Page 50 of Silver Fox Firefighters Next Door

Vera grinned at me. “What? When I’m mad, the country comes out. It worked, didn’t it?”

I sank into the couch, clasping my aching abs. “It’s been too long since I’ve laughed like that. My body doesn’t know what to do with itself.”

“You know I was eavesdropping, right?” Without waiting for me to agree to that, she went on. “I heard you say you love your guys.”

That sobered me right up. I swallowed one last laugh and nodded. “Yeah. I did say that.”

“You know they’re still in town. I didn’t get the impression that they’re leaving, either.”

“Did you see them?” That perked me right up. I sat on the edge of the couch, my entire body tensed. “You didn’t say you saw them.”

“I didn’t see them. It was just more gossip I heard, but all the stuff about you was true, so…” She shrugged. “I just heard that they’re sticking around.”

Sinking back into the couch, I sighed. “It’s just a rumor. I heard from their mouths that they’re leaving.”

“Maybe they changed their minds. Maybe they feel the same way you feel.” She saw my face darken and held up her hands. “Okay. I won’t say anything else. I just want you to be happy.”

I wanted that, too. It just wasn’t going to be the happy I wanted for myself when it happened.

“You have no idea how impressed I was with how you told Mark off. You were a badass. That woman? The one who just shredded a man without lifting a finger? She’s Deputy material. She’s going to get through anything and everything life throws her way. Got it?”

“As much as I love that empowering speech, I’m never going to be Deputy material, Vera. We both know that. Jimmy should know that. Grandpa should know that.” I sighed. “Unfortunately, I’m surrounded by men who are idiots.”

“True. And same.” She gasped suddenly. “Oh, my god. Do you get a uniform?”

Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. “I get a Sheriff’s Department t-shirt and a jeep that’s older than me.”

“Still. You’re going to look hot.” She reached over and poked my thigh. “You might just star in the next book I write. A deputy who’s new on the job and needs a little help adjusting, a rugged Sheriff who hasn’t loved since he lost his wife in a tragic popcorn accident.”

“A tragic popcorn accident? Really?”

“We’ve seen it happen, Eve. We’ve seen it happen.”

CHAPTER 41

Nash

“Well.” Aiden raised his shoulders in a slow shrug. “Your plan of us showing up to battle didn’t really work.”

Margaret rolled her eyes. “Did you think you wouldn’t have to put a little work in?”

“We’re willing to put the work in. We’re not leaving. Not now and not without Eve.” I leaned heavily on the counter in front of Margaret. Her store smelled like soap and something sweeter and I was struggling with the mix of smells. I sneezed and rubbed my eyes. “How can we put in the work if she won’t give us the time of day? She’s hiding from us again.”

“You know where she is.” Walking out from around her counter, she went to a basket of soaps on a table close by and brought it back. Pushing it into my hands, she smiled. “This one will settle you, big boy.”

I frowned at the name but still brought the soap up to my nose and inhaled. Like a punch to the gut, the smell of Eve filled my senses. Instead of settled, I felt like a dog at the races, salivating over the rabbit just ahead of me.

“Gotcha.” She laughed easily and tapped the counter. “Like I was saying, you know where she is. Why haven’t you gone to get her?”

Tate sniffed the soap and grunted. “What are we supposed to do? Drag her out of there? She doesn’t want to see us.”

“Well, then, I guess that’s that. You should just pack up and leave town.” She rolled her eyes again, something she seemed to be unable to help doing around us. “I heard a rumor her ex-boyfriend went to visit her yesterday. He seems to understand the simple concept of trying.”

My back cramped from how fast I straightened. “Mark’s still in town? He went to see her?”

“He’s not in town anymore. He tucked tail and got the hell out of dodge yesterday. Vera came into the diner last night to pick up dinner for her and Eve. That woman belongs here. She’s a talker and just crazy enough to fit right in. She heard the entire conversation between Eve and her ex. Eve tore into him. She spared no punches, from what Vera said.”

Aiden let out a breath and I knew he’d been feeling the same panic I was. “So, what? We just go visit her at Vera’s and try to convince her we’re staying? I don’t know if you saw her face at the battle, but she’s not interested in listening to us right now.”

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