2. Harrison
“What’s up?”
He grinned, leaned against the counter, and folded his arms over his chest. “I heard you made the hot librarian mad at you a few weeks ago.”
Rolling my eyes, I asked, “Doug?”
Preston nodded. “I have to ask, Harrison, how do you make a librarian mad at you? Did you dog ear a library book or something?”
I sighed and pushed my hand through my hair. “Lucy.”
He frowned. “No. The stalker?”
“Yes. She showed up at story time and I pulled her off to the side. In her fit of crazy, she kissed me, and Emma saw it and she assumed I was making out with Lucy. Like I would ever do that in a library. In the children’s section. With my daughter a few feet away.”
He chuckled. “Did you explain the situation?”
“Tried to,” I said with a shrug. “Once she found out the truth, though, it was too late. She already formed an opinion of me. Not to mention, the next time I brought Noel to the library, they told me I was banned. Noel burst into tears. They called Emma and she quickly came down to the entrance and righted her wrong. Noel, of course, forgave her, but every time she reads to the kids, I put headphones in. It pisses her off and I love it.”
Preston laughed and shook his head. “That’s cold, Harrison.”
“She deserves it for jumping to the wrong conclusion.”
Captain Ryan walked in and glanced between the two of us.
“Just the two guys I was looking for.”
Preston pushed off the counter. “I think I hear my name being called.”
Cap raised a single brow.
Making a dash toward the exit, Preston called back, “Don’t burn the garlic bread this time!”
We both watched as Preston moved faster than I had ever seen him move. When he looked back at me one last time, the little bastard laughed. I turned my attention on my boss.
“I don’t like that look on your face, Cap.”
Making his way over to the stove, he leaned down, drew in a deep smell, and moaned. “Damn. Nothing is better than your Grandma Maggio’s homemade pasta sauce.”
“Sweet talking won’t get you anywhere with me, sir.”
He grinned and leaned against the counter the same way Preston had only moments ago.
“Since Preston was smart enough to make a run for it, you’ve been chosen to help with this year’s Christmas fundraiser dinner.
The Boston Fire Department partners with the Boston Public Library each year.
Last year, Nick from station 33 helped plan it.
Rumor has it he spent more time hiding from the librarian planning it than he did helping.
He said she was mean, yelled at him, and said she was tired of planning the event.
It wasn’t a bad turnout, but the library brought in nearly fifty percent less in donations than the year before.
I think Pricilla, the library manager, will oversee the planning.
Our station is up this year for one lucky volunteer to help her out. ”
It was my turn to fold my arms over my chest. I leaned against the island. “Let me guess, I’m the lucky one who gets to help her.”
Cap grinned. “You are, indeed. It’s not that bad, Harrison. I’m sure Pricilla will take the lead; you do what she tells you to do. It’s that simple.”
“What if I have an idea? Am I allowed to voice it.”
His brow rose. “Have you planned fundraisers before? Black tie dinners? Where the cost to get in is five-hundred dollars a plate?”
“Just because I was a Navy SEAL doesn’t mean I’m not schooled in other things.”
He laughed. “Other things such as killing people and fighting fires?”
I pointed to him. “Exactly. Have you forgotten who my father was?”
Cap nodded. “Point taken.”
“My mother has years of experience throwing fundraising dinners, parties, lunches. She did whatever it took to help my father with his political career. I sat back and watched all of it.”
Looking back at the sauce, then at me, he cleared his throat. “I’m sorry about your dad, Harrison. I know I said it before, but I know how it feels.”
I drew in a deep breath. “Thank you, Cap. I’m just glad I was here for my mother. Noel has really helped both of us heal from my dad’s death.”
He pushed off the counter and slapped my arm. “I’m glad you found your way here. The station wouldn’t be the same without you and Noel.”
“I appreciate that, Cap. So, what do I have to do?”
Captain Ryan handed me a card. “You’ll meet with Pricilla on Wednesday at noon. Offer to take her to lunch to talk about things, got it?”
“Will do.”
As he made his way out of the kitchen, he called over his shoulder, “Check the bread, Maggio, something is burning.”
I rushed over to the oven as I yelled out, “Fuck!”
I walked up to the main circulation desk of the central library and waited for the older woman to notice me. When she looked up, she smiled.
“Why, if it isn’t a handsome man in uniform. What can I help you with, darlin’?”
Keeping my chuckle buried inside, I winked at her, causing her to blush. “Flattery will get you everywhere, ma’am.”
She waved me off. “I’m too old for you. Tell me what you want.”
“I’ve got an appointment with Pricilla at noon. I’m from Engine 37.”
Her eyes lit up. “The firefighter who is helping with this year’s Christmas fundraiser. How wonderful. I do believe I’ve seen you here with your daughter before.”
A wide grin crossed my face at the mention of Noel. “Yes, you have.”
“Didn’t know you were a first responder. Thank you kindly for your service. Now follow me and I’ll show you to the meeting room.”
“Thank you,” I said as I followed her.
Stopping at a door, she motioned for me to head on in, then cheerfully said, “Happy planning!”
“Thank you!” I said as I opened the door and stepped inside. A woman was bent over looking at something that was spread out over the table. The pencil skirt showed off her back side, and I nearly moaned at the sight in front of me.
Clearing my throat, she stood, and I caught a quick glance of her hourglass figure. My heart dropped to my stomach. I’d know that luscious figure anywhere.
When she turned around, her smile dropped and mine grew bigger. It wasn’t Pricilla. It was Emma.
Smiling, I tilted my head and said, “You’re not Pricilla.”
Her eyes went wide as she let her gaze travel over my body. “You’re…you’re a…um…you’re…”
“A firefighter I believe are the words you’re looking for.” I folded my arms over my chest. “And you’re sure you have a master’s degree?”
Blinking a few times, Emma finally found her voice. “You never told me you were a firefighter.”
I shrugged. “You never asked.”
“Why in the world would I ask that?”
“Maybe instead of jumping to conclusions about people, you should take the time to talk and get to know them instead.”
Emma tossed her hands up in the air. “I said I was sorry. What do you want me to do? Get down on my knees in front of you.”
I had to hold back the comment I wanted to make, but Emma clearly saw the dirty thought that had rushed through my head.
She snarled her lip. “Ugh. Seriously?”
“What? I didn’t say a word, it was your dirty mind that went there.”
Spinning around, she started to pace. She looked so freaking beautiful I couldn’t pull my eyes off her.
Her brown hair was pulled up and piled on top of her head in some weird twist. I liked it when she wore it down and her crazy curls had a mind of their own.
I couldn’t see her eyes since she was pacing, but I could imagine they were on fire.
“This is not happening. You’re going to ruin the whole thing, and I’m going to be made a laughingstock and fail!”
“Excuse me?” I said as I walked more into the room. “You automatically assume I’m going to ruin this for…you?”
She stopped walking and slapped her hands down on the table. Fuck if she didn’t look stunning in that moment.
“You’re a firefighter. The last one ended up hiding from Anna every chance he got.
The one before that showed up for the first meeting and never came back to help.
The one before that spent more time flirting with everyone than he did helping.
You’re just here to appease your captain.
What could you possibly know about planning a Christmas fundraiser dinner? ”
I took a moment to let her words settle between us. “Wow. Okay, wow. There you go judging me once again, Emma. You don’t know anything about me.”
She lifted her chin. I could see the regret in her eyes, but she was too proud to back down. “Fine. Then tell me something about you, because the only thing I know is your name is Harrison, you have a daughter, and you’re a firefighter.”
I pulled out a chair and sat down. “Where do you want me to start?”
Emma leaned against the window, both hands on the long windowsill. “Tell me what makes you think you’re able to help with this fundraiser. And don’t forget, I know you didn’t volunteer for this, your boss made you do it.”
Drawing a slow, deep breath, I exhaled. “My father was a Senator for twelve years. My mother used to throw a lot of parties. Some were fundraisers, some just to gain supporters for my father when he was running for re-election. I’m an only child, so I often helped because I loved spending time with her.
Next to my father, I was her only concern, and we were close.
I enjoyed helping her with things like that, as well as helping her in her garden, so if you need to know what flowers are best to use this time of year, I’ve got you covered.
The hardest thing I ever had to do was leave my parents. I was close to both.”
“Why did you have to leave?” she asked.
“I joined the Navy, because that was what my father did. And I always wanted to be like my father. I was in the Navy for ten years as a Navy SEAL.”
Her eyes went wide again.
“Then life changed. A woman I had dated a few times knocked on my door one day and handed me a baby. My baby. Told me she didn’t want her, and if I didn’t it was my problem to deal with.”
Emma’s hand came up to her mouth. “That’s terrible, Harrison.”
I rubbed at the back of my neck. “The timing was good and bad. I had found out a few months before Nicole showed up with Noel that my father had cancer. Stage 4 lung cancer. I decided not to re-enlist and was due to leave for Boston the next day. I had to change everything and showed up at my parents’ house with a one-month-old baby. ”
“How? I mean, how does a Navy SEAL take on a one-month-old baby and take care of her?”
“My best friend’s wife, Trish. She came to my rescue.
She helped me that night get what I would need, traveled with me to Boston, then interviewed some people for a nanny position.
I would have been lost without her. Of course, my mother and father were both overjoyed.
I thought my father would be upset with me, but he was so happy to have gotten to meet his granddaughter.
I, of course, had a DNA test done. I would have kept Noel either way, though.
I fell in love with her the moment she looked up at me and smiled.
Trish said it was gas, but I know it wasn’t. ”
Emma grinned.
“She didn’t even name her,” I softly said. I could still here the sadness in my voice.
“You named her Noel?”
I nodded. “I did. We were a few days away from Christmas and it felt fitting. Anyway, back to my qualifications. I also helped plan a ball while I was in the Navy. Well, my whole team had to help with it.”
Emma smiled. “I am, once again, put in my place when it comes to you.”
I winked. “You really need to work on that whole judging thing you’ve got going on.”
Rolling her eyes, Emma pointed to the table. “So, back to planning…I was looking at the ballroom and how they had the tables laid out the year before last. It was a good flow and I think we should keep it the way they had it.”
Glancing at the large paper, I pulled it toward me. “I’ve never been to the fundraiser dinner for the library. I take it it’s sit down?”
“Yes. A five-course meal.”
I glanced up. “I was told Pricilla was handling this.”
Emma smiled. “She’s our central library manager. She doesn’t handle this part anymore and gave me the job this year. Do you think we’ll have a problem working together?”
Standing, I replied, “I don’t have an issue working with you as long as you don’t have one working with me.”
A shy smile played across her face. “I can work alongside you, that’s not a problem at all.”
“Okay then. Captain told me to take you out to lunch so, how about we grab something to eat and figure out where we go from here.”
She opened her mouth then quickly shut it. Most likely catching herself before she said something she would regret.
“Just say it, Emma.”
“It was silly and stupid and clearly won’t be a problem.”
My curiosity piqued, but I let it go. “You name the place.”
“There is a great little hotdog stand down the road.”
Smiling, I walked over to the door, opened it, and motioned for her to lead the way.
When she walked by, I closed my eyes and tried not to let the smell of vanilla and some other spice get to my head. The woman clearly didn’t care for me, and we were working together. That meant hands off.
As I watched her walk ahead of me, her perfectly shaped body swinging from side to side, I sent up a prayer for strength up to the heaven above that she wouldn’t drive me insane with lust.