Her Firefighter Hero by Leigh Bale

“Besides, I’d get fired if I took your money.”
    Yeah, right. He wished Megan would forget about their truck agreement. But seeing the stubborn glint in Connie’s eyes, he realized she would never relent.
    He thrust his wallet back into his pocket. “Okay, tell Megan I said thank-you. The food was great tonight. I appreciate everything.”
    Connie gave him a knowing smile. “I’ll tell her. And you stop by anytime.” She leaned closer and whispered, “And do yourself a favor. Ask her out on a real date.”
    He stared. Surprised that she’d come right out and said what he knew she’d been thinking.
    â€œUm, thanks,” was his only response.
    He turned and walked through the door to the parking lot. When he glanced over his shoulder, he saw through the wide windows that Megan had returned to the front of the restaurant. A low laugh escaped his throat. Yep, she had definitely been avoiding him. A good mother, who was probably thinking only about her kids. After all, he imagined a woman had to be careful what men she brought into the lives of her children.
    Out of his peripheral vision, he saw that her gaze followed him as Connie stood chatting beside her. No doubt the waitress was telling Megan everything he’d said.
    He got into his truck. And he drove home, feeling lonelier than ever before.

Chapter Six
    W hen Jared showed up at her house on Monday morning, Megan told herself it was no big deal. After all, she’d called and invited him over to inspect the equipment and supplies she’d gathered for her catering job. On the one hand, seeing him again was like Christmas morning. She felt giddy and happy inside. Yet on the other hand, she also felt heavy and fearful at the same time. She didn’t understand the emotions coursing through her but fought to ward off her confusion.
    As she opened the front door, she caught the scent of rain. A lightning storm in the night had washed her green lawn, making it glimmer in the morning sunlight. Stepping back, she admitted Jared to her living room.
    â€œHi, there. I brought your truck over from the repair shop. They finally have it ready.” Jared showed that endearing smile.
    â€œYou picked up my truck from the garage?”
    â€œYeah, I hope you don’t mind. I thought it’d save you some bother if you didn’t have to drag the kids all the way there and back.”
    She glanced past his shoulder, looking outside. Sure enough, her rusty old truck sat parked in her driveway. Grant must have finally gotten the parts in and finished his work.
    â€œIt’s running great,” Jared said, “but I’d still rather you use the one I lent you when you drive up on the mountain. It’s newer and I think it’s more reliable.”
    She shook her head. “You didn’t need to bring my truck over. I’d already settled the bill with Grant yesterday, but I didn’t plan to pick it up until later this afternoon.”
    â€œIt’s no bother.”
    â€œWell, thanks for saving me the trouble. Grant has had it over two weeks and I was beginning to give up hope of ever seeing it again. It ended up needing a complete engine rebuild.”
    â€œYeah, car failures are the pits. And expensive, too. I’m sorry it broke down.” Jared handed her the key while she closed the front door.
    His gaze clouded over, and he looked away and she realized the guards were up between them. An invisible wall she didn’t know how to breach even if she wanted to try. Which she didn’t.
    â€œI appreciate you coming over. My equipment is in the garage.” She led the way through the kitchen, conscious of him trailing behind her.
    â€œWhere are the kids today?” He followed her out into the backyard.
    She glanced at the swing hanging from the tall tree and remembered the day he’d hooked it up for her children. They’d enjoyed it nonstop ever since. “They’re