Done (Harmony Haven #1)

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

JESSE

I wasn’t sure if Easton was charming, or crazy. He was probably a little bit of both and just like he was with me, I was intrigued. I had a few questions of my own when it came to Easton Brooks, but I didn't dare ask them. He’d end up thinking I was more interested in him than I should have been.

When Ms. Ellison came over for coffee, I’d been tempted to ask her to tell me everything she knew about the tall, charming firefighter, but I refrained. It helped that she was more interested in my business and learning how I became a candle maker.

I reveled in telling her about the days when I was finding a manufacturer, and all the funny labels the business had eventually made. I also explained how I was able to work my entire business online, making it easier to be there for Max. She seemed to be impressed, maybe even excited for me, and I got chills thinking of how it was exactly the way my mom would have been.

“Max,” I called from my bedroom, hoping he could hear me across the hall. There may not have been a bed, but his room had been set up with his toys, giving him a place to play. “Do you want to go see a fire truck?”

There was no verbal answer, but I heard his bare feet start tapping across the wooden floors as he made his way into my room. When he saw me holding my bag, he knew we were heading somewhere and began jumping for joy, anticipating seeing an actual fire truck.

“Mr. Brooks is going to show you the trucks today. Isn’t that exciting?” He clapped and started shaking the safety gate at the top of the stairs, eager to get going. “Get your shoes and then let’s go potty first.”

When he was ready, we loaded up, and I took a deep breath following the directions that Easton had sent me the night before. It wasn’t far at all, and I technically knew the way because I had passed by it when I visited and signed Max up at the preschool. Still, my nerves were in danger of making me miss a turn.

Max grew loud with excitement when he saw the station come into view. He repeatedly chanted “fire truck” as if singing a well-loved nursery rhyme. He was so happy, and I smiled and clapped with him knowing that our visit was going to make his day. Answering a few questions from Easton was going to be worth it.

Besides, how bad could they be? I had nothing to hide. There were no sinister reasons for my move to Harmony Haven. He could ask me whatever he wanted. It was a fair trade to see the excitement on Max’s face.

Just like Easton had instructed me to do, I pulled up to the side of the building where other cars were parked. I took a second to look out and take in the modern three-story building. For such a small town, the fire station stuck out, looking like it had been outfitted with state of the art features.

On the first floor, there were four engine bays and a front door that looked like the entrance to an office. Without the fire trucks and signs, it could have passed for a very fancy place to get an oil change.

With its size, though, I realized there were probably a lot of people inside, working in the offices and doing whatever else went on at a fire station. There were going to be a lot of new people around, and my anxious mind began wondering what they would think of the new girl in town, especially if they were part of the crew that had responded to Max’s 9-1-1 call.

You’ve never cared before, Jessica. Don’t start being weak now. Then again, I was only human and I never imagined a false 9-1-1 call would be my gateway to meeting new people in town. Especially since I had been half naked the night they showed up at my house.

A wave of relief quickly washed over me as I recalled the way Easton had blocked the door to my bedroom that night. No one else saw me in that vulnerable state thanks to his quick response to their footsteps on the stairs.

With a little less worry, I got Max out of the car and set him on the ground, then looked into the first bay. It was the only one open and there were people milling about, not paying my arrival any mind. Grabbing Max’s hand, I started walking, not sure if I should go toward the bay, or toward the front door.

The wind blew and I used my free hand to gather my hair and pull it to the side, away from my eyes. By the time I had it settled, I saw Easton step to the edge of the bay with his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face. He was watching me approach, waiting patiently.

He was in a basic blue uniform with straight pants and a T-shirt that hugged tightly around his biceps. His hair looked perfectly coiffed, and the pair of Ray Bans on his eyes almost made it look like he had stepped out of a magazine.

“You’re here,” he announced as if surprised I showed up.

“I’ll never let Max down,” I assured him, not wanting to mention that I had kind of been looking forward to his silly questions.

“I have no doubt.” He reached out and took the hand that wasn’t holding onto Max. He gently encased it into his, as if we were on a date, and guided me into the bay. Max followed along quietly, his little eyes taking in the site before him.

“Fire truck!” He screamed, getting the attention of everyone else. “Fire truck!”

Easton kept hold of my hand but knelt down, placing his other hand out for Max. To my surprise, Max let go of my hand and took Easton’s while pointing to the fire truck.

“You wanna sit in the truck?” Easton asked Max, with just as much excitement as my happy toddler.

I didn’t expect Max to speak, but when he started chanting, “Yes!” I held a hand over my heart and smiled.

Easton opened the door, then turned back to reach for Max, who willingly leapt into Easton’s arms. That time, I gasped a little, and Easton settled Max on his side before putting him in the driver’s seat.

“Is this okay?” Easton asked with concern while holding tightly to a very eager Max.

“Of course,” I nodded, barely able to get my words out.

Max had taken to Easton quickly, and even though I knew it was because Easton was a firefighter, it was still a shock. He had spent every morning that week with Ms. Ellison and me while we had coffee, and he still wouldn’t look at her. The list of people he had spoken to could be counted on one hand. Letting them hold him was next level, and I was feeling even better about bringing him to Harmony Haven.

Easton placed Max into the driver’s seat and climbed up on the step so he could show him all the buttons. My three-year-old was enthralled with everything Easton showed him, paying attention and nodding as if he understood. He also wanted to touch everything and laughed when Easton indulged him with the siren. When I pulled my phone out and insisted on a picture, he smiled big with a fire helmet balancing on his head.

Max shook his head adamantly, not wanting to leave the truck when it was time, and I was scared he would have a meltdown. But Easton was ready and handled him like it wasn’t his first time being around a precocious three year old.

“Yo,” Easton laughed, grabbing the helmet from Max’s head. “Buddy we have more to see. We can’t stay here all day.”

“Okay,” Max agreed, with only a slight pout.

Easton lifted him from the truck while I tried to hide how emotional I had become. Easton would never be able to understand the emotions of a mother that had dedicated her life to her son. He wouldn’t be able to relate to how remarkable it was to see Max blooming right before my eyes.

While I got myself together, Easton had carried Max into the building, and I was supposed to follow them. But I stopped when I heard someone approach from behind the truck.

“Hey there,” a female voice purred.

“Hi.” I smiled, noticing the blonde in the same uniform as Easton. Her hair was up in a high ponytail, and she swung it side to side as she approached.

“I’m Rory.”

“Jesse,” I nodded, reaching for her outstretched hand and shaking it. “Nice to meet you.”

“Yeah,” she laughed gruffly, without returning the sentiment. “The new girl in town wasted no time going after a Brooks brother, I see.”

My head snapped back so abruptly, I was tempted to get checked out for whiplash. Somehow, I had been under the impression that the woman approaching me would be friendly. Instead, she threw out a comment that I didn’t understand, nor did I take too kindly to.

“Excuse me?” I immediately didn’t like Rory, and I wanted to grab Max and leave just to avoid any confrontation that was undoubtedly coming.

“Whoa,” Rory held her hands up in surrender. “That definitely came out wrong.”

“Not sure how else I could interpret what you just said,” I bit out, crossing my arms to assure her I was pissed.

“There’s not one female in this town that wouldn’t kill to snag one of the Brooks brothers. It was supposed to be a joke, that’s all. Ya know, just another woman throwing herself at?—”

“I assure you,” I cut her off, “that I have no idea what a ‘Brooks brother’ even is, or means. Easton offered to show my son the station and that is the only reason I’m here.”

“I really am sorry,” Rory laughed, which made her apology seem disingenuous. “You’re in that dress, your hair is perfect. It was easy to assume.”

There was no way I was going to express any forgiveness. She may have meant it as a joke, but I took it as a snide remark, and my perception was my reality. Even her compliments were backhanded and rude .

“Easton Brooks is the kinda guy that breaks the heart of every woman he walks past. He’s broken mine once, and the sad part is, I’d let him do it again,” Rory huffed. “You officially hate me because I’m bad at jokes, but the truth is, if you’re here with Easton, I’ll never see you again anyway.”