Page 13 of Single Mom's Firefighter SEALs
Not one to be seen gossiping, even though she knows everything that goes on in Moon Ridge, Mae simply nods, as if I’d told her about the weather forecast instead of acrime pattern, and turns to Elena. “You and T.J. are coming to my house. Let’s get you out of the cold.”
Elena opens her mouth to protest, but quickly realizes they can’t sleep in the house, and it needs to stay clear while I look for clues to help us find the person who did this.
“I don’t want to impose,” Elena says, but Mae ignores her.
“Hey, sweetheart,” she calls out to T.J. “You and your mom are coming to my place for a sleepover.”
“Why don’t you go warm up at Mae’s,” I tell Elena. “I’ll be here all day. Come back over after you get some rest.”
Still clutching Hopper tightly, T.J. says, “I don’t have shoes.” He sticks his feet out from under the blanket, wiggling his toes in oversize wool socks I also recognize from department supplies.
Before I can say anything about the availability of items in their house, Mae tells Elena and T.J. she has clothing from her grandkids on hand that will work in the short term.
Mae turns toward her car, but then pivots back to me. “Buck.”
“Yes, ma’am?”
She points her chin at the house. “You do whatever you need to do, and make sure no one walks off with what doesn’t belong to them.”
“Will do.” I’m half tempted to salute the formidable old woman.
Elena picks up T.J. to carry him to Mae’s car, and when he’s in her arms, resting his tired head onher shoulder, I’m hit with an overwhelming desire to hold Elena the same way she’s holding him, like she can keep the world out. I’m determined more than ever to protect both her and T.J. from whatever evil is taunting them, and when she gives me a small, weary smile before she goes, I realize this isn’t just about duty anymore.
CHAPTER 7
ELENA
“At least it’s Saturday,” Mae says. “Nowhere to be today, right?”
She’s no-nonsense in a way I appreciate more than ever. She only asks a couple of questions, and they’re focused on the present moment and our comfort rather than the sinister mystery that’s followed us to Moon Ridge.
At her home, which reminds me of a museum that was somehow made inviting and comfortable, she immediately draws a bath for T.J. and lays out clothing for him that’s close enough to his size to work.
He prefers showers, but when I tell him the bath will warm him up, he doesn’t protest. When I mention I’m going to give Hopper a bath, too, he almost looks panicked, and it breaks my heart to see him so shaken and in need of his stuffed friend for comfort.
“I’ll spot clean him for now, but he may need to go in the washing machine soon,” I tell T.J.
While he washes up, I get the smoke smell out of Hopper the best I can. Mae makes tea for me and a grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich for T.J., which she keeps warm in the pan until he comes out.
While he eats, I take a quick shower, and I’m pleased to find T.J. deep in conversation with Mae about his next LEGO project when I come out. He waves at me, and things feel almost normal.
Mae offers us two guest rooms that are side by side upstairs, but T.J. remains in the hallway, clinging to Hopper. “The bed in my room looks big,” I say. “Why don’t we both take a nap there?”
It’s been quite a while since T.J. has wanted to sleep in my bed, and I wish it were under better circumstances, but I savor the opportunity to hold my child close and listen to his breathing get slower.
I don’t expect to be able to sleep myself, but once I know he’s asleep, a weariness settles over me like a weighted blanket, and I drift off.
It’s after ten when I wake up. T.J.’s still sleeping soundly, so I ease out of the bed without disturbing him.
In the hallway, there’s a brown bag from the general store sitting right in front of my door, and inside, there’s a new pair of joggers and a Moon Ridge sweatshirt. As if Mae wasn’t already doing enough.
I’d been wearing a robe Mae gave me before I showered, but these new clothes will do much better.
After I change, I find her downstairs watering plants in her kitchen.
“Thank you for the clothes, Mae. I’ll pay you back.”
“You absolutely will not. Do they fit okay?” She gives me a once-over, then says, “Good.” After a beat, she adds, “Are you hungry, dear?”
