She sat back.“Well, I had an idea, and I was hoping I could tell you in person.”
“Oh?”He raised an eyebrow, his eyes smoldering with playfulness.
That scowl.He was ridiculously handsome.It shouldn’t be allowed.
“I think it’s absurd you don’t have a working firetruck.I talked to Margie, and we’re going to hold a fundraiser – a gala at Saltwater Cove.”
His expression brightened.“Really?”
She nodded, her voice picking up speed.“I don’t know how much we can raise, so I’m sure it won’t solve all of your problems, but Margie is pretty good at these things, and I’m going to help.”
“That’s incredibly kind of you.All of us at the station will appreciate it.”He stood abruptly.“All right, enough gossiping between us girls.”
She laughed.
He went on, “I’m going to get to work on that window, then I’m going to hit everything else that your mom listed off for me.”
Annie shook her head.“It’ll take weeks.”
“I’ve got weeks,” he said.
Her heart leapt at the idea.Weeks of having Miles at her house, sauntering around in those t-shirts, biceps lifting those tools up and down, up and down.
It was like a dream come true.Annie couldn’t believe it was real.
Except it was real.Over the next three weeks, Miles was at her house every chance he had.Whenever he had a day off, he showed up with his tool bag, more supplies, and more sassy comments about Roy.
After the second week, Annie started to question whether the fire department really had so many extra home improvement parts lying around.
All he’d say on the matter was, “I cannot reveal my sources.”
If she could’ve afforded to pay him back, she would have – not that he would have accepted it.
Annie rearranged her work from home days so she could be there with him as much as possible.They passed the time gossiping, laughing, and trying to keep Annie’s mom from adding more items to the list.
She’d meant to host him for dinner again, but things got so hectic with work and planning the gala that the idea got away from her.
Then he beat her to it.“I’ve got the holiday off, and I want to invite you, the kids, and your mom over for a Thanksgiving feast.”
It was too much.Too kind, and altogether too… enticing.
“I wouldn’t want to impose,” Annie said.
He shook his head.“My parents never come for Thanksgiving, and Madeline’s parents are long gone.It’s usually just me and Bella, unless we invite some of her friends.”
Annie cocked her head.He seemed like someone who would have a big, happy, warm family all around him.“Really?”
“Really.You’d be doing us a favor.”
Annie scoffed.“If you want chocolate melted into your carpets, sure.”
“As a matter of fact, I do,” he said, staring her down.
Annie let out a little laugh.He was serious!Who was she to deny him?
“What can I bring?”she asked.
He held up a hand.“Absolutely nothing.You are my guest.Bring your mother, bring your kids, bring an appetite.”
