CHAPTER 1
EVE
The bay doors to the firehouse were open, and a few men were working on the equipment. I paused just inside the door, balanced on heels with the bakery box of blueberry muffins in my hands, counting on the sweet treats to get me a meeting with the fire chief. I wanted fire trucks in my town's parade, and I was willing to negotiate to get what I wanted.
One of the guys saw me standing there and smiled. "What can I do for you, darling?"
I returned his smile, because his energy was contagious, and lifted the pink box. "I brought muffins."
His smile widened as he reached for it. "We never say no to baked goods. Let me just take this off your hands."
He cradled the box against his side, his gaze traveling appreciatively down my body.
I'd worn heels and a curve-hugging red dress for this very purpose. I wasn't above using every charm at my disposal to get what I wanted. The trick was dressing the part and bringing a gift. "I'm Eve Palmer, the event coordinator for Christmas Town, and I'd love to talk to Chief McGovern about your department participating in our Christmas parade."
He balanced the box in one hand, reaching out to shake my hand with the other. "Steve. Nice to meet you."
“Eve Palmer.” I followed him through a door, passing an open room with a pool table, a large screen TV, and overstuffed couches. Several men turned to watch us.
Steve set the box on the counter in the kitchen, opening the lid to grab a muffin for himself. Men gathered around in their navy-blue department T-shirts and cargo pants.
One raised his brow, his hand poised above the open box. "What's this?"
Steve smiled at me. "Eve brought us muffins."
"These are ours?" the man asked me.
I smiled at him. "Absolutely. Enjoy."
There were several muttered thanks while they reached into the box.
Steve moved to stand in front of me, his body relaxed, and his expression playful. "These are delicious. But I bet if you'd made them, they would have been even better."
My cheeks flushed. "This time, I got them at Sweet Dreams Bakery."
"I'd love to try your sweet treats," he said with a wink, and I flushed hotter. "Now, you said you wanted to talk to the chief."
"Why's everyone standing around?" While I was talking to Steve, a man walked into the room, his voice booming with authority.
This man was in his early thirties, not the man I saw pictured online as the current chief.
Steve moved to stand next to me, placing his hand on my lower back. "Eve, this is Maddox Knight, the firehouse grouch. Maddox, this is Eve Palmer. She brought us blueberry muffins. Wasn't that sweet of her?"
Maddox looked from Steve to me, his expression was anything but grateful. "Why are you here?"
I smoothed my hands over my skirt. "I wanted to speak with Chief McGovern."
Steve urged me forward. "Eve wants the department to drive our trucks in Christmas Town's parade. Surely, Frank has time to hear her request."
Maddox crossed his arms over his chest, his biceps bulging. "We only do that kind of thing for Telluride. We're spread thin enough as it is."
"I'm the coordinator for Christmas Town, the little street with shops and restaurants by Mistletoe Inn. Unfortunately, we don't have a fire department."
At his stubborn expression, I continued, "You're the closest fire department."
He scowled. "Sorry. No can do."
I sighed, wondering what I could do or say to convince this man to listen to me.
