The Firefighter Daddy (12 page)

Katie didn't see her wipe her hand across her face, but Sarah did. Her mom had wanted a house full of children, and in this moment Sarah wished she could give them to her. She would make a great grandmother.

She shuffled into the back room. “A car is parking. It's Britney. I've got everything set up to do everyone's nails.”

“Good. We need an extra pair of hands.” Sarah headed to the front to greet her friend. As she opened the door, Colt's truck pulled up with Beth smiling from ear to ear.

The next hour sped by with Sarah fixing hair while Britney helped the seven girls find the perfect costume and then ran the photo booth, which was a big hit. Occasionally, Sarah found herself checking out the window for Liam's car. If she could have postponed the party for a few hours, she would have, so he could have been there the whole time.

Katie, dressed in a purple ball gown with a tiara on top of her brown curls, motioned Sarah to lean down. The six-year-old whispered into her ear, “I'm starving. When are we gonna eat the cake?”

Sarah had been trying to delay the opening of presents and the eating of the goodies until Liam showed up, but she couldn't much longer. “Give me fifteen minutes. Beth is getting her nails done and they need to dry. Mom is almost finished with Libby's hair.”

She dropped her head forward. “Okay.”

Katie trudged away until Madison waved her into the photo booth for a picture with Ellie and her. She perked up and hurried toward her big sister.

As soon as Libby was done, Nana assisted Britney to cram everyone into the booth for a group shot.

Sarah's mother joined her, watching the giggling girls juggle for a place. “The limousine is going to be here in forty-five minutes. We can't wait for Liam any longer.”

“When they're through in there, we'll open presents then have cake and ice cream. I've taken some pictures of the cake for Liam.”

“He's a good man.”

“Mom, don't—”

“I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. He just spent nearly three days fighting a fire to protect this town. That's a hero in my book.”

Her mother was right. Liam and the other firefighters often went above and beyond to do their jobs. She couldn't imagine how tired he would be. A flash of red out the front window caught her eye. On closer inspection, she grinned. “He's here. Just in the nick of time.”

Her mother and Britney herded the girls to the back room while Sarah hung back and greeted Liam at the door. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and make sure he was all right. She didn't, but it was hard not to.

A grin dimpled his sun-kissed cheeks. “I would have been here sooner, but I didn't have Madison's present. I had to swing by the house and retrieve it from my hiding place.”

“They just went in for presents and cake. Perfect timing. You'll get to see the results of an afternoon at the beauty shop.”

When Liam entered the back room, Madison spied him and cheered. As the other girls saw him, they did, too.

Libby approached him and embraced him. “You saved my house. Thank you.”

His grin grew as all of the kids group hugged him. He stood in the middle of a crowd of girls, his face flushed as though the wildfire had scorched his cheeks.

Madison tugged him toward a chair next to hers. “I'm opening my presents now and just wait until you see what Sarah's mom made me.”

While his niece tore into the first gift, Liam withdrew a small box from his pocket and put it with the others. He peered up at Sarah and winked.

Warmth flowed through her. He looked so capable and commanding in his navy pants and shirt with the fire department's emblem on it. The sight of him, exhausted but safe, caused her heartbeat to race.

He didn't give Madison his present until the end. When she ripped the paper off the box and lifted the lid, her mouth fell open. She held up the necklace for her friends to see. A gold heart-shaped locket dangled from the chain.

Her friends and Katie admired it while Madison leaned over and kissed Liam on the cheek. “I love it. Will you put it on me?”

Liam fumbled with the tiny clasp and finally tossed Sarah a look asking for help. She stepped in and, as he held his niece's hair up, she secured the necklace.

“It looks good with that dress. I hope you all are as hungry as I am.” Liam tossed a glance toward the table with the treats.

“That's such a cute cake, are you sure you want to cut it?” Libby asked Madison.

Immediately all the other girls insisted on a slice. After they sang “Happy Birthday” to Madison, she cut the first piece, then Sarah's mother took over.

When everyone was served, Sarah and Liam sat in the two dryer chairs with a clear view of the back room.

She savored a couple of bites of the chocolate cake. “Mom outdid herself on this one.”

“Mmm” was Liam's response as he shoveled another forkful into his mouth.

“You're hungry.”

“I worked nonstop cleaning up rather than taking a break, so I could get here in time. I didn't want to disappoint Madison.”

“Both of them are having fun. Nana even promised them she would do their nails once a week. It'll be good for her.”

“When I came in, your grandmother looked like she was having fun, too.”

“How are
you
doing?” she asked casually, although she hadn't felt that way the past few days. She'd worried about him and hadn't been able to even listen to the news reports. She cared more for Liam than she realized. Thankfully his nieces and work had kept her attention most of the time.

“Tired. Glad the grass fire has been put out and grateful to you for your help. When I first came here, all I had was my aunt, but then I became involved with the single dads' group and I rescued a special dog.” His golden-brown eyes gleamed. “With Aunt Betty's injury, it just shows me I need a backup plan if something happens.”

“Another grass fire? I hope not.”

“We need rain. I won't be surprised if we have more if it doesn't.”

“How do you do it? Mom said something about the fire jumping the highway and consuming the woods between the subdivision and the road. All I could think about was a wall of flames coming at you.”

He took her hand. “Fire can be unpredictable, but I've been trained well. Ultimately, I'm learning I have to put my life in the Lord's hands. I've seen Him do amazing things. Thankfully we managed to stop the fire before it took out the homes.”

The rough texture of his touch attested to the job he had handling hoses and other fire equipment. “I've taken for granted firefighters and police officers. I don't think we realize how often you put your lives on the line for us.”

He bent closer to her, his mouth hovering inches from hers.

Laughter drifted to her, and she pulled back, suddenly remembering seven little girls were nearby. “The limousine should be here soon.”

Liam straightened and peered out the front window. “It's been out there for the past five minutes.”

She rose and turned to look. “Why didn't you say something?”

“Because I was enjoying our talk.”

“Where are the girls going?”

“The pavilion at the park.” He shoved to his feet. “I'm so glad the air is starting to smell better. My backup plan would have been dinner at my house.” He strolled into the back room and said to the group, “I've got another surprise for the birthday girl and her guests. Are you ready to go to dinner?”

Cheers greeted his question.

Ten minutes later the trunk of the limo was full of Madison's presents and any belongings the other girls had. Sarah's mom and Nana were going to clean the salon then meet them at the pavilion.

On the short drive to the park, Liam leaned his head against the back cushion. Slowly his eyes began to close in the midst of constant chatter from the girls. When the limousine stopped, he rallied himself and climbed from the car followed by Sarah.

She stared at the pavilion draped in pink cloth and balloons and white streamers. Brandon and Colt, dressed up in tuxedos, waited at the opening. As the girls piled out of the limousine, their eyes huge, silence reigned for a moment before they all started talking at the same time. Madison led the stampede toward the pavilion.

Liam clasped Sarah's hand. “Ready for hamburgers and fries served from my niece's favorite restaurant?”

“This is wonderful. And I can't believe Brandon is here.”

“Me neither, but he'd told me he would do it last week. As we left the grass fire, I told him to go home and get some sleep. He said no. He was looking forward to doing something uplifting.” Liam started for the pavilion.

Sarah walked beside him, her heart melting at all the work he'd done for his niece. She knew it was time for her to deal with her grief, to move forward. She needed to say goodbye to Peter and to give her and Liam's relationship a chance.

* * *

His arms full of Madison's gifts, Liam entered his home, exhaustion he'd fought to hold at bay descending now that the birthday party was over. His nieces raced for the utility room to let the kittens out.

“Where do you want these?” Carrying some of the presents, Sarah stopped in the middle of the entry hall.

“In Madison's bedroom. Thanks for helping me bring them in. You should have let the limousine drop you off at your place. The girls could have helped me.”

“I left Gabe here. At the time I wasn't sure you'd be able to make the party. He's out back.”

“Okay. That must be why I hear the kitchen door slamming shut.” At that moment the black Lab bounded down the hallway toward them.

Sarah greeted her dog then made her way up the stairs to Madison's bedroom. Liam trailed behind her. This birthday party wouldn't have happened without Sarah. He was definitely falling for her. Would she be happy raising his two nieces? She would be a wonderful mother for the girls. Wow! Where were those thoughts coming from? He had plans for his future. Leaving Buffalo. Returning to Dallas, where he'd left behind thirty-five years of his life.

Deep in thought, he collided into Sarah in Madison's doorway. “Sorry. Wasn't paying attention.” Everything was happening too fast. He felt as if he'd held his breath underwater longer than he should. His mind spun with conflicting emotions.

Glancing over her shoulder, she smiled. “That's okay. I have those moments, too.” After placing the gifts on the bed, she returned to the hall with Liam and started for the staircase. “In your case, I'm surprised you're still standing upright. Why don't you go to bed, and I'll make sure the girls get to sleep at a reasonable hour?”

“I can't ask you to do that. You've put in a lot of overtime yourself. I can make it another hour or so. That is, if I can get the two to go to sleep.” He sank on the couch in the den.

“Both of them have had quite a day. Tell you what... I'll make you some coffee before I leave.”

“Thanks. I'd do it myself, but this couch's arms are locked around me and holding me hostage.”

Sarah chuckled and went to his kitchen. Soon she returned to the den, only to find him with his head against the back cushion, his eyes closed. She carefully set the mug on a coaster on the end table nearby then took the seat at the other end of the sofa. With a glance at her watch, she decided to stay and give the girls an hour before trying to round them up to bed and then she would go home.

Relaxing back, she thought about fixing a cup of coffee for herself but, like Liam, the comfort of the couch held her still. Slowly her eyelids slid closed and she gave in to the darkness...

Giggles and a cold nose nudging her hand pulled Sarah wide awake. She jolted up to find Madison, Katie and Gabe standing in front of her, the girls beaming.

“We wondered why no one told us to get ready for bed,” Madison said while Katie held her hand over her mouth and snickered.

“Go get your pajamas on,” Sarah whispered. “I'll come say good-night. We're letting your uncle sleep. He's had a long couple of days.”

As soon as the girls left, she stood and snatched his untouched coffee—now cold—and drank half of it. If they hadn't woken her, she might have been there for hours.

After tucking each girl into bed, Sarah shut their doors and commanded Gabe to sit in the entry hall while she went to wake up Liam.

She hovered over him and shook his shoulders. “Liam, you need to get up. I'm going home.”

Nothing.

She considered leaving him sleeping on the couch, but he didn't look very comfortable. When he did wake up, his muscles would ache. This time she raised her voice. “Liam. Liam,” she said, trying to rouse him.

Finally his eyes blinked open then closed again. She scanned the den for a blanket or something to throw over him. When she peered back at him, he stared at her. Recognition dawned on him as he straightened, raking his hand through his hair.

“How long have I been sleeping?”

“Almost two hours. Madison and Katie have gone to bed. I'm leaving now.”

He leaned forward, looking at the floor as though he was trying to figure out what she was saying. When he didn't say anything, she stepped back, turning to head to the front door.

He caught her hand and halted her escape. He pushed himself to his feet but swayed for a second.

Grabbing his upper arms, she steadied him.

“Can you make it to your room?”

“Sure. I need to check the house to make sure it's locked up. I knew I was exhausted but not this much. I learned as a firefighter to wake up quickly. We never know when a call will come in. I'll walk you to the door and lock up after you go.”

In the entry hall she turned to him to say good-night but no words came out. The intensity in his gaze captured her—as though he was really seeing her for the first time.

He cupped her face. “You're beautiful inside and out. Thank you for making this day so special for Madison.”