Page 11 of Changed By Firefighter Daddy

He grinned and preened, making me laugh at him.

“What would I do in Alaska, though?” I protested logically.

“Bartend at the local bar. It seems to be pretty busy.”

Although it was tempting, I couldn’t just leave my life behind like that.

“I can’t just up and leave like that.”

“Why not?” he asked with a shrug.

I gaped at him for a minute. How did I explain something like this?

Just then our food got there and he dropped the topic. That was fine by me, as I didn’t want to think about the future tonight. I just wanted to enjoy the last couple nights we had together.

Saying goodbye two days later was the hardest thing I've ever done. It felt like I was losing a piece of my heart.

"I promise that you'll be the first to know when I'm flying to the mainland," he reassured me. I could tell he wanted me to reassure him too.

"You know I'll be waiting for you," I promised, wrapping my arms around him.

He was getting ready to board one more plane to take him the rest of his trip. People were motioning that it was time for him to go and my heart dropped to my feet.

"I know."

He leaned down and kissed me passionately, bringing tears to my eyes.

"Nope. Not allowed. No crying when we'll see each other again."

"But when?!?" I wailed against his chest.

He took my face between his hands and made me look at him.

"Whenever you say you need or want me," he promised, kissing me gently, then stepping away to grab his pack. "I'll get there as soon as I can. And you're always welcome. Town needs a bartender without a mustache, or I could use a secretary and housekeeper…"

He laughed when I glared at him, then hugged me one more time.

"You'll be ok?"

"I'll be ok."

I wiped my tears and straightened up. I was an independent woman. I'd be fine.

But watching his plane take off, I felt like I'd made a horrible mistake.

The feeling only got stronger as a taxi took me back to my hotel suite that I called home. Saying hello to my coworkers and friends, I realized none of them cared about me the way Jeremy did.

What had I done? What if I sent him off right into the arms of some Alaskan woman? I'd never know!

I didn't sleep for the next two days. Finally Lacy, one of my coworkers, asked me what was wrong.

"A man," was all I would give her at first. When I told her the rest of the story, she asked why I was still here.

"I can't just up and leave!" I protested.

She looked around cynically.

"Why not?"