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The tiny woman accepts all her things that I hand to her, including the wrapped feminine items without a whimper but her flushed face says it all.
She’s uncomfortable. I guess anyone would be. But I have seen a lot in my twenty years as a firefighter. Enough to make this little episode seem like small potatoes in the grand scheme of embarrassing moments.
But I smile and keep handing her things, not even looking at what they are. Not wanting to scare her or hurt her anymore than she already has been.
I don’t know this woman. Quite obviously she’s a lot younger than me. Her gently-rounded cheeks and soft blue eyes are practically the same as her niece…ummm, daughter. Her pale blond hair is tangled around her slim shoulders and she looks like she’s about to fall down. A startling need to protect her washes over me. I lean back on the heels of my black boots, stunned. I’ve never wanted to take someone under my wing as much as I do this tiny little woman and her ragtag family.
She glances up at me from underneath the dark smudges of her long lashes and I smile gently at her. I stand up and reach a hand down to her, nodding when she looks askance at me.
“Let me help you up. You look just as tired as the kids.”
She reaches out a soft hand and I clasp it gently, helping her to her feet. Some strong emotion tugs at me when her hand slips out of mine and I struggle to force it down. I want to grab her hand back. The sense of loss when she no longer touches me is instant and strong.
It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before but I know that it means something. That this could be the start of something amazing if I let it.
When she turns away and gathers up her children, I wince. Actually if I can get her to realize it as well. She seems like a tough nut to crack. But I’ve got all the time in the world. And whatever she needs I’ll be there for her.
“Come on. Let me help you.” I reach my arms out for the little girl she’s carrying, worried about the exhaustion on both their faces.
“Oh, I couldn’t. No. I just…”.
“Don’t say that you don’t need the help. You look like you’re falling down on your feet. Just let me help you. I’ll worry about you and the children if you don’t.”
“Fine. Okay.”
The little girl doesn’t even whimper, just comes easily into my arms and my heart swells when I see how trusting and sweet she is.
I carry her gently out the door, smiling at her the whole way. She’s such a pretty child. My eyes drift over to the shining blond hair of her aunt. I can almost picture her as a child and I have a feeling she could have been Miracle’s twin.
I carry her over to my truck and pull out my little medical bag. There’s not much in it. I don’t have extensive medical training just the basics but I can check her heart and breathing out, her pulse rate as well.
I quickly run through the list of things and smile when the child passes them with flying colors even though she’s about to fall asleep on the seat of my truck.
“Are you alright to get them home? I’d be glad to help you.”
She shakes her head and grimaces. “I’m sure we’ve taken up enough of your time tonight. I don’t want to be a bother.”
“You couldn’t be if you tried and neither could the kids. Why don’t you let me take care of them out here and maybe they’ll catch a few winks of sleep.” When she starts to protest, her blue eyes worried, I hold up a hand and stop her.
“No. Don’t worry about it. I’m not a mass murderer. Everyone in town knows me. If you ask the cashier inside there, she’ll tell you all about me. You know how small towns are!” I wink at her and she blushes bright red.
“I do indeed,” she says dryly. Then she hesitates, her eyes on the drooping children. Sighing, she gives in. “Fine. I won’t be more than ten minutes. Tops.”
“Take as long as you need. I can practically guarantee they’ll be asleep before you get out here.”
“Thank you again. I’m so sorry I’m messing up your night.”
“Don ’t worry about it. I was just gonna go home and make some spaghetti, watch the game and head to bed. Nothing that exciting.”
She nods her blond head and walks away slowly, her eyes darting back to the kids over and over again until she walks in the door.
“Alright, kiddos. How about we get you settled in your car and wait for your mother?”
Tiny sighs of relief make me chuckle. We walk across the parking lot and I open the door, not surprised that it’s not locked. If I had to guess, she rarely locks anything.
She’s a bit too trusting and needs someone to look after her. Lucky for her…she now has me. I know I’m too old for her and she deserves a younger man. But it won’t hurt to help her. She clearly needs a little help.
I think Santa’s bringing the new family a firefighter for Christmas. If nothing else, I intend to make sure that they’re all happy and well this holiday.
