Page 49 of Saved By the Firefighter

"Shouldn't what?" I ask softly.

Jake meets my gaze, a storm of emotion swirling in his eyes. "Shouldn't fall for you. But I did anyway."

My breath catches in my throat, but I don’t say anything, just give him time.

The vulnerability in his eyes makes my chest ache. "Ellie, I'm a widower with an eight-year-old daughter. My life is complicated, and the last thing I should be doing is dragging you into it."

"I'm a big girl," I say softly. "I can handle complicated."

Jake shakes his head. "I'm not the same man I was before Sarah died. There are days when the grief still hits me like a ton of bricks. It's not something that just goes away."

I reach for his hand, lacing our fingers together. "You loved her with all your heart. She'll always be a part of you."

He stares at our joined hands, thumb tracing circles over my knuckles. "I don't know if I can give you what you deserve. But I’m ready to try. You're someone special, Ellie Carter, and I'd be a damn fool to let you slip away. I know that now, and I’m sorry for how foolishly I acted before." Jake meets my gaze, eyes dark with longing. "If we do this, it has to be real. I won't do anything halfway, and I won't let you go without a fight."

My heart swells at his words. "I wouldn't want it any other way." Tears prick the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill over. Olivia's words echo in my head—Jake just needed time to face his fears. And here he is, heart on his sleeve, asking for a second chance. I blink rapidly, trying to clear the emotional haze.

"Jake," I manage to get out, my voice barely above a whisper. He watches me with an intensity that makes my pulse race. "I...I forgive you." It's all I can say before the space between us disappears and his lips meet mine in a kiss that feels like coming home.

The kiss is a promise, a silent vow that speaks louder than any words could. The taste of him, the feel of his strong arms around me—it's overwhelming and exactly what I've been craving. But as we part, I'm brought back to reality by his next words.

"Join me for a sunset horseback ride?" Jake asks again, a hopeful glint in his brown eyes.

"Jake, I—I can't," I stammer, the weight of my secret pressing down on me. The tension between us crackles.

"Is it that you don't want to?" he asks. He looks so disappointed that my heart aches.

"No, it's not that." My heart hammers against my ribcage. "It's just..." The words stick in my throat, heavy and terrifying.

"Ellie, what is it?" He reaches out to steady me with gentle hands.

Taking a deep breath, I find the courage that's been hiding beneath my fear. "I'm pregnant."

The world stands still for a heartbeat. His eyes widen, mouth falling open as he tries to process the bombshell I've just dropped. Jake Wilder, the man who always seems to have everything under control, looks utterly shell-shocked.

"Y-you're what?" he stutters.

"Pregnant," I repeat, my voice trembling.

A silence stretches between us, fraught with a thousand unspoken thoughts, until suddenly, his shock morphs into joy. A wide smile spreads across Jake's face, lighting up his eyes, and he pulls me into a tight embrace that lifts me off the ground.

"Ellie." He cups my face in his hands, gazing down at me with a tenderness that makes my breath catch. "That's...that's the best news I've had in a long time."

Tears prick my eyes and I blink them back. "Really?"

"Really." He kisses me then, a sweet and lingering kiss that seals his promise. “I can't wait to meet our baby."

Our baby. The words send a surge of warmth through me as I cling to him, overwhelmed by the wave of joy and relief crashing over us. When we break apart I'm breathless, caught in the wonder of this moment.

"No more running away," he echoes. "You and this baby, you're my future now. My family."

Family. The word fills me with a peace I've never known. I rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart, and smile.

He kisses my forehead. “But I really need you to come with me to the forest, so we’ll take an ATV.”

"Sounds perfect," I say, my own smile mirroring his.

The forest is bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun as we drive up to a secluded spot. Jake's hand is warm in mine, and I can't help but feel that despite the chaos, everything is as it should be.

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