Page 29 of A Gift for her Festive Firefighter

“It’s fine,” she interrupted a little uneasily. “You don’t have to explain.”

“Holly…”

“You’re right. Thanksgiving is a time with friends and family – so I think it’s perfect your work family is coming to your place. I guess I should make something to bring over, or do they have that covered too.”

“Ouch.”

“I don’t mean that badly, it’s just…”

“You thought it was us,” he whispered, covering the mouthpiece. “It is, I promise. Tomorrow night, okay? We’ll talk.”

“And he’s taking you to a new place…” Jude hollered in the background, making Cade curse and Holly flinch at the word. Yeah, she’d heard the rumors about him just like any others in town.

“Ignore him.”

“Everyone’s going to think the same thing.”

“I’ll be there in just a few…”

“You’re at work.”

“So are you, I’m betting…”

“Cade…”

“Ten minutes – unless we get a call. I promise,” he said quickly and hung up the phone.

Holly sighed and ran upstairs to wash her face, brush her hair, and spritz some perfume so she didn’t smell like a walking armpit smeared with axle grease.

“Ugh…” she uttered aloud, flinching at the sheer pungent idea of what that would smell like – giving herself one extra spray of perfume, just in case. Starting back down the stairs, she heard Cade holler her name.

“Holly? Holly, are you here?”

She rounded the corner and saw the relief in his eyes as he spotted her, walking toward her immediately while leaning away from the lifts. The automotive lifts really made her big, brave hero nervous, she thought wryly with a smile and got nervous when he didn’t stop.

He came forward – and hugged her.

Holly froze in full sensory overload. Cade was hugging her. She could smell the sweat on him, the scent of smoke, and several others that seemed to wrap around her just like his arms.

“I opened my mouth,” he said softly, speaking to her. “I’m so sorry, and I’ve been so stressed, nervous, and feel like I’m frazzled to the point I’m about to break.”

“Cade,” she began gently, savoring the feeling of warmth from him. She could feel his strength and never imagined that he would just suddenly rush right into her arms, hugging her. That was a sign of affection, and she thought he wasn’t interested. Sure, he said the word ‘relationship,’ but he also told her he wasn’t ready. The man gave mixed signals and…

That thought died in her head as he leaned back to look at her, smiling tenderly. His thumb brushed against her cheek as she stared into his eyes, not moving. She wasn’t sure what was louder – the oil drain pump for the shop that just kicked on or her heartbeat.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For making me feel better… calmer.”

“What’s going on?”

“Well, honestly? I’ve been kinda rushing to find a place to live. I got a short lease on my apartment, and it’s up for renewal in two months – but I also need a tax break for Uncle Sam. So, I’m in the process of giving up every account number associated with me since I was sixteen, my blood type, reciting my ABC’s in Greek – backward…”

Holly chuckled at the exasperation in his voice as he smiled proudly.

“And I close on the house on Tuesday. So, when I said be patient with me, I meant it. Tuesday night, I’ll be moving what little stuff I have in, then finding chairs, a table, and purchasing pots and pans to use on Thursday… uh oh, hug incoming,” he muttered, moving forward again as Holly laughed openly, welcoming him this time and hugging him back. “Can I just tell you that you smell amazing over the scent of grease – and you give the best hugs.”

---