Page 28 of A Gift for her Festive Firefighter

Chuckling in sheer disbelief and trying to hold out hope, Holly went back to work on ol’ Crusty the Coupe.

It was almost a week later before she heard from Cade again. It was like he got her to the very edge of her nerves with the whole ‘Will he?’ or ‘Won’t he?’ inner monologue… and then POOF!

A text.

Hey, I’m so sorry. I’m back on duty at the station and could not get freed up during my time off. Remember that full plate I had? Yeah, same amount of crap on it, but it turns out it’s only a saucer.

Hi.

Bad Boyfriend Groveling Commencing in 3…2…1…

Who said you were my boyfriend?

Her phone rang within half a second later, surprising her.

“You! Drive and ignore me,” Cade snapped distantly to someone else. “And you two cackling roosters, hush up! And this stays here – got me?” She heard, only to hear his muttered voice not two seconds later as he whispered, speaking to her this time around and obviously covering the mouthpiece. “… yam.”

“Huh?”

“I said thigh yam…”

“Run that past me one more time,” she laughed, shaking her head. “You are thigh yam? What is thigh yam?”

“Oh heck,” Cade groused and then spoke clearly, loudly, and distinctly. “You and I are in a relationship – and I am, not thigh yam, are dating. You have a very bad boyfriend who needs to work on communication with his girl, and we are still going to dinner… eventually. I’m just sorry it’s taking so long.”

“I’ll take ol’ Beary to dinner if she wears… DON’T HURT ME! HELLLLP!”

Holly heard a scuffle, some grunting, and a horn honking before she heard Cade’s voice once more.

“You are not asking her out – knock it off because it’s not funny.”

“Cade, I can let you…” Holly began and he stopped her immediately.

“No,” he interrupted. “Please. We’ve been doing drills, doing recertifications, cleaning the firetrucks repeatedly. I’ve pulled two cats out of a tree, removed puppies from a storm drain – and yes, they were alive – and had to help a person into a fresh diaper on a wellness check. I’m taking two minutes for myself to reach out to my girlfriend because I don’t want her to think, wonder, or doubt that something is starting… and please don’t give up on me.”

“I’m not,” she whispered, trying not to sound as teary-eyed as she felt right now just hearing his words. “Puppies?”

“I kept one…” he admitted, and she could hear the smile in his voice. “How about dinner tomorrow night, and you can meet him.”

“You’re on.”

“About time, right?”

“Took the words right out of my mouth,” she uttered, teasing him, and treasured his easy laugh.

“Do you have plans for Thanksgiving?”

“No? I used to cook, but when it’s just you…” her voice trailed off.

“I understand completely,” he replied. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to call – to firm up things for dinner and invite you over for Thanksgiving. I thought maybe we could cook, watch the game, and talk.”

“I’d like that.”

“We’re all coming over,” she heard a voice yell in the background, causing her to pause – and arch an eyebrow. He invited everyone over. So this wasn’t a date on Thanksgiving?

Okaaaay…

“I thought it would be nice to have a full table with a make-shift family of friends to celebrate,” Cade volunteered quietly, almost as if he could read her mind. “I really do have a few things to show you and talk about – and Thanksgiving would be a chance to…”

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