Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
“What are we gonna eat?” she asks me in an innocent tone, her hand sliding silently into my lap.
Stroking me to full attention.
“I think I’ve got something we can reheat,” I tease her.
She shares her little groan of interest as we hop on the interstate.
“You don’t mind eating the same thing every day?” she asks, looking up at me.
“I could eat the same thing three times a day and still want more,” I promise her.
And before she can say it, I tell her I love her.
“I love you, Bridget. Even if your parents are a little….”
“Weird?” she says, doing a perfect impression of her Mom, making us both laugh like children.
“Yeah. Weird,” I echo back.
“I love you too, Ash… And I’ll never forget,” she mews softly.
“Never forget what?” I ask.
“Never forget how you saved me. Never forget your promise.”
“To never let you go?” I ask, feeling a lump in my throat I know isn’t from talking so long today.
“‘Cause I never will, Bridget. Not even for one second,” I remind her.
And even though she’s asleep under my arm by the time we get home, I know she’ll want to stay up.
Sharing the same thing between us that will never get old and never spoil.
No matter how many times it’s reheated.
THREE MONTHS LATER
Bridget
I turned down the promotion the branch manager offered me. Even though it meant more money and I could even work from home.
I felt bad in the end, knowing Karen got fired, and suggested maybe she get her old job back. If she could work from home, that would ease a lot of tension in the office. Plus, if it wasn’t for her leaving the fire drill all up to me, I would never have been out on that ledge.
I might never have even met Ash.
The thought makes me shudder as I adjust my dress for the tenth time, telling myself it’s just all the country food Ash has been feeding me, but I think we both know I’m eating for two now.
Even though he still uses the ‘trying for a baby’ angle every time he wants to make love. Not that he needs to ask, we can barely keep our hands off each other, and I can’t believe it’s only been a few months already.
It already feels like we’ve spent a lifetime together.
Naomi wasn’t just babbling with hysteria about me being the hero that day of the fire, either.
She made sure that the application for some sort of bravery award was submitted to the city, and once Ash got wind of it through his chief….
Well. Here we are.
City Hall, and I’m wearing the dress Ash insisted I have made for the occasion.
A white, open-back satin thing. With more lace on it than I’d like. But like anything to do with me, he only grunts the word ‘perfect’ every time he sat through me having it fitted and then refitted.
“It’s an award, Ash.” I reminded him. “Not like I’m getting married in the damned thing.”
But having received so many bravery citations himself, he’s taking my own deadly serious. Even arranging a private car to pick us up and drop us off after the award ceremony.
He’s even made sure both my parents will be there.
How embarrassing.
It’s all a bit exciting until we actually reach City Hall. But I figure there’s no need to panic.
There must be something else big going on today. Limos and cars stretching back a whole block….
I quiz Ash on it once our car stops right out front, a white carpet leading up the huge marble steps with what must be a couple hundred people inside.
Must be something else… but should we really stop here?
I figured the award would be some certificate and a handshake in the Mayor’s office or something.
Whatever else is going on has nothing to do with me.
Or so I thought.
“This is us,” Ash says, sounding more nervous than I’ve ever seen him.
He’s had a new suit tailor-made, and although he fills it perfectly, I’m still thinking we’re both a little overdressed for the occasion.
But a bravery award is what I’m getting, and I figure all firefighters take the whole thing very seriously, so I play along.
A few other people get bravery awards, which takes some of the pressure off. And by the looks of the program we’re handed when we check in, I’ll be last.
“You okay?” Ash asks. “Need the bathroom again?” he says, his teeth practically chattering with nerves.
“I’ll be fine,” I soothe him.
Providing these awards won’t take more than a few minutes each.
I silently thank Ash for reminding me about the bathroom situation and double-check some exits to make sure I can find a ladies’ room if I need to.
With no shortage of fanfare, and a speech that sees me stifle more than one yawn as the mayor of our city outlines the awards, it’s finally time to watch them being presented.