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She was shaking her headno,but I knew she was considering a solidyes. Not for her, but for Max. Maybe without meaning to, I went too low by using him as an excuse to see her again.

“Are you married?” I blurted quickly.

“No.”

“Are you in a relationship?”

“No.”

“Okay that helps a little. I need time to prepare my questions properly.”

“You mean, those weren’t your questions?” Her confused laughter made me smile, and I bit my lip as I shook my head.

“No, those were just the ones I needed to ask so I knew if it was okay to ask more.”

She bit her lip as well, suppressing a smile that was hard to hide while her cheeks pinkened. Maybe my honest insecurity was charming for her because right in front of my eyes, her answer went fromnotomaybeto theyesI had predicted.

“I’ll see you, Thursday.”

“Okay,” she nodded. “Thursday.”

“I work 24 hours so I’ll be there no matter what time you decide to stop by. I’ll text you the address so you know exactly where you’re going.”

I took my hand off her arm and started to back away, mindful that there were steps behind me, but not wanting to turn around just yet. I wanted to look at her face and into her eyes so I knew for sure she’d come to the station. I wanted it to feel like a promise, and I wanted to look forward to it.

Carefully, I backed off the steps and made my way down the sidewalk. When I was halfway to the truck, I waved and turned around, making sure I watched where I was stepping the rest of the way.

Chapter Nine

JESSE

I wasn’tsure if Easton was charming, or crazy. He was probably a little bit of both and just like he was with me, I was intrigued. I had a few questions of my own when it came to Easton Brooks, but I didn't dare ask them. He’d end up thinking I was more interested in him than I should have been.

When Ms. Ellison came over for coffee, I’d been tempted to ask her to tell me everything she knew about the tall, charming firefighter, but I refrained. It helped that she was more interested in my business and learning how I became a candle maker.

I reveled in telling her about the days when I was finding a manufacturer, and all the funny labels the business had eventually made. I also explained how I was able to work my entire business online, making it easier to be there for Max. She seemed to be impressed, maybe even excited for me, and I got chills thinking of how it was exactly the way my mom would have been.

“Max,” I called from my bedroom, hoping he could hear me across the hall. There may not have been a bed, but his room had been set up with his toys, giving him a place to play. “Do you want to go see a fire truck?”

There was no verbal answer, but I heard his bare feet start tapping across the wooden floors as he made his way into my room. When he saw me holding my bag, he knew we were heading somewhere and began jumping for joy, anticipating seeing an actual fire truck.

“Mr. Brooks is going to show you the trucks today. Isn’t that exciting?” He clapped and started shaking the safety gate at the top of the stairs, eager to get going. “Get your shoes and then let’s go potty first.”

When he was ready, we loaded up, and I took a deep breath following the directions that Easton had sent me the night before. It wasn’t far at all, and I technically knew the way because I had passed by it when I visited and signed Max up at the preschool. Still, my nerves were in danger of making me miss a turn.

Max grew loud with excitement when he saw the station come into view. He repeatedly chanted “fire truck” as if singing a well-loved nursery rhyme. He was so happy, and I smiled and clapped with him knowing that our visit was going to make his day. Answering a few questions from Easton was going to be worth it.

Besides, how bad could they be? I had nothing to hide. There were no sinister reasons for my move to Harmony Haven. He could ask me whatever he wanted. It was afairtrade to see the excitement on Max’s face.

Just like Easton had instructed me to do, I pulled up to the side of the building where other cars were parked. I took a second to look out and take in the modern three-story building.For such a small town, the fire station stuck out, looking like it had been outfitted with state of the art features.

On the first floor, there were four engine bays and a front door that looked like the entrance to an office. Without the fire trucks and signs, it could have passed for a very fancy place to get an oil change.

With its size, though, I realized there were probably a lot of people inside, working in the offices and doing whatever else went on at a fire station. There were going to be a lot of new people around, and my anxious mind began wondering what they would think of the new girl in town, especially if they were part of the crew that had responded to Max’s 9-1-1 call.

You’ve never cared before, Jessica. Don’t start being weak now.Then again, I was only human and I never imagined a false 9-1-1 call would be my gateway to meeting new people in town. Especially since I had been half naked the night they showed up at my house.

A wave of relief quickly washed over me as I recalled the way Easton had blocked the door to my bedroom that night. No one else saw me in that vulnerable state thanks to his quick response to their footsteps on the stairs.

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