I say, tapping on his hard chest.
“Savage might be a bit much.”
“Maybe, but I still liked it.”
He smiles, shaking his head. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He wraps his arms around me for a quick hug before pressing a kiss to my temple.
I get in the back this time with Tucker, so Grayson can sit up front.
Tucker leans over, whispering in my ear. “Did you tell Daddy Warren he looked hot back there? I saw the look in your eye when he was yelling at dumbass.”
“Don’t call me that,” Warren grumbles as he starts driving.
“Do you have superpower hearing or something?” Tucker asks, but Warren doesn’t even attempt to respond.
Finally, Tucker looks back at me, expecting an answer.
“I did,” I say.
“Way to make a guy jealous,” he says. “I guess I’ll have to find more people to yell at, so you’ll think I’m hot again.”
And that’s the problem. I still think all three of them are the hottest guys I’ve ever seen in my life.
And the sweetest, kindest, funniest, best… I’m so screwed.