Page 12 of Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope
“Unlike present company, Sophie is sweet as honey,” Cole called back to the female firefighter from where he worked next to Andrew cleaning their gear. He always took the gentle mocking in stride, obviously seeing nothing wrong with the way Sophie had him wrapped around her finger. Setting aside his work, Cole stood, smiling in the direction of the door. “And it looks as if she’s brought sweets with her.”
That got Andrew’s stomach’s attention and it growled in eager anticipation. Sophie brought treats to the fire hall on a regular basis and Andrew was usually one of the first in line to grab a few—and to tease that his buddy didn’t deserve her cooking, sewing skills, and bubbly Christmas goodness.
Andrew looked toward the door leading into the truck deck, expecting to see Sophie, dressed in some incredibly Christmassy outfit, bearing baked gifts. And indeed, Cole’s girl was there, Christmas personified, but it wasn’t just Sophie who had come for a visit.
Cole glanced toward him and grinned.
“You remember Morgan?” his ‘friend’ teased, turnabout being fair play.
“Um, yeah. From our visit to the school.” He coughed to try to cover how seeing her again had thrown him off his game. “She’s Greyson’s mom. I really like that kid. It’s good to see him again.”
“Right. That’s why you remember Morgan. Because she’s Greyson’s mom,” Cole joked.
“It’s why she was at the school,” Andrew defended. “And I’m guessing it’s why she’s here today. Greyson sounded really excited about coming to see the fire hall.” He tried to keep the focus on the boy to make it seem as if it was no big deal that Morgan was at the fire hall. It wasn’t a big deal. The reason he was happy was that he was glad to see Greyson.
He’d thought about the kid a lot that week. He’d wondered at how much the boy remembered of his father, since Morgan had made it seem as if it had been a few years since his death. Greyson couldn’t have been more than three at the time. He’d also thought about how rough it must have been for Morgan, raising Greyson alone. Not that any of it was any of Andrew’s business.
“That’s right.” The corner of Cole’s mouth hiked up a few notches. “He was why your line got backed up.”
Andrew watched as Sophie spotted them and headed their way, Morgan and Greyson at her side. Greyson’s firefighter helmet had him grinning.
“My line got backed up because Greyson is an awesome little dude, and we were talking. You’re just bummed that he recognized my fine firefighting skills over your lackluster ones.”
Spotting him, Greyson’s eyes lit up. After a quick glance up at his mom for permission, the kid took off skipping toward him.
Andrew recalled that skip. It was the one where he’d known he’d get in trouble if he ran, but a fast walk wasn’t nearly good enough, and so he’d go for a quick skip.
“Since I was in a padded red suit, sporting caked-on make-up with fake wrinkles, and walking around saying ‘ho-ho-ho,’ I can understand how he’d make that mistake. I won’t hold it against him.” As the women arrived, Cole bent to let Sophie peck his cheek. Despite his bluster, Cole’s cheeks pinkened at her quick kiss. Or it could just be her bright Christmas sweater reflecting off his face. Either way, Andrew made note to call him out on it later. He was anticipating more Morgan comments and at least he’d have some return ammo.
“Hi.” Greyson said as he came to a halt a few feet from Andrew. His beaming smile was replaced by a bit of hesitance as he asked, “Remember me?”
The uncertainty in his eyes tugged at Andrew’s heart. Oh, kid, how could I forget?
“I never forget a future firefighter. Especially one who’s such a good secret keeper,” he said, glad the boy’s expression relaxed. “I’m digging your helmet, by the way. And the vest.”
“I brought you something.” He held the box out toward Andrew. “Mom and I made them for you.”
“They’re for everyone as a thank you to the fire department for coming to visit with his class,” Morgan clarified, joining them. She wore jeans and a fuzzy blue sweater with a cream-colored scarf around her neck. Her hair was loose and hung just over her shoulders.
“And here I was thinking they were all for me,” he teased, once again struck by how big her eyes were. Big and mesmerizing. Plus, there was something hypnotic about that shade of green. It just sucked him in and made him want to keep looking. Or maybe that was just Morgan in general. She was the prettiest thing he’d ever seen. Why would he want to look at anything else when she was there?
“I can make you more,” Greyson said, drawing Andrew’s attention back. “Some just for you.”
“Nah, bud. I’m good.” He patted his flat belly beneath his navy T-shirt with its gold fire hall emblem. “Based on how good that box smells, it’s probably better if you don’t or they’ll be making me do Santa auditions for the next community Christmas play.”
“They’re brownies.” Greyson stared up at Andrew with eager eyes that were so similar to his mother’s—except in how they looked at him. Greyson’s were full of adoration. Morgan’s, not so much. “With red and green candy sprinkles. They’re the best.”
Andrew gave an impressed nod. “Sounds it. I’m all about the red and green candy sprinkles. The more, the better.”
Beaming, Greyson glanced toward his mom. “I told you.”
“You going to share?” Ben fussed at Andrew, joining them. “’Cause my nose is telling me I need some of what is inside that box.”
Tightly holding onto the brownies, Greyson said, “Let Firefighter Andrew get his first.”
“Figures.” Ben laughed. “Remind me to hand out helmets next time instead of stickers.”
“You could hand out the helmets, the coloring books, and the stickers and it wouldn’t help your ugly mug,” Andrew teased, eyeing the now-opened box Greyson had sat on the table. “Little Man, those look good.”
