Page 21 of Fire and Rain
“You weren’t kidding when you said the rest of the town was in the parade.”
“We’re just getting started.”
A motorcycle club, engines revving. Moms with Mowers doing a choreographed routine. A local dog training school with a bunch of pups. A float for the Kodiak Area Native Association with Alutiiq dancers. The Maritime History Museum float. The Kodiak Military Museum float. That guy on the unicycle who came every year.
Bringing up the rear was the Coast Guard’s big fire engine with the cherry-picker.
Maverick was beside himself. He pointed. “Fietwuck!”
Sean turned to Eden. “I can arrange for him to come on base and see the engine. There’s no reason he can’t look at it close up and maybe climb inside.”
Eden’s heart constricted. “Justin was going to set that up.”
He’d never gotten the chance.
“I’ll handle it.”
“Thanks.” She smiled. “For a man who doesn’t want kids, you’re good with them.”
With the parade over, they walked back to Eden’s SUV, loaded up, and drove the short distance toward Kodiak Harbor.
Eden glanced over at Sean. “Now the real fun begins.”
“Bring it.”
* * *
Sean handedthe ride operator the required number of tickets, while Eden settled Maverick in what looked like a tiny cartoon helicopter. There weren’t many rides for tots on the midway, but this one was perfect for Maverick.
He smiled up at his mother. “I fwy copter! Daddy copter!”
“That’s right. You’re going to fly in a helicopter like Daddy.” Eden bent over the helicopter to buckle him in. “Don’t stand up, okay, Maverick? Hold on.”
The operator’s gaze lingered on Eden’s butt as if he were imagining what lay beneath her jeans, and Sean fought the urge to punch the bastard.
Chill out, man.
“You fly helicopters?” The operator’s breath reeked of cigarette smoke.
Sean didn’t feel like explaining his relationship to Eden or Maverick or sharing details of his job. “I’m a Coast Guard flight mech.”
“Cool, man.”
Eden finished buckling Maverick into his seat and came to stand on the other side of the fence beside Sean. The operator closed the gate and started the ride.
The flight of tiny helicopters and airplanes began to spin, carrying precious cargo in slow circles. Maverick let out a squeal of laughter that didn’t stop, his face bright with excitement. The other children were smiling and laughing, too, and Sean found himself wondering what it must be like to be at the age when everything was new.
Sean hadn’t spent much time around small children, but he had to admit there was nothing like that laughter. “You’ve got a little thrill-seeker on your hands.”
“Don’t I know it.” Eden took some photos with her phone. “I love seeing him so happy. I try not to cry in front of him. It’s been hard to be the mother he needs.”
“You’re too hard on yourself. From where I stand, you’re a hero.”
She looked up at him, doubt in her hazel eyes. “You really mean that?”
“Hell, yes, I do.”
“Thanks.”
