Page 9 of Four Firemen For Christmas

“Well, isn’t he?” Her eyes twinkled with wild delight. “He comes to the doctor’s office with drugs and tries to get your doctor to buy them.”

“He’s a pharmaceutical representative.” I had clarified this point once before and she brushed me off.

Her laughter rang out, and she slapped the table with one bony hand. “Sit down and have some tea with me. You can explain it all again. After you tell me why you’re not at work.”

I tried to hide my wince, but Grandma caught it and stared me down until I sank into the chair and huffed. “I was fired.”

“Excuse me?” She poked at her ears. “I must need hearing aids. Because it sounded like you said you were fired.”

“I was, Grandma.” I traced the wood grain in her old kitchen table and slumped. Her heating unit kicked on, and I shucked my peacoat before I started sweating. “They’re closing the office.”

“Shit, honey. I’m sorry.” She poured tea into a pair of mismatched cups and spooned honey into each one. “What are you going to do now?”

I remembered the flyer in my pocket and pulled it loose to look closer. “What do you think about this?”

She handed me a teacup and took the yellow paper to hold it up to the light. “Always did like firefighters. Got me one of their calendars one year. Best ten dollars I ever spent.” She pointed at the ten-year-old calendar hanging on the wall. A man holding a firehose in front of his bare crotch smiled from the picture.

“I don’t think this is that kind of job.” Oh, but what I wouldn’t give to see Derek in a pose like that one. The thought alone set my nerves on fire.

“You could always request one of them put out your fire.” She wiggled her eyebrows and laughed when I blushed. “So you lose your job and just happen to walk into the fire station and find this one waiting for you?”

“Not exactly.” I knew better than to lie to Grandma. She always knew when I fudged the truth even a little. “I was in the coffee shop yesterday when it caught fire.”

She gasped and sank into her chair. Warm hands grasped mine, her papery skin rustling with the friction.

I told her everything from the moment I’d been fired until I walked into her house. She listened and nudged my tea closer, insisting I drink every drop. It was bold and full of flavor, probably one of her own blends.

“I’m glad he found you.” Grandma leaned forward and lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “How did it feel to be carried out like a princess?”

“Amazing,” I admitted.

She laughed and poked my arm. “That’s my girl. What about the rest of them? Are they all as handsome as this Derek?”

“In different ways.” I described them to her, from Henry’s brooding gaze to Samuel’s amazing muscles. Even Alex’s quietness had made an impression. I’d gotten all their names today while listening to Henry.

Her eyes widened with each admission, and she prodded me with more questions until I exhausted all my knowledge of the four firemen.

“You have to go back there.” She pursed her lips. “You didn’t get his number?”

I shook my head. “No. I thought about it.” I lifted one shoulder in a shrug.

“You could always set your apartment on fire.” That same twinkle of delight danced in her eyes. “Just a small one. Get their attention.”

“Shit.” I groaned and grabbed my phone. “I have to find a place to stay until after Christmas.” I bemoaned my fate with a dramatic wail. “My whole apartment complex is shut down.”

Grandma patted my hand one last time before she released it. “You can stay here. There’s always room for you.”

I knew she’d offer, but hearing her say the words warmed my heart. “I don’t want to get in your way.” I checked the time and leaped to my feet. “Fuck it all to hell.”

“What?” Grandma looked around, her eyes wide with panic.

“It’s past noon. Mr. Thomas was going to lock up at noon.” I was screwed. Mr. Thomas meant what he said. He’d have locked the doors already, but I had to try and get inside. Maybe he’d have mercy on me. I slung my coat over my shoulders and hugged Grandma tight. “I’ll talk to you later.”

She followed me to the front door. “Be careful, honey. I’ll see you tonight.”

I hurried away, almost running in my haste to get home. My breaths came in panting bursts by the time I reached my building. The front door refused to budge no matter how hard I yanked on the handle. I pounded on the glass. “Mr. Thomas!”

No one answered, and when I cupped my hands around my eyes and peered through the darkened glass, there was no one inside the building to let me in. Mr. Thomas’s office sat empty, the lights off and the door closed.

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