Page 73 of Nanny for the Firefighter

I laugh, snatching the garments from Mason as he playfully holds them nearly out of reach.

When I’ve pulled my shorts up, I sigh again and smile over at Mason. “All right, buddy. Get going. If she sees you, it’ll be that much harder to leave.”

Mason nods. “You’re right, you’re right. Okay, well, it’s supposed to be really hot today, so maybe keep Mia inside. Yeah?”

With a smile, I nod, stepping up to him and planting another quick kiss on Mason’s lips.

“No worries. I stopped and snagged a finger painting thing that we could do. I’ll give her a bath after, and that should eat up plenty of time.”

“Oh, perfect.” Mason kisses me again, an easy smile on his face afterward. “It’s supposed to be dry and hot with it being peak summer season, and I just hope my construction guys brought enough water.”

“Oh, that’s a good point. Why don’t you send out a delivery order of waters and sandwiches or something?”

Mason grins, and I follow him around the island as he grabs his briefcase. “You’re a genius. I will definitely do that. Okay, I really should go. I’m…”

We look at the clock, and I chuckle when he looks back at me, a little shocked.

“Whoops.”

He shakes his head. “A fully forty-five minutes later. That’s a first for me. See you later, babe.”

Kissing me again, Mason dashes out of the house, and all I can do is smile. When Mia starts growling and grumbling through the monitor, I just shake my head before going up the stairs to fetch her.

TWENTY-ONE

Mason

Catching up after being nearly an hour late to the office has been hell, and I’m already thoroughly exhausted and ready to get back home to Bridget when my phone rings.

As I type up the last few words of the email to my crew at the job site, I send the email and snag my cell off the desk.

Looking down, I notice that it’s Fire Chief Reynolds. My eyes shoot to the little clock on the screen of my computer.

It’s only noon. Why is Adam calling?

I volunteer for him on weekends, and this is the first time he’s ever called me during a workday. That alone makes my stomach clench, but then I remember how hot and dry it is today.

Swiping open the call, I push back from my desk slightly, staring down at the floor.

“Hey, Adam. What’s up?”

The exertion in his voice hits me first, and then the sounds of several raised voices in the background.

“Mason, you need to get your ass down here. I know you don’t volunteer during the week, but it’s all hands on deck, and I’m calling you in.”

Adrenaline surges in my blood, and I’m already standing out of my chair and looking for my car keys.

“Jesus, all right. What’s going on?”

He coughs, which means he’s onsite, and my stomach drops all the further.

The guy is usually coordinating. Being there means…it means this shit is bad.

“A Class A wildfire sparked at the base of Custer Gallatin National Forest. It’s threatening to reach houses that border on the edge. Offensive and defensive actions are struggling. We need all the manpower we can get. Hurry up and get down here.”

“Ten minutes, Chief.”

I hang up, rushing forward with my keys in hand. I have a set of protective clothes in the back, and I know the apparatus will have more available if necessary.

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