Page 27 of Too Old for Love

“You know better than anyone that the law requires communities with a certain population to have a fire department. Now, we know you’re considering retirement soon so we thought we’d be the first to request that you live out here permanently, you and Everest, and become our Fire Chief,” said Hex.

“Now, you’d have help,” said Nine. “We’d certainly assign other men but you’d be responsible for everything. Safety equipment, extinguishers, all of the buildings on the property, everything. Fair pay, cottage, food, all of it.”

“That sounds amazing,” said Everest. “You’d be in charge of all of it.”

“I won’t do it unless you agree.”

“Agree?” she frowned.

“Agree to be my wife and live here with me. Marry me, Everest. Marry me and live here for the rest of our lives.”

She was utterly shocked as the four older men chuckled. Gaspar stepped forward and took a seat in the rocker.

“Everest, I’m about to tell you a story and for that, I’m going to need a little help.”

After the glittering, shimmering gold ghosts appeared, the stories of animals, people talking to animals, an alligator licking her calf, and a pond keeping everyone young, Everest sincerely believed it to be a joke.

But when a male lion sauntered by the cottage and gave a slight roar and then a chuff to the men as they nodded back, she knew she’d lost her mind.

“Honey?” said Mike.

“I’m awake. I know I’m awake because my heart is beating so fast I might drop right here. I can feel the rain and breeze and I can certainly see the ghosts that aren’t really ghosts at all because I can touch them.”

“We are ghosts my child,” said Matthew smiling at her. “We’re just ghosts with a little something special.”

“If nothing else, this explains why everyone here is so beautiful and so handsome. Why all of you are positively amazing.”

“I don’t know if we explain that,” laughed Irene, “although I like to believe we had somethin’ to do with it. You’re a good woman, Everest. We’ve been keepin’ an eye on our Mike for a while. We knew he’d be part of the family sooner or later.”

“We’ll let y’all talk about it,” said Luke as he turned to leave.

“No!” said Everest. “No, I won’t question any of this again. Ever. I won’t question Mike or his intentions. I’m going to trust my gut which usually isn’t wrong. I love you too, Mike. I think I have since the moment you pulled me from the elevator.

“I don’t care how old I am or how old you are. I care that I’m happier than I’ve been in a long, long time.”

“That’s my girl,” smiled Mike. “Mama Irene, I could sure use some help with a ring and planning a wedding.”

“I got ‘ya baby, don’t worry.” While they laughed, hugged and celebrated, Everest stood and stared at Luke.

“I know it can’t be me to do this but I think I have an idea.”

“I’m not going to like this am I?” said Mike. Everest only smirked.

“Probably not.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“No. No way,” said Mike shaking his head.

“I didn’t suggest that I would go,” smiled Everest. “He would recognize me and so would the women if they’re present. I was speaking with some others. Mila, Addie, Piper, and Lucia. They were all former federal agents or police officers and are clearly capable women.”

“Well, there’s no denying that,” said Eric, “but I doubt if their husbands would be happy about sending them into a male strip club.”

“Unless they worked at the strip club,” smiled Piper. Rory stood behind her frowning but he couldn’t deny it might be a good idea.

“Babe, as much as I love that you love my body, I’m a bit old to strip in a club,” said Rory in a husky voice.

“Nonsense!” said Everest. “If you look at their webpage you’ll see that they have two strippers who have snow-white hair and aren’t half as physically fit as you are. Women go in there because they want variety and I’m certain that Samantha and Abigail would be the same way.