Page 16 of Fire Bear

Finally, Alec beckoned them to his pot, quietly encouraging them to taste. He said little about his recipe, letting them form their own opinions.

Children hovered by a snack table stocked with cornbread slices and milder chili samples. Ash saw families reading safety brochures and asking about volunteer opportunities. It warmed his heart to see people enjoying the station beyond emergencies.

Jake called out that it was time to cast votes for best chili. There was a chalkboard near the far wall that listed each chili under the cooks’ names. A few kids rushed to be first, crayons ready to mark their favorite.

Ash joined the chalkboard area, telling people to step up after they had tried all the chilis. People marked columns, discussingwhich chili deserved points. When the last person finished, Ash tallied carefully.

The station grew quiet as Kyle mimed a drumroll, building anticipation. Erin stood with arms folded, trying to look indifferent. Jake put on a mask of supreme confidence, while Alec simply folded a dishcloth, his face unreadable.

Ash turned to the crowd. “All right, the official results,” he announced. He pointed at the chalkboard. After recounting to be certain, Ash took a breath and said, “We have a tie. Erin and Alec have tied!”

The crowd burst into laughter and cheers. Erin wore a triumphant smirk, while Alec gave a small shrug. Raucous applause followed. Kids shouted for more chili, neighbors clapped, and a wave of easy camaraderie filled the station. The evening was a success.

Chapter

Eleven

Eliana’s phonescreen lit up with an incoming call from Ash, and a wave of warmth coursed through her stomach. Over the past few weeks, her relationship with the Fate Mountain Fire Patrol Chief had deepened every day.

With a smile, Eliana swiped to answer. “Hey, Fire Bear.”

A soft chuckle came from the other end. “Hey, Orchard Lady,” Ash teased. “You busy?”

“I have a few minutes,” she said, running a hand over a stack of shipping forms. “Still ironing out orchard logistics. What’s up?”

“Wanted to see how your day’s going,” he replied. “Also...” He paused, and she could almost imagine his grin through the phone. “I wanted to invite you to a little family barbecue this weekend at my dad’s place. He’s been teasing me all week, saying he wants to meet the woman who ‘tamed’ my stubborn streak.”

Eliana’s cheeks warmed. “He said that, huh?”

“Something like that,” he said, voice affectionate. “Anyway, I’d love if you could come.”

She hesitated for a heartbeat. The thought of stepping into Ash’s family circle made her pulse flutter. This was the man she matched with. Their bond was still new, yet it seemed unstoppable. Meeting his entire family felt like crossing a threshold.

“So, it’s Saturday, right?”

“I can pick you up around five.”

“I’ll bring something, maybe a dessert or some cider from the orchard.”

“Perfect,” Ash said. “They’ll love it. I’m bringing my mom’s deviled eggs.”

On Saturday morning, Eliana prepared a double-crust apple pie using a blend of her orchard’s prized varieties: Winesap, Golden Crisp, and a hint of Pink Pearl for extra tartness. She also picked out two half-gallon jugs of her orchard’s signature ciders, one soft and one hard.

Later, she changed into a sundress and a light cardigan. She brushed her hair into loose waves and applied light makeup with a berry-hued lip balm. When Ash’s pickup rumbled into her farmhouse driveway, a thrill of excitement rushed through her.

Stepping outside with the apple pie in a covered tray and the cider in a sturdy bag, she greeted him with a wide grin. “You look gorgeous,” Ash said. He wore casual jeans and a fitted T-shirt. “Let me carry that.” He took the heavy cider jar bag. Together, they stowed her contributions in the back seat.

The ride meandered through scenic roads lined with old-growth forest and glimpses of Fate Lake. Eliana caught herself glancing at Ash. He looked relaxed, one hand on the wheel. She thought of the night at the gazebo, and a flush of desire rose in her core.

When they turned onto Corey Bright’s driveway, the wide windows of the two-story log mansion reflected the evening sky. A wraparound porch displayed planters of red geraniums and trailing ivy. Ash parked and they grabbed the food from the back seat.

Following the smell of charcoal and cooking meat, they walked a stone path to the back of the house, arriving at a sprawling lawn dotted with flower beds, lawn chairs, and a large wooden deck. The scene buzzed with activity.

Corey Bright, who Eliana recognized from an article about mate.com, stood at the grill in a comical apron that read, “King of the Grill.” Spotting them, he beamed, waving a spatula in greeting. “Ash! You finally brought your mate to meet me.” His gaze shifted to Eliana. “You must be Eliana!”

Eliana smiled, setting the pie and deviled eggs on a table of food. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Bright.”

“Call me Corey,” he insisted. Corey glanced curiously at their contributions. “I recognize Willow’s deviled eggs, but what are all these amazing things you’ve brought?”

---