Page 8 of Save Me
When she asks the question, her nose scrunches. I take note of the right side going a little higher than the left. Her eyes dance with mischief, and I would do anything to put this look on her face again.
“Chili. I’m really good at chili.”
“He’s decent at chili,” Ash argues.
“Screw you, there’s none left when I cook it.”
“Just means we’re hungry, not that it’s good.”
She laughs, and the sound is fucking magical. It burrows itself in my gut, occupying a space I didn’t even know it would fit. In this moment, I know I can’t let them just walk away. This mother and daughter—I have to know what could happen if we’re given a chance. Which sounds crazy, even to me. On a whim, I blurt out an invitation. “Do you want a tour of the station?”
Rosa begins jumping up and down. “Mom, can we? Please? I’ve never been to a fire station before!”
For long seconds I’m worried she’s going to decline, tell Rosa they have plans, or something else to do. I see her having an issue with saying yes, but I don’t pressure. I don’t let her knowwith any signs that whatever decision she makes will affect me either way.
“Are you sure it won’t be a problem?”
“No problem at all,” Ash pipes up. “We love to show the station around to pretty women.”
Silver-tongued bastard.
“Sure.” She gives me a smile. “We’d love to.”
Thatsure—I just know it’s going to change my life.
“Rosa,” she giggles. “You look so cute. Here, let me get a picture.”
Over the past hour, I’ve watched this mother and daughter duo laugh and smile. Something tells me it’s more than they’ve laughed and smiled in a very long time. Right now she’s sitting up in the engine, wearing my hat and my jacket. It engulfs her, the hat continuing to fall down over her eyes.
“Why don’t you get up there with her?” I lean my head toward where Rosa sits. “Ash was a single dad for a lot of years. I know you don’t get pictures with your kids when you’re the ones taking them.”
She wrestles with the answer, I can tell. I can almost see her running scenarios through her head about if she should say yes or no. “You know what? I would love that. She and I don’t have a lot of pictures together.”
My eyes follow her as she carefully gets up on the edge of the engine, situating herself in the seat, and then placing her daughter in her lap. Quickly, I take a few pictures of them, hopefully allowing them to have multiple—or at least one they can frame.
“Thanks, Gunner!” Rosa screeches as I reach up to lift her down. “This has been the best day ever!”
“No problem, Rosie. I’m glad you came today. It would have been a super boring day without you here.”
We walk toward the common area, while I help them wash their hands and clean up from the dirt and soot that seems to always be on our jackets.
“Thank you for doing this,” Amy whispers as she watches Rosa wipe her good hand. “She’s never done anything like this before, and I can tell she loved it. We honestly didn’t make cookies to get a tour of the fire station, but I have to say I’m not mad it happened.”
I’m not either.
“Do you two have plans for dinner?”
The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.
“Umm.” She looks around at the common area. Most of the guys are lounging around—it’s been a very slow day today. “We were thinking of hitting the deli down the road.”
More than anything, I don’t want her to leave.
“I have to cook for them. Cooking for the two of you won’t be a problem.”
It looks like she wants to say no, but then she surprises the fuck out of me. I see her struggling with the decision in the way her face changes.
“Sure, but only if I can help you. It must be a huge undertaking to cook for all of them. I’d rather not have chili though—I’m not a fan.” She raises an eyebrow. “I hope that doesn’t make you think any less of me.”
