Page 21 of Courageous Yearnings

“Can we nickname her Bullfrog?”

“Not unless you want me to knock your front teeth out,” Lance growled protectively. “You are not giving my girlfriend a pet name, much less one that is making fun of her when she’s recovering – got it, Alec?”

And Blythe turned to look at him in utter shock, ignoring the smiling men’s faces. Lance turned to look at her, his expression softening. He didn’t look away, didn’t explain, nor did he need to. Something that she never imagined happening… was. She swallowed silently, not looking away, and felt him touch her hand under the table.

“Eat your ice cream,” he urged quietly. “It’s already soft.”

“You are too, Romeo…” but instead of Lance arguing or snapping, he simply rolled his eyes in exasperation before smirking slightly toward her, like it was a shared secret they had.

What in the world was going on?

Had she hit her head during the fire?

He leaned toward her, whispering in her ear.

“We’ll talk when we are alone.”

Blythe nodded and marveled when Lance squeezed her hand once more. They sat there at the end of the table, listening to the conversations flying around them. She was taking in everything, listening intently, and halfway lost in her own thoughts regarding the mysterious man she was getting to know, sitting beside her – only to jump physically when a loud announcement came over the intercom.

Motor Vehicle Accident with Injury.

Several men groaned or rolled their eyes, leaving their half-eaten Blizzards on the table within seconds. Maya was waving them off, laughing. “I’ll put them in the freezer for you all – go,” she smiled, kissing Chad lightly on the cheek. “Be safe, Big Daddy.”

“Awww mannnnnn,” Alec muttered under his breath, and Lance rose to his feet beside her.

“Go get some rest, and I’ll see you Friday.”

Blythe nodded nervously, her eyes taking in everything. She’d never seen anything quite like this chaotic moment. Shoes were flying, limbs were being shoved into protective gear, Justin was barking out orders and Chad had his arm up, yelling.

“I’m loading up, boys!”

“Craaaaap…”

“Let’s go! Let’s go!”

“Shake a leg, girls…”

“Your makeup looks fine, let’s move it, ladies!”

“Us?” Blythe asked looking at Maya, who laughed easily, shaking her head.

“Nope. Alec is running his yap again. You’ll learn their habits. Justin is gruff but a sweetie. Chad acts all tough, but only because Justin tells him to keep the guys in line. He’s a softie – through and through. Colton has been a grumpy little thing until recently. Lance has a bit of a smart mouth and is afraid of mice. Alec, however…”

“Wait,” Blythe hesitated, chuckling. “He’s afraid of little bitty mice?”

“Chad said it’s really bad,” Maya grinned. “Apparently, Lance left Colton and ran screaming out of a fire once because several rats ran past him. You know how they say animals flee to save themselves? Lance was fleeing, too! Well, my husband was laughing so hard he was crying when he called me. I guess there were about ten rats that ran out of this building – and Lance was flailing his arms, yelping in horror, and leaped into the fire truck, rolling up the window.”

“HEY!” Lance blurted out, leaning in the door. “They were really big rats – and stop talking about that, Maya.”

“WE’RE GOING….” Someone hollered.

Lance looked at the truck that was already lumbering slowly forward, causing him to exclaim something and begin running. Blythe saw him catch up to the truck and climb inside, as the lights flipped on and they pulled out onto Main Street.

“You know…” she began, looking at Maya.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Maya grinned.

“I think we are going to be great friends.”

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