Page 19 of Christmas Charms
The parking lot of the station looks practically empty, but I can see plenty of people milling about inside. I exhale a sigh of relief. Surely the trains are up and running, and my dad was just being overly cautious. It happens…a lot. It’s a firefighter thing—safety first! I’ve always been rather fond of Dad’s protective streak.
Speaking of firefighters, when I reach the platform, Owl Lake’s bravest are all over the place. At first glance, it appears that every single person in my line of vision is dressed in bulky cargo pants and a dark quilted jacket boasting the OLFD crest. A few are even wearing full turnout gear, helmets and all.
“Excuse me, miss. You can’t be here,” someone behind me says.
“But I’m here to catch the…um…” I start to say, but any attempt at speech becomes impossible as I turn around and get a glimpse of the firefighter who seems to be in charge of whatever is going on.
It’s Aidan.
Again.
But why is he here, and why, oh why, is he wearing an Owl Lake FD helmet with his last name emblazoned on it?
I blink as hard as I possibly can. Is there an ex-boyfriend firefighter charm on Betty’s bracelet that I somehow failed to notice? This can’t possibly be real.
Then he scowls at me, and I know that I’m really standing face-to-face with Aidan in full hero mode. Because there’s nothing at all imaginary about his cranky expression.
Nice to see you too, Firefighter Grumpy Pants.
Ugh, why does he have to be a firefighter? He looks like he’s on his way to pose for one of those fireman bachelor calendars. So strong. Soheroic.
“Ashley.” He clears his throat.
There’s a slight tremor of surprise to his voice, and the fact that he seems as shocked as I am makes me feel a tiny bit better—the smallest possible amount. He’s clearly more rattled to see me here in Owl Lake than he was back in Rockefeller Plaza.
“Aidan,” I manage to say, and wow, why on earth do I sound so…so….breathless?
He arches a brow, and I wish I could melt away and vanish like Frosty the Snowman. “You’ve come home.”
Finally.The word floats between us, unspoken but very much there.
He’s judging me—for all the Christmases I’ve missed in Owl Lake, for leaving the way I did all those years ago, for so many things. Or maybe he’s not. Maybe I’m judging myself.
I lift my chin to fully meet his gaze. When did he get so tall? He seems even bigger than he had just a few days ago. “Yes, but what are you doing here? You told me you worked in the city.”
“No, I didn’t,” he counters.
Didn’t he?
His frown deepens. “I said I was working. I was there to collect a donation for the Firefighters’ Toy Parade.”
So he really, trulyisa fireman—right here in Owl Lake at the station where my dad used to be the chief. I can’t believe Dad failed to mention this significant fact. We’re definitely having a chat about that when I get back from the city.
Right…the city…where I’m supposed to be heading right now instead of shivering on the platform in Owl Lake, thinking about how handsome my high school sweetheart looks in his OLFD uniform, glowering expression and all.
“Okay, well.” I swallow hard. There’s an annoying lump in my throat all of a sudden, for reasons I don’t even want to begin to contemplate. “It was nice seeing you again. I have a train to catch.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, I realize there’s not another traveler in sight. While I was right about there being plenty of people in the station, I’m the only person in the vicinity who’s not wearing either fire-retardant clothing or some sort of railway uniform, and the train itself is nowhere to be seen.
“No, you don’t.” Aidan shakes his head. “The storm shut down the station. The tracks are iced over, and we’re out here supervising the de-icing efforts. Everything should be back up and running in forty-eight hours.”
“Forty-eight hours?” My jaw drops.
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” A muscle in Aidan’s jaw flexes. Still, his expression is a blank slate. He’s as stiff and unyielding as a robot.
He didn’t used to be this way. I don’t like it. I’d almost prefer more glowering.
“But I can’t wait that long,” I say. “I need to get back to Manhattan right away.”
