Page 27 of Spring Break with a Fire Chief

“What!” I bark out at him, throwing my fork down on my plate.

“She’s been here for five weeks. It’s time.”

“Exactly. It’s only been five weeks.”

“Well, five weeks plus a few prior months.” He puts his hands up in defense when I cut him a look. “But in these recent five weeks you’ve done dinner, drinks, texts and a booty call.”

“Don’t call it that,” I growl out and am instantly mad at the way he smirks and raises a brow with a “told you so” just waiting to roll off his tongue. “I’m not pushing. She knows how I feel. We’re getting there.”

I watch her serving everyone. Her brown hair is curled at the ends, her eyes welcoming and her smile big. She’s gorgeous. I can see how everyone in this town is enamored with her. I was taken by her with one look. Plus she’s an amazing nurse. Our town is lucky to have her.

“Chief Donnelly.”

Bill Baylor grabs the seat next to me and I slide my chair out, clapping him on the back.

“Hey Bill, good to see you.”

“Pop! Tell this guy he’s going to lose his girl before he even gets her back again.”

I roll my eyes as Jace smacks Maddox upside the head. “Bro, enough!”

“You guys go set up the hoses for the water targets. And trade off with the guys at the trucks.”

They grumble about being dismissed from the conversation but get up, grabbing their plates and head out.

“Hm. They listen to you better than they ever listened to me,” Bill chuckles.

“I thought it’d be a hard transition, being that I’m kind of close in age to them but so far so good.”

He nods. “You’ve done exceptional here as chief, Ryan. I’m proud of you and what you’ve accomplished.”

“Thanks,” I reply quickly and drink more of my coffee. It feels good to hear him give the compliment. “Sometimes it’s hard to know if I’m doing the right thing. It’s been a learning curve for everyone.”

“This is true. And you can’t be hard on yourself about Ted. It was an accident. I see how it affected you though.”

I sit back and watch Madeline again. She’s still behind the table serving and laughing with the other nurses. “Thank goodness for the great nurses, right?” I smile and he does, too.

“She’s good for you, son. Candee and I saw it when you first got together.”

“Yeah, well, we all see how that worked out, right?” He clears his throat and I bring my eyes to his. “What?”

“You didn’t hear it from me, but she’s sticking this time, Ryan. And you’d be a fool to not believe what she’s saying.”

“I believe her?—”

He shakes his head. “I don’t think you do. I think you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop again and that’s not fair to either of you.” He hums as I look away but continues, “Do you remember what you said to me? That first day you met her at the firehouse?”

I close my eyes and picture that day. “I remember everything, Bill. I’ve remembered it every day since she left, too.”

“As long as you remember.”

I bring my eyes back to the front and find her as she steps out from the table and claps her hands to get everyone’s attention.

“Thank you all for coming today! We’ve had a great time seeing you all again. This is the last call for breakfast. The fire trucks and water targets are ready and waiting for anyone whowants to play along! And make sure you all come to the Spring Break Carnival tomorrow as we kick off the festivities. We’ll be announcing the honoree too! You don’t want to miss it!”

“She’s putting in the work, Ryan. It’s time you do, too.”

Chapter 16

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