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“That would be perfect. I’m starving.”
A moment later, the program ended and Jay invited the children to explore the gear he’d brought - helmets, coats, pants, boots, and air tanks. When he caught my eye, I raised my hand with a little wave of acknowledgement. Then his gaze fell on Theo and a smile spread across his face.
“Theo Greely,” Jay said, striding over as he extended his hand. “There’s still a place at the fire station with your name on it if you want it.”
“You’ve been saying that ever since I turned eighteen,” Theo countered with a laugh, shaking Jay’s hand.
“It’s a small town. Most folks around here want a peaceful and quiet existence. Firefighting is a little more action than what they’re looking for. But you…” Jay nodded. “I watched you play football in high school that one year when I served as interim head coach. You don’t hold back and when you make a decision, you truly commit, no holds barred. We could use that at the fire station.”
Theo shook his head. “Thanks for the offer, Jay. I really appreciate it. But I picked up a position at the auto body shop and I’m happy with that. It gives me a chance to spend more time with my girl.”
He slipped an arm around my waist and brushed a kiss to my temple. Jay crossed his arms with a playful look.
“Oh, yeah, that’s right. I heard you two were lovebirds now. I still remember the day Haley visited the fire station for a field trip. She was six years old and so small that she nearly toppled over when she put my helmet on.”
“Well, she’s all grown up now,” Theo replied with a fond glance in my direction.
Jay hummed. Then he reached out and chucked me under the chin.”
“You’re the luckiest man in the world to snag our little gem of Holly Hollow.”
I blushed at the compliment.
“I’d better get back to the kids,” Jay added. “Let me know if you change your mind on my offer, Theo. And Haley, if he ever gives you any trouble, just send him my way. We’ll give him some tough love down at the fire station and set him straight for you.”
I smiled and rested my head on Theo’s shoulder.
“I will. And thank you for coming today. The kids really appreciated your visit.”
“You know I’m always happy to stop by. I’ve gotta do my part to ensure the next generation of firefighters take care of Holly Hollow when I retire.”
“Don’t talk like that,” I countered. “You’re not old enough to retire yet.”
Jay snorted in amusement. “I’m getting closer and closer every day.”
He hurried back to the kids, distributing high-fives as he went. He scooped up his helmet and beckoned to a little girl. She eagerly bounced up to him, grinning from ear to ear as he settled the helmet on her head.
“Ready for lunch?” Theo asked. “Or would you like to hang out here for a little while longer?”
I shook my head. “No, it’s all right. Let’s go.”
Theo and I agreed to eat at the local park despite the snow. We dusted off a bench and huddled together, sipping hot cocoa between bites of our sandwiches. The fresh air was sharp and crisp in our lungs and the sky was a pure, brilliant blue.
“Your birthday is in May, right?” Theo asked.
I nodded. “It’s a lot warmer then.”
He breathed a soft laugh and wrapped an arm around me, tucking me tight against his side.
“Well, in that case, I won’t be able to wait until your birthday.”
I turned to look at him in confusion as he reached into his pocket.
“What do you mean?”
He retrieved a small, rectangular brown box and passed it to me.
“Consider it a late Christmas present.”
I accepted the box and opened it. Inside was a silver key, nestled in a cloud of tissue paper.
“It goes to my apartment,” Theo said. “I wanted you to feel like you’re home there. Eventually, I’d like to get some bookshelves built too, but I couldn’t fit those in that tiny box.”
I clutched the key with a small smile. It had taken a few years but I knew I’d finally made the right choice. I’d found the good guy who would love me for the rest of my life.
“Thank you, Theo,” I said.
When I tilted my head up to kiss him, he tasted like hot chocolate and I felt his smile curve up against my lips.
