Page 6 of Christmas with Three Firemen

“Is that a problem?”

“We were told that you would arrive at five-thirty this evening.”

“I didn’t realize I’d be unwelcome any minute prior to that time,” I quip, not liking the sternness in his voice. This guy might be a captain of his crew, but he’s definitely not the boss of me.

His eyes narrow slightly. “We haven’t yet had the chance to prepare your living quarters.”

“Well, it’s not my bedtime yet, so I think I’ll be fine.”

“This is an active fire station,” Hale says.

“Yes, I noticed.”

His jaw tightens. At some wordless cue, Mateo retreats from my side and sinks back into the kitchen-lounge area.

“What I mean by that,” Hale continues, stepping closer, “is that my crew has a routine to follow and duties to perform. Your presence here, your investigation, and any associated surprises cannot interfere with station operations.”

I fight the urge to roll my eyes. This man can’t be that much older than me—a decade my senior, give or take—but he’s talking to me like I’m a child.

“I can’t imagine one civilian could possibly throw things off balance.”

“You should stay clear of active emergency scenes unless accompanied by an authorized individual,” he adds, ignoring my response.

“Investigators don’t require supervision.”

“Investigators in my fire station do.”

“Well, Captain, you and I both want the same thing, which is to ensure that your fire station is still standing come January, so maybe we can dabble in compromise.”

Captain Hale stares me down. I lift my chin and refuse to give any ground.

There’s a subtle shift in his expression, a weird flash of startled confusion that’s here and gone in a matter of seconds.

Then, without breaking eye contact with me, he barks, “Ruiz.”

Mateo comes hurrying back over immediately. “Cap?”

“Show Investigator Meadows to the mezzanine.”

“Happy to.”

The captain’s eyes flash to his crew member. “I’m sure you are.”

A few firefighters laugh in the background.

Then, his gaze returns to mine. “This station functions because everyone inside it follows the same rules. So, you follow my rules… or you leave my station.”

The words hang in the air between us, both a warning and an ultimatum. Or a challenge, perhaps.

I give him a polite smile. “Unfortunately for both of us, I can’t leave this station until my investigation is complete, but I appreciate the advice, Captain.”

He looks like he wants nothing more than to rise to my bait, and I almost wish that he would. I’d certainly be satisfied to have further proof that firefighters are just as susceptible to imperfection as every other human.

Instead, he nods once, mutters a stiff “pardon me,” and then shoulders past me and Mateo to enter the kitchen.

Chapter two

Chapter Two: Noelle