Then the rest of them chimed in.
“Why?” Rena managed to get a word in. “What’s going on?”
Reggie winked. “Everyone’s okay. Just enjoy the ride.”
“Oh,I’m telling him you said that,” Tex said with a laugh.
“Shut up, Tex.”
Tommie was taking pictures behind her, as were a whole host of smiling customers and stylists. Apparently, everyone was in on the joke but her.
Reggie, Brad, and the others escorted her outside and helped her into the fire truck. It was smaller than the ladder ones she’d seen but still big enough to fit the four of them and her.
“We’re not doing anything special,” Mack said. “We’re actually off duty and doing a favor for B Shift. Just taking Big Red out for a spin since she just got back from maintenance. You just happen to be doing a ride-along if anyone asks.”
“What?”
“Just roll with it,” Tex said, his accent sexy, but not as sexy as her boyfriend’s. “Boy, Rena, you sure look good.”
“Enough to eat,” Brad said with a wink and pulled out.
“Axel put you up to this.”
Reggie raised a brow. “You think?” Then he looked her over and whistled. “Do you have a sister?”
The guys teased her but would say nothing of where they were headed.
Mack held up a red half mask meant to cover her eyes. “You have to put this on, I’m afraid.”
Mystified and thrilled Axel had gone to so much trouble, she put it on.
A few minutes later, the fire truck stopped.
“I’m gonna hand you down to Tex, so don’t panic,” Reggie said and helped her down.
Tex carried her in his big strong arms to another man, one whose sexy scent she recognized.
“Thanks,” Axel said, cradling her to him.
She wassoin love.
“Oh, you’ll pay.” Tex chuckled. “Good luck. See you at the adoption in two weeks.”
Whistles and cheers sounded, and Rena recognized Tommie, Stella, J.T., and Del among the catcallers.
She plucked at her blindfold and got scolded.
“Not yet,Häschen.”
He set her on her feet. “I have something to say.” He seemed to be addressing a crowd.
Darn it. She wanted to see.
“I fell in love with Rena at first sight many months ago. I have never seen a more beautiful woman. She is lovely inside and out, and a man would have to be crazy not to see that.”
People clapped. Her eyes burned, and she feared her makeup would run when she teared up.
He pressed a tissue into her hands and kissed her cheek.
