Page 30 of My Mail Order Valentine

"I think it will help me understand and maybe come to terms with it."

I squeeze his hands with mine and give him a small smile.

"Are you hungry?" I ask.

"I could eat."

I get up to make him something to eat, but he pulls me down when I pass by and gives me a soft kiss on the lips. I still feel like things are fractured, and I have a lot of healing to do. After he's finished his sandwich and I have my milk, we go into his room.

We snuggle together, and I place my head on his chest, where I can feel his heart beating. It beats for me, just as mine beats for him.

The next day, Claire has a wonderful idea. We gather together at her house so I can hear the ladies speak about their lives with their firefighter loved ones. I expect everyone to start sugarcoating every experience and talking me up, but that's not what happens.

They all open their lives to me, revealing the hardships, sleepless nights, and tragedies. Despite all this, they remain loyal to their men. These women are stronger than I am, and I confess my fears to them. Then, I'm flooded with words of encouragement, and I thank them profusely.

Afterward, I go to Perfect Brews to ponder all the tales I've heard and the strength of the women in this town. Carly is there and takes a moment to sit with me. We've become friends since I frequent the coffee shop to do my work and eat their wonderful pastries.

"I heard Hunter was hurt. Is he okay?"

"Yeah, but I didn't take it very well. I almost skipped town."

"What?!"

"I know, I know, but it was a bit too much for me at the time. I'm better now. Just today, I talked to many of the wives and girlfriends of Hunter's crew, and I have to confess they seem happy with their decision to stay with the men even with the risk they put themselves in every time they go to work."

"Do you love Hunter?"

"It should be as easy as that, shouldn't it?"

"You didn't answer the question."

"I know."

Talking with Carly helped clear my head, so I headed home. When I parked the other truck in the garage, Hunter was just arriving with Evie. I gave her a big kiss and hugged him tightly. We fixed dinner together and did Evie's evening routine.

She's a happy baby, but after just two stories, she was down for the count. We consider ourselves lucky and sit down on the couch, holding one another.

"How was today," he asked.

"Your crew is so lucky to have those women in their lives."

"I can't argue with that."

"They didn't sugarcoat anything, but their stories filled me with hope even though some of them did not have happy endings."

"Does this mean that you're my girlfriend now?"

"That's definitely what it means."

Hunter places a kiss on my forehead and tells me about his day. Every day after that, when he comes home, he tells me everything he did—even the dangerous parts. I prefer it that way. It makes me feel grounded, and I always let him know I appreciate how open he is about his job with me.

He shows his appreciation by loving me deeply whenever we can sneak away. Day after day, I fall more and more in love with him. I can't wait to see what the future holds.

Chapter 11

Valentine's Day Next Year

Hunter

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