Tessa
Chapter thirty-three
“Do you think they will like the cookies?” Jake asks, dropping a handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the cookie dough.
The crew at the station is having a family dinner night, something I didn’t know they did until Logan mentioned it.
It’s the only thing Jake’s been talking about all week.
Spouses, partners, and immediate family members are all invited.
I know for a fact Gray isn’t currently involved with anyone, but I haven’t kept in touch with Blair Kinsley enough to know what her situation is.
And from what Lo has told me, Cain seems like the lone wolf type.
It sounds like my son is going to be the only child there tonight, but I’m sure he’ll have fun exploring and asking everyone whatever questions pop into his head.
“They’re going to love them,” I say with a smile. “What do you think? Do we need more chocolate chips?”
“Hmmm.” He peers into the bowl, examining the cookie dough. “A little bit more.” He grabs another handful of chocolate chips, milk chocolate this time, and drops them in.
“Make sure you mix them in really well.” I hand him the large wooden mixing spoon. I have to hold the mixing bowl’s handle to keep the bowl steady as he holds the spoon with both hands. “C’mon, buddy, use those muscles,” I tease, poking him in the side with my free hand.
He giggles and squirms away, keeping the spoon in his hands. “I think that’s good,” he chimes, releasing the spoon.
“Now we’ve gotta scoop them out using this”—I hold up the ice cream scoop we use for cookies—“and make sure they’re spaced out evenly before we put them in the oven.”
It takes a little longer with his help, but we manage to get all of the cookies baked and cooled in time.
With the last batch cooling on the counter, I get Jake set up with his favorite cartoon on one of the streaming apps and slip away to my bedroom to get ready.
I know that the crew will all be in uniform, but I still want to look nice for Logan. Though I do need to keep it practical.
Is wearing a dress with sandals or heels appropriate for the station, or should I keep it more casual?
After sorting through every option my closet has to offer, I decide on a navy blue floral maxi skirt, a light blue V-neck top, and a pair of white sandals that coordinate with the small white flowers scattered through the skirt.
My hair hangs in loose waves over my shoulders, but it’s really just what’s left of the curl from when I took the time to style it yesterday.
I probably should’ve showered and washed my hair for tonight, but I got carried away with baking and didn’t realize how much longer it would take to walk my son through every step of the process.
As excited as I am to see Logan and get an official tour of his home away from home, there’s a nervous energy buzzing in my veins.
He mentioned his younger brother, Luke, might show up.
I don’t know anything about him other than that he owns the local bookstore and hasn’t been in town much longer than his brother.
Liv and I have been meaning to stop by the bookstore to check it out, but we haven’t made it over there yet.
I do most of my reading on my phone or my Kindle, but there’s a quiet comfort that comes with being in a bookstore.
Especially a smaller, independently owned one.
We’ve tossed around the idea of starting up a book club a few times, but neither of us wants to host. If Luke is at dinner tonight, maybe I can pick his brain about it.
“Ready to go, bud?” I ask, walking into the living room and glancing at Jake as I turn off the TV.
He shouts an enthusiastic “Yes” as he scrambles off the couch and runs into the kitchen. We pack the cookies into two separate containers, and he helps carry one of them to the car. My heart kicks and warms in my chest at how excited he is, not just to see the firehouse, but to visit Logan as well.
I’ve always heard about the crazy hours firefighters work, but I never gave it much thought until I met him.
Working twenty-four hours or more straight seems brutal.
Though I guess when it’s followed by an even longer time off, it’s maybe not so bad.
It has definitely taken some getting used to, especially when it comes to him having days off during the week or having to work all weekend while Jake and I are home.
There have been a couple of times when Jake has asked if Logan can come over for dinner or if he can spend the day with us, and I’ve had to explain his unique work schedule.
Plenty of families make it work for them, even if it means treating weekdays like weekends, celebrating holidays on a different day, or having dinner at the firehouse for the sake of being able to see each other.
The station’s large bay doors are rolled up when we arrive, and several cars are parked along the street. I pull up and park along the curb behind a car I don’t recognize and turn in my seat to smile at Jake. “Ready?”
He squirms as he unfastens the booster seat’s harness, eager to get out and go see his new favorite person.
“Wait, buddy,” I call, throwing my crossbody purse over one shoulder. I stack the two containers of freshly baked cookies and gather them into my arms.
“Here, let me help you with that,” an unfamiliar male voice says, stepping up beside me to hold the passenger-side door open, keeping it from impeding my movements.
“Thank you,” I say, huffing a breath as I step away from the car with the containers in my hands.
The stranger smiles as he closes the car door. “It’s no problem. Are you here to drop off cookies?” he asks, nodding to the containers in my hands.
I huff out a laugh, turning my attention to my son. “We’re here for dinner, actually. I take it you are too?”
He nods his head as he slips his hands into his pockets, walking beside me toward the open bay. “My brother always invites me, and I usually turn him down. Figured it was about time I accepted the invite.”
“Logan!” Jake’s joyful voice has a smile spreading across my face as Lo strolls out of the bay. He’s wearing a Hartridge Fire T-shirt, navy-blue tactical pants, and boots.
And that damn backwards hat.
“Hey, J-Man,” he says, greeting Jake with a fist bump.
He ruffles his blond hair before his gaze lifts to mine, then flicks to the man beside me.
“You’re both here.” The smile stretched across his face is damn near blinding as he quickly closes the distance between us and pulls me into his arms, simultaneously taking the plastic containers from my hands.
“And here I thought I was going to eat you for dessert,” he murmurs into my ear.
The heat of his breath sends a delicious chill racing down my spine. I shove him away playfully.
The other man slips one hand into his pocket, running the other back through his dark blond hair. “Alright, so, can I go now?” There’s a hint of sarcasm clinging to his voice, but the look on his face is serious. He genuinely seems like he doesn’t want to be here.
Logan rubs at his chest in mock offense before turning his gaze on the man beside me. “Ha ha, very funny, Luke. You’re not leaving. You just got here. I know you practically live at that damn bookstore, but there is a world outside of it, you know?”
His brother.
“Oh my gosh. I should have realized. Hi, Luke. I’m Tessa,” I say, turning to hold out my hand. I know they’re not related by blood, but for some reason, I still had it in my head that I’d recognize Luke when I saw him.
Luke’s grip is firm as we shake hands. “Should’ve guessed.” He chuckles. “Beautiful brunette with a kid.”
My eyes dart to Logan’s as I quirk a brow. “Is that all you’ve told him about me?”
A red tint coats his cheeks as he pulls his hat off his head, runs his hand through his hair, then slips the hat back in place. “I talk about you all the time, darlin’. He’s just trying to get a rise out of me.”
His brother shrugs, clearly unbothered by that statement. “And it worked.” The two of them share a look I don’t understand before Luke adds, “But he’s also mentioned that you’re a reader.”
I keep my voice low as I say, “I’m strictly a romance reader.
” I’ve had countless conversations with people about books and reading in general, and so many seem to think romance books shouldn’t count as reading.
I haven’t had a chance to visit Blue Ridge Bookery yet, seeing as it’s not the kind of thing I want to do with my son in tow, but I’ve browsed through the store’s website and social media pages.
I know Luke keeps a decent supply of romance books, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a fan.
“Ah,” he drags the word out, head nodding in understanding.
My stomach twists uncomfortably, worried I’ve somehow already messed up this interaction and my chance at getting to know Logan’s brother simply because of the kind of books I read.
Then he surprises me by taking a step closer, hands folding over his chest. “Want to know a secret?”
I frown. “What?”
“I prefer romance books too.”
A laugh bursts from my chest. “You do?”
Logan steps up beside his brother, grabbing him by the shoulder and giving a playful shake. “The smuttier the better, huh, Luke?”
I watch as color blooms on Luke’s cheeks, and he shoves Logan’s hand from his shoulder.
“Those are the best kind,” I say. “You have no idea what you’re missing out on, babe.” The simple term of endearment slips free unexpectedly, but I don’t miss the way Logan’s eyes heat as they meet mine.
“Can you show me the station now?” Jake asks, stepping up to Logan and tugging on his hand.
“Sure, buddy. Help me take these inside, and then I’ll give you the grand tour.” He hands Jake one of the containers of cookies.
My stomach twists with nerves as we head into the station. I know Logan said this dinner is no big deal, that it’s just something they like to do to boost spirits and keep everyone connected, but it also feels like an initiation of sorts.
A baptism by fire.
The honorary family surrounding first responders is something I didn’t realize I would miss.
When I lost Ryan, as much as those around us tried to help and be supportive, I sank deeply into the dark of depression.
When I finally began to crawl out on the other side, most had moved on with their lives.
Those I was personally closest to are who stayed—Liv, Grayson, Ryan’s partner, Zack, and my parents.
I’ve been looking forward to meeting Logan’s fire family, aside from those I already know, like Grayson and Blair.
However, it’s also something that, in the back of my mind, I’ve been dreading.
If I were to lose Logan someday, I’d lose them too.
And my heart has suffered enough loss for one lifetime.