Page 55 of Hot Times in Heart Falls, Vignettes Vol 3

“Kind of looks that way, doesn’t it?” Alex snorted. “Although, please, dear God, do not grab hold and pull. I set this up a while ago, and since you didn’t arrive until later than expected, I have a sneaky suspicion that the tape has turned to superglue. You’ll rip off a bunch of chest hair with it, and as excited as I am to give you a ring, I don’t want that to happen.”

Which meant she was laughing as she attempted to delicately peel the ring free.

“Ouch.” He covered her fingers with his, trying to help. “Slow down. Wait, hang on a second…”

Alex’s continuing monologue included some choice swear words as they both tried to loosen what had become a firmly matted piece of tape. The entire situation turned into something halfway perfectly romantic and a perfect farce.

Whatever else it was, the messed up, wild situation was perfectly them.

In the end they had to resort to a wet, warm facecloth, because Yvette refused to allow Alex to get into the shower to loosen the glue for fear that her ring would fall and go down the drain.

Eventually, when they met back at the table, both of them grinning far too hard, Alex took her hand in his and firmly slid the ring into position. “Thank you for being mine.”

“I’m glad to be doing the next thing with you,” Yvette said softly. “It is time, because you really are the one who holds the key to my heart as well.”

Alex wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her in, pressing their bodies close as his lips covered hers and they sealed their engagement with a kiss.

3

Brooke knew she was always welcome to stop in at the fire hall. She also knew what to do if the alarms went off and how to get out of the way as quickly as possible, which meant when the desire to stop in and see Mack hit, she had zero hesitation about caving in to the need.

It was one of the moments when Mack needed to know the news. Not in a few hours when he got off shift, but now.

She pulled eighteen-month-old Landon from his car seat into her arms. “Time to go see Daddy,” she informed him.

“Twucks,” he exclaimed excitedly, hanging onto her neck with one arm in a death grip. The other hand stayed free and he swung it in the air and made a loud siren sound.

She laughed. “Yes, the fire trucks are here, and sometimes the lights and sirens go off. But hopefully not right now.”

She made her way up the stairs, stopping to slip off Landon’s winter boots and coat before she sent him off with a pat on the bum. “Go find your daddy,” she encouraged.

“Landon.”

“Hey, little buddy. Are you ready for Santa to come?”

“It’s the mini fire chief. Hi, bud.”

Behind her, the volunteers on duty gave Landon high fives as he wobbled rapidly around the room, peering up at familiar faces, looking for his father.

Brooke hung her coat on an open wall hook then offered a wave to all as she walked farther into the common area where they’d be holding the annual gathering in just a few days.

Ashton sat at one of the tables, Landon now firmly ensconced on his lap. She made her way over and settled next to them. “Surprised to see you here. I heard a major shopping trip to Calgary was happening today.”

“I’m grateful to admit I don’t have the energy to keep up with the ladies anymore.” Ashton offered a wink. “Or at least that’s the story I’m going with.”

“You’re terrible,” Brooke told him. “I bet you and Sonora already have all of your Christmas shopping done, don’t you?”

He raised a brow. “Of course. We wrapped the last present sometime in September, but that doesn’t stop Sonora. She enjoys running around with her daughter and granddaughters, doing last minute extras, far too much for me to deny her the pleasure.”

“You’re a good man, Ashton Stewart.”

“I try to be,” he offered with a grin. He leaned down to check what Landon had to say as the little boy impatiently patted the table. “What’s up, kiddo?”

Brooke was slightly horrified when Landon wiggled and then used Ashton like a playground toy, climbing until he could press his little hands to either side of Ashton’s face.

“Play peekaboo,” Landon demanded.

Ashton laughed. “This is what I get for creating a monster. You got it, Landon.” He glanced at Brooke. “Mack is in the back. Said he had a little bit of paperwork to get caught up on. You go ahead and interrupt him, and I’ll take care of our littlest firefighter.”