Page 32 of Fire and Rain
It was a sunny, warm day, the sky clear and blue. A bald eagle soared overhead, looking for a meal. From somewhere nearby came children’s laughter.
Even before he reached the firehouse, Sean could see they were ready for Maverick. The big cherry-picker sat outside, gleaming red in the sunlight, balloons in the Coast Guard colors tied to the driver side mirror. He found himself smiling as he imagined Maverick’s reaction.
Fietwuck! Fietwuck!
Sean arrived a few minutes early and found Lt. Mitchell on the far side of the cherry-picker, wearing his ODU ball cap, his eyes hidden behind gold aviator-style Ray-Bans. He was talking with one of his crew. Sean waited until the conversation ended and then shook Mitchell’s hand. “Thanks for hosting this today. It’s going to mean a lot to Maverick.”
And his mother.
“Hey, we’re happy to do it. The Coast Guard is a big family. When I think about that boy never knowing his father, it really gets me. We’ll do what we can to help keep his father’s memory alive.”
“You went all out. The balloons are a nice touch.”
“We’ve got more in store for him than balloons.” Lt. Mitchell looked past Sean. “I think they’re here.”
Sean turned to see Eden park her SUV, ignoring the way his pulse picked up a notch. Then she stepped out of the vehicle—and Sean stared.
Damn.
Eden wore a sleeveless sundress in hot pink, its neckline dangerously low, the hem well above her knees, sandals with heels on her feet. She smiled and waved to Sean before opening the rear door to get Maverick out of his car seat.
Against his will, Sean’s gaze fixed on the sweet curves of her ass as she bent over, the hem of her dress creeping perilously high. When she stood upright again, she had Maverick in her arms. She pointed to the cherry-picker, said something to him.
Sean managed to unroot himself from the place where he’d stood staring, and walked to meet them, focusing on the boy. “Hey, buddy.”
Maverick smiled at him, pointed. “Sawn, Fietwuck!”
Eden smiled. “I told you he could say your name.”
“So, you weren’t lying after all.” Sean was amazed at how calm he sounded. “That’s right, little man. Today, you get to see the big firetruck.”
Eden stepped toward him, standing so close now that he could smell the clean scent of her skin. “Thanks for doing this, Sean.”
“You don’t need to thank me, Eden. I was happy to set it up.” He took Maverick from her, lifted the boy onto his shoulders. “Let’s go see the firetruck.”
Not only did Maverick get to see the firetruck, but he also got to climb inside it and go for a ride around the area in front of the firehouse, sirens blaring. Then Lt. Mitchell put him in a tiny harness, clipped the two of them into the basket of the cherry-picker, and had his crew extend it so that Maverick rose high in the air.
Eden waved up at him. “Hi, Maverick! Look at you!”
Sean took out his phone and snapped a few photos of mother waving to son and then a few shots of Maverick, zooming in to get the delighted expression on the boy’s face. “That’s a toddler living his best life.”
When Maverick was on the ground again, the fire crew gathered around him, some wearing ODUs, others in turnout pants.
“This is for a brave boy who loves firetrucks.” Lt. Mitchell handed Maverick a brightly wrapped gift.
Maverick looked up at Eden, confused.
“Go ahead, Maverick. It’s for you. Open it.”
Maverick plopped down onto his bottom and tore into the wrapping paper to reveal a little Coast Guard firefighter uniform, complete with helmet. His face lit up, and he held it up for his mother to see. “See, Mommy?”
Sean saw tears in Eden’s eyes and had to swallow the lump in his throat.
She smiled, blinked the tears away, helped him settle the helmet on his little head. “Look at you, buddy!”
Then she turned to Lt. Mitchell and his crew. “Thank you for this. It means so much to me—and you can see how happy you’ve made Maverick.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am. It was our honor to have you and your son here today.” Lt. Mitchell turned to one of his crew. “Grab the balloons.”
