Why did he have to be cute? Why couldn’t he be mediocre? Then she could totally flirt right on back.
Sirens up the street wailed, and her face heated. They were coming for her.
“Oh my God, this is going to be so bad.” She took in a deep breath of air.
“Nah, don’t let it get to you. It’ll all be okay. Fire’s out.”
She shook her head. “No, I…just… I’m something of fire department royalty in Denver.”
He looked at her like she’d lit the entire street on fire. Not just the dumpster. “You’re what? Like a flames princess?”
“My family. They’re all firefighters. This has the potential to be very…familial.”
“And you keep them in business, eh?” he asked with a tilted grin fit for the handsomest of handsome cartoon heroes.
She sighed internally but kept her expression neutral. At least she hoped it stayed neutral.
“Not usually. Just moved back.” She slid her gaze to her petite house that was perfect for her little family. “But I’m still never going to live this down.”
“Gotcha,” he said. “Family trouble is special trouble.”
While that nugget settled between them, things got busy super quick as the fire crew arrived to do their thing, even though the fire was already out. Seriously. Why did they need to hoist around those gigantic axe things? She didn’t know.
Thankfully, her dad was not among the crew.
Unfortunately, her oldest brother—James—stepped from the truck with a big ol’ axe.
Damn. Damn. Dammit. Damn.
The other firefighters sallied forth, but James paused when he glimpsed Emmaline. Then he frowned.
“Uncle James!” Fiona shouted, marshmallows in hand, running toward them in her matching Peppa Pig pajamas.
“Fiona?” he asked, his face screwing up with many questions and a heaping dash of happy-to-see-her. “What are you doing up so late?”
“Bringing the marshmallows for the fire,” Fiona responded, eyes bright, holding up the big ol’ bag of marshmallows. Then she took in the lack of flames and her expression fell.
“Fire’s out,” Em said, refusing to look at anyone but her daughter. “Head on home and we’ll have marshmallows when I get back.” They could roast them over a candle or something.
Though, that might not be the best idea. One fire a night already seemed like too much.
James evidenced this by clearing his throat. “I’d like a post-fire marshmallow, Fi. If you’re handing them out.”
“Yay.” Fiona grinned, pulling open the bag and handing one to her uncle. He went over the top taking it from her fingers and making ridiculousnom-nomnoises.
Then, without even checking with Em, he handed Fiona one and she also madenom-nomnoises while she ate it. Hers were, however, way cuter than his.
“Go on home now?” he asked Fiona with a wink.
Fiona nodded, and Em scowled while ensuring Fiona made it back to the house, the marshmallow bag swinging in her little hand.
“You can have two more before I get there,” Em said before Fiona went inside, loud enough for her daughter to hear. And not only because she was trying to one-up James, but also because Fiona was a good kid and a couple of marshmallows would be fine.
Unless she lit the house on fire roasting them…
“Em?” James asked in that big brother’s voice that was not awesome.
She glowered at him. “What are you doing here, anyway?”
