Betsy Amant - Fireman Dad

Jacob grinned. “Then let’s see how you did without him.” He led the way, unable to help but picture several more nights exactly like this one—maybe next time holding hands or bringing Owen along for a ride on the two-story carousal. If the kid was anything like his mother, he had to be one amazing little boy.

What would it be like to have a family of his own? Sure, there would be fights and tantrums, like the little girl displayed in the party store, but the good times would outweigh the bad. Hanging out with Ryan, Liz and Olivia reminded Jacob of his desire for his own family more and more lately—and everything about him and Marissa seemed to mesh. They had several things in common—their mutual love for kids, the outdoors and double-scoop ice cream cones—but enough differences between them to keep the conversation interesting. She was a great mom—that much was obvious in the way her eyes sparkled as she told stories of Owen’s antics—not to mention a confident businesswoman.

And there was no question she was beautiful.

They reached Marissa’s SUV, and Jacob paused beside it. “I almost didn’t recognize it without a flat tire.”

Marissa laughed as she stashed their shopping bags into the backseat. “Let’s hope that was a one-time thing.” She checked her watch and grimaced. “I better hurry. I told Owen’s babysitter I’d be back by nine.”

Jacob opened the driver’s door for her and grinned. “Mommy to the rescue.” He supposed dating Marissa—if she ever even agreed to a real date—would be like that. Owen came first, and he had absolutely no problem with the fact. He’d actually be upset if that wasn’t the case.

“Thanks for asking me here.” Marissa fumbled with her car keys. “I’m, uh—really looking forward to working with you.”

A truck rumbled down their row, and Jacob eased a step closer to be heard over the noise—or so he told himself. “So am I.” He held out his hand to assist her into the driver’s seat, and fought the urge to let his grip linger. Don’t rush it, his conscience whispered a warning, and he pulled free before his fingers refused to obey. But he couldn’t pass up the chance to ask Marissa out. Who knew when he’d get another one? He hesitated, then braced one arm against the door to keep it open. “Would you like to do this again sometime?”

“Shop and eat junk food?” A teasing spark lit her eyes, and he thought for the hundredth time how beautiful she was.

“If you want.” Jacob smiled back. “But I was thinking about something a little more official.” He swallowed. If he’d read her signals wrong and she said no, then he had just officially made their working relationship awkward. But he had to know.

Surprise lit Marissa’s deep green eyes, and he could almost read the conflicting emotions darting across her expression. Interest. Doubt. Regret. Which would win? He waited, a knot slowly forming in his stomach.

“That would be … nice.”

Jacob let out his breath, unable to decipher who was more surprised by her answer—him or her. But regardless, he’d take it.

“Great.” He lowered his arm as she inserted the key into the wheel, the ignition dinging. “We’ll talk about that soon.” Very soon.

“I’d like that.” They smiled, then Marissa broke the connection as she pulled on her seat belt. “If I haven’t said so yet, this is a great thing you’re doing for the families of the laid off firemen. They’re going to appreciate it a lot.”

“It’s nothing much. My brother deserves a break after the layoffs. I only wish I could do more.” He could never do enough to ease the guilt he felt, but he’d go down trying.

“Wait—the fire department layoff?” Marissa tilted her head to one side in surprise.

Jacob blinked. “I didn’t mention that before now? Ryan was one of the firemen let go. That’s why I’m helping out with Olivia’s party.”

“No, you never mentioned the specifics, just that he was suddenly unemployed. Wow, I’m sorry to hear that.” Admiration flickered in Marissa’s gaze. “But I’m sure your helping with the fundraiser will encourage your brother. Family support is so important.”

“I hope so. None of the guys deserved this.” Jacob’s stomach tightened. It had been like losing family after the first round of cuts. The worst part was that rumor had it the city council wasn’t done yet. But no need to stir up the bitterness when tonight had gone so well. Come to think of it, had he even mentioned he was a fireman? They’d talked about the party, the fundraiser and Owen and Olivia most of the night.

Marissa started the engine with a roar, interrupting his thoughts. “I wish everyone was as supportive of the fundraiser as you are—like my dad, for instance.” She raised her voice above the rumble.

He knew she needed to leave, but now he was confused. Why would her father not care about the affected firemen and their families? How could any civilian not care? Ever since the layoffs, the local newspapers had been flooded with letters to the editor about their concerns. He couldn’t imagine someone feeling the opposite. “What do you mean, your dad?”

She gripped the steering wheel with both hands. “Fire Chief Brady.”

Jacob’s heart slammed against his rib cage with a catastrophic jolt.

“He says it’s a conflict of interest for me to be involved, but I believe it’s the right thing to do. Not only for my business, but as a person. I just couldn’t turn down the church when they asked.” She kept talking but her words rushed straight over Jacob’s head and into the stifling air of the garage as he desperately tried to comprehend this new truth. Chief Brady. His boss. Marissa’s father. Marissa Brady Hawthorne.

“Oh, no, it’s nine o’clock now. I’ll see you Monday afternoon.” Marissa held up her hand in a quick wave. “Good night.”

“Good night.” The words croaked from Jacob’s tight throat as the SUV door slammed shut between them.

Then she was gone.

Marissa punched the button in her SUV to open the garage door, her headlights piercing the late evening darkness and reminding her how badly she needed to power-wash the house. Usually such chores only served as a gateway into overwhelming reminders of how she didn’t have backup anymore—no man around to take out the trash or mow the yard, no husband to change burned out lightbulbs, check the oil in her car or get rid of scary bugs in the bathroom.

But tonight, for the first time in a while, the familiar cloak of regret didn’t settle itself around her shoulders. Instead, an image of Jacob chasing a fly around her living room flitted through her mind, and she shook her head with a grin. Not even one official date behind them, and already she fantasized about the poor man doing grunt work. But with the way he so easily fit into her imagination, it felt as if she’d already known him forever.

She sneaked a peek in her rearview mirror at Owen, sound asleep in the back. He’d had a fun night with his friend from school, and Mrs. Johnson hadn’t minded her being late at all. “You need to get out more, enjoy life.” The middle-aged woman’s soft voice prodded Marissa’s conscience as she helped buckle Owen into the backseat. “You’re a mom, Marissa, but you’re still a woman who deserves to have fun. I’m glad you seem to be remembering that again.”

Mrs. Johnson must have misunderstood, since the evening was simply a business meeting. But Jacob still provided Marissa with a much-needed reminder of how nice it was to be treated like a lady, not just a boss, a friend or a parent. The way he insisted on opening doors for her and letting her walk first, the way he’d looked into her eyes as if what she said really meant something, proved there were still bona fide gentlemen in Orchid Hill after all. He even listened to her talk about her business and Owen for a good portion of the evening as if there were nothing else he’d rather hear. It was a refreshing change.