Page 118 of Rescued Dreams

She set the tray down, and Eddie tried to snag a cookie. She smacked him with the potholder. “You’ll burn yourself.” Amelia spotted someone in the doorway. “Besides, your guest is here.”

“Bia!” Eddie headed for his actress girlfriend. A woman no one would have expected to land in Last Chance County, but she had. The work they were doing together with local kids’ programs was amazing.

Eddie and Bia went over to Zack, who had his arms around Naya—only a couple of months from her due date now.

Music played through the firehouse kitchen from one of Maddie’s holiday playlists. The girl was obsessed with Christmas music, and that was just fine. Even if it was early.

The table had been covered with a fall-themed tablecloth, and the spread of food made Amelia feel full just looking at it. She’d been training hard the last few weeks and had finally taken the lieutenant’s test last Monday. Now all she had to do was wait for the results.

Waiting sucked.

Bryce and Penny occupied the couch, with Kane nearby, talking to them.

The twins strode in from the front door, hauling bags that looked like presents. Ridge had a stack of wrapped gifts in his arms, which he tucked under the food table while the girls came over and gave Amelia hugs. Ella snagged one of the hot cookies, chewing appreciatively.

“How was your bizarrely early Christmas shopping trip?”

She’d asked Ella, but it was Maddie who said, “He’s crazy. We had to go to three different stores and the mall just to find what he was looking for. All because Kane isimpossibleto buy for.”

Amelia grinned because Ridge was adorable in his need to overplan the holidays and get everything done way ahead of time.

Ella shrugged. “I got him an Alaska Air One RescueT-shirt and a Midnight Sun Smokejumpers one.”

Maddie twisted around. “That’s a better idea than what I did!”

Amelia chuckled. “I’m sure he’ll love whatever you got him.”

“Yeah, but what Ridge got you is better.”

Ella smacked her sister’s arm, and Maddie flushed red.

“What did you tell her?” Ridge came over, holding a thin rectangular package that looked heavy. “Did you tell?”

The girls lifted their hands, snagged another cookie each, and scurried off toward Zoe and Della, who were laughing over plates of nibbles. Izan held out a fist and got a bump from both the girls.

Amelia wiped her hands on the towel she’d hung on the front of the oven.

Ridge held out the package. “This is for you.”

“It’s Thanksgiving.” She frowned. “You’re giving me a Christmas present on Thanksgiving?”

“Trust me.” His brows rose. “You’ll want to open this now.”

Amelia gingerly peeled back the paper. When was the last time she’d been given a gift? And one from Ridge? She wanted to savor the moment, but soon enough, she got the paper peeled back and found a frame. Glass on the front. Metal bar for a hook on the back. Something to hang on a wall.

She turned it over.

Her breath caught.

In loving memory.

“I had the department give me the badge and name tag for your dad.”

She ran her fingers over the name Matthew Curtis Patterson, too choked up to say anything.

“I think we could hang it on the wall in your office. If you’d like.” He shifted, as if nervous about how she’d receive it.

Amelia hugged the memorial display to her front, lifted up on her toes, and kissed Ridge in front of everyone. He was so certain she’d pass the lieutenant’s exam. She had started to dream big, but life was still life. When had it consistently gone in her favor? But now that she had God in her life, she had someone to whisper her worries to. A place where she found peace and hope.