But would their efforts be enough?
Chapter 24
Mabel sat in the dim light of Zane’s living room, trying with all her might not to laugh at Styles in his fuzzy, zippered pajamas. Which would have been more welcome than crying over Zane’s safety. And over Carolina’s sudden presence in his life.
But laughing at Styles’ cuteness would only encourage the little guy, and that should not be happening. It was nearly one in the morning, and Styles had yet to fall asleep.
Mabel’s experience with three-year-olds was limited, and Styles wasn’t your typical three-year-old anyway.
But still. Wasn’t a little guy staying up hours and hours past his bedtime a serious problem?
Why had he not collapsed yet? Mabel certainly felt like collapsing, aside from the buzz of worry over Zane. It was that and her responsibility to take care of this Energizer Bunny named Styles who was keeping her awake.
Not wanting to distract Styles, she sneaked another peak at the community Facebook group to see the updates on the fire. She really needed to take a break from looking for a while. It wasn’t doing good things for her mental health.
A last wish for the safety of the fire crew in her mind—again—she pulled Styles onto her lap after he got up from his makeshift bed on the couch.
“One more story, and then we’ll close our eyes and off to dreamland we’ll go.” Maybe her frequent use of the word “sleep” had been part of the problem. Maybe if she stopped mentioning the end goal, it might happen sooner.
It wasn’t that she minded hanging out with the kid. He was freaking hilarious. But she really was starting to wonder about how he could possibly be okay at this point of the night. She guessed “being too overly tired to sleep” was actually a thing.
“I’ll pick one.” Styles rushed to Zane’s bedroom bookcase and brought out another book. Man, Zane sure had a lot of kids books back there, more than most uncles, she guessed.
She read it to him, the classic, sweet smell of baby shampoo filling her nose. Even a calming bath hadn’t done a thing to his energy level.
“Vacuums suck things up too,” Styles said, pointing to the last page of the book, which contained a painting of an elephant maneuvering things around with the suction of his long snout.
Oh. Crap.Styles was obsessed with vacuums and could spout off many a fact about the various brands and types available.
“Let’s lie down while you tell me, okay?” She tucked him back into his little blankets on one sofa, and then she laid down on hers across from him, making a show of yawning in a grand way, hoping he’d be influenced to yawn as well.
To her surprise, he did. After a liony yawn, he asked, for the tenth time, “Where’s Zane?”
Mabel’s heart did a cold zip up and through the rest of her. That was an excellent question. Where was he? How was he?
And not that she’d be discussing this with Styles, but where werethey? She and Zane. And Carolina?
“Zane is working. He’ll be home later.” She focused on making her voice strong and calm.
Styles made some silly faces, and then he pretended to fall asleep. “Zee haw, zee haw.” His fake snore was actually pretty good.
“We’ll bee-tend to be asleep. Let’s trick Zane, Maybe.”
Excellent idea! Fake it ‘til you make it?
“I love it. Watch, I’ll go first.” She stretched her arms high above her head and did another huge yawn, then snuggled into her blanket and pillow, keeping her breathing steady and her eyes closed.
Styles mimicked her, and a couple of minutes stretched on, every second ticking away getting them closer to Styles actually falling asleep and Zane coming home. Hopefully in that order.
Without warning, a key turned in the lock, and Zane came into the room. She popped one eye open for a moment. His face was covered in soot, and the soft flannel clothes he’d worn under his turnouts emanated a thick stench of smoke.
Her body responded to his rugged, raw appearance. Frustration brewed within her. She couldn’t be attracted to him! He reeked—and he’d brought another woman to Topaz Rock.
He pulled off his boots, and she opened both eyes. She gave a small smile but stayed right where she was on the couch. She had to prepare herself before she could talk to him. Or maybe she could leave and postpone the inevitable.
He’s been with another woman. I need to go.
And he needs to stop making so much noise. Styles is asleep!
