I freeze. Missed her? Holly clings to Lucy like she’s her long-lost aunt. Lucy hugs her back without hesitation, warm and confident and natural. My chest tightens in a way I’m not prepared for.
Lucy pulls back, brushing hair from Holly’s face. “Look at you. Are you helping keep the firehouse in line?”
Holly nods vigorously. “Always. They need help.”
Lucy grins and glances up at me. “I can see that.”
I cross my arms. “Didn't expect you today.”
“Clearly.” She gestures at the donation box. “Brought books. A whole crate.”
I eye the box. “That’s… a lot.”
“I’m a librarian, Ash. This is foreplay.”
I choke.
She blinks. “Prep work. I meant prep work.”
Holly giggles like she knows exactly what Lucydidn’tmean, and Lucy’s face goes a shade pinker.
“Anyway,” Lucy continues, clearing her throat, “I thought the kids in town might like some holiday books at the firehouse. For events. Or waiting rooms. Or emergency cuddles.”
Holly gasps again. “Emergency cuddles!”
I rub a hand over my jaw, fighting a smile. “You spoil her.”
“Impossible,” Lucy says, tightening her hold around Holly.
Holly beams up at her. “Are you staying?”
Lucy hesitates. “Well… I don’t want to interrupt anything.”
Before I can answer, Holly tugs her toward the room. “We can read! You can read me the snow princess book!”
Lucy looks over her shoulder at me. “If that’s okay?”
It shouldn’t be. It’s not part of any plan. Not safe. Not smart. But the thought of telling her no feels wrong in a way that hits deep.
“Yeah,” I say. “It’s fine.”
Holly drags her like an excited puppy. Lucy lets herself be pulled, laughing as they go. I stand there for a second, breathing harder than anyone reading a picture book deserves. Then I follow. Holly piles onto the bed with Lucy, placing the snow princess book between them like it’s a treasure. Lucy sits cross-legged, the soft glow from the overhead bulbs illuminating her hair, her smile, the kind of warmth she carries like a second skin. I take the chair in the corner.
Far enough not to look like a creep. Close enough that I can watch.
Lucy opens the book, her voice soft but animated. She gives characters accents. Makes them laugh. Makes Holly laugh. Makes the room feel brighter than the fluorescent lights overhead. Holly rests her head on Lucy’s shoulder halfway through.
Lucy doesn’t even pause. She adjusts her hold, tucks Holly closer, and keeps reading like she’s done this a thousand times. Something sharp and unexpected pulls tight inside my chest. When the book ends, Holly lets out a dreamy sigh and curls against Lucy’s side like she found her favorite place in the world. Lucy rubs her back without thinking. “You okay, hon?”
Holly nods. “I miss Mommy sometimes,” she whispers. “But I like it here.”
Lucy stills, meeting my eyes across the room. I look away. I can’t— Not with her looking at me like that.
Holly continues, soft and honest in the way only kids can be. “Uncle Ash reads me books before bed. And we bake cookies. I didn’t know men could cook.”
Lucy bites her lip to hide a smile.
I roll my eyes. “I cook fine.”
