Chapter 4

Not long after I take my seat in Holt’s private office, I hear a mix of voices outside, accompanied by the rumbling of fire trucks. The boys just came back from a call, and they’re likely thirsty, starving, and overall exhausted. Suddenly, the firehouse sounds as though it has come to life again, and I can’t help but wonder if this is what it sounded like when my dad was around.

With Marie watching Sammy and Luna, I’m able to be fully present at this interview. I keep my focus on Chief Holt as he takes his seat and goes over a printed copy of my resume. If everything goes well with Marie and my kids, I might just take her up on her offer to help with daycare services. After I have a chat with Sammy and Luna about it, of course.

“Halle, it says here you haven’t had much experience in the administrative field,” Holt says as he flips through the pages detailing my work experience.

I saw this question coming. Fortunately, I came prepared .

“Not really, sir, but I do have a strong work ethic and plenty of experience in customer service across several industries. That should tell you that I’m adaptable and also a quick learner.”

“Waitress. Bartender. Receptionist at a five-star hotel.”

“Isn’t a receptionist a PA of sorts?”

Holt gives me a concerned look. He reminds me of my dad and I imagine he’s what my father would be like if he were still alive. Based upon pictures on the walls of his office, Holt is a former ginger with dark brown eyes. Most of his hair is white now, plenty of deep lines drawing shadows across his pale face. He wears his age with grace and poise, the insignias and emblems on his shirt adding a certain gravitas to his posture.

“You would be in charge of my entire agenda. Calls, meetings, liaising with the Commissioner’s office, Dallas PD, the Mayor’s office,” he says. “I need to make sure you’re up for this. None of your qualifications are relevant for the position, if I’m honest.”

“I need you to be honest, sir,” I say. “And I completely understand if you don’t want to hire me. But please allow me to say one thing. What I lack in qualifications I will absolutely compensate for through my drive and dedication. I’m not experienced as a PA, but I am hungry and ready to learn fast, to do whatever it takes to bring my best into this job.”

He thinks about it for a moment, a glimmer of hope dancing in his eyes. “You’ve got two kids, right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Where’s the father?

”

“Out of the picture, sir.”

“Can you tell me why that is?”

“What relevance does that have to my job application?”

Holt laughs lightly. “Fair enough. I’m just trying to understand you better, Halle. I did not mean to insult you in any way.”

“You didn’t insult me, sir, don’t worry about it. But the truth is, I’m a single mother of two doing the best she can to provide for myself and my babies. I would’ve stuck to the diner job—”

“But the fire,” he nods in sullen agreement. “What would you say is your best asset for this job, then?”

I think about it for a second or two. “I’m a lot like my father,” I say. I wouldn’t usually play on his memory to get what I want, but desperate times call for desperate measures. “I adapt quickly. My mind is like a sponge. I am fearless, much like he was. I don’t focus on the problem per se, I choose to channel my energy into a solution.”

“Sounds like John alright,” Holt smiles broadly.

“I may also be just as hot-headed sometimes,” I giggle, “but that should give you a warm sense of familiarity, if nothing else. Mind you, I’ll never bite your head off, sir. I am respectful of authority.”

“Your dad couldn’t give a rat’s ass about authority,” Holt laughs.

“You’re right about that but I know I can ace this if you give me a chance. That’s all I need, sir. One chance to prove myself. Worst case? You fire me, and I’ll go find another job.

”

“I don’t want it to get to that. I don’t want to burn through a dozen PA’s until I find the right one, but I do need to find someone, if only on a temporary basis until a more permanent arrangement is agreed upon.”

I hold my breath, anticipating a conclusion.

Holt scratches his short white beard and I notice a hint of orange left in it.

“I loved your father like a brother,” he says, letting a heavy sigh roll from his chest. “It took me a long time to get over what happened. To stop blaming myself for not being able to do more when the building came down.”

I remember the incident. It was all over the news, and there was even a documentary made about it a few years later. In the end, my dad went in to save two of his men—Holt being one of them, as it turns out. They’d gotten stuck in the basement during a rescue. They made it out. He didn’t.

“I know, sir. Everybody loved him,” I say.

“Let’s give it a go,” he replies with a curt smile. “Let’s see what happens. But for your sake and mine, I’m gonna have you get in touch with Suzy. We’ll pull her out of retirement for a couple of days so she can show you the basics around here.”

My heart jumps. “Thank you so much, sir. You won’t regret it, I promise.”

“How soon can you start?”

“Right now, if you want. I can ask Marie to keep an eye on my kids for a while longer,” I blurt out.

He chuckles dryly. “Let’s have you come in tomorrow, bright and early. Six a.m. sharp. How’s that?

”

“Yes, sir, that’s fantastic!”

“Good, we’re set, then,” he says and gets up from his seat. “Now, come on, let’s give you a tour of the place. The boys are in-house for now, so you might as well go ahead and meet them all. They’ll be giving you plenty of headaches if you’re not careful.”

I can’t help but laugh. It’s as if I am able to breathe again for the first time since the fire.

Once I’m out in the common room, however, my courage fades.

I feel like a lamb, practically hiding behind Holt as he walks me through the entire ground floor of the fire station, which consists of the common room, complete with a massive, open plan lounge area, kitchen, and dining space. The bunkroom and lockers are upstairs, from what I understand.

As soon as they see me, the Danson brothers are the first to come over. The rest of the crew give me curious looks and smiles, welcoming nods and the slight wave of a hand. They seem like a colorful bunch, likely loaded with dirty jokes and plenty of stories from the job.

“So? What’s the verdict, Chief?” Wyatt asks. “Is Halle going to be joining us?”

“She’s joining me, not you,” Holt jokingly bites back. “Keep your mitts off my girl.”

“Welcome to Fire Station 45, then, Halle,” Eric replies, giving me a broad and confident smile. It’s bold enough to make my spine tingle as I shyly smile back.

“It’s a pleasure and an honor to be here, gentlemen. I look forward to working with all of you,” I say, my gaze resting on his lips for one second too long. I’m still reeling from last night’s kiss. Still flustered and turned on, much to my chagrin. He lit a metaphorical fire in me and now I can’t put it out. It could become a problem. “Chief Holt decided to give me a chance. Let’s just hope I rise to the occasion.”

“You’ll knock it out of the park,” Wyatt shoots back. “Just handle his calls, make sure he takes his blood pressure medicine, and always put two sugars in his coffee. No cream. Easy peasy.”

Holt shakes his head and gently nudges me away from the Danson brothers. The crew at the fire house is pretty big, but I can tell that the brothers are the ones calling the shots around here. The others keep looking to them for the slightest hint of approval or dismay, based on what I’ve noticed so far, and they seem relieved that I’ve already been sort of accepted into the pack.

I’m relieved, too.

Once I’m home, I thank Marie for looking after my kids and proceed to offer her a cup of coffee. The Danson brothers have one of those cool capsule espresso machines, and it is dangerously addictive. Wyatt loves to stock the pantry with different flavor capsules, and I have found myself completely enamored with the hazelnut version.

We sit at the island counter while Sammy and Luna work on their coloring books at the dinner table, dozens of crayons scattered between them.

“I hope they were okay,” I tell Marie.

“Your kids are easy,” she laughs. “They pay attention. They ask questions. They’re curious. Granted, Sammy can be a handful if you’re not careful, but I like how Luna is able to temper him.”

I give my daughter a quick, affectionate look. “Yeah, she may be five but she’s a whip when it comes to keeping her baby brother safe and in line.”

“She had to grow up faster than most kids her age, huh?”

“You can say that” I reply, looking back at Marie. I notice the empathic gaze, the softness in her voice. She can see things in my kids that most people can’t. She’s an educator and works with children from all backgrounds on a daily basis. “Their father isn’t around. But when he was, he was… difficult.”

“Abusive?”

I nod slowly. “Not physically,” I lie.

“Sometimes mental and emotional abuse is even worse.”

“I tried to shield them as best I could. Ultimately, I walked away and filed for divorce. It was the only thing I could do.”

“I am sorry you had to go through that,” Marie says. To my relief, she doesn’t probe for more details. Instead, she focuses her attention back on me with the same warmth in her green eyes. “For what it’s worth, the damage he did will likely subside in the following years, provided you work extensively with Luna and Sammy. I can put you in touch with a friend of mine, an excellent child psychologist who has done wonders with some of the kids I work with.”

“Honestly, all my kids need right now is love and safety. We’re doing fine.”

Marie smiles, and it’s that kind of knowing smile that makes me feel foolish, reminding me that while it’s perfectly normal to be apprehensive of new people coming into my life, she has already proven herself as trustworthy. Besides, her daycare is one of the highest-rated across Dallas, and she is the Danson brothers’ mother. It’s time for me to take that leap of faith and soften up to her, if only slightly.

“I’m sorry. It’s a great idea,” I add. “I’ll take that number and reach out to your friend when I’m ready.”

“Good decision.”

“Also, I’m starting a new job tomorrow, so I have to take you up on your daycare offer.” Hearing that, Marie looks like she’s about to jump out of her seat with pure joy. “Hold on, I forgot one thing. Hey, Sammy, Luna?”

“Yes, Mama?” Luna replies, peeling her gaze away from the coloring book for a moment.

“What do you think about going to Marie’s daycare starting tomorrow?” I ask.

“Are there toys?” Sammy asks, his interest visibly piqued.

“All the toys you could want,” Marie says. “And we have an outdoor playground, too, with swings and seesaws and a giant jungle gym.”

“Monkey bars?” Luna asks, now downright intrigued.

“Absolutely,” Marie confirms.

“Okay,” my daughter agrees with a serious look on her face. “We’ll try it out.”

Marie laughs while I pinch the bridge of my nose.

At least I’ve got another issue crossed off my list. That diner fire wasn’t really the end, come to think about it. If anything, it has only brought me closer to a different and higher sphere. I am meeting new and wonderful people like Chief Holt and Marie Danson, and what I dare hope is going to be a bright and safe future.

But it’s her sons that keep me on my toes.

Eric, in particular.

I can’t get the kiss out of my head. Whenever I let my thoughts drift away, I end up reliving that single precious enticing moment. The taste of him still lingers on the tip of my tongue. I can still smell his cologne. I can feel his skin on mine, a ghostly warmth that refuses to leave me. My senses are overwhelmed with him and I don’t know what to do with myself.

Marie’s hand covers mine, drawing me back into the conversation. “I know it can be daunting, starting over again,” she says. “How long were you working at the diner for?”

“Two months.”

“And now, this. I’m really sorry, Halle.”

“There is a silver lining though,” I reply with a soft smile. “And I am so grateful for everything. I promise that none of you will regret helping me.”

“I’m not doubting that, not even for a second. I may not know you as well as I’d like to, but in my line of work, I can tell a lot about a person based on what their kids are like,” she says, nodding at Luna and Sammy. “And those two are veritable crown jewels. Honestly, if all of my kids were like them, my days would be a whole lot smoother.”

“They’re good kids. I think they came out like that,” I laugh lightly. “I mean, sure, I’ll take some credit, but they are wired as kind souls, I don’t know how to explain it.

”

“They take after their primary caretaker,” Marie says. “It’s what we do as children. Our parents are the very first people we meet in this world. Our mothers, in particular. Therefore, it’s no surprise that your children have emulated so much of you. You rubbed off on them in the best way possible.”

God, I hope that’s true.

I hope it stays true. Because if there’s one thing that this world doesn’t need more of, it’s the by-product of monsters like Colby Nash and his mother.