Page 3 of Bewitching the Firefighter

I sigh. “Yes, but according to her, he’s a player. So, of course, he would be looking. I’m a newbie in town.”

“Have you looked in the mirror? That is not why he was looking. You’ve got the Sutton genes, and our DNA draws in all kinds of people, Isla.”

I laugh at the truth in her words. “I think Maddie has our same luck, Capri. A little boy in her class keeps stealing her tortilla chips at lunch.”

She is not at all fazed by this information. “Don’t tell Zane or Maddie’s dad. I don’t think either of them could handle it.” We both laugh. “So, tell me about this firefighter.”

“You’re like a dog with a bone, girlie. Let. It. Go.”

Tapping on her teacup, my cousin says, “If you weren’t so defensive, I wouldn’t think anything of it.”

“Fine. He’s got muscles that could cut granite and gorgeous amber eyes. His name is Lincoln West.”

Capri spills some tea on her pajama top as she jolts upright. “That’s Mason’s brother.”

I stare at her expectantly. Like I’m supposed to know who that is?

“You’ve met Mason. He’s one of Zane’s poker buddies.” She gestures to her head. “Light hair. Otherwise looks like Linc.”

There’s a large group of poker players who rotate games, but I don’t remember most of their names. “Is the guy who owns Drafthouse West and the steakhouse?”

“That’s him.” The baby monitor next to Capri crackles with a long, contented snuffle. “But Daphne’s right about Lincon. He hasn’t shown signs of wanting to settle down since I’ve lived here. He might be fun for a fling, though.”

Amused, I bat her leg with a throw pillow. “I do not want a fling. I just want to settle in here, learn my job, and find a place to rent before the holidays.”

“But Thanksgiving is a month away.” Capri stares at me. “You’ll have to tell Maddie yourself.”

I picture that conversation and shudder. “Your daughter would never forgive me. I’ll try the beginning of the year.”

“The new year is perfect.” My cousin sets down her coffee cup and gives me an impulsive hug. “I’m going to miss having you around, Isla.”

“I won’t be far, but living here has been exactly what I needed.”

As I shower and get ready for bed, all I can think about is the way Lincoln West watched me, and for some reason, when I close my eyes, I sleep better than I have in a long time.

Chapter 3

Lincoln

Ch 3

Lincoln

“I saw you checking out the new librarian.” Mike Gentry, our company lieutenant, grabs the small towel and wipes sweat from his neck. A divorced dad in his thirties, whenever we’re scheduled the same shift, he is the Incident Commander.

Although I respect the hell out of Mike, I keep my demeanor simple because denial will just send more attention my way. “I think we all noticed her, Gentry.”

My co-workers and I are lifting weights in the small gym at the firehouse, the lights bright overhead, showing the wear on the equipment. I do another twelve push-ups before sitting up.

“She was smoking hot.” Nolan Meeks, a rookie, shakes his head as if he can’t wrap his brain around there being a beautiful woman on that call. “I thought librarians were supposed to have pencils in their hair and wear long polyester skirts with weird buttons down the front.”

Tucker Angelo, my closest friend, snickers as he does bicep curls. “What are the chances that the new librarian is just as hot as the other one?”

I flick my towel at his thigh. “Don’t be a shyster.”

“That your new word of the day?” Mike sits on the gym floor, taking a healthy sip from his water bottle as everyone busts into laughter.

I side eye the group. “This is what I get for trying to add some class to this place?” I’m known for breaking out the Merriam-Webster word of the day on the regular. “Someone has to teach you loons what an apiary is.”