Page 35 of Hot Times in Heart Falls, Vignettes Vol 3

A zing of happiness rushed over Kevin, and he snorted softly. It never ceased to astonish him how the mere sight of Edison got to him.

Kevin rose to his feet to greet the man.

Edison’s lips curled with mischief. “Such a gentleman.”

The kiss Edison pressed to his cheek—brief yet warm—made Kevin want to show some decidedly un-gentlemanly behavior with a far more demonstrative kiss.

For now, though, Kevin held back and simply gestured to the open space beside him on the love seat. “Saved you a spot,” he told Edison quietly. “Glad you could make it.”

“Glad to be here.” Edison’s thigh pressed firmly against Kevin’s even as he turned to speak to Sydney. “The adult first-aid class I taught today went well.”

“I spotted no smoke on the horizon, so you didn’t burn down any buildings. Score is in your favour,” Sydney teased.

“I know, right?” Edison dramatically pressed a hand to his chest. “Go me.”

“We can’t all be as destructive as the best,” Sydney offered with a rueful laugh.

Declan shook his head as he poked the fire with a stick. “Where did you teach the class since we don’t have a community hall anymore?”

“The school gave me a classroom,” Edison said. “It was crowded and we had to move the desks twice, but it mostly worked. It’s going to be tough doing without the hall. I never realized how many activities took place there over the year.”

Quiet conversations drifted between people as the low notes of guitar switched from single notes to melody, and Aiden hummed softly as he played. Guitar music wove around them like a warm blanket that enclosed the group with a cozy, protective feeling. Gentle conversations and sharing made for a relaxing evening.

Around ten, the group slowly headed off in different directions.

Aiden crooked a finger at Petra. “Come on, baby mama. You need to catch up on some sleep.”

Petra accepted the hand he held to her even as she glanced Kevin’s way and offered a knowing wink. She was sharp enough to figure out Kevin was hoping for a little privacy with Edison.

Both the ranch hands left after offering quiet goodnights. Logan yawned as he waved lazily. “I’m done, too. Night all.”

Declan and Sydney followed a few minutes later.

Sydney offered a teasing glance over her shoulder. “Don’t stay too long, Edison, or you’ll be late to open the clinic tomorrow.”

“As if.” Edison tilted his head. “I’m the punctual prince of medicine, and you know it.”

“You’re a caffeine-fueled menace,” Sydney tossed back. “But I couldn’t do it without you. Good night.”

Only Jinx and Dixie remained. She stretched then swung the reusable shopping bag that held her yarn and crochet project over her shoulder. “I’m calling it a night as well. I’m off to Sasha’s tomorrow to work on a group project on renewable energy.”

“You’re going to nail that,” Edison told her. “You’re the ultimate renewable energy source.”

Jinx laughed as her golden retriever nudged Edison for a pat and got a full-body cuddle in return. Edison murmured something low to the dog before he straightened and accepted the hug Jinx offered.

“You’re a sweetheart, Edison.”

“Takes one to know one,” he offered back, light-hearted joy in his tone.

Kevin didn’t move. Didn’t speak. But when Jinx turned and gave him a nod—brief, quiet, but absolutely deliberate—something loosened in his chest.

Edison resettled a moment later, legs folding underneath himself with that relaxed grace Kevin had come to love. Without a word, Edison slipped his hand into Kevin’s, and they both stared into the fire.

Thoughts raced through Kevin’s head like a train at top speed.

“You know that hug means a lot, yeah?” Kevin finally said softly.

Edison twisted to face Kevin, his wide brown eyes shadowed by the firelight. “Yeah. I think so.”