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  His boss, who not even a year ago made life so miserable for one of the men on Jacob’s shift, that the guy finally requested a transfer—all because of an overheard crude comment about his daughter. Chief Brady played by the rules of the union and their laws about seniority, but if he needed those rules bent for his own purposes, he wasn’t above stretching whatever lines he could—hence the reason his old coworker was now in Baton Rouge instead of Orchid Hill. No, offending Chief Brady wasn’t a good idea—and one of his firemen dating his only daughter was sure to be considered offensive, even if Jacob’s intentions were more honorable than his coworker’s lewd comment.

  Well, make that former intentions.

  Jacob leveled the hose at the truck tires, and mentally kicked himself for not connecting the dots sooner. He’d known the chief’s daughter’s name was Marissa, but since she obviously still went by her married last name, he had no reason to assume it was the same woman he’d taken out last night.

  Disappointment sucker punched Jacob’s stomach like a heavy fist. How was he going to help plan Olivia’s birthday party and host the Fireman’s Festival with Marissa, knowing he could look but never touch? Last night in the parking garage, he’d asked Marissa on a real date. Now he was going to have to forego on his word, something he hated to do, all because the world was much, much too small.

  Jacob drew a tight breath in an attempt to battle his frustration. “Okay, kill it.” He waited for Steve to shut off the water, but several moments passed and it continued to spew from the hose. “Steve! I said kill it.” If his coworker had gone back inside to catch the end of the soccer game on TV … Jacob’s frustration, combined with the heat of the sun beating down on his head and neck, boiled over and he stomped around the far end of the truck with the hose. “Steve! Where did—”

  He stopped short, nearly running into a pair of shiny black boots and starched white dress shirt, as the water continued to pour.

  Straight onto Fire Chief Brady.

  Jacob watched any chances of pursuing Marissa’s heart drip off the top of Chief’s hat and onto his pressed pants. “Chief Brady, I am so sorry. I didn’t see you.” He opened his mouth to apologize further but clamped it shut as the chief removed his wet black sunglasses.

  “I suppose that’s what I get for making a surprise visit.” He rubbed the lenses on his shirt, but they were so wet that it didn’t seem to help. He smiled, but in the afternoon sun it came across more as a grimace.

  Jacob suddenly realized the hose was still gushing water, now down the driveway toward the street. He quickly dropped it and jogged to the faucet on the side of the brick station. With a quick yank, he stopped the flow. The sudden quiet seemed overwhelming. Chief pointedly cleared his throat.

  “Let me get you a towel.” Jacob headed into the bay, mortification heating his neck hotter than the sunburn he could feel tingling the tips of his ears. A hand towel from the station kitchen wouldn’t do much good, but he couldn’t stand there staring at the chief’s undershirt beneath his uniform any longer.

  He snagged a towel and brought it to the chief, who had followed him to the front door of the station. Steve jumped off the couch and shut off the soccer game with a quick click of the remote control. Jacob shot him a glare. He owed Jacob—kitchen duty for a month, at least. Though, come to think of it, that might be more a punishment on Jacob’s part.

  Captain Walker breezed in from his office by the kitchen, did a double take at Chief Brady standing in the doorway patting his neck with a dish rag and raised his eyebrows at Jacob. Jacob shook his head.

  “Afternoon, Chief. What brings you by?” Captain Walker extended one arm to offer the chief access inside, then hesitated at the puddle forming by the older man’s boots on the concrete walk.

  Steve snorted back a laugh, and Jacob elbowed his ribs.

  “Come on in. My boys will handle the mess, don’t worry.” Captain Walker gestured to the chief, confusion puzzling his brow.

  “That’s all right. I need to get back and get a fresh uniform now.” Chief Brady handed over the wet towel. “I’m heading to each station to give notice in person that we’ve received more emails from locals upset about the layoffs.”

  Jacob’s back stiffened and he shifted his weight, hoping to hide the obvious frustration welling in his chest. Did the chief know Jacob by his full name? Would he immediately connect the fact that his brother was one of the firefighters let go?

  Or worse yet, that he had taken his daughter out to the Boardwalk last night? He swallowed.

  “Threatening emails?” Captain Walker rested one hand against the door frame. “Or angry citizens blowing smoke?”

  “Some of each. Let’s keep an eye out in case things get violent. If there’s any suspicious activity around the station, let me know immediately. One of our men’s personal vehicles at Station 3 was broken into last night, but Captain May seems to think it’s unrelated.”

  “What do you think?” The words jumped from Jacob’s lips before he could stop them, and he inwardly groaned at drawing attention to himself.

  Chief’s chin lifted a fraction, a typically intimidating pose but less effective with a soggy collar. “I’m keeping all options open.”

  Jacob nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  Captain Walker’s eyes narrowed at Jacob, then he turned back to the chief with a tight smile. “Are you sure you don’t want another towel? One for your car’s seat?”

  “I’ll manage.” Chief Brady lifted one hand in a wave before disappearing back down the driveway to the department vehicle parked on the curb.

  Captain shut the door with a solid thud. “Anyone care to explain why the chief is wet and a water hose is sprawled across the front lawn?”

  Steve pointed at Jacob, and Jacob brushed aside his hand. “That’s a long story, Captain.” He hesitated. “But the trucks are clean.”

  “So is Chief Brady’s bald spot.” Captain rubbed his temples with both fingers, then pointed at Jacob. “You. Outside. Clean up.” He pointed at Steve. “You. Kitchen. Clean up.”

  “Yes, sir.” Jacob and Steve spoke in unison as they headed in opposite directions. Grateful the chief had already driven away, Jacob began rolling the hose back onto the mounted holder. Threatening emails. A car broken into at work. Were the incidents related? Was someone seeking revenge for one of the laid off men? Of course it was wrong, but he could understand the anger behind it. Ryan had worked hard to provide for his family, put in all he had for a job he assumed would be his lifelong career and then bam. It was all taken away because of the mayor and city council’s lack of ability to properly manage city funds—all while they continued to drive their city-funded cars and received cost-of-living raises. It wasn’t fair, and while Jacob knew that life lesson all too well, it didn’t ease the pain he felt for his family.

  He tucked the end of the hose out of sight and wiped his damp hands on his pants, then stared down the street where the chief had just driven away. All the more reason to stay far away from Marissa Hawthorne. Jacob didn’t need any reason to upset Chief Brady or create an opportunity to lose his own job. If he did, how would Ryan and his family manage without his financial support? How would he manage?

  There was only one problem. Marissa Hawthorne was coming to his house Monday afternoon to check out his land for the festival, and unless she’d had as rough a weekend as his, she would probably be just as gorgeous as ever.

  Despite the tilt of her smile, the laughter in her Southern drawl, and the way her eyes shone when she talked about the things she loved—he couldn’t allow himself to fall one inch further than he’d already slipped.

  He climbed into the truck and inserted the key in the ignition, pausing to rest his forehead against the steering wheel. God, I thought she had come into my life for a reason—but I was obviously wrong. Help me get through this without messing it up for my family. He started the truck, then closed his eyes briefly. And if You could somehow have Chief Brady forget about the water hose incident today
, that’d be great.

  He checked the mirrors before inching his way into the bay, but all he saw was Marissa’s smile. He shook his head to clear it and backed up another few feet. Jacob already had one wet strike on his record now.

  He couldn’t risk a second.

  Chapter Five

  Monday morning brought fresh determination—and a little bit of despair. Marissa stared at her day planner and shook her head. Maybe she shouldn’t have agreed to the birthday party after all. She wanted to help, but how could she concentrate on glittery wands and princess snacks when she still had to arrange all the fundraiser vendors—both food and games—brainstorm craft projects for the kids, book an inflatable jumping booth, find volunteers from the church to man all the booths, order the tickets, find someone willing to stand in a tent all day and sell tickets …

  The hastily scribbled notes on the page of her planner blurred before Marissa’s tired eyes. Perhaps after she saw Jacob’s property this afternoon, some of the details would fall together in her head. It was hard to plan without being able to picture the space she had to work with. In the meantime, she should focus on the birthday party since that wasn’t depending on anything else. She shut the file and reached for the party folder just as the front door of Your Special Day swung open.

  “Good morning.” A short, curly-haired brunette stepped inside with a hesitant smile. “You’re open, right?”

  “Hi, there. Yes, I’m open.” Marissa glanced at the clock. Was it still early? Nope, it was nine-thirty—already. So far she’d accomplished nothing other than giving herself a mild stress headache. “How can I help you?” She folded her hands across the planner, hoping any event the woman wanted to plan would be at least a month away. She hated to turn away a new client.

  The brunette paused by the bookshelf of party theme books by the door and tilted her head to read the title on a spine. “I’m Liz Greene.” She looked up and gave a sheepish shrug. “You’re planning my daughter’s birthday party.”

  “You’re Jacob’s sister-in-law?” Marissa stood with a smile. “It’s so nice to meet you! Come sit down.” She gestured to the chair across from her desk. “I’ve already got some ideas I’d love to run by you.”

  Liz perched on the edge of the seat. “That sounds good. Jacob explained how bad he felt about the short notice.”

  “It’s no problem.” Marissa followed Liz’s gaze taking in the stacks of files on her desk. “Okay, so it’s a little bit of a problem, but honestly, I would have felt worse saying no. Especially after what your family is going through with the layoff.”

  “It’s been hard, to say the least. But we’re hanging in there.” Liz leaned back against the chair with a sigh. “It makes us get creative financially, that’s for sure.”

  “I can imagine.” Marissa tapped the folder on her desk. “I can’t do much, but I am planning the fireman’s fundraiser, and I’m also determined to make sure your daughter has one of the best birthdays she’s ever had.” Her earlier hesitations about the party fled at the grateful expression on Liz’s face. As a mom, Marissa could easily empathize. If she lost her job, of course she would still want Owen to be taken care of and enjoy his birthday. None of this was Liz’s fault. “Jacob agreed to my suggestion of a princess party. How does that sound?”

  “Perfect!” Liz relaxed in her chair, crossing her jeanclad legs. “Olivia is a sweet girl, very easy to please. I told Jacob he didn’t have to do this, that she’d be perfectly happy with some stickers and store-bought cupcakes, but he insisted.” Liz grinned. “He’s a good brother-in-law, even though he’s somewhat stubborn.”

  Marissa rolled in her lower lip but couldn’t keep the smile from her eyes.

  “You look as if you already knew that.” Liz raised a thin eyebrow.

  “That’s a long story.” Marissa waved one hand to change the subject, embarrassment flushing her neck. She couldn’t get all moony about Jacob in front of his family. No doubt it’d get back to Jacob, and then how would she come across? Not professional.

  Though, there was nothing professional about checking her cell phone every thirty minutes to make sure he hadn’t called to schedule their official date.

  “If you say so.” Liz’s eyebrow remained arched, but she changed the subject. “Well, listen, I don’t want to keep you, but I came to say thank you for agreeing to plan this party, and the fundraiser. It’s been amazing how the community has stepped up to help, and I want to give back. So, if you need extra help around here, please call me.”

  “Don’t be silly.” Marissa shook her head. “You’re one of the families the fundraiser is hoping to help. This whole thing is for you—and your husband.”

  “All the more reason why I should be involved and contribute.” Liz slid a card with her name and phone number across the desk to Marissa. “I mean it. I want to help.”

  Marissa tucked the card in the designated slot in her planner, her elbow accidentally catching one of the files on her desk. It wobbled precariously and Liz jumped from the chair to balance the stack.

  “You know what?” Marissa grinned. “I think I might take you up on that offer after all.”

  Marissa made the final turn onto Jacob’s street and flipped her visor down to shield her eyes from the sun. Beams of light spiraled between tall, leafy pine trees and streaked the dashboard with gold. She pulled into a long driveway and parked several yards back from a simple, pier-and-beams style house with a wraparound porch. The yard had been recently mowed, and the flower beds neatly tended. Of course the owner of a lawn service would have well-kept property—and judging by the land sprawling on each side of the house, business must be pretty good to afford this much acreage.

  She got out of her SUV and shut the door with her hip, turning a slow circle to take in the details of the land. The driveway seemed to split the property in half, which was perfect. There would be plenty of space on each side for a mini-carnival and a designated parking area for guests. It was laid out even better than she could have hoped.

  The screen door opened onto the porch, and Jacob stepped out, wearing jeans and a white T-shirt. He looked right at home in the casual wear, and she couldn’t contain the grin spreading across her face. “Hi, there.” It’d only been three days since their evening on the Boardwalk, but it felt like too long. Maybe this afternoon he’d make good on his invitation to plan a date. Anticipation simmered in Marissa’s stomach and she lifted her hand in a wave.

  “Afternoon.” Jacob made his way down the stairs toward the driveway, passing a fireman’s flag stuck in the corner of the flower bed. Her dad kept the same one in his front yard for years. Jacob must have been very proud of his brother to have one. Would he remove the flag now that his sibling had been laid off?

  “Did you find the place all right?” Jacob’s question jerked her from her thoughts.

  “Yes, your directions were great.” Marissa clenched her purse strap in one fist as he drew near, feeling silly now for not stopping at the house to change clothes first. She still wore her heels and dress pants from the office, and they were about to go on the equivalent of a hike. But she’d gladly wobble around on high heels for the chance to visit with Jacob. She’d even arranged for her mother to pick up Owen from school today, just so she wouldn’t have to rush. They had a lot to cover for the fundraiser, and if they ended up talking as much as they had last Friday, then she’d need all the time she could get.

  “Good.” He stopped several feet away from her and focused on a spot somewhere over her shoulder. She looked, but saw nothing worthy of his devoted attention. She turned back with a puzzled frown.

  “I saw your sister-in-law today.” Marissa stretched on tiptoe, angling sideways to try to catch his eye. “She came into the store.”

  “Liz did?” Jacob’s gaze collided with hers. “What did she say?”

  Marissa blinked rapidly at the clipped, nearly defensive words. “She said she was grateful for all you were doing for them, and all the community was doing. S
he offered to help me in the office with the grunt work, if I needed it.”

  “Oh, right. Yeah, Liz is nice like that.” Jacob shook his head as if clearing it. “Well, this is it.” He gestured to the property. “Think it will work?”

  The warmth from Friday night was missing in his voice, leaving a stilted, businesslike tone instead. What happened? Marissa crossed both arms in front of her chest, confused and more than a little defensive. “Yes, I think it will work well.”

  Jacob nodded, hands in his pockets now, his back stiff. Something was obviously wrong, judging by the tick in his jaw.

  Marissa brushed a piece of hair from her face that had come loose from her ponytail and faced him, holding one hand up to her eyes against the sun. “Is everything okay?”

  He nodded again.

  “Bad day?” That much was obvious, but maybe the acknowledgment would encourage him to explain.

  He opened his mouth, closed it, then said, “Why don’t we look at the area behind the house? I was thinking we should set up an arts and crafts area for the kids, and that might be a good spot.”

  He’d obviously rather talk about glue guns and glitter than whatever was bothering him, so Marissa bit back the argument on her tongue and followed him around the porch.

  “They could set up here.” He pointed toward the tree line. “Out of the way of foot traffic, but still easily accessible.”

  Marissa pulled out her pen and planner and made a notation. “Good idea. Thanks.”

  Thumbs hooked in his jeans pockets, Jacob looked off toward the red barn that sat about an acre back to the left. An open outbuilding beside the barn served as a covering for two trailers, probably the ones he carted his lawn mowers on. “So what else do you need?”

  Was he in that big of a hurry for her to leave? Frustration and confusion burned the back of her throat, and she found it difficult to meet his eyes. Not that he was giving her much chance of that anyway. Obviously, whatever expectations she had for her time with him today were far from accurate. She must have misunderstood his intentions Friday night. But he asked her out—officially, and almost nervously as if he had really hoped she’d agree. How else was that to be interpreted?