Page 6 of The Fire Between Us

The conversation shifts to Halloween plans and station gossip, and I let myself be pulled along with it, pushing thoughts of Jennie and her situation aside. Not my business. Not my problem. Just another face in Cedar Falls.

When we finish breakfast, Lewis heads to the to fire station, and Ollis goes home to get some sleep before his shift. I drop cash on the table for my meal and head outside, the morning sun now fully warming the streets.

I'm halfway down the block when I spot Jennie again, this time coming out of the public library with a flyer in her hand. She's looking at her phone, navigating while balancing Amelia, who's now wearing a tiny hat that makes her look even more adorable.

Before I can decide whether to acknowledge her or keep walking, Amelia spots me and lets out an excited squeal, waving her arms. Jennie looks up, startled, then relaxes slightly when she recognizes me.

"We meet again," I say, stopping a respectful distance away. "Town tour?"

"Something like that," she replies. "I'm trying to find the Little Sprouts Daycare Center."

"It's on Maple Street," I tell her. "But fair warning, they usually have a waiting list."

Her face falls slightly, though she tries to hide it. "Oh. I was hoping... I just got a job at the diner, and I start tomorrow."

"Congratulations," I say. "Lou's a great boss."

"Thanks." She shifts Amelia to her other hip. "I guess I'll see if they have any openings anyway."

I hesitate, then offer, "Mrs. Gunderson sometimes watches kids in her home. She's the retired teacher who lives on Cedar Lane. Not an official daycare, but she's helped out plenty of parents in a bind."

Hope flickers across Jennie's face. "Really? That would be... thank you."

"Actually," I say, checking my watch, "I'm headed that direction anyway. I could show you, if you want." The words come out before I can think better of them.

She hesitates, and I quickly add, "No pressure. It's just—Cedar Falls can be confusing when you're new. Most streets are named after trees."

Jennie looks at me for a long moment, like she's trying to read my intentions. Finally, she nods. "That would be helpful, thank you."

"Great," I say, trying not to sound too pleased. "It's about a ten-minute walk. Is that okay with the little one?"

"She loves being out," Jennie says, her posture still cautious but less rigid than before. "And I could use a better sense of the town layout."

We set off together, and I am careful to maintain a friendly but respectful distance. I point out landmarks as we walk—the post office, the small park with a sandbox that Amelia might enjoy, the grocery store with surprisingly decent produce for a small town.

"So, most of the streets are really named after trees?" Jennie asks, smiling slightly as we turn from Oak onto Elm.

"Yeah," I confirm. "Legend has it the town founder was a botanist. The few streets that aren't named after trees were added after he died, and his widow didn't have the same enthusiasm."

Amelia babbles happily as we walk, occasionally pointing at things that catch her attention—a red car, a dog being walked, the fire hydrant that I feel obligated to explain is crucial town infrastructure.

"Have you always lived in Cedar Falls?" Jennie asks, the question casual but her tone suggesting genuine curiosity.

"Since I was fifteen," I answer, keeping it light.

"And did you always know you wanted to be a firefighter?"

I consider how much to share. "Let's just say I needed direction, and the fire chief saw potential in a kid who had nothing else going for him."

"Well, he was right," she says. "And do you love your job?"

"I do," I admit. "There's something about being there on people's worst days that makes you appreciate all the good ones."

We turn onto Cedar Lane, and I gesture ahead. "That's Mrs. Gunderson's—the blue house with all the garden gnomes."

"So many…" Jennie laughs, looking at the veritable army of ceramic figures populating the front yard.

"She names them all, too," I add. "The one by the mailbox is Ferdinand. The cluster by the bird bath are the Jackson Five."

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