Cold as (N)ice (Sticks and Vows #1)

Ember Creek’s Firefighters

Do you love Firefighters?

Crave a little laughter sprinkled in with your romance?

Adore mischevious hijinks?

Raise an eyebrow at grabby Grandmas (yup, you read that right)

Get ready to fall for the daring, fearless crew of Ember Creek, Texas—where the fires aren’t the only things smokin' hot! These guys are tough enough to face any blaze, yet somehow totally unprepared for the spark that comes when they meet the one.

With small-town charm, warm laughter, and a wild streak for reckless love, Ember Creek is where heart-stopping rescues meet heart-thumping romance. Dive in and watch as these heroes discover that sometimes, all it takes is a single spark to ignite a forever kind of love.

Meet the team of the First Street Battalion… eh, correction: Flirt’s Battalion!

Ember Creek, Texas

“I volunteered the entire team, so make sure that your Friday is clear of any activities or events. This is non-negotiable, team, and I really need your help with this charity event. The other shift will be covering for us, and they go up on the auction block this Saturday…” Chief Carpenter said openly, putting his hands on his hips, looking over the table at them.

They’d just gotten back from a roaring blaze that had engulfed a mobile home on the outside of town, and all Kyle could smell was smoke so heavy he could taste it.

It was everywhere, seeping from the pores of his skin and in his clothes, and each of the men at the table reeked of sweat. In fact, several of them had matted down hair that was strange looking because of their thermal gear and helmets.

Hat-hair, he mused, shoveling another bite in his mouth.

“This isn’t bordering on harassment or some other rule? I mean, I’ve never heard of any job condoning this, and while I know it’s for charity… still,” Justin began nervously. “I mean, are there guidelines to this… mess?”

“Huh?” Kyle said distractedly, reaching for a slice of cornbread. “What’d the chief say?”

“Weren’t you paying attention?” Austin hissed behind his hand. “Dude, this is exciting – and scary!”

“Honestly? Noooo… I’m hungry and we just got back from a run. I can actually smell the chili and the woodsmoke together. It’s not half bad,” Kyle said chewing noisily, before blowing his nose and wincing at the smoke-filled residue he left in the napkin.

“You’re disgusting.”

“Hey, at least I didn’t do like Austin did last week…”

“Ugh, don’t remind me!” Chase muttered.

“You didn’t catch any of what the chief just said?” Justin muttered, frowning and kicking Kyle under the table that they were all sitting at.

“I heard him say ‘ You guys can eat while you listen’ … so I’m eating,” Kyle whined, shoveling in a massive bite. “And listening. I’m listening, too. Can you pass the butter?”

“What about the listening part?” Chase uttered. “With them big ol’ ears you should have…”

“I just said…” Kyle choked out openly, chewing with his mouth full and talking at the same time, trying to keep anything from falling out.

Man, whoever made the chili this morning – it was fantastic! he thought wildly, stirring his bowl and reaching for the package of cheese once again.

“Did you have something you wanted to add, Rimes?” Fire chief Reese Carpenter said quietly, in a voice that brooked no argument.

It was said that the chief never yelled, never raised his voice, and commanded respect from his team easily by being in the thick of things with them – and treating them like equals. He liked Chief Carpenter – even if he set him on edge sometimes. The man just had a way of looking right through you…

“No sir!” Kyle said immediately, swallowing his food noisily before smiling and nodding. “I think it’s a great idea.”

“Good – you’re going to be first,” Chief Carpenter said openly, pointing at each man. “Marks, you’re second…”

“Awww man… seriously?” Chase whined immediately, rolling his eyes. “Charity… it’s for charity. You are not a piece of meat to be ogled… it’s not a date. Charity auction, donating time, not anything else… relax and don’t make this weirder than it already is.”

Chase hesitated – and then spoke up.

“Do we really have to do this?”

“Yes,” the chief said quietly, walking around the table as the men looked at each other in alarm, some in confusion, and Chase looked decidedly uncomfortable as Justin turned a weird shade of greenish-white under his tan.

Kyle’s eyes grew wide as Chase slid down even further into his seat, looking almost despondent at the announcement.

What exactly did he get volunteered for – and why would Chase Marks be worried about being ogled like a piece of meat? he wondered silently.

“Olivera, you are third.”

“Does this count as a blind date? I can check that off my bucket list of strange new things to experience…” Austin grinned and rubbed his hands together. “I do love me some fine Texas women, and I will happily go up on the auction block. Do I have to wear a shirt? Can I show off my muscles? I can oil my abs up and…”

“Blind date? What? Wait – I think I really missed something…” Kyle choked on the bite he’d just taken, spewing little pieces of cornbread – which everyone picked up off the table and threw at him at once.

“Dailey… you’re fourth…”

“Sir, respectfully, can I just volunteer my time? I’m still reeling and going through recovery from my divorce… and I’d rather not be auctioned off for a dinner date.”

“When the person bids on you, you are welcome to discuss your evening plans with the person. They will be made aware ahead of time of the rules and what lines not to cross. No kissing, touching, harassing, no sexual misconduct…”

“WHAT?” Kyle choked again, his eyes bugging out of his skull at the strange conversation that he was suddenly a part of.

This time, Austin slapped him hard on the back several times while Chase threw a paper towel at him, landing in his bowl of chili.

“Pennington… you’re fifth. I will even participate and volunteer as the sixth person on the auction block, so that gives them plenty of chance to reach their financial goals for the charity event.”

“Whoaaaa boy…” Andy grinned, looking at Chase and saluting him. “I might get my sister to come bid, just so Carpenter can come be my housemaid for the day.”

“I’m not wearing the costume unless there is a reserve on the auction – and it will cost you, kiddo,” the chief grinned… causing several of the men to laugh openly while Kyle looked around in disbelief.

The men started talking around him in a flurry, passing the bag of shredded cheese, the plastic container of chopped onion, and the tote of sour cream around the table, while Kyle was trying to comprehend what had just happened…

The chief leaned down and clapped a hand on Kyle’s shoulder, speaking softly beside his head in a hushed whisper.

“Thanks for your support, Rimes. I wasn’t sure you had it in you, but really appreciate you stepping up to the plate and backing me. According to the Battalion chief, this barely squeaked by for approval, and I think it’s going to do really well.”

“Sir?” Kyle said, without moving. “Begging your pardon… but what exactly are we doing?”

“We are doing a charity auction for a ‘ Date with the Firemen of the First Battalion ’ – and our entire team is going to be auctioned off to the highest bidder for a date…”

“ We are?”

“Yep…” Chief Carpenter laughed. “Just be glad you aren’t on the other team.”

“Why is that?”

“Let’s just say, it involves a photoshoot…”

This time, it was the rest of the team that nearly did a spit-take all at once as they looked up in horror. It was one thing to have to spend time with someone you barely knew, calling it a date for the sake of charity… but photography meant evidence – and they had all seen the firefighter calendars that people ogled all the time.

Kyle couldn’t imagine any of them posing nearly naked with suspenders and a helmet for charity... well, maybe Austin?

He’d gouge his eyes out with a Bic pen first…

“That’s right – the other truck is making calendars and auctioning them off for some lucky lady to be in the photo with them.”

“We got the better end of the deal,” Chase said openly, his eyes wide. “My ex would absolutely nail me to the wall and show the judge that for evidence…”

“No kidding,” Justin agreed quickly, frowning. “I don’t need any help with that foaming-at-the-mouth attorney that Lauren sicced on me…”

“Ah – so Honey and Lauren have the same lawyer?” Chase joked.

“She rides a broom in the night sky and cackles when she wins a case?”

“That’s her!”

Austin, Kyle, and Andy just looked at each other with wide eyes as Chief Carpenter shook his head, walking off with his hands clasped behind his back.

“Are your ex-wives really that bad?”

“YES,” both men said emphatically.

“I’m never getting married,” Kyle muttered openly, scooping up the last of his chili with his spoon.

“No kidding…” Austin agreed. “I don’t need the headache, the heartache, or pants-ache in my trousers. Women are bitter teases and extreme man-haters. There isn’t a girl out there that is worth the trouble or drama she causes.”

“That’s why you date around and live life for yourself,” Andy grinned. “It’s cheaper. You are generally happier. There’s no one to nag you, whine about you having one too many beers, or complaining that you spend too much time at the station…”

“Hear, hear,” Chase muttered.

Attention: MVA – motor vehicle accident…

The announcement carried on, along with a bell ringing in the distance calling them all into motion.

Sure enough, the men were flying into their positions, throwing on their protective clothing. It was almost comical to watch, because shoes were being kicked off onto the floor and flying around them, as they started dressing.

“Grab your bunker gear and packs…”

Kyle ran, grabbed his bunker gear, and threw it down on the ground, kicking off his shoes quickly and leaving them where they lay as he stepped into his boots. He grabbed his pants, hiking them up over his trousers he was wearing, and donned his weighted jacket before making sure everything was fastened appropriately.

Checking his tank and the lights on his mask, he heard Chase start yelling for the ‘round up’…

“Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!” Chase hollered, waving his hand quickly in the air in a circle.

Justin was already climbing into the driver’s seat and the massive rig flared to life as the lights started spinning wildly.

Kyle knew he had seconds to hop on, because Justin would not wait for anyone to dawdle… and you did NOT want Chief Carpenter to find that you were left behind.

“Round it up fellas and let’s get moving…”

Kyle leaped onto the truck and into his seat only seconds before the vehicle started lumbering forward and the siren began wailing in the air around him.

“Rock and Roooooll…” Austin and Andy crowed happily, angling their chins to the air, and howling like a couple of playful mutts as the rest of them laughed.

It was showtime!

Friday afternoon…

Kyle was sweating buckets – and it had nothing to do with the temperature of this strangely warm, yet beautiful November afternoon. No, he was nervous, and with good reason. They had all loaded up on one of the smaller fire trucks to make sure to make a ‘good show’ for the sake of charity…

Before they left, the captain literally inspected each of them, instantly making him wary. He didn’t, shouldn’t , have anyone to impress – and the fact that he was told to tuck in his t-shirt once again… before they were all told to get their hefty, insulated jackets – to make a good show for the people attending the auction.

Listening in disbelief, he realized that this ‘auction’ was literally going to be an actual meat-market of men for all sorts of women to ogle and bid on. Chase was right! They were going to be ogled like pieces of meat!

He was going to be going on a date with some strange woman, all for the sake of charity.

“I need an adult…” Kyle whispered openly, swallowing nervously.

“You are the adult, dipstick…” Chase whispered loudly, grinning nervously, and sweating almost as much as Kyle was.

The temperature was perfect, and the sun was beating down on them, keeping the chill from the air despite the fact it was late in the year.

“God help us all…” Justin muttered, shaking his head and rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

“Seriously, I don’t think I want to do this,” Kyle whispered, looking down the line of firemen standing there in the sun wearing their heavy yellow jackets and helmets… and Austin, his partner, wasn’t helping things in the slightest.

The outrageous man was posing for the crowd, grinning and smiling, right before slipping off his jacket, causing a group of ogling women to gather near them where they were lined up.

“Awww yeah, this is gonna be great!” Austin crowed happily. “Check this out!”

He flexed his biceps and kissed each one playfully, causing Justin to put his head down in his hands again in annoyance as the chief laughed from where he stood at the end of the line. Every man hesitated and looked down the line to gawk at the stoic man that led them, who was always so quiet.

“See?” Austin jeered happily, elbowing the two men closest to him – Justin and Chase, the two divorcees. “If Carpenter can loosen up and have some fun? Then you two spaz’s should be able to as well. I mean, seriously?! It’s a beautiful day, there’s a breeze, we are off work…” and Austin’s voice got louder, working the crowd as he stepped forward and jerked off his uniform shirt, much to Kyle’s horror. “… And all these fine women are here to support a good cause – am I right, Ladies?”

A rowdy, boisterous thunder of appreciation swelled around them as Austin flexed again and showed off his tanned six pack, his tattoo, and then openly smiled, shaking hands with the women and kissing knuckles repeatedly.

Yep. The playboy could certainly work a crowd.

“Someone’s gotta stop him,” Kyle whispered in a hushed panic. “They’re gonna expect us all to act like that …”

“Then someone’s gonna be really disappointed, aren’t they?” Chase muttered.

“No kidding…” Justin agreed.

Austin ripped… literally RIPPED… his t-shirt off of himself, causing several women to scream in excitement – and Kyle nearly died as he realized he screamed aloud as well, but in horror.

Like a girl.

What was his partner even doing?

“I can’t do this!” Kyle balked, feeling faint and definitely disturbed at the fiasco that was about to happen. “Chief! Chief! H-Hey – s-someone g-get Carpenter for me… I c-can’t do this!”

His voice was breaking and croaking like a boy going through puberty – and he was thinking of his own pasty skin, if they put him standing next to Andy or Austin. Someone was going to laugh or chase him off the pergola where the auctioneer was…

“Alright… Alright… Alright! My lovely, esteemed ladies of Ember Creek – are you ready to play with fire? Are we having some fun yet? Just look at these fine specimens we have here today…”

“Not yet… but getting there, Mayor Winstead!”

“Right? You’ve got some flamboyant young men that are eager to get this auction started… and let’s hear it for the Flirt’s Battalion!”

“First…” Kyle hissed, mortified. “ First Street battalion… not Flirt’s!”

The mayor actually ignored him… and picked up a gavel to bang it on the small podium that she was standing at.

“We’re here today to raise funds for the children’s home, and every dollar spent is being donated one hundred percent to Sister Agatha’s loving care. It will help pay for school clothes, supplies, bicycles, and computers for the children, bringing so much joy and support to our beloved community – that is supported so wonderfully by our wonderful fire chief Reese Carpenter and the Flirt’s Battalion…”

“FIRST!” Kyle hissed, correcting her again. “You’ve got a typo, lady…”

Then Andy and Austin took their places, returning to the line, and Kyle listened in disbelief as he realized that the auction was beginning. He felt several sets of hands shove him up the steps, stumbling, as he walked forward, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

“Now ladies… remember this is for charity, and we have some pesky rules for this proceeding. Now, he might be a very handsome man, but remember this is for one evening with this young firefighter,” the mayor smiled – and immediately Kyle felt a shiver of dread run down his spine.

“This fine, fine gentleman of the Flirt’s Battalion…”

“FIRST…” he hissed again, pointedly. “She meant to say First Street Battalion Firehouse…”

“I think ‘Flirt’ fits so much better…” a woman called out happily, waving her wallet… causing Kyle’s eyes to pop out of his head as he saw that it was Mrs. Kendall, who called them weekly needing ‘assistance’.

It was the same call every single time.

Mrs. Kendall claimed that she’d fallen and couldn’t get up – and specifically asked if Kyle was working that day. They would drive out and Kyle would have to endure the teasing of his coworkers, as he walked in to find her sprawled in various stages of undress, picking her up off the floor, and then suddenly?

She would have a miraculous recovery… asking him if he wanted coffee.

The guys always teased him about Mrs. Kendall – who was the same age as his grandmother Mae… and played bingo with the woman on Sundays at the Catholic church on Main Street.

“Hi Kyle…” she waved happily, wobbling her fingers at him, and making him feel cheap, sordid, and uncomfortable in that moment. He’d seen more of this woman than he would ever care to, and had requested that the team tell Mrs. Kendall that he was scheduled ‘off’ when she called.

“Hello, Mrs. K-Kendall,” Kyle said nervously, hating the way his voice stuttered, and he could feel his cheeks heating up.

“Ruthie, you behave now, young lady…” the mayor laughed, causing several in the crowd to chuckle with delight – as Kyle wished the floor would open beneath him.

Maybe lightning would strike the pergola and they would have to evacuate?

In that moment, he was sincerely grateful that he wasn’t having to pose for photos like Team Two… because he knew exactly who would mortgage their house or sell a kidney to be in some scantily clad firemen’s calendar photograph with him.

Mrs. Kendall.

Kyle swallowed nervously and scanned the crowd as he listened vaguely to the mayor speak.

“This strapping young man is good with his hands…”

“What?” Kyle whispered, realizing how she was twisting the small paragraph they had to write about themselves. “I do carpentry, work on my truck, and am able do small tasks around the house, like painting and electrical work.”

“He’s sooo good with his big, strong hands and can really work a tool…”

“Oh my gosh,” Kyle gaped, staring at her in shock and dismay as several people started to whoop excitedly, making his face turn even redder than it already was.

“He’s the one that holds the hose, ladies…” the mayor teased playfully. “Charity, remember ladies?”

“I’m on the nozzle team,” Kyle squawked, protesting. “I’m a nozzle firefighter, Mrs. Mayor. You’re painting a terrible picture of me…”

“TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS!” a voice called out.

“What?” Kyle said, whipping his head around to see who had bid.

“Make him take off that jacket so we can see his muscles…” a woman cried from the back of the crowd.

“Noooo,” he grimaced, clenching it around him protectively.

“Take off your jacket, young man,” the mayor urged pointedly under her breath. “It’s for charity.”

“Charity begins at home,” he hissed back, glaring at her. “Why don’t you make a donation and get me off this auction block!”

The mayor glared at him and slammed down the gavel to get their attention, causing everyone to look at her – including Kyle.

“Ladies, he said he’s not taking off his jacket or anything else unless you get serious about the bidding…”

“I never said that!” Kyle balked.

“FIFTY!”

“SEVENTY-FIVE!”

“Do I hear a hundred?” the mayor asked openly, smiling happily.

“NOOOO?!” he yelped in shock, realizing this was getting completely out of control quickly every time he opened his mouth.

“ONE HUNDRED!” a woman said from the front row, not looking at Kyle, and her face was almost as ruddy with embarrassment as his was.

Her short cropped brown hair ended at her chin, and she was standing there looking like she’d just come from a funeral, wearing all black and dressed modestly despite the warmth of the day.

“There we go…” the mayor encouraged. “Did I mention that this young man, Kyle Rimes, is right at home getting on his hands and knees easily…”

“I scuttle up the fire engine’s ladder, sheesh woman! Where did you get all of that?” Kyle hissed, looking at the crowd. “I know this is for charity – and I’m happy to participate, but I’m… this … this isn’t what you are thinking, ladies…”

“Is he married?” someone yelled out – and the mayor looked at him.

“No,” Kyle muttered, knowing that despite what he said, he had lost this fight long before it ever started. “I’m single.”

“Do you do woodwork or paint things?” the woman with the short hair asked nervously, catching his attention again as a ripple went through the crowd at his words. He was getting a mental picture of himself having to work around a house, shirtless, wearing a blond wig and tossing his hair like some cover of an old romance book cover model.

“Yeah, I’m pretty good with a circular saw and a jig…” Kyle admitted, swallowing hard as he tried to avoid looking at Mrs. Kendall who was literally fanning herself, made eye contact with him, and then pointed openly at Kyle… mouthing at him.

‘ You’re mine, sweet Kyle’ .

Kyle cringed, crossing himself openly.

“TWO HUNDRED!” a voice cried out – and he saw the woman with the short hair had bid again, still refusing to look at him.

“What?!”

“Take off your jacket, mister…” the mayor hissed angrily.

“Look – I’ll throw in two hundred to end the stupid auction right now,” Kyle said angrily, feeling nausea roll in his stomach at the thought of Mrs. Kendall possibly winning him. The old woman was a terror, and he was afraid she would really cross the line this time! “Get me off this auction block and stop this insanity. I’m not exactly what you are wanting up here…”

“SOLD!” the mayor hollered, banging her gavel noisily. “Mr. Kyle Rimes of the Flirt’s Battalion…

“First Street!” Kyle interrupted pointedly.

“… Is yours for one entire twenty-four-hour period, Miss Reyna Mattingly,” the mayor continued speaking, smiling at the crowd – and grabbing Kyle by the arm before he walked away.

“Mr. Rimes – you owe the charity two hundred dollars, remember?”

He glared at her, feeling practically man-handled and discomforted as he realized that his time had just been auctioned off like a haunch of meat to a butcher.

Nodding, he dug out his wallet and quickly handed over everything he’d withdrawn from the ATM the day before, intending to get a few things for an apartment he was hoping to lease very soon, that now would just have to wait until next payday…

“Can I have a list of the stupid rules for this farce?” he muttered – and was handed a sheet of paper with the details lined out for him. “Thanks.”

“Thank you , Mr. Rimes…” the mayor said in a saccharine voice. “Ms. Mattingly? If you’ll pay the cashier – there is a small picnic bench where you can discuss your upcoming ‘date’…

“Meeting,” Kyle corrected as the woman walked up.

“Meeting,” the winner of the auction agreed coolly, still not looking at him as she dug out her wallet and paid the cashier. “I’ll need a receipt for taxes – please, and thank you.”

“Of course, Miss Mattingly.”

“Thanks, Dolly…”

The woman turned and looked at him, spinning carefully as to not dig her heels into the grass – and he felt something move within him as he realized she had the most beautiful turquoise eyes he’d ever seen.

“You can paint?” she asked candidly.

“Yeah?”

“Wonderful,” she began, and held out her hand in a businesslike manner. “I need your help – and quite a bit of painting done.”

“You don’t want to go on a date?”

“No,” she said nervously, her hand remaining out as she waited for him to take it. “I need help with my café – and I can’t do it alone.”

“But we are not dating…?” he reiterated, arching an eyebrow, feeling slightly disappointed and a little relieved that he was off the hook. He could definitely do manual labor, but a part of him kind of wished that maybe she wasn’t so disinterested… because she was really pretty.

“One date doesn’t make people ‘ dating’ , you know… besides, it really makes things quite sordid, if I’ve paid for your company. Don’t you think?”

“So, this is a date?”

“No, Mr. Rimes… this is me, hiring you, to help me with some manual labor.”

“Is that code for something?” he asked warily, thinking of his partner Austin immediately. Austin was always throwing out things that had a different meaning – and frankly? So did Andy. Those two men spoke an entirely different language sometimes.

“The mayor twisted stuff, so are you doing the same thing? Is manual labor code for some weird, kinky thing that I’m too dumb or na?ve to understand?”

The woman, Miss Mattingly, smiled nervously, and her cheeks reddened even more than he thought possible as she held his gaze.

“No. Manual labor is just that: manual labor,” she replied. “You are going to work with your hands - painting.”

Kyle nodded and listened distractedly as the crowd suddenly roared in delight as the auction continued in the distance, and he gave the elusive Miss Mattingly his phone number and accepted her business card.

“Text me when you have a day off this next week, and we’ll get this out of the way, okay?” the woman said bluntly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me? I’m late for a meeting…”

Kyle stared as she walked off. She was crossing the street, heading into the bank at the corner of Main and State Street, leaving him more curious and mystified than before at seeing her – and her reaction to his questions.

She looked almost like she was as bothered as he was regarding the auction, and the fact that she’d just purchased his time and company.

… And he was fascinated.