Page 101 of Frosting and Flames

“Recruited and coordinated the volunteers,” he continues, as if I said nothing. “Canvassed the community. Borrowed or bought all the supplies. Set everything up this morning.”

“Yeah, but I had help—”

“I’m promoting you to captain.”

My head snaps up. “What?” Now that Henry’s gone, I was wondering if I would take his place as captain, but there’s always a chance Chief could be looking to fill the position from someone outside. “I mean, thank you.”

Chief nods, as if he’s commenting on the weather and not my career. “Been watching you. And today proves you’re ready. When I retire—whenever that is—you’ll be the next chief.”

Something between disbelief and awe catches in my chest, warming it. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t need to say anything,” Chief says, clapping me on the back. “Just keep showing up like you’ve been doing. You’ve earned this.”

I swallow hard, getting rid of the frog in my throat. “Thank you. Really.”

He gives a brief nod again and heads over to the mini-stage area we created where his nephew is pumping up the growing crowd.

Holy shit. I absent-mindedly stir my chili, hardly seeing it as I go over Chief’s words. A laugh escapes me, and though I’m fairly sure it’s tinged with panic, I let it loose, anyway.

Me. Chief. The idea is wild.

And yet… it feels right. This is something I’ve been working toward for the past decade. Putting in the time and effort without expecting reward or recognition, necessarily, but it came to me, regardless.

My heart thuds with… pride. I can’t remember the last time I felt that.

I glance up, searching through the crowd, and spot Rachel, her head bent over a clipboard by the raffle table to win the chance to be a firefighter for the day.

The sun catches her hair to turn it into a rich, chestnut brown, the strands almost seeming to shimmer with a halo effect. That’s what Rachel is. My angel. None of this would have been possible without her.

I leave my chili to simmer and make my way to her side, wanting so badly to wrap her in my arms and breathe her in, crowd be damned.

“Hey,” she says, looking up and noticing me, her face brightening. I can’t tell her how much it means just that she’s happy to have me around. That I could make her day a little better by joining her.

“Hey, yourself.” My voice is rougher than usual, but I push on. “I have some news.”

She sets down her clipboard, full attention on me. “Did something happen with the judges? With the band? With the chili?”

“No, no.” I lay a hand on her shoulder, calming her before she can get any more worked up. “News about me. Chief is promoting me to captain.”

She gasps, her eyes shining. “That’s incredible. Congratulations.”

It’s funny, I usually hate people congratulating me. But coming from Rachel… It makes my heart thud harder. I want her to be proud of me. And to deserve her pride.

I shrug, attempting nonchalance. “Guess he thinks I’m not half-bad at this whole firefighting thing.”

She steps closer, her hand squeezing mine with a grounding touch. “You’re better than not half-bad. You’re amazing. You’ve earned it.

I clear my throat, sidestepping her praise, even as I crave it. “He also said someday when he retires, he wants me to take over as chief.”

Her eyes widen and a soft, delighted laugh escapes her, the sound enveloping me like a warm embrace. “That’s huge, Nick. I’m so proud of you.”

The warmth is still there, glowing in my chest, but an unexpected catch jars me, fear creeping around the edges. What if I let her down? And not only her, but everyone?

For years, I was sure I was a disappointment. Like Kyle said,the arsonist. I’ve worked hard to atone for that, but what if it’s not enough? What if it’s never enough?

I manage a small smile, holding onto her hand like it’s an anchor against the tide of self-doubt washing over me.

“What is it?” she asks quietly, her brows knitting as if she can read the worry on my face.

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