Page 45 of Burning Skies
“No shit. Me too.” We both laugh.
This is good. I can focus on work. Who needs a girlfriend anyway? I’ve got a list a mile long of things I need to do at the ranch. I still haven’t started demoing my bathroom.
But first, I have to show up at the high school Halloween event. When I get there that evening, Chief O’Neill nods at me. “Sorry to call you in on your day off, Beau. Appreciate you stopping by.”
“Not a problem. Happy to help.” I get to play firefighter, entertain kids, and hopefully do a little trick-or-treating with my niece and nephews. It’s all good.
He glances around, like he’s looking for someone. “There’s a kid from the school newspaper who wants photos, so tell everyone to round up by the truck in ten.”
“Yes, sir.”
After we take that group photo, I greet parents and their little ones, who want to look at the truck. I explain what we do and let them flip on the lights.
“Uncle Beau!” Austin screams and races up to me.
I lift him into the air and spin him around. When I put him back on the ground, I scruff his hair. “Great costume, buddy.”
“Thanks. Mommy made it for me.”
I smile. He just started calling Paige “Mommy.” I know that means a lot to her. “You make an excellent Tin Man.”
My sister-in-law, who’s dressed as Dorothy, walks up with Gabe, who’s the Scarecrow. Rhett’s the Cowardly Lion, and he’s carrying Ella, who’s dressed like Toto.
“Y’all look fantastic. Let me get a photo.” I gather my family and take a few pics. “Paige, you’re freakishly talented.” She’s a sewing wizard.
She laughs. “Thank you. This was fun.”
Austin tugs on my arm. “Let’s go inside.”
We trick-or-treat down a long hall. Each room has a different theme. One has spiders everywhere. Another has zombies. One is decorated like a spooky cemetery. My niece and nephews have a blast.
Unable to help myself, I keep looking for a hot little blonde, but never spot Honey. It’s probably better this way.
Because she’s right. Our families hate each other. While my brothers are fine with her, I’m pretty sure her father would lose his shit if he found out she and I so much as talked.
After about an hour, the chief gathers the firefighters together one last time. “Just want to remind everyone about the car wash tomorrow, which will hopefully get us some new turnout gear. Sorry we had to schedule it right after the Halloween party.”
I nod. “No problem, Chief. We’re happy to help.”
I’m about to head for my truck when a fire alarm goes off inside.
Another fucking fire alarm at the high school? What’s going on?
Damn it. All the little kids are in the building. My co-workers and I spring into action. I might not be on duty, but my family’s in there. Hell, Honey is too.
With my heart in my throat, I race inside. It’s chaos. Kids arescreaming, and parents are freaking out. Loving and I prop open the front doors, and I yell, “Please walk to the exit. There’s no need to run. The fire department is already here.”
I spot my brother, who’s carrying Gabe and Ella. Paige is carrying Austin. “Are y’all okay?”
Rhett nods. “I smelled smoke down that back hall. I would’ve helped, but I wanted to get these guys out.”
“That’s the right thing to do. We can handle this.” The fire alarm is really loud, and I can see the fear in Austin’s eyes. I lean down to him. “Everything will be okay, buddy. Go home and enjoy some candy.”
He nods and reaches out to hug me. Love this kid.
Rhett pats my back. “Be careful.”
As they walk away, Paige yells, “Call us when you get home!”
