Page 8 of Four Firemen For Christmas

The longer I walked, the more annoyed I felt. It bubbled and churned in my gut until I stopped outside the fire station and took several deep breaths. I wasn’t nervous, even though my body claimed otherwise. I eyed the tall building with its red brick and the bay doors rolled back.

Three fire engines sat inside the building, and men wove back and forth between the vehicles. They all chatted and laughed together, reminding me of a family. My heart thumped with a burst of excitement, and I gripped the cookie container tight to my stomach.

What if they didn’t like cookies? Ugh. Why did I do this to myself? They were men, and men liked cookies. I was letting my nerves control me, and that shit had to stop.

I took my time peering around the corner while trying to appear nonchalant instead of like some kind of weird creeper. I didn’t see Derek, or the other young guy who’d been helping him yesterday. In fact, I didn’t spot a single familiar face at all. Sweat dampened my palms and I dropped them one at a time, wiping them over my coat. I couldn’t go in there and face a bunch of strangers who weren’t there yesterday.

I pivoted on my heel, ready to turn and bolt, when a head of sandy hair caught my attention. He stood toward the back of the building, his eyes narrowed in concentrated focus. Henry. I remembered hearing his name yesterday and a breath of relief gusted out of me.

I dredged up my courage and lifted my head as I entered through the big bay door. Heads turned, and I felt several gazes land on me, but I never took my eyes off of Henry.

He looked my way. Our eyes locked onto each other, and it was like his blue eyes pulled me in without even trying.

I held up the cookies and shook them side to side. “I brought something to say thank you.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” He took the cookies from me and cracked open the lid. “But thank you.”

“It’s the least I could do. Since, you know, you all saved my life yesterday.” I didn’t know why I felt the need to remind him. “Cookies seemed like an appropriate way to show gratitude.”

Shut up, Emma.I scolded myself and forced my mouth to stop moving.

Henry took a step closer to me. His voice pitched low enough that I leaned closer to hear him. “You’re welcome, Emma.”

The smell of his cologne washed over me. And the way he said my name caused my knees to knock together. I licked my lips and tried to speak.

An alarm whooped, startling me backward so fast that I stumbled.

Henry grabbed my elbow, his grip firm but kind. “Careful.” He nodded once I regained my footing and released me. Then he was moving away. He set the cookies on a nearby desk. “Let’s go, guys.”

Derek and the other two I recognized ran out of a back room. They raced over to the fire truck on the end and began yanking on their suits.

I’d only ever seen this on TV, so I settled in to watch. It was fascinating seeing all this in real life. The firefighters were quiet as they listened to Henry shout instructions. He slapped one man on the back and pointed at the cab of the truck. “You’re driving today, Wells.”

Wells nodded and hopped into the front seat.

“Samuel, you’re with me. Derek, you and Alex hang back until I give the okay.” He eyed Derek for a long minute. “You wait.” He punctuated the words with pointed finger jabs toward Derek’s chest.

Derek’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Something must have happened for Henry to say it like that. I remembered Derek coming to save me yesterday after receiving orders from Henry, so it wasn’t that. Derek glanced my way and winked before slinging his suspenders up over his shoulders and grabbing his coat. He jumped onto the back of the truck and moved out of sight.

It was all surreal and Henry managed the chaos with a controlled and even tone. Attraction skated through me, and I couldn’t look away from him and the way he ordered everyone around. He barked out orders at a dizzying speed, and I didn’t understand half of what he said. But that didn’t matter. It washowhe spoke that turned my insides to mush.

Henry crossed the room and jerked his head toward me. “You have to go.”

How was his ordering me to leave even hot? I’d have to think that one over later, because he wasn’t about to let me hang around here much longer. I gave him a smile and inched toward the doors, taking my time while still following his demand.

I stopped in front of a giant billboard full of colorful papers. One in particular caught my eye, and I scanned the job offer in ten seconds flat. “Administrative Assistant Needed” the bold headline proclaimed. I ripped the flyer down and shoved it into my coat pocket alongside my phone and wallet.

The truck engine cranked, and Henry leaped up to join Derek and the others. I lifted my hand in a farewell wave and walked out onto the sidewalk to watch them leave. They were on their way to another fire, risking their lives for the sake of others. I couldn’t think of anything nobler than that.

“Well, now what?” I crossed my arms and hugged them to my belly. A plume of white clouded in front of my face when I exhaled. It was still early. I checked the time on my phone and started walking again. “Across the road and over the tracks, to Grandma’s house we go.” I sang my version of the song lyrics under my breath until her house appeared at the end of the block.

Grandma answered my knock with a wide grin and a crushing hug. At barely five feet tall, she came to my nose but had the wiry strength of a boa constrictor.

“Emma, what a surprise.” She latched onto my arm and dragged me into the house. “Shouldn’t you be at work today? Did you finally meet that man you were telling me about last week? The one with the drugs?”

Heat scorched over my cheeks, and I covered my face with both hands. “Please tell me you haven’t been saying that to your bingo buddies? You make it sound like he’s a drug dealer.”

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