Page 78 of Anchor Point

Liv studied me, her eyes flashing back and forth between mine. “I want to say yes.”

“Then say it,” I pleaded, “let’s just do it. We’ll sort the rest out later.”

A beautiful smile spread across her face, and her eyes softened. “Mac, honey. It’s not that easy.”

“It is, Liv. It’s just that easy.” A little twinge of doubt sprouted low in my gut. “Unless you don’t want me.”

“I do, Mac. There’s just so much at stake, and this feels really fast.”

I scrambled for a backup plan. “How about we just make this a permanent move, then.” I needed some commitment from her.

Silently, she watched me. Stroking a hand through my hair, studying my eyes, trying to read me.

“I’m serious, Liv. I want you here. With me. I don’t care what it takes. I’ll turn in my notice at the station tomorrow if that’s what it takes.”

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “Mac, I’m scared they’ll make me out like some kind of boss predator shacking up with a subordinate.”

I shifted her on my lap, turning her to straddle me, and cupped her cheeks. Gazing into her eyes like I could will her to see how I felt about her, about us, and how the rest didn’t matter. “We have a history. Long before the fire department. We have a daughter as proof.” My heart thudded in my chest. Beating so hard, so fast. “Just be with me. Be all-in with me.”

Her hand slipped over mine, lacing our fingers and pressing them to her heart. “I’d feel so guilty if you left the department you love because of us.” Tears pooled in her eyes.

“Sweetheart, there’s a reason you do this job when you’re young.” The corner of my mouth tugged up. “And I’m getting too old. I don’t recover from all-night runs like I used to. I can’t fall back asleep after tones drop, whether it’s my station or another station. If I’m honest, I only stayed because I’ve been so close to retiring, and I thought if I could just hang on for another few years, I’d be okay.”

I closed my eyes and admitted, “I love my guys, my crew. But I don’t love the job anymore.” The huge confession felt like a weight being lifted from my shoulders. “If I could’ve moved to a role that had more regular hours…”

“The role I took from you.”

My eyes popped open. “Sweetheart, you didn’t take the chief’s position from me. You earned it. You do a hell of a good job, too.”

That earned me a tentative smile. “So what now?”

“You and Rosie move in with me permanently, where you belong. I’ll turn in my notice and start looking for something else. We’ll be a family.”

We decided to wait for Rosie to get home to tell her our happy news and spent the day celebrating in bed. Later that afternoon, Olivia left to get her, and I schemed up a special meal for my ladies, complete with flowers on the table and steaks on the grill.

Rosie bounded up the stairs, Buster hot on her heels, and straight into my arms. “Hey, Mac,” she cried like she hadn’t seen me in a month.

“Hey, squirt. Oh, sorry, Buttercup. Did you have fun?” I set her back on her feet and watched as she folded onto the porch swing and patted the seat for Buster to join her, knowing damn good and well that the dog wouldn’t jump. Except, to my surprise, he did.

“We had a blast. What’d you and Mom do?”

Olivia’s shoulders rose to her ears as she looked at me with wide eyes, clearly asking if now was the time.

I checked the steaks and slipped the tongs onto the hook, then walked to Olivia and gave her a peck on the cheek.

Then I faced my daughter.

“We talked. And now I need to talk to you.” I pulled a chair over to her and sank into it, dropping my elbows to my knees, not knowing how to go about this.

“Sweetheart, I think you know it was a huge surprise when I found out about you.”

Her eyes shuttered as if she were afraid of what I might say. This kid. Stole my heart and put it back together without even trying. But now she looked scared to death. Of what, I wasn’t sure. I extended my hand to offer her some comfort.

“Rosa Nell, will you look at me, please?”

She slipped her small hand into mine. Hands I’d give anything to go back in time and see when they were little. Still, hers were small and soft, and the sight of her trusting me made me a sentimental fool. I gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze. “I have a confession to make.”

She swallowed, her eyes wide, face stark.

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