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“Mayor Bloomfield,” he confirmed.

“The sooner we solve this mystery⁠—”

“The sooner we can come back here,” he agreed. And there was nothing more motivating than the thought of Emily warm in his bed, hair loose, wearing nothing but his flannel shirt, and all the time in the world.

THIRTY-THREE

EMILY

Monday, December 21st

The fire station and city hall were only a few blocks apart, which was unfortunate, because Emily needed at least three miles to recover from what had just happened.

Possibly four.

And here she thought she’d have a relaxing afternoon with Cole after working so hard that morning to get the Christmas baking orders on track and keep her display cases stocked. She’d baked half a dozen cherry crumble coffee cakes that they sold by the thick slice, oatmeal scotchie, chocolate chunk and peanut butter no-bake cookies, and even managed to stock the fridge with take-and-bake pies.

With the roads cleared, she was back to having a full staff, which meant she could slip away with Cole for the afternoon. But what she hadn’t expected was for him to be so tempting.

It had taken considerable effort to stay in the fire station’s living room while he quickly showered twenty feet away. If she hadn’t spotted his grandmother’s photo on his dresser, she would’ve said, “Hell with the mayor,” and surprised him in the shower instead.

The thing about Cole was that she kept discovering new versions of him. Firefighter Cole, in his gear, all professional authority. Delivery Cole, carrying elderly residents’ groceries up icy steps without being asked. Investigator Cole, at the whiteboard with his markers and his sticky notes, thinking three steps ahead. And now, apparently, Lumberjack Cole—sleeves up, axe in hand, not a single wasted movement—which was somehow just as devastating as all the others.

Or maybe it wasn’t versions.

Maybe it was just Cole.

They turned the corner onto Birch Road, where the sidewalks were still patchy with ice and slush from the storm. Emily’s boot hit a slick spot. Her foot slid out from under her with a startled gasp.

Before she could even flail, Cole’s arm snapped out. One second, she was falling—the next, she was airborne as he scooped her up like she weighed nothing, one arm under her knees, the other around her back.

He stepped easily over the snowbank and set her gently down on the cleared sidewalk in front of city hall, steadying her with both hands on her waist.

Emily’s heart was racing for an entirely new reason now.

She stared up at him, cheeks burning. “I’m trying really hard to pretend I didn’t thoroughly enjoy that.”

Cole’s mouth curved into a slow, devastating smile. “Yeah? Which part?”

“All of it,” she admitted, a little breathless. “You, picking me up like I’m lightweight… the way your arms flexed…” She shook her head, laughing softly. “You’re full of surprises, Alders.”

Cole didn’t let go of her waist. He leaned down until his lips brushed her ear, voice low and full of promise.

“Just you wait, sugar.”

The words sent a fresh wave of heat rushing through her. She shivered visibly, and Cole’s grin widened, clearly pleased with himself.

Emily narrowed her eyes at him, even as her pulse thrummed. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Immensely,” he said, offering her his arm like a perfect gentleman. “Now come on. Let’s go pretend we’re responsible adults for the next hour.”

Emily took his arm, trying (and failing) to hide her smile.

“An hour feels like a very long time right now.”

Cole leaned closer as they walked up the steps to city hall.

“Good,” he murmured. “Because the second this meeting is over, I’m taking you home and reminding you exactly how strong these arms really are.”