The Spark Between Us

Chapter One

Ivy

"And then we'll move the morning yoga to the garden terrace—" The shrill blast of the fire alarm cuts through my carefully practiced presentation. Twenty-three members of the Johnson family reunion freeze mid-bite, forks hovering over Declan's famous blueberry pancakes.

"Is this part of the morning activities?" Mrs. Johnson asks hopefully, clutching her Mountain Laurel Lodge event itinerary.

Before I can answer, the unmistakable sound of small running feet and triumphant giggling reaches me. Tommy Marshall, age six and clearly pleased with himself, darts past the dining room entrance.

"I did it, Mommy! I pulled the red thing just like a real firefighter!"

Perfect. Just perfect.

"Everything's fine!" I project my voice over the alarm, channeling what Liam calls my "cruise director charm." "Please proceed calmly to the front lawn. This is only a precaution."

I've done this drill before. Get the guests out first, then do a sweep of the common areas. But before I can start herding people toward the door, Declan bursts out of the kitchen, flour coating his apron and a wild look in his eyes.

"Ivy! The kitchen?—"

"Dec, I know about the alarm. Tommy got a little excited with?—"

"No, there's actual smoke. Nothing major," my brother adds quickly, seeing my expression. "Just a towel too close to the stovetop. It's out now, but..."

But protocol is protocol, and the fire department is already on their way.

The rumble of engines grows louder, and my stomach does that annoying little flip it always does when I know who's about to walk through our door. Sure enough, moments later, the Elk Ridge Fire Department's finest come charging in, led by none other than Maddox Archer.

He fills the doorway like he always has, all broad shoulders and stern expression. His captain's behind him, along with two newer guys whose names I should probably remember given how often they come by for Declan's famous apple pie.

"Situation?" Maddox's deep voice carries across the room, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes at his serious tone. He knows darn well this place isn't burning down.

"Two-part situation, actually." I step forward, trying to ignore how his presence always seems to make the room smaller. "Part one: Curious six-year-old with excellent reach." I gesture to Tommy, who's now hiding behind his mother's legs. "Part two: Small kitchen incident, already contained."

"We still need to check?—"

"The kitchen, I know." This time I do roll my eyes. "Declan will show you. Though I'm pretty sure you remember the way from last month's Great Pancake Disaster."

The younger firefighters snicker, and even the captain's mouth twitches. But Maddox just gives me that look. The one that says he's not impressed by my attempt at humor. It's the same look he's been giving me since I was sixteen and trying to tag along on his and Liam's camping trips. Something my oldest brother shut down immediately.

"Standard protocol?—"

"Requires a full sweep of the premises, yes." I cut him off again, probably enjoying his frustration more than I should. "Like I said, Declan will show you to the kitchen. I'll handle the guests."

He nods curtly and turns to his team, all business as he directs them to different areas of the lodge. I try not to notice how well he wears his uniform or the way his crew responds instantly to his quiet authority. Those are dangerous thoughts, especially when it comes to Maddox.

"Quite the excitement for a Tuesday morning," Captain Reynolds says, falling into step beside me as I head outside to check on the guests. "Though I have to say, if we're going to get called out for false alarms, the lodge is my favorite spot. Your brother's coffee puts our station sludge to shame."

"Don't let Maddox hear you say that. He claims nothing beats his own special brew at the fire house."

"Speaking of loyalty, heard about Sarah's wedding next weekend?" Captain Reynolds keeps his voice casual, but there's a glint in his eye I don't trust.

"Hard not to. Between his mother's daily calls to the station and Sarah's constant texts about seating charts, I'm shocked Maddox hasn't fled to Canada."

The captain chuckles. "He's been a bear to work with lately. All this pressure about finding a date..." He strokes his mustache thoughtfully. "You know, it'd sure make everyone's life easier if someone would volunteer to be his plus-one. Someone who already knows the family. Someone who can handle his brooding..."

I almost trip over my own feet. "Are you seriously trying to set me up as Maddox's wedding date?"

"Oh, did I say that?" His innocent tone isn't fooling anyone. "I'm just thinking out loud about how nice it would be if Maddox showed up with someone he actually enjoys spending time with, instead of whatever match his mother has lined up this time."

Before I can respond, Maddox emerges from the kitchen, his expression somehow even more serious than before. "All clear. Just some minor smoke damage around the stove."

"What a relief," I say, but he's already turning away, speaking into his radio about incident reports and protocols.

"Speaking of which," Captain Reynolds raises his voice, drawing the attention of the other firefighters who are wrapping up their equipment check. "I think I have a brilliant idea about how you can make up for this morning's excitement, Ivy."

I don't like that tone. Or the way the younger firefighters are suddenly paying very close attention.

"The kitchen incident wasn't even my fault," I protest.

"No, but you did promise us cinnamon rolls last time we were here for the Great Pancake Disaster." He winks at Tommy's mom, who's still hovering nearby. "I'm thinking we could call it even if you'd do us all a huge favor and be Maddox's plus-one to Sarah's wedding."

The equipment Maddox is holding clatters against the truck. His shoulders go rigid, and I swear I can see a muscle ticking in his jaw from here.

"Cap—" Maddox's warning tone only makes his captain's grin wider.

"What do you say, Ivy? Save this poor man from his mother's matchmaking attempts? The whole station's tired of hearing about it."

"It's true," one of the younger firefighters pipes up—Jones, I think his name is. "He's been impossible to work with. Yesterday he spent twenty minutes reorganizing the equipment cabinet because his mom called about dress codes."

"I did not—" Maddox starts, but another firefighter cuts him off.

"The day before that, it was table arrangements. He made us run drills twice because Sarah texted about the seating chart."

I can't help it. I burst out laughing. The mental image of Maddox stress-cleaning equipment while dodging wedding calls is too perfect. "Wow, Mad. Didn't realize wedding planning was such serious business."

"This isn't." He runs a hand through his hair, messing it up in that way that definitely doesn't make my stomach flip. "We are not having this conversation."

"Why not?" I lean against one of the lodge's porch pillars, enjoying his discomfort way too much. "Afraid I'll cramp your style?"

"That's not—" He shoots his captain a look that would make most men flinch. "This is completely unprofessional."

"You know what's unprofessional?" Jones asks. "Making the probie reorganize the first aid kits because your grandmother called for the third time about who you’ll bring to this wedding."

More laughter from the crew, and even Tommy's mom is hiding a smile behind her hand. Maddox looks like he's considering whether the station needs an extra round of equipment inventory checks.

I should probably let him off the hook. After all, he's only ever seen me as Liam's annoying little sister, the kid who used to tag along on fishing trips and mess up their careful hiking plans. But something about the way he's avoiding looking at me makes me want to push just a little harder.

"Come on, Mad." I step closer, watching his shoulders tense. "One wedding. I clean up nice, I know all the family stories, and I promise not to tell Sarah about the time you fell in the creek trying to prove you could catch fish with your bare hands."

His head snaps up, those blue eyes finally meeting mine. "You wouldn't."

"Try me."

For a moment, something flashes across his face. Something that makes my pulse skip and my next breath catch. Then he looks away, and it's gone.

"Fine," he growls, turning back to his equipment. "But only because it's better than dealing with my mother's picks."

"Such a charmer." I press a hand to my heart. "Really, your enthusiasm is overwhelming."

The crew laughs again, and Captain Reynolds claps Maddox on the shoulder. "There, was that so hard? Now maybe we can get through a shift without wedding drama."

"I hate all of you," Maddox mutters, but there's less tension in his shoulders now.

"Text me the details," I call after him as they head to the truck. "And wear something pretty!"

He doesn't turn around, but I catch his head shake and what might be the ghost of a smile. The rest of the crew gives me thumbs up as they climb in, and Captain Reynolds tips an imaginary hat.

"Good luck," he stage-whispers. "Try to have him back by midnight, or he turns into an even grumpier pumpkin."

I watch them pull away, definitely not noticing how well Maddox fills out his turnout gear or the way he moves with such easy confidence. This is just a favor for an old family friend. A chance to save him from his mother's matchmaking and maybe tease him a little in the process.

The fact that my heart's still racing? That's just leftover adrenaline from the alarm.

Definitely.

"Miss Ivy?" Tommy tugs at my sleeve, breaking my thoughts. "Are the firefighters coming back? I wanna see the truck again!"

I ruffle his hair, forcing myself to focus on the day ahead. "Not today, buddy. But maybe next time we'll arrange a proper visit. One that doesn't involve pulling any alarms."

"Promise?"

"Promise." I turn back to the lodge, where twenty-three Johnsons are still waiting for their yoga class. "Now, who's ready for some sun salutations?"