19. Griffin

Chapter Nineteen

Griffin

My brain felt hazy the following morning. After our intensely intimate encounter and Tish asking me to stay, we fell asleep in her bedroom. Teddy woke up once during the night, and Tish had tried to shoo me away, but I sat up against the pillows with her while she nursed for a few minutes before he fell back asleep.

In the morning, she seemed to start gathering up her doubts again. She had to go to work, and it was obvious her mornings were a rush. She was still trying to settle into a new routine. Despite the hurry, I'd gotten a kiss. When our lips were barely touching as I lifted my head, I whispered, "It was really, really, good to see you, Tish.

In that tiny pocket of time, it felt as if it was just us in the world. Her lips curled into a smile and the guarded look in her eyes had fallen away. "It was really good to see you, too, Griffin."

Teddy let out a little squawk. He was already in his car seat, ready to be carted to the car. In the following few minutes, Tish's hands were full with an array of baby things, a diaper bag, and more.

I eyed her. "I can carry Teddy, or everything else."

For a split second, she hesitated before laughing softly. "If you don't mind, you can take him. He's the heaviest."

After Teddy was secured in the back of her car, I reluctantly left. A short drive later, I walked into Firehouse Café.

"Well, you look a little tired, Griffin," Janet observed from behind the counter.

"Do I?" I countered.

Her brows hitched up. "You do, but some coffee might help. What can I get you?"

"Since I am a little tired, how about a really strong coffee? I'm not a complicated man. Your house coffee will do, if it's strong enough."

"Oh, it's strong, but I'll add a shot of espresso for you. That'll make it even stronger."

While I waited, I glanced around. The place was bustling. With most of the tables filled, and what seemed like an endless line of customers coming through the door.

I was still waiting for my coffee when I heard my name. Glancing over, I saw Beck.

"Hey," Beck said, stepping out of the line to clap me on the shoulder. "Are you getting food or just coffee?"

"I started with coffee," I replied.

"Dude, you have to get one of her sandwiches. She has a secret special." He wagged his brows dramatically with that.

When I glanced toward Janet as she handed me my coffee, she rolled her eyes. "It's not a secret. Beck likes to pretend like it is."

"It's a secret until I get it for him," Beck countered with a grin.

Janet chuckled.

"You don't have to get me breakfast," I replied.

"He's going to insist," Maisie piped up at his side.

"Go for it. I'll return the favor another time," I said with a shrug.

Sandwich in hand, I walked out with them. "You headed to the station?" Beck asked as I stopped beside my truck. At my nod, he added, "Perfect. We'll eat there."

Only minutes later, I was sitting in the kitchen at the station, enjoying the excellent breakfast sandwich Beck had gotten for me. Maisie had kissed him on the cheek and headed out front.

He smiled over at me after he finished a bite. "Marriage is the best."

"Is it now?" I returned.

Graham chuckled as he approached the table. "Beck is all about marriage. It's funny. In high school, he was the biggest flirt ever."

"Legendary," Cade Masters quipped, as he stopped beside Graham.

Beck was unruffled. "I've got two kids, and I adore my wife and it's just good. Are you married?"

Graham snorted as he sat down in a chair beside me, clapping me on the shoulder. "Buckle up. Beck is the station gossip. Nosy as fuck."

Once again, Beck shrugged. "I like information. I don't spread gossip. I just gather gossip."

A laugh sputtered up as I looked over at him. "I guess I know who to go to if I have a question about something."

"Well, first, answer mine," Beck teased.

"I'm not married. Dating doesn't work out that well as a hotshot firefighter."

Beck shook his head vigorously. "Now, see that's where you're wrong. Graham's happily married, I'm happily married, so is Cade."

Cade rolled his eyes as he patted Beck on the shoulder and kept walking.

"Good to know." I finished off my sandwich and took a swallow of coffee. "That's some damn good coffee." I lowered the cup to the table, studying the distinctive red cup with Firehouse Café emblazoned on the side.

Beck was still on the topic of marriage. "You just need to find the right person."

"Are you giving me dating advice now?" I asked.

Graham laughed at my side. "He most certainly is."

My thoughts spun back to Tish and our startlingly intimate encounter last night. I didn't need to find the right woman, but I could definitely use some advice. Not yet though.

"I guess I know who to go to when I need that," I finally said.

Beck grinned widely. "I'm your guy."

I let out a wondering laugh. "He always like this?" I addressed Graham.

"Usually. All joking aside, Beck's as good as they come, and his advice is usually spot on. I don't like admitting it, but I will."

Beck was beaming when I looked over at him again. After that, Graham took me around and introduced me to a few others in the station, lastly taking me out front to introduce me again to Maisie. She promptly handed me a sheaf of paperwork. "I know you already worked for the state up in Fairbanks, and in Fireweed Harbor, but —"

I cut in, "New location, new documentation. No need to apologize."

Maisie's dimples appeared with her smile. "I like you," she announced. "You don't have to do it all right now. You can take it home. Just get it to me by next week."

I texted Tish to check in during the day. I could practically feel her blush through her text when I told her the night before had been incredible. Despite my impatience, I knew I needed to put the ball firmly in her court. The depth of my feelings for her wasn't logical by any stretch. They never had been, all the way back to when we first met on the side of the highway.

I forced myself to focus on work. Although we weren't out fighting fires, there was plenty to focus on with meeting various people at the station and getting the lay of the land. I told myself I would go ahead and deal with the pesky HR paperwork. I knew it would take me longer than most.

I was just sitting down at the break table in the kitchen area when Graham plunked down in a chair across from me, resting his elbows on the table. "So, we have a few positions to fill. I'm assuming you want to be part of the interviews."

I glanced up. As one of the leads on the crew, this was part of the deal. "I'd love to, if I'm not stepping on anyone's toes."

"Nope. It's you and me leading the crew. I want your take. I asked Maisie to shuffle through the applications. As I'm sure you know, there's a shortage of wildland firefighters. Although, lots of people like coming to Alaska. Should I tell her to set up a few interviews for us?"

"Go for it. My schedule is open until we head out into the field, which you know."

Graham flashed a grin before tipping his head to the side. "I like you."

"That's a good thing, seeing as we're going to spend a lot of time together."

Graham clapped me on the shoulder as he stood from the table. Beck was approaching from the hallway. "Before you know it, Beck'll be trying to set you up with somebody."

"Aside from being nosy, he's a matchmaker?" I teased.

Jonah came out of the hallway, pausing by the table. I'd met him about an hour prior after he finished working out. "Oh, he is," he replied with a snort.

"He can focus on somebody other than me. What about you?"

Jonah rolled his eyes. "Already married. Love her."

Beck's cell phone rang. "Oh, shit." He glanced at the screen. "I gotta roll. Picking up one of the kids from daycare, and I almost spaced it."

With a few other firefighters pausing to greet me, I decided to ignore my paperwork for now. Hours later, as I was leaving, Tish's name flashed on my screen. Hope jolted me.

Tish: Something came up at work. I hate to impose, but I'm wondering if you could pick up Teddy from daycare for me. I can call over and let them know you'll be picking him up. I wouldn't ask, except I can't leave yet. Somebody got injured over at the construction site and I'm dealing with the follow-up. Should be done in about an hour or two.

Me: Of course. Tell me where to go and make sure to give them my full name.

I hustled out to my truck and hopped in, glancing down to see her reply.

Tish: You're a godsend. I've already called the daycare. I really, really, really appreciate it. His car seat is at the daycare. The house is unlocked. I'll see you there.

Me: I'll see you when you get home. Don't worry about the time.

Tish thanked me again, and texted me the address of the daycare. When I arrived to pick up Teddy, the woman at the front eyed me suspiciously. "We'll need to see ID."

I handed it over. Once I had Teddy and all of his things, the woman stifled a laugh when she saw me juggling him in his car seat and the diaper bag. I grinned over at her. "I'm getting there."

It felt strange to have a baby in the back when I began driving. He didn't fuss at all and giggled after I got him situated. I had to review the instructions to make sure I buckled the car seat in properly. Although I was an uncle to several nieces and nephews, being solely responsible like this carried an unexpected weight.