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With a little less worry, I got Max out of the car and set him on the ground, then looked into the first bay. It was the only one open and there were people milling about, not paying my arrival any mind. Grabbing Max’s hand, I started walking, not sure if I should go toward the bay, or toward the front door.
The wind blew and I used my free hand to gather my hair and pull it to the side, away from my eyes. By the time I had it settled, I saw Easton step to the edge of the bay with his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face. He was watching me approach, waiting patiently.
He was in a basic blue uniform with straight pants and a T-shirt that hugged tightly around his biceps. His hair lookedperfectly coiffed, and the pair of Ray Bans on his eyes almost made it look like he had stepped out of a magazine.
“You’re here,” he announced as if surprised I showed up.
“I’ll never let Max down,” I assured him, not wanting to mention that I had kind of been looking forward to his silly questions.
“I have no doubt.” He reachedoutand took the hand that wasn’t holding onto Max. He gently encased it into his, as if we were on a date, and guided me into the bay. Max followed along quietly, his little eyes taking in the site before him.
“Fire truck!” He screamed, getting the attention of everyone else. “Fire truck!”
Easton kept hold of my hand but knelt down, placing his other hand out for Max. To my surprise, Max let go of my hand and took Easton’s while pointing to the fire truck.
“You wanna sit in the truck?” Easton asked Max, with just as much excitement as my happy toddler.
I didn’t expect Max to speak, but when he started chanting, “Yes!” I held a hand over my heart and smiled.
Easton opened the door, then turned back to reach for Max, who willingly leapt into Easton’s arms. That time, I gasped a little, and Easton settled Max on his side before putting him in the driver’s seat.
“Is this okay?” Easton asked with concern while holding tightly to a very eager Max.
“Of course,” I nodded, barely able to get my words out.
Max had taken to Easton quickly, and even though I knew it was because Easton was a firefighter, it was still a shock. He had spent every morning that week with Ms. Ellison and me while we had coffee, and he still wouldn’t look at her. The list of people he had spoken to could be counted on one hand. Letting them hold him was next level, and I was feeling even better about bringing him to Harmony Haven.
Easton placed Max into the driver’s seat and climbed up on the step so he could show him all the buttons. My three-year-old was enthralled with everything Easton showed him, paying attention and nodding as if he understood. He also wanted to touch everything and laughed when Easton indulged him with the siren. When I pulled my phone out and insisted on a picture, he smiled big with a fire helmet balancing on his head.
Max shook his head adamantly, not wanting to leave the truck when it was time, and I was scared he would have a meltdown. But Easton was ready and handled him like it wasn’t his first time being around a precocious three year old.
“Yo,” Easton laughed, grabbing the helmet from Max’s head. “Buddy we have more to see. We can’t stay here all day.”
“Okay,” Max agreed, with only a slight pout.
Easton lifted him from the truck while I tried to hide how emotional I had become. Easton would never be able to understand the emotions of a mother that had dedicated her life to her son. He wouldn’t be able to relate to how remarkable it was to see Max blooming right before my eyes.
While I got myself together, Easton had carried Max into the building, and I was supposed to follow them. But I stopped when I heard someone approach from behind the truck.
“Hey there,” a female voice purred.
“Hi.” I smiled, noticing the blonde in the same uniform as Easton. Her hair was up in a high ponytail, and she swung it side to side as she approached.
“I’m Rory.”
“Jesse,” I nodded, reaching for her outstretched hand and shaking it. “Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah,” she laughed gruffly, without returning the sentiment. “The new girl in town wasted no time going after a Brooks brother, I see.”
My head snapped back so abruptly, I was tempted to get checked out for whiplash. Somehow, I had been under the impression that the woman approaching me would be friendly. Instead, she threw out a comment that I didn’t understand, nor did I take too kindly to.
“Excuse me?” I immediately didn’t like Rory, and I wanted to grab Max and leave just to avoid any confrontation that was undoubtedly coming.
“Whoa,” Rory held her hands up in surrender. “That definitely came out wrong.”
“Not sure how else I could interpret what you just said,” I bit out, crossing my arms to assure her I was pissed.
“There’s not one female in this town that wouldn’t kill to snag one of the Brooks brothers. It was supposed to be a joke, that’s all. Ya know, just another woman throwing herself at?—”
