Chapter 13
“You tired yet, Hollywood?” Jerry asked from across the table where they were eating a late lunch.
Or maybe it was dinner? Rob wondered. He could never figure out what to call the middle of the shift meals. He’d come on shift at seven that morning and it was now four in the afternoon. After this meal, he would try to take a nap so he would be ready in case they got called out later that night.
Or, for that matter, why he even dwelled on such things.
But maybe thinking about that kind of stuff was easier than thinking about how his latest mystery series was going to get picked up for a miniseries next fall.
Which was why all the guys at the station house were now calling him Hollywood.
“Yep.” He grinned at Trenton. “But I’ve been tired since Thanksgiving, so it’s nothing new.”
“I hear you.” Their engineer leaned back and propped a foot on the seat of the empty chair next to him. “It’s been a crazy Christmas season. How many space heaters have caught on fire? Five? Six?”
“Too many,” Jill said as she walked into the small kitchenette and joined them. “I wish we could go into every house in the area and inspect them.”
Rob pushed his empty plate away. “That’s probably a good idea. I bet a lot of people would be happy for us to do that.”
Jill shrugged. “Yeah. Maybe. But of course there’s going to be just that many people who tell us to stay out of their house and their business.”
Trent whistled softly. “Boy, somebody’s grumpy today.”
Sitting down with a large serving of lasagna that the captain’s wife had brought by a few hours ago, Jill grimaced. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s my daughter’s birthday today and I’ve been feeling pretty guilty about not being with her.”
Often, things at the firehouse were so busy, all they talked about was work. Because of that, sometimes Rob forgot just how much the other members of his squad gave up for their jobs. “How old is your daughter?”
“Lacey is seven.” She smiled tiredly. “I don’t know why I’m feeling so guilty. Her daddy is taking her out to a special dinner and then I’m taking her out for ice cream and cake tomorrow. Lace keeps telling me that she’s lucky because she gets to have a two-day birthday.”
“It’s still hard not being there, though,” Rob said.
“It is.” After taking another bite of the lasagna, she said, “I know you don’t have any kids. Who are you missing?”
Hannah. “A woman I’ve been seeing.”
“The Amish girl?”
“Yeah. Her name’s Hannah.”
“Wait,” Trent interrupted. “Is that the girl you rescued?”
“Yep.”
“Wow, you work fast.”
“It’s not like that. I’ve known her for a while. She’s my neighbors’ nanny.”
“Are you dating?”
“Yes. I mean, we’re seeing each other.”
“But how is that possible? I mean, I’m surprised that she’d even give you the time of day, what with her being Amish and you not.”
“That’s usually how it would be, I guess. But there’s something there, you know?”
Jill smiled. “I like that idea. That love can’t be stopped, no matter what the obstacles.”
Trent groaned. “Don’t get mushy on us, Greer. I was just starting to think of you as one of the guys.”
“Sorry. I may be able to carry a hundred pounds up a ladder, but I’m still a softie at heart.” Looking just beyond their door, her eyes lit up. “Speaking of which . . . ”
Rob turned around, wondering what she was pointing out. And then jumped to his feet. “Hannah?”
Hannah, looking very festive and sweet in a cranberry red dress with an open black wool cloak over it, smiled. “Hi, Rob. And, um, everyone.”
While the other members of his team called out greetings, he walked to her side. “What brings you here?”
She held out the plate of cookies in her hands. “York is driving me over to see my family today. When Melissa mentioned that they sometimes bring the crew on duty snacks, I decided to make you some cookies.” She looked worriedly at the others. “I hope that is okay?”
“It’s better than okay,” Jill said. “Thank you so much.”
“Yeah, thanks a lot,” Trent said as he took the cookies and set them on the table. Eyeing them appreciatively, he said, “What kind are they?”
“They’re cranberry oatmeal with some white chocolate chips added. And you’re welcome,” she said with a smile.
“Why don’t you go take five, Rob?” Trent suggested.
“Thanks.” He hesitated, then went ahead and took Hannah’s arm as he led her to a corner of the firehouse. “It’s good to see you. Really good.”
“I debated whether to stop by, but York said your captain doesn’t mind your getting visitors if they don’t stay long.”
“I would never mind you visiting me, Hannah,” he murmured. “Now, tell me how you decided to see your parents.”
“I’ve been thinking about a lot of things. Mainly that I don’t want to be so angry with them.”
“I’m glad.” He hated how he was already thinking of the worst, but he said, “I’ll be home in the morning. After I sleep for a bit, how about Daisy and I stop by?”
“I’d like that.” Her face shined up into his. Easing his worries.
He wanted nothing more than to kiss her. But this wasn’t the place and it certainly wasn’t the time. “Let me walk you out.”
“There’s no need. York is right outside.”
Just as he was about to tell her that he didn’t mind, the alarm rang through the house. “I’ve got to go.”
“Rob?” Worry filled her expression.
Unable to help himself, he leaned down and gently kissed her lips. “I’ll be all right. Bye.”
He turned away to put on his turnout gear, firmly putting all thoughts of Hannah to one side. There was no way he could start thinking about her while he was working.
That would be a recipe for disaster.