Page 27 of A Gift for her Festive Firefighter

“I can text you,” she began and saw him smirk. “What?”

“We could eventually have dinner and talk,” he countered.

Holly felt her eyes widen as her breath caught in her chest. Oh my gosh, was Captain Hotness asking her out? Forget ‘Hotness’! He’s a Hostess… unexpectedly sweet and a snack-and-a-half… yum…

“Uh, thanks?” he chuckled awkwardly, smiling and blushing. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called a ‘snack-and-a-half’ before in my life.”

“Tell me I did not say that aloud,” Holly slapped her forehead and groaned in dismay. “Just kill me now…”

“Nahh, but we’ll talk more about that,” he chuckled, backing away and his eyes sparkling. “You know, Holly… not every ‘creature’ is necessarily a bad thing or makes eerie noises. I’ll have you know that fairies, sirens, and nymphs are creatures, too.”

Holly couldn’t help the budding smile of sheer delight on her face as she stood there holding the flowers against her chest, watching Cade finally move around the big fire engine that now had its lights on. Bright lights flashed and spun; but they were nothing compared to the intensity of happiness that was flaring to life within her chest.

She saw him lean forward and wave – only to see Rodney, Jude, and Mayberry also toss their arms out the window, waving at her playfully. A thrilled giggle escaped her as she realized that Cade must be actually serious about this. Those three men were the biggest gossips in town. Everyone would know that the handsome captain had brought her flowers or was starting up a friendship with her.

Her phone dinged as the truck pulled away, and she let out a shriek as she saw it was Cade again, upsetting some of the dirt from the plant in her hand. Taking a seat on her roll-around stool, she set the plant on the floor drain by her feet and began to type.

Hostess, huh? I think that’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.

So, you didn’t mean ‘Creature-Feature’ badly?

Can I be honest?

Uh oh…

I was mad at first, but I think it’s kinda fitting now – and we can talk more when I get off of work about this. I’ve got six sets of eyeballs on me right now that can’t wait for the latest dirt.

Holly chuckled, recognizing the truth of his statement.

Gimme a little time, and we’ll chat. I’ve got some stuff I’ve got to handle, but dinner is happening.

Guess I should get back to your car – by the way, does your car have a name?

Like Butter?

Yes.

Crusty… and if you say that I told you – I will deny it until my dying day. Just look at my truck. He’s absolutely Crusty.

A little rusty, a little crusty, but dependable. My truck has old-fashioned work ethics and isn’t afraid of some hard labor. It’s ANTIQUE meets GRAPES OF WRATH styling…

Best. Thing. Ever.

I’m serious – that’s our secret.

I’ll take care of Crusty, Hostess.

Staaaahp – I’m laughing so hard right now and now the guys are trying to steal my phone. I’ll talk to you soon.

Talk soon!

Holly couldn’t help the happiness flowing through her as she picked up the flowers and slipped her phone back into her pocket. Opening the door to the waiting area of her little shop, she darted up the stairs – speaking to her plant like it would hear or pay attention to her.

“You, Precious, are going right by Curly-Sue. She’s a bitty-baby-pumpkin and will keep you company on the shelf,” she smiled and plucked off a yellow leaf absently, pretending she knew what she was doing to keep a plant alive. Honestly, she hoped the flower never wilted or died because this meant the world to her. No one had ever given her flowers, and it was such a sweet simple gift— just like the pumpkin.

Heading back down the stairs, she glimpsed at herself in the mirror and saw the streak of dirt from her cheek to her nose and rolled her eyes in defeat before hesitating. Cade looked at her like she was impressive, even alluding to mythical creatures and beings.

“If that’s a dryad or a nymph, the poor thing has been dragged through a dark alleyway and left in a pile of dirt,” she muttered, shaking her head. “Or maybe Captain Hostess is the one who’s been conked on the head – hard enough to see something in me…”

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