Nick smiled as he handed her the bar and then twisted open the top of the bottled water. “Here you go, Skyler.”
“I’ll go tell Danielle and Rocky the good news, then I’ll reach out to the rest of the search team,” Luke said as he rushed out of the room.
This, Nick thought,was his purpose in life other than being Miles’s dad. Being a helper. Rushing in when others rushed away from danger. In this moment, he was proud of his chosen profession. Grateful for his team. And for Luke. They’d made this rescue possible by working together as a united front. No egos. No posturing. Just hard work and a common purpose.
He couldn’t even put into words what it had been like to lock eyes on Skyler for the first time, filled with the knowledge that she was safe and sound.
Nick’s chest tightened. Today would go down in the record books as a very good day. He would sleep well tonight.
***
Later that night, Harlow’s cell phone began to buzz just as she was settling in for the night. She was pretty exhausted after a full day at the town event. After Nick’s departure, she had continued to sell raffle tickets before hanging out with Lucy and Stella and walking around the event. They had introduced her to a lot of residents who seemed happy to have a new veterinarian in town. She’d even carved a pumpkin and bobbed for apples. The best part was being introduced to an abundance of dogs who had accompanied their owners to the fair. Someone had even brought their teacup pig along.
The fall festival had been fun, but not having Nick around had been a bit of a disappointment. She was beginning to look forward to the moments they shared. Talking. Laughing. Kissing. He was the full package.
Nick’s name popped up on her screen, almost as if she’d made it happen just by thinking about him. She felt a smile tugging at her lips as she answered the call.
“Hey, Nick! I didn’t think I’d be hearing from you tonight.” Harlow had imagined he would be tied up on his search and rescue assignment. She hoped this signified a positive update about the missing girl.
“Sorry to call so late, but I wanted to share the good news.” He paused for a moment. “We found her. We located Skyler in the woods.” Nick’s enthusiasm radiated through the phone.
Harlow let out a scream. “Oops. Sorry to yell in your ear, but that’s incredible news.” She was stoked for him. He worked in an amazing profession where burnout was high and successes should always be celebrated.
Nick let out a chuckle. “No worries. We’ve been celebrating on this end for hours.”
“Her parents must have been so happy. And grateful.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever forget watching that reunion play out for as long as I live.” His voice was thick with emotion. “Truthfully, I wasn’t sure about this one. I hoped. I prayed. But I also steeled myself against a possible bad outcome. To have it all come together like this…there’s really no words to express how I feel.”
“I’m so happy for Skyler and her family. And you and your team, of course. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Skyler’s family makes you an honorary member.”
“They don’t need to do that. Something tells me I’ll be checking in on that girl until she heads off to college.”
“I’m sure she’ll love that. No doubt you’re her hero.”
“And she’s mine, for finding shelter and staying calm.” She heard him let out a long sigh on the other end. “Well, thanks for sharing in my excitement. Night, Harlow.”
“Night, Nick. Sleep well,” Harlow said before hanging up.
As she climbed between the sheets, thoughts of Nick bombarded her. He was such a good guy. If he had a flaw, she hadn’t yet seen it. Sweet. Kind. All kinds of gorgeous. Funny. And he saved people’s lives for a living.
Harlow couldn’t play it cool any longer. She was seriously crushing on Nick Keegan. And even though she was really good at putting up obstacles in relationships, she couldn’t think of a single reason that she shouldn’t have a wild fling with him during her stint in Mistletoe. Nothing serious. No falling in love. Just pure, footloose and fancy-free fun.
***
The next week flew by, with Halloween arriving just as Nick and Miles figured out their costumes. Nick was excited about his favorite holiday of the year, but more than anything he was looking forward to seeing Harlow again. He and Harlow had texted and talked on the phone a few times, which made Nick feel as if he was getting to know her bit by bit. She was funny and engaging. Nick liked her. This feeling of wanting to get under a woman’s skin and learn everything there was to know about her was unfamiliar to Nick. He’d known his wife since they were kids, so their relationship had been a gradual process. With Harlow, Nick felt as if he was doing a deep dive off a cliff.
He kept going back to the way they’d kissed at her house. Nick hadn’t felt a spark like that in years. He’d worried that he might never again feel that push and pull of heat and attraction, never connect with a woman who made him ache to be with her. Harlow made him want things he’d begun to believe were in his rearview mirror. Walks on the beach. A stroll in the moonlight. Holding hands. Dancing in the rain.
The sound of his doorbell interrupted his thoughts and he called out to Miles. Harlow needed to see their outfits together in order to get the full effect. Miles came running down the hall, which normally Nick would chide him for, but he was going to let it go just this time.
“Harlow’s here,” Nick said. “Let’s see what she thinks about our costumes.”
“She’s going to love ’em,” Miles said, rubbing his hands together. “We are killing it.”
Nick opened the front door. Harlow was standing on his doorstep looking sexy as all get-out. He thought he might have to pick his jaw up off the floor. She was dressed as a female Black Panther superhero, wearing a tight black leather bodysuit with African accessories sewn into the fabric. For a moment, he wondered if he might be drooling.
“Wow.” The single word fell out of his mouth.
