Page 2 of Bewitching the Firefighter

“Sort of.” Daphne fiddles with a strand of her dark hair. “Last I heard, she’d moved away.”

Lincoln West has ‘Red Flag’ written all over him. Even in the way he moves, his confidence is off the charts. I bet he rarely gets turned down by the ladies. Which is just as well. I have zero interest in him or anyone, for that matter. I just need to get settled in Indigo Hills and find my own place to live. After that? I’ll give dating a try.

It takes about half an hour for the firefighters to finish checking the library. The engine’s lights spin, announcing to any who passes that emergency services are here. Fortunately, fall in the Hill Country is mild, with morning temperatures in the mid-sixties. Several patrons leave the premises, though not all of them. The quilting guild reserved one of the conference rooms for the day, so the textile artists are waiting patiently to return to their projects.

Eventually, the first responders exit the building and head straight toward us. There was no fire detected, and as the lieutenant discusses their findings with Daphne, the other three firefighters stand to the side as if awaiting the signal to leave.

My stomach tightens at Lincoln West’s presence, which is annoying. I was a late bloomer, but as soon as I sprouted breasts, it’s like sparkles came out of my skin. Boys started noticing me, and it didn’t take long for me to become self-conscious about my curves. I embrace them now, but I’m wary of any man with a reputation who gives me ‘the look.’

I turn away, scanning the parking lot, then the distant hills beyond the treeline, and when I feel someone’s gaze on my skin, I just know it’s Lincoln West. I ignore the impulse to turn, but it’s like my body is willing me. So I give in and glance up casually to find him staring right at me. I give him a brief smile and then head towards the patrons to pretend like I have a purpose there besides avoiding him.

Chapter 2

Isla

I sit at the kitchen table with my cousin’s daughter, Maddie. At ten, she is the spitting image of her mother, with long brown hair falling down her back in natural waves and brown eyes the same shade as many in our family. The privilege of being a fifth grader and the oldest child in the Wyatt household is that she gets to stay up for an extra thirty minutes of quiet time while her four-year-old brothers are put to bed.

When I moved in with Capri, I bought her daughter some tween coloring books along with art pencils, placing them in a cute decorative basket that matches her bedroom. I keep my own bucket with an adult coloring book, so we chat about life while little Isabelle stays strapped in an infant carrier on Maddie’s chest.

“Do you think he likes you?” The look of disgust on that sweet girl’s face is priceless as we chat about the boy at lunch who stole one of her tortilla chips.

“Ew.”

I chuckle, deciding to let it go. She’ll figure it out.

A deep voice reverberates in the kitchen. “Time for bed, Maddie-girl.” My cousin’s husband, Zane, enters the kitchen and kisses the top of Maddie’s head before doing the same to his infant daughter.

“Yes, sir.” She cleans up her markers one-handed as she rubs her baby sister’s back absently.

Zane takes in the two girls, his gaze fixed. “How about you read Isabelle a book first?”

Maddie’s eyes sparkle, and it’s like he knew just the thing she needed. Zane Wyatt is a great human and the best stepdad to Maddie. He’s even forged a friendship with her dad, who now lives in town. But the main reason I respect him is the way he loves Capri. We should all be so lucky.

Grabbing my basket, I head toward the small alcove near the butler’s pantry and through the door to the guest suite. When I first mentioned moving out of Dallas, Capri suggested Indigo Hills. She and other cousin, Levi, both live here and love it. She kept an eye out for librarian jobs and offered her guest suite indefinitely when I got the job.

It has a separate keyed entrance and plenty of privacy. The floor plan is surprisingly spacious, with an open concept living dining area and small kitchen. There’s also a large bedroom and bathroom with a walk-in shower and garden tub. It’s a true mother-in-law suite.

I turn on the teakettle and pull out the loose tea and my favorite cup, staring out the window at the stars. Capri and Zane live on Echo Ridge, a 5,200 acre ranch just outside the city limits. He invented some app and bought the property, turning it into one of the largest cattle ranches in Texas. Living here is easy, though I want to have my own place. Capri and her husband need their privacy.

As I’m just about to pour water into the cup, there’s a knock on the door to the principal home. “Come on in.”

Looking ready for a break, my cousin enters the suite, her brown waves pulled atop her head in a messy bun that mirrors mine. I pour each of us a cup of tea, replacing the kettle on the stove and motioning to the couch.

“Maddie said there was a fire truck at the library?” Capri tucks her legs underneath her, sinking into the couch cushions.

“Another vape in the bathroom.”

“Couldn’t the person just go outside for a second?”

“They probably didn’t know about the sensor.”

She nods, and I tell her about the morning’s events.

“Were any of the firefighters cute?” Her cat-like grin is wide behind her teacup, and when I don’t answer, her foot nudges at mine. “So there was a cute firefighter. Do tell.”

“There is nothing to tell.” I fiddle with the industrial piercing in my left ear. “Daphne just made a big deal about how the engine driver kept looking at me.”

“Was she right?” Capri wiggles her eyebrows.