Page 44 of A Tinsel Tale
We finish dressing and head to the truck. I feel like I’m going to a funeral. I don’t want this night to end. Hux sits between us on the way home, happy as a clam. When we pull in, we hear Bruiser and Mags barking and Hux yips his reply, impatient to get out. It’s the middle of the night, and fortunately Evie took care of the horses before we left. I walk her to the door, and she lets the dogs out to do their business and tussle with Hux for a few minutes before calling them back. I take her in my arms, we kiss each other senseless, then I let her go.
“Night, Evie. Tonight was epic.”
Her eyes sparkle. “One for my diary. Night, Jamie.”
I can’t seem to let go of her hand. “Don’t forget about our open house on Saturday.”
“I won’t. I’m going with Dee and Eloise.”
“Good. I work tomorrow but I’ll text or call you when I get a chance.”
“Okay. Thanks for everything,” she says softly.
I kiss her one last time, then turn and whistle for Huxley to load and we drive away.
23
JAMIE
I’m perched at the top of the firetruck’s aerial ladder about one-hundred feet in the air to the delight of the small crowd gathered right outside the fire station. I’m in full bunker gear, part of the previous reenactment of what happens during an emergency call. I wave to the cheers and clapping below. A great turnout for our open house this year. Lots of families with kids, loads of questions. The food and beverages are taking a sizeable hit.
All is well, except no Evie yet. Maybe she changed her mind. Our brief conversation on the phone the day after our date had been slightly clumsy. She didn’t respond to my text this morning, so I have no idea what’s going on. Tank is chatting with Casey and her friend, but stops and signals to me, so I begin my descent, boots clanging on the steel steps. Deacon is set to take over the demo, leading small groups to sit inside the fire engine while he shows them all the bells and whistles.
I tag Deak and wave to Case, then lumber inside to remove the heavy outer gear, leaving on my boots, t-shirt, station pants and suspenders. I whistle under my breath as I return to the party. We did it up right this year. Tank and I hung up garland and lights everywhere and put up a small tree. We let Sam and Deacon decorate it. I’ve got three under my belt already. After Coach’s, it was Mom and Dad’s, then my own. That’s my hard limit.
I’m munching on a cookie when I feel a tug on my pant leg. “Mr. Jamie?” a child’s voice says.
I pivot and look down, a wide smile splitting my face. Ruffling his hair I say, “Bobby! Hey bud, what are you doing here?” I crouch down so we’re eye level. “It’s great to see you buddy.” He smiles shyly and points to his mom and dad. “Look who’s here,” he says.
I nod a greeting at Bobby’s mom whose arm is in a sling with a cast from shoulder to wrist. Her other hand is tucked in his dad’s. I hide my surprise. If memory serves, I thought they were divorced. “Hello, Mom and Dad,” I say. “Thanks for coming.” There’s a slight lump in my throat. It’s always moving to see someone you thought might not make it from an accident alive and well.
The mom removes her hand and sticks it out. “I’m Izzy, this is Bobby’s dad, Brad. You must be Jamie. Bobby can’t stop talking about you. A true hero.”
I take her hand and nod at Brad. “We met briefly at the hospital,” I say, standing. “I can’t tell you how much this means to see you here.” I spot Sam across the room and call out waving him over.
“Sam, look who’s here!”
Sam’s face lights up as he approaches. “Bobby! This is fantastic!” He turns to Izzy and his jaw drops. “Wow. Am I ever glad to see you!” he says, eyes suspiciously bright. “We weren’t sure…” he begins, then glances down at Bobby and catches himself.
“I was in the hospital for about a week. Unconscious for about…” she frowns, “What was it honey?”
Brad says, “About thirty-six hours. Felt like a year. Very scary time. But she’s going to be fine,” he assures us. “A few cracked ribs, concussion, broken arm and wrist, I think that’s it.”
Izzy says, “We’re the next county over, but when I saw you were having an open house today, we decided to come and thank you all personally. You saved my life,” she said. “Words seem inadequate, but thank you.”
She couldn’t be more than twenty-five tops. A young mother with her whole life ahead of her. This makes all the risks and long-ass hours’ worth it. I punch my fist to my heart. My voice is a little rough when I answer. “Just doing our jobs. Man, it’s so good to see you.”
I look down at a beaming Bobby who is staring up at me like I’m superman or something. “Want a personalized tour?” I ask him.
He says, “Can I have a cookie first?” We all laugh. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.” I take his little hand in mine, and it’s swallowed up. As I turn towards the concessions table, I see a flash of auburn hair and glance around catching Evie staring. The look on her face makes my heart thump. She’s definitely giving me the goo goo eyes… all soft and warm and sentimental. I’m thinking it’s the kid. She wore the same look when I was holding Henry.Score.
“Hey Bobby, I’ve got to go say hi to someone. Want to tag along?”
“Sure,” he grins up at me. As we walk towards Evie he says, “Dad and Mom are back toogever. They ain’t gettin’ no ’vorce.”
“That’s great, my man. Some good came out of the bad,” I say as we reach Evie.
I could bask in the warmth of her gaze for a thousand years if I had my way. “Hey, Evie, Dee. And how’s my little squirt, Eloise?” She reaches her chubby arms out to me squealing with delight so I take her in my arms. “Bobby, this is Eloise. And Dee and Evie.”