Page 15 of His Fiery Mate

“I think your boss considers you an asset worth keeping. I’m sure he knows you could make a lot more money working for the private sector. I told him we would love to have you here in Kodiak, and that was before I knew you and Tanner were an item.”

“We weren’t trying to keep anything from you,” she said. “It happened kind of fast.”

The chief smiled indulgently. “I think sometimes the best marriages are like that. I met my wife when she came up here on a cruise. They docked, and we met at a dance that had been arranged to coincide with their arrival. Two days later the cruise ship left without her. Six months after that we tied the knot. We’ve been together almost twenty-five years. It hasn’t always been easy, but we knew when we got married that it was forever. I don’t think either of us would change a thing.” He smiled down at her. “Let me be the first to congratulate you. Tanner’s a good man. He can be tough, but he’s loyal and honorable.”

Melisandre smiled back at him and then fixed her focus on Tanner. “I would tend to agree with that.”

Tanner and his team stayed until all of those who’d been inside the school, their families, and the rest of the crowd, reporters, and firefighters were on their way back to the city. She called his name and waved.

“I’ll see you tonight when we’re through,” he said, joining her and kissing her again and making her go weak at the knees. “That’s just for show.”

“Liar,” she teased.

“Yeah, but you find it endearing.”

“Do I? Yes, I suppose it’s true. If you can call me when you’re about fifteen minutes out, I’ll have the diner make us something. Anything you’d like or not like?”

“Surprise me. So far today, you’re batting a hundred.”

She shook her head and rolled her eyes as she headed back to her SUV.

“Melisandre?” She turned to look at him. “Be careful on the roads. They’re icy and slick.”

“Will do. You, too.”

She slipped into her vehicle and as she started it up and pulled away, she looked up to see Tanner give her a little wave. What the hell had she gotten herself into, and why was she warming to the idea?

She should have known Rick would have heard about her engagement before she could get back to the diner.

“And here I thought the boy was overplaying his hand by inviting himself to join you for dinner last night,” he greeted her as she walked in.

“Yeah, well, I’m told things happen fast over here on Kodiak Island,” she said as she took a seat at the counter.

Rick nodded. “Oftentimes they do. I say when you know it’s right, grab on with both hands and don’t let go. I like Tanner. Kodiak has been good for him. You too, I think.”

“So, you do know that there’s a very real possibility I’m going to be able to base out of Kodiak instead of Anchorage?”

“So, I’ve heard.”

Melisandre laughed. “I forget that even though it’s the largest town on the island, it’s still pretty small. Does anything happen that you don’t know about ten minutes after it happens?”

“If it’s a whole ten minutes, I start trying to shore up my network. What’ll you have?”

“What’s Tanner’s favorite?”

“Hmm, I’d say it’s a toss-up between my cinnamon bun French toast, the biscuits and gravy, or the Mexican omelet.”

“Oooh, what’s in that?”

“Chorizo pork sausage, homemade salsa, green onions, red peppers, and finely diced green chilies. Cheese sauce is served on the side. It comes with our home fries or grits and a biscuit or toast.”

“I think I’ll try that with home fries and a biscuit.”

“Coming up. Coffee, juice, or Diet Coke?”

“Diet Coke, I think.”

“An excellent choice.”

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