Page 1 of Blind Date with a #FIREFIGHTER
PROLOGUE
Nan
“You’re late, Nan. You are never late.” Sally looks up from her book. “Ooh, and you look a little upset.”
Marie nods. “I would have to agree.”
“Because I am.” I get Rosalie’s attention and hold up two fingers. She stares at me before raising her eyebrows and flashing me back two fingers.
I nod and drop my purse on the table. “Yes. I want two glasses of pinot,” I say more to myself than my friends.
“Oh dear, what’s happened?” The glint of excitement in Marie’s eyes gives her away. A little gossip is good for the blood flow at our age.
“Well, today has just been full of disturbing news. I just found out that our sweet little Thea, you know the new girl in book club, the shy one. Well, she was dating that sleaze Mick Tyne and now he’s spreading ugly rumors. Of course he cheated on her the whole time.”
“No!” Marie and Sally say in unison.
“Yes!”
“Then, just to top off my already awful day…” I pause when Rosalie brings me my wine and I drink half the first glass tosettle my nerves then exhale a sigh. “You remember little Alex Zander.”
“Nan, Spark Zander hasn’t been little in over ten years. He’s one of the hottest firefighters in our town and captain of his team,” Marie corrects. “He sometimes brings his son in on Saturday mornings for the youth reading time here.”
“Yes, and Aaron’s a sweet little boy if a little shy. That’s not the point. Rumor has it his ex is coming back to town and is bragging to her friends she’ll have him back in a month.”
“That witch.” Sally slaps her open palm on the table nearly spilling our wine.
We each grab our glasses. I finish my first glass and take a little off the top of the second. “Something has to be done, ladies. And I’m afraid it’s up to us. These are good people who need a little help to not make bad decisions.”
“Where did you hear all this?” Marie squints at me and reaches for my hand. “You were at the nail salon! And you got the new red with silver sparkles on two nails.”
“I’ll go with you tomorrow. Right now we need an intervention.”
“What’s your plan?” Sally asks.
“Well ladies, it’s going to take all three of us, but I’m sure we can pull it off. Come a little closer and I’ll explain….”
CHAPTER 1
Alex ‘Spark’ Zander
“You need to get your shoes on Aaron. Come on, buddy, if we’re going to make it to the book reading and go for donuts.”
“Coming, Dad.”
I wait at the door with his backpack over my shoulder. He runs from his room three toy firetrucks in his arms. “What you got there?”
“In case the person reading today reads the firetruck book, I wanted to have mine to show the other kids.”
I wonder if all boys his age are obsessed with firetrucks. My dad was a grocer, and I never wanted to be that. I do remember getting a firetruck at his age and playing with it. The real reason I became a firefighter was when one of my best friend’s house caught fire. That night changed everything.
“If we don’t get a move on, we won’t be there in time, and you’ll have to listen to your old man read again.”
“Oh no!” He grabs his shoes and runs out the door in his socks. I laugh. Four and already a smart aleck. Guess he does take after me. Of course, I’ll be in trouble when he can tell time, since I always get places ten minutes early.
Parking in the lot behind the Book Nook, we walk around to the front entrance. Selfishly, I like this place because I can grab a coffee and sit back and relax while he’s read to. I can also pick up a new book for myself to take to the station.
We’re the first ones here, and there’s a new woman in the reading corner. Usually, its teenagers who read to the kids. This one appears more mature. Umm, Aaron’s hopes may get dashed, it looks like she already has books selected. He’s talking to her now.
