Chapter 3
Brooke knew she was always welcome to stop in at the fire hall. She also knew what to do if the alarms went off and how to get out of the way as quickly as possible, which meant when the desire to stop in and see Mack hit, she had zero hesitation about caving in to the need.
It was one of the moments when Mack needed to know the news. Not in a few hours when he got off shift, but now.
She pulled eighteen-month-old Landon from his car seat into her arms. “Time to go see Daddy,” she informed him.
“Twucks,” he exclaimed excitedly, hanging onto her neck with one arm in a death grip. The other hand stayed free and he swung it in the air and made a loud siren sound.
She laughed. “Yes, the fire trucks are here, and sometimes the lights and sirens go off. But hopefully not right now.”
She made her way up the stairs, stopping to slip off Landon’s winter boots and coat before she sent him off with a pat on the bum. “Go find your daddy,” she encouraged.
“Landon.”
“Hey, little buddy. Are you ready for Santa to come?”
“It’s the mini fire chief. Hi, bud.”
Behind her, the volunteers on duty gave Landon high fives as he wobbled rapidly around the room, peering up at familiar faces, looking for his father.
Brooke hung her coat on an open wall hook then offered a wave to all as she walked farther into the common area where they’d be holding the annual gathering in just a few days.
Ashton sat at one of the tables, Landon now firmly ensconced on his lap. She made her way over and settled next to them. “Surprised to see you here. I heard a major shopping trip to Calgary was happening today.”
“I’m grateful to admit I don’t have the energy to keep up with the ladies anymore.” Ashton offered a wink. “Or at least that’s the story I’m going with.”
“You’re terrible,” Brooke told him. “I bet you and Sonora already have all of your Christmas shopping done, don’t you?”
He raised a brow. “Of course. We wrapped the last present sometime in September, but that doesn’t stop Sonora. She enjoys running around with her daughter and granddaughters, doing last minute extras, far too much for me to deny her the pleasure.”
“You’re a good man, Ashton Stewart.”
“I try to be,” he offered with a grin. He leaned down to check what Landon had to say as the little boy impatiently patted the table. “What’s up, kiddo?”
Brooke was slightly horrified when Landon wiggled and then used Ashton like a playground toy, climbing until he could press his little hands to either side of Ashton’s face.
“Play peekaboo,” Landon demanded.
Ashton laughed. “This is what I get for creating a monster. You got it, Landon.” He glanced at Brooke. “Mack is in the back. Said he had a little bit of paperwork to get caught up on. You go ahead and interrupt him, and I’ll take care of our littlest firefighter.”
“Thanks, Ashton.” Brooke tapped Landon on the nose. “You be good for Mr. Stewart.”
“He’ll be just fine. Go,” Ashton insisted.
Brooke paced slowly across the floor, smiling at the other volunteers who were relaxing at another table, a deck of cards in front of them.
She opened the door into the back quiet space. A couple of small bedrooms lined the side walls, and in the middle, comfy couches were arranged where anyone who needed an actual rest while on duty could slip away.
A happy memory floated in. It had been a long time since Mack had actually lived in one of those rooms.
Now they had a cozy home about a ten minute walk away from both the fire hall and the mechanic shop where Brooke continued to put in hours. Her father took care of Landon when she worked—and part-time retirement looked good on him.
Yeah, she and Mack had friends and family around them, supporting them all the way. Brooke placed a hand on the office doorknob and opened it slowly, thinking of all the blessings in their world.
Mack glanced up instantly, happy surprise on his face as he rose to his feet and stepped toward her. “Didn’t expect to see you. Everything okay?”
“Everything’s great,” she assured him. “Landon is in the common room, large and in charge as usual.”
“We’re raising a miniature dictator, you know,” but he smiled as he said it.
“He’s got your stubbornness, that’s for sure.
” Brooke’s lips twitched with amusement.
“He’s got my skill with tools, though. Turned my back for a minute and he somehow took the child safety lock off one of the lower kitchen cupboards.
Luckily he got distracted by the drawer next to it.
The kid emptied the entire Tupperware drawer in under two minutes. ”
“Damn.”
“Oh, that’s not the interesting part. This is.” She held out her phone to show off a photo she’d taken of the event. “See? He’s got my skills.”
Mack wrapped his hand around hers to pull the phone closer then laughed out loud at the sight of all the Tupperware stacked in tall towers. “Did he stack them according to size?”
“Yes. We’ve got either a mechanic or engineer in the making.”
Her husband hummed in agreement. His expression went a little more serious. “What about the other thing that’s in the making? How are you feeling?”
“That’s why I’m here,” Brooke said. She caught hold of his hand again as she twisted until her back was against his front. She laid his hand over the small bump of her belly. “Wait for it.”
He went so still he had to be holding his breath.
Brooke closed her eyes and breathed slowly for both of them. For all three of them, she corrected herself, and another rush of happiness flooded in as she thought about this blessing as well.
Under his hand, the baby fluttered. The smallest of movements, but with this being baby number two, Brooke knew what the sensation meant.
“They just started this morning,” Brooke told him, leaning her cheek against his. “Everything’s going well. Almost halfway through the pregnancy, and I’m so happy.”
Mack kissed her cheek. Fingers spreading wide as he continue to carefully cradle her belly. He wrapped his other arm around her torso and hugged her tightly. “I’m glad you came to tell me.”
“She’s going to have you wrapped around her little finger.” Brooke twisted in his arms and smiled up into his eyes. “I figured we may as well start right now.”
“Still insisting this one’s a girl? Even though we have no proof?”
Brooke considered. “Yep. She’s a girl. I just—know.”
Mack grinned. “I hope you’re right, but if you’re not, I’m still going to be good. Now, you said Landon was out there somewhere?”
“Tormenting Ashton.”
“I approve of that.” Mack grabbed her fingers. He guided her from the office and back toward the main area. “Let me give the kiddo a hug. And tonight we’ll put the finishing touches on our ugly sweaters, yes?”
She followed him into the wide open space, arriving just in time to hear Landon squealing with happiness as Ashton’s deep laugh boomed on the air.
“Only two more days until the party. We better make sure we’re ready,” Brooke agreed.
“To win,” Mack said with a gloating tone.
“To win,” she agreed, but the outcome of the contest wasn’t anything she was worried about.
As far as Brooke was concerned, she’d already won.