Page 10 of Single Mom's Firemen

“Let’s hope not,” I giggle. “How are we on the hunger meter right now? Want me to call the nurse and see what they’ve got downstairs at the cafeteria?”

“Wyatt gave us Jell-O and Pop Tarts last night while you were sleeping,” Luna says.

“The breakfast of champions,” I laugh.

Sammy nods in genuine agreement. “Jell-O was good-O.”

“Good-O, huh?” I laugh again, though my shoulder stings a tad in protest.

The door suddenly opens and in walks Eric, a warm smile stretching across his lips. “Good morning, ladies and gent,” he says.

He looks so dashing in his jeans and plaid shirt, the fabric hugging his muscular figure in all the right places. His broad shoulders look even bigger wrapped in blue and black plaid, while his linebacker thighs struggle against his jeans. As soon as she sees him, Luna lights up with delight.

“Mr. Eric!” she exclaims, then jumps out of my bed and rushes to hug him.

“Come on,” he says, laughing as he scoops her up so she can give him all the love in the world. She’s the affectionate type and I love that about her. “We need to get the three of you out of here.”

“God, yes, I desperately need a shower,” I reply with a soft chuckle.

Sammy gives me a worried look but I offer a smile in return.

He knows we’re going to be okay now.

I can see it in his eyes.

The Danson brothers’ house is lovely. Big but standard for this residential neighborhood. The whole area is quiet, with cul-de-sacs and white picket fences, generous backyards, and lots of joggers darting about at every hour of the day.

“Oh, wow, it’s a mansion!” Luna exclaims as we get out of Eric’s SUV.

Eric laughs. “Not quite a mansion but you’ll have plenty of space.”

There’s a narrow stone path leading up to the front porch where a woman in her early sixties awaits in a wooden rocking chair. As soon as she sees us she springs to her feet, rushing over to give us a warm welcome with a sweet smile and a voice to match.

Almost immediately, I realize she’s Eric, Chase, and Wyatt’s mother. Wyatt has her eyes. They’re the same wild shade of green.

“I’m so glad to see the three of you safe,” she says upon reaching us. “When the boys told me what happened, it damn near broke my heart. I’m Marie, by the way. Marie Danson.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Marie,” I say, shaking her hand.

“Come on, let’s get you all inside,” Eric cuts in. “Wyatt and Chase will be back later. They’re on a shopping spree.”

I give him a confused look while Luna gingerly takes Sammy’s hand and escorts him up the front steps of the house. “Shopping spree?”

“Well, yeah,” Marie says. “That fire left you without anything. Y’all need clothes, underwear, shoes. The kids need toys. That fridge needed restocking,” she adds with a reprimanding tone as she looks at her son.

Eric laughs. “We just got out of a twenty-four-hour shift, Ma, have some mercy.”

“I had enough mercy to write a list for the boys before sending them out,” Marie replies.

“You don’t have to buy us anything,” I say, my voice barely a whisper, my protest ridiculously meek. Who am I kidding? We do need clothes and underwear and, well, everything. “You’re all too kind.”

“Hey, we’re human beings,” Marie says. “We help each other out when it gets tough. Besides, you might’ve gotten over it a lot quicker had you been on your own, Halle, but you’re not. These two angels deserve better.”

“You’re absolutely right,” I exhale sharply. “Thank you, so much.”

We walk through the front door and can’t help but marvel at the size of the house.

It’s spacious and breezy, with wide hallways and massive windows, allowing an abundance of sunshine into every room. The ground floor consists of the living room, a bathroom, the kitchen and the dining area. It’s clean and tastefully decorated, though the Danson brothers are not exactly art aficionados.

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