Read Online Her Firefighter Hero by Leigh Bale - Free Book Online Page B

that.” She turned her back on the kids and gave Jared a half smile, her eyes filled with unease.
    He looked away. “They’re good kids.”
    â€œYes, they are.” She hesitated. “Thanks again.”
    He nodded. “You’re welcome.”
    They looked at each other, each assessing the situation for what it was. Her eyes mirrored his concern. Neither one of them wanted to be hurt again. For that reason alone, they couldn’t take this relationship any further.
    â€œWell, I’ll say good-night.” He slipped his hands into his pockets.
    â€œGood night.” She waved as he stepped down off the porch and sauntered toward his truck.
    He got inside and fired up the vehicle, but waited until she went inside before he backed out and drove away. It’d been a long time since he’d been out on a date and driven a woman home. A long time since he’d thought about kissing someone good-night. And the sad truth was that he wished he had met a woman like Megan about ten years earlier.

Chapter Five
    T he following morning, Megan sat on the sofa in her living room tying her shoelaces when the doorbell rang.
    â€œI’ll get it,” Caleb cried as he dashed for the door.
    Standing on tiptoes, the boy had trouble negotiating the dead bolt. June, who was much taller, helped him turn the lock. The door whooshed open to reveal Jared standing there with a wide smile.
    â€œGood morning,” he said.
    â€œJared!” Caleb launched himself at the man.
    As usual, June held back, a bit withdrawn.
    Jared scooped the boy up and swung him around. Caleb’s laughter filled the air like musical wind chimes. Watching them together, a lump rose in Megan’s throat. She remembered her husband doing this exact same thing.
    Still holding her son, Jared smiled at June. “How are you, sweetheart?”
    She sat on the edge of a chair and folded her arms, lifting her chin in a haughty stare. “I’m fine, thank you. But what are you doing here?”
    â€œJune! Don’t be rude,” Megan said, though she couldn’t help wondering the same thing. She felt like her daughter. Filled with trepidation. She hadn’t seen Caleb this happy since before his daddy’s death. Her son was young and might soon lose most of his memories of his father, but June was older. And like Megan, would never forget.
    Jared shrugged, seeming undeterred by the girl’s glower. “I was hoping to speak to your mom for a few minutes, if that’s okay.”
    June didn’t respond.
    Megan stood and waited for Caleb to settle down. In spite of knowing that Connie was opening the restaurant for her that morning, Megan had woken up early. Worried and too nervous to sleep the night before, she had dressed and gotten the kids their breakfast, planning to walk with them the six blocks to Main Street. She needed to speak with Grant Metcalf, the owner of the only gas station in town. Hopefully, he’d be able to haul her old truck into his garage for repairs as soon as possible. And hopefully, the work wouldn’t cost her an arm and a leg.
    â€œJared, look! I’ve got a loose tooth.” Caleb gritted his teeth and pressed against a wobbly tooth in the front.
    â€œYeah, that’s great, buddy,” Jared said. “How’s the swing working out?”
    â€œGreat! You wanna come out back and see it? When I pump my legs hard, I can go so high.” Caleb lifted his arms over his head to emphasize his words.
    Jared glanced Megan’s way. “Maybe tomorrow. Right now, I need to speak with your mom, and then I’ve got to get into work.”
    Megan’s heart gave a maddening thump, then sped up into double time. Her son liked this man. A lot. And so did she.
    Looking out the living room window, she saw a strange truck parked in her driveway. Jared owned a blue pickup truck, but this one was different. At first glance, she thought it must be his work vehicle.