Libby's Fireman (2 page)

Libby considered for a minute and then
nodded. “Okay, but when I get bigger, I’m going to climb the trees
again.”

Jack smiled. “I don’t doubt that for one
second.” He stood up and ruffled her hair.

Libby skipped over to her mom. “I won’t
climb no more, mommy. Not until I get big.”

Jack walked over to Miss Fields. “Everything
seems to be back to normal. We’ll get out of your way.”

Miss Fields stuck her hand out. “I’m so
sorry that you had to come over here for no reason.”

Jack shook her hand and smiled. “No problem,
ma’am.” He headed for his truck, got in, smiled and shook his head
as he turned the key. That little girl was a handful, but damned if
she wasn’t the cutest kid he’d ever seen.

The mom—
Miss
Fields—wasn’t too bad,
either. Her wavy brown hair had highlights of red when the sun hit
it just right and brushed her shoulders. Her eyes were a rich
chocolate, which he just knew would sparkle when she smiled.

* * * *

The next day, Jack was finishing up the
dishes from lunch when the dispatch officer came around the corner.
“Jack, you have a call on line two. She says her name is…Libby?” He
gave Jack a grin before disappearing back around the corner.

Jack frowned. He only knew one Libby, and
she was six years old. Why would she be calling? He walked to the
nearest phone and hit line two. “Hello?”

“Jack, this is Libby. Do you remember me?
You catched my Barbie yesterday.”

“I do remember you, Libby. And I remember
your Barbie. Is something wrong, honey?” he asked, with his brow
still furrowed.

“No. Can you come play with me? You said you
liked to climb trees. Could you see if my horse can fly? He has
wings like Barbie…” Her soft voice trailed off.

Jack was grinning. “I would love to come
play with you. I have to work for a little while longer, but when
I’m done I can come over. Will it be okay with your mom?”

Libby squealed. “It’s okay with my mom. I
already asked her. I’ll see you in a little bit, Jack!” Libby hung
up before Jack could say another word.

* * * *

Jack climbed into his truck when his shift
was over. He’d had some time to think about the phone call from
Libby, and he thought he had a plan. He drove the truck toward the
hardware store before he went to meet Libby.

Jack pulled in the Fields’ driveway, and
shut off the truck. He started around to the back when Libby came
running out. “Jack!”

Then he had arms full of squealing little
girl. He propped her on his hip while he pointed to the bed of his
truck. “I brought you something.”

Libby leaned over and looked. She scrunched
up her face and looked at Jack. “What is it?”

“How would you like a little playhouse out
back? We’ll put a window in, so you can check all your people and
animals for flying. How does that sound?” Jack grinned at her while
he watched her mind work.

“You’re going to build me a playhouse?” She
threw her arms around Jack’s neck and hugged him tight. “You are my
bestest friend ever, Jack.”

Jack laughed and hugged her back. “Now, I
won’t be able to finish it tonight, but I have a couple of my
friends from the fire station coming tomorrow morning to put it up,
okay?”

Libby nodded. “Okay! Can I help?” Libby
squirmed to get down, then took Jack’s hand. “Mommy made us a
snack.”

Jack followed Libby to the front door. He
stepped inside, letting her drag him through the house. When they
reached the kitchen, Libby’s mom had her back turned while she
prepared something on the counter.

“I hope you like macaroni and…” Her voice
trailed off when she turned around and saw Jack with Libby. Jack
could see the surprise on her face. Evidently, Libby hadn’t told
her mom that Jack was coming.

Jack’s gaze never left her face. She wasn’t
exactly beautiful, but more cute in a high-school-sweetheart kind
of way. Her hair was tied back in a pony-tail, leaving the whole of
her face open to him. He watched as her face flushed in what he
assumed was embarrassment. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I don’t want to
intrude. I’ll just go.”

Jack tried to pull his hand from Libby’s,
but she was having none of it. He tore his gaze from Libby’s mom to
look down. Libby was looking back up at him with big eyes that he
was sure were about to fill with tears. “You can’t go! We haven’t
played yet!”

Libby turned to look at her mom. “Mommy,
please! You said I could have a friend over. Jack’s my friend!”

Libby’s mom approached them and stuck out
her hand. “I guess you might as well call me Tara. I hope you like
macaroni and cheese.” Tara smiled at him.

Jack flashed her a crooked grin and shook
her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Tara—and mac and cheese is one of
my favorites.”

* * * *

Jack stayed for dinner, laughing and getting
to know Tara and Libby. After dinner, he took Libby outside and
played with her until just past dark. Libby held up her jar of
lightening bugs to Jack. “Do you want to take them home?”

Jack shook his head. “I think you should
keep them. I’ll come by and visit them tomorrow, when the guys come
over to help me build your playhouse.”

Libby beamed up at him, gripping his shirt
and tugging. Jack bent over and Libby kissed his cheek. “Thank you,
Jack.”

The next morning, Tara heard Jack pull into
her driveway. She went to peek out of the bedroom window.
He’s
so hot.
He was six foot if he was an inch. And his hair was
short and dark. She’d seen his smile the day they visited the fire
station. It was a panty-dampening smile that would have any woman
staring. She watched as he walked to the truck that had pulled in
behind his. The two men shook hands and Jack gestured toward the
back yard.

The two men were walking around the side of
the house when Libby went running out. She still had her pajamas
on, and her feet were bare. Tara watched as she launched herself
into Jack’s arms, hugging him tight.

Tara fell in love in that moment. Anyone who
could love Libby as much as Jack’s face was showing was someone she
wanted in their lives for a long time to come. As she walked up to
greet the men, she heard Libby talking to Jack. “Are you here to
build my playhouse? Who’s that?”

Jack’s voice was patient when he answered.
“This is my friend Hank. He’s going to help me build your
playhouse.” Jack looked at the other man. “Hank, this is my girl,
Libby.” Tara’s heart melted a little more.

Hank and Jack greeted Tara with a smile.
“Ma’am.” “Hi, Tara.”

“Hi, Jack.” She turned to Hank and stuck her
hand out. “It’s nice to meet you. Please, call me Tara.”

“It’s a pleasure, Tara. Your daughter's
adorable. It’s nice to link faces with the people Jack’s been going
on about.” He winked at her, grinning.

Tara blushed and smiled. “Thank you.” She
cleared her throat and looked between Hank and Jack. “I made a pot
of coffee. Would you guys like some?”

“Please, and thank you.” Hank answered.

“Thanks, Tara.” Jack set Libby back on her
feet. “I’ll help you bring it out.”

“Okay.” Tara turned for the house with Jack
following behind her. Tara walked to the cupboard and pulled out
three mugs. “If you want milk, it's in the fridge.”

While Jack’s back was turned, Tara let her
eyes roam over him. The man was built like the proverbial brick
shithouse. His broad shoulders and trim waist showed how well he
took care of himself. Tara licked her lips. Then there was his ass.
Oh boy, did he have a great ass.

Jack turned around and grinned at her. Tara
smiled back and turned to busy herself with pouring the coffee.
She’d just finished filling the third mug when she felt Jack’s
presence behind her. She turned around to find him crowding her
against the counter. Her eyes slowly slid up from his stomach to
his face. He wasn’t grinning anymore.

"Don't be frightened," he said. "I just want
to…steal a kiss."

Tara heard herself answer, "Okay."

At the first brush of Jack’s lips against
hers, Tara sucked in a breath. Her eyes fluttered closed and she
leaned toward him. Jack must have taken that for the welcome it
was, because Tara felt his hands on her waist and then he was
kissing her, really kissing her.

Tara’s hands moved to Jack’s shoulders, her
fingers kneading the hard muscle there. Her lips parted, inviting
his tongue inside. He tasted of peppermint and man. She felt her
heart pound in her chest.

She was moving to press her body more firmly
against his when she heard Libby giggle. Abruptly, Tara pulled away
and stared up at Jack. “I, um, wow…” She smiled nervously and
looked toward the door. “I suppose we should get this coffee out to
your friend.”

“Tara,” Jack started. His hand lifted and
brushed her hair back from her cheek. “I’d like to take you out to
dinner. I want to get to know you and Libby better.”

Tara nodded. “Okay.”

Jack smiled. “I’ll pick you up about six,
and we can go get something to eat.”

Tara picked up two of the mugs and started
toward the door. Jack beat her to it and opened it for her. “Thank
you,” she murmured.

Jack and Hank got the playhouse built in no
time. Libby stayed close by except when Tara made her go inside to
get dressed up for her night out. When the playhouse was done,
Libby rushed inside, squealing. She rushed back outside, first
hugging Jack, then Hank. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It’s the
bestest playhouse ever!” She ran back inside the playhouse.

"I think she'll stay out of trees
hereafter," Hank laughed.

“I’d like to thank you, too," said Tara.
"This was very nice of you both.”

"No need to thank us, Tara. We were happy to
do it. And this way, maybe you can keep Libby from climbing
trees—for a while, anyway.” Jack smiled at Tara.

Hank nodded his agreement. “I can see why
Jack is so taken with your daughter. She’s a sweetheart.”

“Thank you, Hank. She is something else.”
All three of the adults laughed.

Jack arrived at Tara’s a few minutes before
six. He climbed from his truck, starting for the front door. He had
flowers in one hand and a doll in the other. He hoped Libby didn’t
already have this one. He lifted his hand to knock on the door,
waiting patiently for Tara to answer. When the door opened, Libby
was standing in the doorway. She had a pretty little sundress on,
and her hair tied back with a blue ribbon. He smiled at her. “Oh,
I’m sorry, miss. I must be at the wrong house. I’m looking for my
friend Libby. She’s about so high and likes to climb trees. Maybe
you know her.”

Libby giggled. “I’m Libby! Mommy! Jack’s
here!” Her little head cocked to the side as she looked at Jack.
“What’s in your hand?” She lifted up on her tippy-toes, trying to
peek into the bag in Jack’s hand.

Jack lifted the bag in his hand and looked
at it. “Hmmm…I don’t know. I wonder where this came from.” He stuck
the bag out to Libby. “Maybe you should look inside and check.”

Libby took the bag, happily. “Okay!” With a
turn, she darted into the living room and sat down on the floor,
dumping the bag out.

Jack followed her into the house and shut
the door behind him. He stood in the living room doorway and
watched Libby with a smile on his face.

Libby squealed and jumped up from the floor.
“Is this for me?” She bounced in front of him, with eyes dancing
with delight and a hopeful grin.

“Oh, no. That’s for your mommy. I brought
you flowers.” Jack couldn’t resist teasing her a little.

Libby’s nose turned up. “Mommy doesn’t like
dolls, Jack. And I don’t like flowers. But Mommy does!”

“Well, then, I suppose I could give the
flowers to your mommy. Do you know someone who would like that
doll? She’s going to need a good home.”

“Me! Me! I’ll take really good care of
her!”

Jack nodded. “Okay, then. She’s yours.”

Tara walked out of the bedroom, then.
“What’s all the squealing going on out here?” She smiled at Jack
and looked down at Libby.

“Jack brought you a doll, Mommy and he
brought me flowers. But I told him you don’t like dolls, so we
traded.” Libby beamed at her mom.

Jack chuckled and held the flowers out to
Tara. “Here you go. So, no dolls, huh?”

Tara laughed with him and shook her head.
“I’d rather have flowers. Thank you.” She took the flowers from
Jack. “They’re beautiful. I’ll go find a vase.” She disappeared
into the kitchen, returning a few minutes later.

“Are we ready to go?” Jack asked, looking
between Tara and Libby.

Libby was on the floor, tearing into the
doll’s packaging, bound and determined to get her out. “I’m hungry.
Mommy wouldn’t let me have a snack. She said I’d spoil my dinner.”
She popped up from the floor and looked down at the doll's package,
half opened.

Jack noticed where Libby was looking and
crouched down in front of Libby. “When we get back, I’ll help you
get your doll, okay?”

Libby nodded, smiling at Jack. “Okay.” She
slid her arms around Jack’s neck and he stood up with his arm
around her waist. “C’mon, Mommy. Jack’s taking us to eat
dinner.”

* * * *

Tara’s heart did a little flip seeing Libby
and Jack so comfortable with each other. She shook herself out of
her
awww
moment and smiled. “I’m ready. Let me grab my
purse.” She picked up the purse that was hanging over the back of
one of the dining room chairs.

The three of them walked out the front door
and over to Jack’s truck. After getting everyone settled, Jack
climbed in the driver’s side and started the engine. He backed out
of the driveway, steering the truck toward the pizza shop up the
road. He’d debated on where to take the girls for dinner, finally
settling on pizza. He figured it was a safe bet that Libby would
eat either pizza or spaghetti, while he and Tara could split a
pizza.