Page 12 of Steamy Dreamy Hearts

A chorus of voices shouted hello to Smack. Some were older, some young.

“Hey,” he said. “Thanks for looking out for Erin.”

“Oh my God, we love her,” Iris replied.

“Are you lonely, Daddy?” Erin chimed in. “Without me?”

Smack paused, his mouth grimacing. But when he spoke, his tone was even, tender. “I miss you so much. But I’m excited for you to be in Seattle. And I’m on a road trip of my own. Remember, I told you I was going to a wildfire?”

“With your friend Caleb?”

“Yep.” Smack darted a glance my way. “With my friend Caleb.”

“He’s nice,” Erin said. “Daddy, can I get my ears pierced in Seattle? Ashley has the cutest hoops.”

“No way,” Smack said, almost cheerfully. Saying no wasn’t an issue for him.

I bet my whole paycheck it was saying “yes” Smack had issues with.

“What? Please? Tell him to say yes, Grandma Iris.”

“It’s up to your dad.”

“Daddy?”

“Still a no.”

“Ashley loves hers.”

“Cousin Ashley’s three years older. So, no dice.”

“Okay,” Erin sighed dramatically. “But we’ll talk about it later.”

“What a future lawyer,” a woman laughed.

“Not a lawyer, Aunt Rosie. I’m going to be a trombonist-firefighter. Or an influencer.”

“A what?” Smack appeared rattled. “You’re not allowed on social media.”

“I mean when I am allowed. Oh! We’re at the house. Call you later, Daddy? ’Kay?”

“Sure, you must be tired. Love you, honey bunny.” Smack’s voice became rough. He blinked his eyes hard.

“Love you!” Erin chirped before hanging up.

“Thanks for suggesting the call.” Smack glanced at me. His lips tugged into a sweet smile. “I needed to hear her voice.”

“I’m sure. You got a future trombonist-firefighter to look after.”

“It changes each week. But I’d prefer she not follow my path and find her own. Firefighters live a tough life, you know that.”

“Yeah, but so do influencers.”

He chuckled. “I’m still not totally sure how they make any money.”

“Your dad was a fire captain, too? I think somebody mentioned it?”

“True. And he did encourage me, along with two of my uncles. How about you?” Smack asked, seemingly chattier after his conversation with his kid. “None of your family was on the job?”

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