Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
But speaking of that, I have an idea that I think could work.
I take a deep breath and fix my jean jacket as I walk up to the firehouse. I’m wearing my favorite sundress along with it.
Even though I’ve been busy with all of this planning, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that hot, toe-curling kiss last night.
It was incredible. I get little shivers every time I think about James’ sexy lips on mine and those big warm arms wrapped around me. I don’t know what would have happened if that jerk hadn’t interrupted us. I wonder if we would have been able to stop ourselves or if I would have woken up next to him.
I take a deep breath, push those thoughts away, and open the door to the fire station. I still haven’t been inside this place even though I’ve been admiring it since I moved here. It’s an older red brick building with large white bricks framing the doors and windows. Two large garage doors are painted bright red and ENGINE COMPANY 38 is written in big steel letters above them.
The inside has an old vibe to it, but everything is modern. It’s very nice. I wouldn’t mind spending more time in here…
I walk up to the empty front desk as I look around at the big healthy plants and old black and white photos of all the past crews hanging on the brick walls. I spot the latest picture and my heart rate increases when I find James posing with his coworkers. He’s not smiling, but he looks smoldering hot. I think about taking a quick photo of it with my phone, but a deep grumbling noise behind the front desk stops me.
“Hello?” I say as I walk over. The two shiny firetrucks are visible through the large window behind the desk, but I don’t see anyone around.
The sound continues. It sounds like someone snoring.
I look over the desk and see a fat pug sound asleep on his back. He’s lying in his round bed with his paws in the air, snoring his head off.
No one comes to see me, so I build up some courage and head into the back. I follow the deep masculine voices.
Three of the guys are sitting around the table playing a card game—Doug, Mason, and the older handsome Chief who helped extinguish the fire yesterday. No James. I try to hide my disappointment.
“Hello,” I say shyly.
They all turn to me at once.
“Oh, hey, Victoria,” Mason says in a friendly tone. “You know how to play Exploding Kittens? We’re about to start a new game.”
“I’ve never played it,” I say as I walk over.
Doug leaps up and grabs an empty chair. He pulls it over beside his. “You can be on my team. I’ll teach you everything you need to know to win.”
“When was the last time you won?” Mason asks with a grin.
“I haven’t been getting any good cards,” Doug says, glaring at him. “You know that.”
“Oh, that’s it,” Mason says with a laugh. “It’s the cards’ fault.”
“What can we help you with?” the Chief asks with an easy smile.
“I think she’s looking for James,” Mason says as he shuffles the cards. “He’s upstairs taking a shower.”
“Actually, I have an idea for the firehouse,” I say, trying to keep the tantalizing image of James naked in the shower out of my mind. “Unfortunately, the insurance isn’t going to cover the full cost of the repairs to the library.”
Now that I’m here, I’m starting to rethink my idea. Is it stupid? Am I asking for too much? They already helped me put out the fire and now I’m asking them to help rebuild the building too?
I’m standing here, a little frozen.
“What’s your idea?” the Chief asks in an encouraging tone.
I reach into my bag and pull out my camera. “I took a couple of photography classes in college,” I tell them. “I was thinking maybe we could… make a firemen calendar… and sell it to raise money?”
Doug gets a big smile on his face. “Can I be on the cover?”
Mason chuckles.
“Um… no formatting decisions have been made yet,” I say, thinking fast. “I was thinking we could take a photo of each of you, compile it into a calendar, and sell it online.”
The Chief nods as he listens. “A calendar?”
“It would be on a voluntary basis,” I say, hoping that would help. “Obviously.”
“I want a month in spring,” Doug says with a grin. “I’ll be Mr. May.”
Mason chuckles. “Yeah, Mr. May I change the month so I don’t have to look at this pudgy guy anymore?”
“I’m not pudgy,” Doug says, grabbing a handful of his stomach.
Footsteps clang on the spiraling metal staircase in the corner of the large room and I hold my breath when I see James coming down. He’s in navy blue cargo pants with a navy blue T-shirt that has the emblem of the firehouse on it. His hair is perfectly styled and I can tell he just trimmed his beard.