Page 9 of A Christmas for Miracle

“Okay,” I whisper roughly.

The paramedic steps up to check my vitals. “So how do you know the Chief?” he asks.

“He’s a friend,” I say, wishing that he was more. I close my eyes and let my mind drift.

I must have fallen asleep because someone shakes my arm and my eyes lift slowly. Then I sit straight up, groaning when my head whirls.

“Hey,” Richard says, holding onto my arms to steady me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I must have fallen asleep.”

“She did. I didn’t want to wake her up.”

Richard turns on him and growls, “Why isn’t she on oxygen at least? She couldn’t breathe right!”

“She’s breathing fine now. I had her on oxygen for a little bit but she wanted to get it off.”

Now his blazing eyes are locked on me. I throw my hands up in the air. “I think I felt alright. I didn’t think it was necessary.”

“Somebody needs to take care of you, little girl, because it’s obvious you don’t know how to take care of yourself.”

The paramedic snorts. “And with that…I’m going to go wait over there. You guys let me know when you’re done with what I know is coming!” He laughs as I glare at him and then back at Richard.

“Are you kidding me? I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time. I’m not a child, Richard. I don’t need a man to take care of me.”

“I don’t want to take care of you like that! I just want to make sure that you have everything you need. That nothing happens to you. I just feel the need to make sure that you’re never in pain or upset. Or anything…” he finishes roughly, slamming his helmet into his leg. “I guess I do want to take care of you but not because you are not capable of taking care of yourself. Because you’re important to me.”

My breath stalls in my throat and it’s hard to breathe, almost like I’m back in the apartment fighting my way out of the smoke and darkness.

That was terrifying. This is terrifying in a whole new way.

“What are you trying to say to me, Richard?”

“I’m saying that I like you, Jess! When I heard that your apartment building was the one on fire, I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t get here fast enough. I felt like my heart was breaking and I didn’t feel normal until I found you and realized that you were going to be fine.”

My mouth hangs open and I slam it shut. “What does this mean?”

“It means that I want to date you.” He blushes and there’s a soft, mushy feeling in my belly that this big, rough man is blushing in front of me.

“Are you sure? I mean, I have a lot going on right now. And although it doesn’t bother me…I feel like the age difference bothers you. You think I’m too immature and young for you.”

His dark head nods. “I think you’re young, yes. But I don’t think you’re immature. You’re a strong woman, Jess. I’ve seen it every time we met. I like it. I like it a lot but there’s a part of me that wants to make things easier for you and I hope you can handle that because if we do date…well, I’m gonna check up on you. I’m gonna check your car over and make sure that it’s running alright. I’m gonna take care of you so well that you’re never gonna want to leave me. But if it’s too much for you, you need to let me know. Just don’t leave. Talk to me and we’ll work it out. But I just don’t know if I can make myself stop trying to make things better for you and the kids and I hope that doesn’t bother you. Especially since I’m about to make a suggestion that you might find improper but I want you to know that it’s not permanent and I am perfectly capable of staying at the station until we find someplace else for you and the kids to stay.”

“That was a lot to unpack, Richard. I don’t know what the devil you’re talking about.” I can hardly catch my breath. It sounds like I’m getting every single thing I want. My eyes narrow. I’m sure there’s a catch. There always is.

“I’m saying that you and the kids need someone where to stay and I have a big house just outside of town. It’s too big for me and I should have sold it a long time ago but…well, I’ve always wanted a big family. Anyway, there’s plenty of space for you guys to stay.” He holds up a big hand. “I’m not gonna stay there. That wouldn’t be right. We barely know each other and it would be uncomfortable for the kids. But I can stay at the station. There’s room for me in the dorm. And that way we can find someplace for you that is perfect instead of rushing to find the first place that you can move into.”

“I couldn’t possibly force you out of your own place,” I protest.

“I’m not asking. I’m telling you that this is what we’re going to do. I told you that I’m gonna take care of you and I might be a bit overbearing about it. This is what I meant.”

“Richard,” I growl under my breath. “I can’t do that.”

“You can and you will. This is the best way for me to make sure that you’re taken care of. I won’t be able to sleep at night if I’m not sure that you’re happy and well.”

“Please,” I whisper. “I can’t let you do this. It’s too much.”

“If you can’t do it for you then do it for the kids. They need stability even more than you do. They’ve been through a lot.”

---