A Hayden Falls Christmas by Debbie Hyde

Author:Debbie Hyde [Hyde, Debbie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

__________

Luke

Christmas was magical. It was the first one where I had a girlfriend. Seeing Riley happy still has me floating on cloud nine. Mom and Grandma had fallen in love with Riley weeks ago. Well, Mom has loved her since we were kids. I’m just glad she came back to us.

It was nice seeing my brothers soften and warm up to Riley. They now know she has fallen for me just as I have for her. She left, she came back, and she’s staying. I’m one lucky man.

The call Riley got from Quinn yesterday has me worried. She’s worried too, but she’s trying to hide it. Ian Anderson owns her grandparents’ house, but as far as I know, Quinn is the only person in town to meet the man.

Riley was surprised to learn that she had a cousin. She didn’t even know she had an uncle. Family secrets run deep sometimes. Maybe Ian was just as surprised to learn about her and wants to meet his family. I hope so, anyway. He best not come in here and start trouble with her. I’ll turn half this town on him if he does. Riley is one of us, and we protect our own in Hayden Falls. Of course, we fight amongst ourselves, but all small towns do.

My meeting with the Chief has me a little on edge. I don’t know what this is about. I’ve been following the rules. I had a chance to stand up and punch Roman in the face on Christmas Eve, but I didn’t take it. Whatever the Chief thinks I’ve done, I’m fighting it. I’m not taking reprimand duty for something I haven’t done.

The Chief’s office door is open. I lightly tap on it. Chief Foster is on the phone. He motions me inside, so I step in and close the door. My nerves rise a little more as I take a seat and wait.

Chief hangs up the phone. “Thanks for helping out this morning.”

“Not a problem.”

My family helped with the Christmas party. After the party, I drove Riley to the inn. She and Sammie had a lot of fun handing out gifts to the kids. She fits right in with my firefighting family just as she does with my actual family.

“I have a program I want to talk with you about.” The Chief wiggles the mouse to wake up his computer.

“Look, Chief. I haven’t done anything. I’m not taking reprimand duty again.” If he makes me do it, I’ll have no choice, but I’m not doing it quietly this time.

“You’re not in trouble.” The Chief chuckles. “I need your help with some training programs.”

Now training programs, I don’t mind helping him with those. I’d rather train than do field trip tours. Showing kids the fire station is cool when it’s a couple of kids. An entire classroom scares me. The little ones ask too many questions.

“What type of training are we talking about?” I’ve seen nothing on the schedule lately. Still, it’s good for us to stay on our toes.

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