Flirting with the Mountain Man (Rosewood Ridge Fire #6)

Epilogue

TYLER

“ Can you take these hot dogs to the kids?”

I aimed that question at Bianca’s dad, who’d just stepped over to the grill on the patio of our cabin in Sugarplum Farms. My top guys at the fire station were here for a cookout and they’d brought all their kids, which meant we had a crapload of people seated around the tables in the back yard.

“Can do,” Andy said. “I think your wife wanted another seltzer.”

I nodded. I’d been grilling out on the back patio for the better part of an hour, but I had the easy part of the job. My wife of nearly a decade was across the way, where she, Mina, Aurora, Simone, Ella, and Amber were making sure all the kids had food and that the younger kids weren’t throwing that food at each other.

“I’m done here.” I shut down the grill and leaned over to grab a beer from the cooler. “Want one?”

Andy smiled at me. “You know me.”

With a beer in one hand and the platter of hot dogs in the other, he headed over to the tables. After that brief health scare, Andy had checked out of the hospital with a clean bill of health. The doctor had given him a stern reminder to take care of himself, and I’d taken that advice seriously. Now I made sure my men took breaks and hydrated when they were at a scene for a while.

I grabbed a beer and flavored alcoholic seltzer and prepared to head straight to the table I was sharing with my wife and three other couples. As Rosewood Ridge’s longtime fire chief, I tried to stay serious in front of the guys. It was part of the professional front I put on. My volunteer crew had shrunk in recent years, but these guys were the heart and soul of the operation. Without them, I couldn’t keep this town safe.

I scanned the group, appreciating the friends we’d made in this town. Our kids were growing up together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Even my father-in-law, who’d been a little miffed at first that I was dating his daughter but had quickly warmed up to me, had become a guy I couldn’t imagine living without. All of these people were family.

My eyes met my wife’s across the group and I felt that jolt of warmth that happened every time I looked at her. I couldn’t believe I’d gone thirty-five years of my life without knowing her. At least I wouldn’t have to spend a single day of the rest of my life without her.

We met at the table, settling into our seats and digging into our food. The hot dogs had gotten a little cold while we finished taking care of everyone else, but we didn’t mind. We were both helpers.

“Best staycation ever,” Bianca said after swallowing a generous bite of hot dog. “I’m so glad you talked me into it.”

“You know you don’t have to work if you don’t want to,” I said.

I told her that all the time. Her job stressed her out, but she loved it. If it made her happy, it made me happy. And it made our three boys happy too.

We’d gotten pregnant with our first son only a few weeks after getting married, which had been only a few months after meeting. Our other two sons had come in rapid succession, with about two years between each of them. They were a handful, but we wouldn’t trade them for anything.

“What do you think, Chief?” Grayson asked.

His question pulled me out of my thoughts. I frowned, looking at his wife, Simone, and the other couple, Nash and Aurora, in the hopes that I’d find some clue as to what I’d missed.

“He won’t do it,” Bianca said. “He’s been asked numerous times.”

“What’s that?” I finally had to ask.

“They want to know if you’ll pose for the firefighter calendar this year,” Bianca said.

Oh yeah. That. I had no interest in it. Not today, not last year, not next year…never.

“I’ll do it when your dad does it,” I told Bianca.

She smiled. “Dad’s great, but he’s not exactly pinup material.”

“Hey, your father’s a good-looking guy,” Grayson said. “Plus, older residents need eye candy too.”

“Good point,” I said.

“Not a good point.” Bianca took a swig of seltzer and set the bottle down before speaking. “My dad is not posing shirtless for a firefighter calendar. No way.”

“Then I don’t have to do it either,” I said with a smile. “Problem solved.”

“I’ll bet you all fifty bucks that I can talk him into it,” Nash said. “Hold on. I’ll be right back.”

It wouldn’t work. I was sure of it. So sure that I shifted the conversation to something else. We were deep in that discussion when Nash returned.

“He’s in,” Nash said as he plopped back down on his seat. “Looks like you all owe me fifty bucks.”

“We didn’t agree to a bet,” Grayson said. “But Tyler here did agree to pose if Andy does it.”

Ugh. What the hell had I gotten myself into? And how did I get myself out of it?

“We’ll make it tasteful,” Bianca said. “We’ll see if they’ll let you wear your shirt.”

“That’ll work,” Nash said.

Somehow, I had a feeling these people were going to talk me into this. I didn’t mind, though. In fact, if it helped the fire department, I’d do it. I should’ve agreed to it a long time ago.

“Okay,” I said. “We’ll figure it out. Now, can I enjoy my meal?”

There was laughter all around as Grayson shifted the conversation to having us all over for dinner. His lasagna wouldn’t cover the large group we had here, but it’d been a while since he’d had me and Bianca over, and I’d be fine with just the group at this table for a quieter evening.

Well, as quiet as an evening could get when all three couples had kids.

At one point during the conversation, Bianca reached over and gently squeezed my leg, sending heat straight to my cock. Yeah, the two of us were going to have to get some alone time. Soon. Maybe we’d even stop by the fire station and revisit our first time in the fire truck. I still got hot just thinking about it.

I had found the love of my life in the middle of a horrible fire. I thanked my lucky stars every single day. And with so many great friends surrounding me, I felt like the luckiest guy alive.

If I had to pose for a calendar to make everyone happy, who was I to resist?