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Relieved faces greeted her, probably because Noah was out back at the grill.
“Welcome to our home. Here’s the living room.” She indicated a large room with a decidedly nice TV on one wall and a guitar in the corner. Across the room, she took them through the French doors to the kitchen and dining room and led them out to the back patio. She pointed the other direction toward the rest of the house. “Half-bath’s right here, and then there are three more bedrooms and two more bathrooms down that way. That door leads to the gym in the basement.”
In almost comical fashion when they reached the patio and its largish yard, her teammates formed a line to pay their homage to Noah, who was hard at work flipping burgers. Under her instructions to be ‘coordinating yet not too matchy,’ Noah wore the light blue polo and khaki shorts she’d selected for him. Unsurprisingly, he’d gone along with it, since whatever made her happy made him happy.
The first people in line were the newest members of Firehouse 15. They’d lost Dr. Jacob Carver to Rescue Alpha but successfully filled the A-shift with four new members. There were plenty of fresh faces on the B and C shifts, too. The carrot of Firehouse 15’s possible winter city basketball championship and the quiet rumor of Chief Baker’s attachment had helped them reach full strength.
Though she doubted the four newbies realized the old team members had deliberately pushed them to the front of the line to watch for possible implosions.
Fortunately, Solari and Timmons almost counted as old-timers. They’d been long-term backup D-shift members, so their request to move to the A-shift was granted based on their seniority.
Erin liked them in general, having spent time here and there with the two. They seemed solid and calm, which would be great on a team full of strong and often unyielding personalities.
Solari stuck out his hand to Erin. “Thank you for having us here, Hudgens, Chief.”
She tried not to wince. They’d have to let the title pass for now.
“Good to see you, Tim. You too, Sal.” Noah waved a gloved hand.
“A pleasure. Lovely home you have here, sir.” Timmons waved to Noah.
Behind her, the new guy, Glen Smith, shook his head in confusion. “Sal Solari and Tim Timmons? No way.”
Okay, this newbie was going to need coaching. He’d admitted out loud he didn’t know his teammates’ names in front of the Chief, officers, and said teammates.
“Want to help carry the hot dogs, Timothy?” Erin passed him the aforementioned plate.
“Over to the tables?” Timothy Solari took the plate.
“Yep. Drop those on the food table and pick a seat at the other one. Grilled chicken for you, Salvador.” She gave Salvador Timmons the tray of chicken.
“Oh,” Glen murmured and came forward. Behind him, the rest of the team, minus Bianca Lincoln and Kevin’s new girlfriend Nikki, were dying.
“I’m Glen. Glen Lindsay Smith.” He introduced himself to Erin as if they hadn’t been at the same firehouse for almost a month.
“Yes. I’m Erin, and you’ve met my husband before, Noah Baker,” Erin said, watching Glen try to decide what to do next.
Glenn had just finished his probie year over at Firehouse 5. He was nineteen and still filling out. He also appeared to have the hormones of a fifteen-year-old, because he followed the ladies of the firehouse around with the most hilarious hangdog look on his face, as if he couldn’tbelieve his luck.
Luck didn’t appear to be on his side for this one, because he attempted an awkward elbow bump with Noah.
The less awkward rookie, Bianca Lincoln, intercepted his elbow, redirecting him a step backward away from the grill.
“Umm. Sorry. Opps. Chief.”
“No worries.” Noah deftly flipped the remaining burgers onto the waiting pan and removed his gloves to shake Glen’s hand.
Erin tucked her arm under Noah’s. “Glen, we’re happy to have you here.”
“I have a great three-point shot. I’m an asset to the team,” Glen said.
“Glad to hear it,” Noah smiled, the calm, friendly smile Erin had seen him use in the past while interacting with the public.
Bianca, who was a few years older than Glen, touched his arm gently. “Can you help with the plates over there?”
“Yes. Yes, I can.” Glen brightened, always happy for female attention. Bianca was short and on the curvy side, a few shades darker than Erin. He took off for the other side of the table, hopefully to check the place settings and work on the names of his actual teammates.
With Glen dispatched on his errand, Bianca shook Erin’s hand and hesitated to reach toward Noah. “I’m Bianca. The new rookie. Nice to meet your, sir.”
