Chapter 14 #2
“Thanks for stopping by.”
“No problem.”
I want to hug her in greeting, to bend down and press my lips to her cheek, but I don’t know how she’d react.
Her gaze drops to my mouth for the briefest of seconds, so quick I’m not one-hundred percent sure I saw it, but before I can do anything about it, Chief is poking his head out of his office and inviting us inside.
Great timing.
Sitting in front of the fire chief’s desk isn’t nearly so intimidating this time with Rachel by my side, and I nearly laugh at the way Chief’s eyes widen imperceptibly when she pulls her multiple pages of notes out of her bag and spreads them out over his desk.
“I have a lot of ideas for this chili cookoff,” Rachel says, a hint of excitement in her voice. “I mean, we do,” she adds, gesturing between me and her.
I’m pretty sure he knows I’m only a bystander in this endeavor, but I appreciate her inclusion of me all the same.
“Well, let’s hear it,” he says, motioning for her to start.
She talks about the proposed timeline for the event and the equipment we’ll need, then moves on to her idea of tasting tickets if people want to try a bowl or cup of chili, or to get a pricier armband that will let them try everything.
We’ll need judges to choose a winner—maybe someone from the town council will agree to help or a chef from a restaurant in town.
Then there are the food handling permits that thankfully Chief says he’ll take care of.
“I have an in with the mayor,” he says. “Shouldn’t be a problem.”
Family friendly activities are next—guess that spice challenges for kids, hot pepper eating challenges for adults, face painting, fire truck tours, and cornhole and beanbag toss games are all approved by Chief, who’s looking more impressed by the minute.
He also loves her idea for raffling off the chance to be a firefighter for a day, as well as the bakery setting up a table to sell on-theme desserts like chili-chocolate brownies, cayenne-cocoa cupcakes with chili-cream cheese frosting, and Mexican hot chocolate.
“The only thing left on my list I’m not completely sure about is getting a live band,” she tells him. “It would liven up the atmosphere and make it seem like a real event, but I don’t know the logistics of setting something like that up here, or who in town would be willing to do it for free.”
“I can figure that out,” I offer, knowing I’ve contributed little to this conversation. “But I can’t help with finding a band.”
“My nephew’s in a band,” Chief says. “And they’re not half-bad, considering it’s a bunch of high schoolers messing around in my brother’s garage a few times a week.”
Rachel looks intrigued by the prospect. “Are they good enough for a community event like this?”
His lips twist in amusement. “How about I let you two be the judges of that? I’m a bit biased myself. But I can set up an audition for you to check them out if you want.”
Rachel turns to me for confirmation, and I shrug, figuring we have nothing to lose. “Sure, why not?”
“I’ll call him now.” He excuses himself and steps out of the office, leaving me and Rachel alone.
“Do you think he likes any of it?” she whispers once Chief is gone.
“What?” My brow furrows. “He loves it all.”
She looks at me as if I’ve got three heads. “He’s been completely straight-faced the entire time.”
Ah. She doesn’t know him like I do.
I shake my head. “Trust me. The tiny head nod he gave you? The almost smile? The way he was leaning in ever so slightly instead of away? Practically a standing ovation.”
Her lips press together, gaze searching mine like she’s looking for a crack in my story, but there’s a flicker of hope buried beneath the skepticism, too. “I’ll take your word for it.”
Chief returns, waving his phone in front of him.
“Good news. They’re all at the house practicing right now.
You can see them in an hour.” He writes the address on a sticky note and hands it to me, then turns to Rachel.
“If you can’t make it, Nick can go by himself.
I understand we’ve already taken up a lot of your time. ”
“No, I’ll go. What do you think of everything else?”
“Oh, it’s great.” He takes a seat again behind his desk. “The best fundraiser we’ll have ever had by far. Good work.”
She glances at me, and I keep the impulse to say told you so at bay.
“I’ll handle permits and getting the judges to agree,” Chief says. “Might carry more weight coming from me. I’ll let you two divvy up everything else.”
“Great,” Rachel says, appearing relieved. Was she actually worried Chief would shoot down her ideas?
“So, when can we make this happen?” Chief asks. “How about Memorial Day weekend?”
Rachel blinks at him. “That’s this weekend. In two days.”
“Oh, right.” He rubs at his jaw. “How about the Saturday after school lets out for the summer? Families will want something to do.”
I do some quick calculations in my head. “That’s a little over three weeks from now.” I turn to Rachel. “Can we put everything together by then?”
“Um…” She looks at Chief, who’s looking back at her hopefully. “I think so.”
He claps his hands together, pleased. “All right then. We’ve got ourselves a fundraiser.”
She gives a small, unsure smile as she stands. “I should get home and change before we go see the band.”
“I’ll pick you up in an hour, okay?”
She nods as she rubs her palms over her shirt distractedly. “See you soon.”
She lets herself out, and I can’t help but watch her leave, whipping around guiltily when Chief clears his throat loudly.
“Things are going well with you two?” he asks, a smirk lurking over his mouth as I settle back in my chair.
I’m reminded of Mrs. Montour asking something similar earlier, but at least whatever I say to Chief won’t be halfway across town by dinnertime. “Yeah, we’re working well together.”
His brows raise the slightest bit. “Only working?”
I’m aware of the heat crawling up the base of my throat, but can’t do anything to stop it. “What makes you say that?”
He chuckles. “In all the time I’ve known you, all the calls we’ve been out on together… Can’t say I’ve ever seen you look at a woman like you looked at her, is all. Hope you can work something out.”
I mumble some kind of response and flee his office, my heart thudding dully in my chest.
If Chief can tell my feelings for Rachel that easily… can she?