Page 10 of Single Mom for the Firemen

“Yeah, I do!” I reply, slightly more defensive than I strictly need to be. “I—I think it would make for something really interesting. Really offbeat. And at least I know these ones aren’t going to come after me and my daughter, huh?”

“Don’t joke about that,” she murmurs, and I can hear the pain in her voice. I didn’t mean to upset her, and I instantly feel a flash of guilt in my chest.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I reply. “I just—I need something to pass the time here, or I’m going to go crazy.”

“You’re meant to be hiding out. Keeping a low profile.”

“It’s not like I’m going to be seeing anyone I wouldn’t be running into anyway,” I offer. “I mean, they live right around the corner from me, I’d be seeing them all the time as it was…”

“Yeah, but?—”

“Please, Lara. I need this.”

She goes quiet again.

“I don’t want you getting…putting too many roots down in that place,” she murmurs. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea. You’re going to be coming back to the city soon enough as it is, that’s what you said to me—and what if…” She trails off.

“What if what?” I prompt her. I don’t know what she’s getting at.

“I mean, what if you end up getting…close to one of the guys?”

I raise my eyebrows, glad she’s not able to see the shock on my face right now.”

“Close to one of them?”

“Yeah, if you’re writing a story on them, you’ll need to get to know them,” she points out. “And if something happens…”

I can’t hold it in any longer. I bust out laughing.

“You can’t be serious,” I giggle. “I’m talking about writing a story on them, not falling in love with them. What, you think I’m going to drop everything and set up shop in the middle of the woods with three strangers?”

“I wouldn’t put it past you,” she teases. “I—I’m sorry, Van. I guess I’m just worried about you. I don’t like the thought of you putting yourself in the middle of anything out there…”

“And I won’t be,” I promise her. “I’m just going to keep it light. A human interest piece, yeah? Nothing too serious. Not like we’re going to be getting into anything that might land us in trouble.”

“If you’re sure,” she replies. “Send me an outline for it later this week, okay? I’ll let you know what I think.”

I punch the air. I know that this is as good as her agreeing to the story, once and for all. She’s never seen a full outline of mine and rejected it, and I doubt she’s going to start now.

“Thank you,” I reply. “You’re the best, Van.”

I can practically see the look on her face at the other end of the line—slightly exasperated, but knowing that she loves me too much to call me out for doing something so silly.

“I know I am,” she shoots back. “And I’m going to come visit as soon as I get the chance, okay? Just as soon as everything calms down.”

“I know Callie would love that.”

“Oh, I miss her,” Lara sighs. “How is she getting on out there? Is she enjoying it?”

“I really think she is,” I reply, glancing around to where Callie is lying on the deck, flicking through a book.

“Well, that’s all I really care about,” she jokes. “I’ll call you back soon, yeah? I have to head to a meeting…”

“Sure, sure,” I agree. “Speak soon, babe.”

And with that, she hangs up the phone—and I’m left with the certainty that my time here has just got a hell of a lot more interesting.

5

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