Chapter Six

MARIGOLD

"Girl! This place is jumping!" Looking up from the dessert case, I see Reece on the other side wearing a giant smile. She looks around in awe at the line of customers, plus all my tables that are full as well.

It's been another busy week and I couldn't be happier with the reception I've received from everyone in town. It's amazing to be a part of something and be accepted as if I've always been here. Not every small town is the same.

"It's incredible, right?" I can't wipe the smile from my face if I tried. "This is everything I hoped it would be, Reece." Leaning on the glass case, she does the same and grabs my face, giving me a big smooch on my forehead.

"I'm so proud of you!"

ALARM SOUNDS

Groaning, I throw my hands up and look at Logan. "Not again! I thought they took care of this? That inspector was here and said everything was fine!" After the little incident the other night where Maddox yanked the wire from the wall, I'm lucky the inspector allowed me to open. But he did warn me that if I didn't get an electrician to the shop while he was here to watch him fix it, he would close me down. Thank goodness, the local guy I've been speaking with was able to come right down.

"It was fine until you and your girlfriend started kissing. You set the place on fire. Kind of like the way that hottie fireman of yours does." He winks at me and I roll my eyes, while Reece chuckles.

"Hottie fireman, my ass."

The crowd in my store are all looking at me. "It's fine everyone! No need to panic. It's an electrical short. We'll get it sorted quickly."

I don't usher them from the shop anymore having dealt with false alarms each time it rings. The piercing noise is not pleasant but I refuse to push my customers out into the street. But I am going to have to give out free pastries again. This is going to kill my revenue.

"It's still happening? Why can't they find the source of the problem?"

"Ask Fire Marshall Baylor," I snap out with little malice and Reece laughs.

"Oh, I'm going to call him that when I see him. We used to tease him about being Fire Marshall Bill from that movie when we were kids. He would get so mad."

"Duly noted." I wink at her as I hear the sirens coming down the street. "Do they have to put them on each time? They make such a ruckus, drawing undo attention."

"That's my hottie fireman brother, always putting on a show."

Shaking my head at her. "Those are Logan's words, not mine."

"Mhm. You know, I wouldn't be mad if a spark or two ignited between you guys."

Throwing my hand up, I shake my head, but I still take a breath and prepare for the show that is Maddox Baylor to walk through my door. And if I'm being honest with myself, I can't wait to see it. The alarm has run eleven times in total since that first day and Maddox has shown up each time.

I was agitated with him in the beginning, but now I kind of hope the alarm will go off. He knows it's an electrical short but they insist on checking it out each time. I'll never tell Logan, but I had been dragging my feet on getting an electrician here for just this reason. And that had me wondering about my sanity. I just left a relationship. The last thing I need is to jump into a new one. But it's been kind of fun seeing the look of annoyance written across his face when he walks in and heads right to the box and flips the switch back and forth.

I wouldn't mind him flipping my switch back and forth.

I won't admit it to Reece, either, even though she's clearly thinking it. I definitely won't admit it out loud. But there's something about his fiery attitude that draws me to him. I never liked a bad boy, but I don't believe Maddox Baylor is the resident bad boy. He's actually the resident good guy, too good, always looking to make it right for someone else. But he does it with an air about him that commands attention and respect.

I wouldn't mind him commanding me.

Oh my god, I may actually slap myself if this train of thought continues.

"Ms. James." Maddox is the first to enter the bakery. He's dressed in half his uniform, pants with suspenders. T-shirt that shows off his strong biceps. No helmet. He's as laid back as it gets. He's got Jace following right behind him, dressed in full gear. Their differences make me giggle. "Something funny, Ms. James?"

Shrugging I decide I'm going to provoke this guy every chance I get. "Your partner looks like a real fireman while you look like you're playing dress up."

He comes to a stop in front of me and I raise my head to look at him, mischief filling his eyes. Reece barks out a laugh and I take pride in the fact I see his lip turn up into a slight smirk. He's trying not to laugh but I'm getting to him.

"How did you know I like to roleplay?"

I blow out the breath I'm holding, scoffing at his answer even though all the tingles just ran through my body.

"Do you want to play dress up with me, Goldie? I'll let you hold my hose."

"Mads!" Reece screeches.

Clap, clap "Hello? Anyone still hear that alarm ringing?" Logan yells over the noise.

"Probie! Go check it out." Maddox is still holding my stare while he barks orders at Jace.

I refuse to look away, and say, "Logan, please show him where the electrical box is. Maybe he can figure out how to turn this off for good."

"Turning things off isn't a specialty of mine."

Rolling my eyes, I break out of his intense hold. "Are you sure about that?" Mumbling under my breath, I make my way behind the counter just as the alarm stops ringing. Everyone in the place claps and I close my eyes as I lean back against the counter, letting out a sigh. I just need a few moments to regain my peace.

"Keep making noises like that and I'll be back every damn day whether that alarm rings or not."

My body locks up as I flip my eyes open to find Maddox with a smug grin as he takes a bite of a cupcake that I know was placed in the case. "Mm." He licks the icing from his lips. "So. Good."

My eyes drift to Reece who's watching this show with awe. All she needs is a popcorn bowl and she'd fit the part perfectly.

"Well, well. Looks like Probie knows what he's doing after all," Maddox lays some snark on the quiet young man as he walks from the back.

With a deep blush he says, "Meet you outside, boss." Jace scurries from the shop quickly.

Maddox pops the last bite of the cupcake into his mouth and dusts off his hands. "Looks like my work is done here."

I eye him, my anger rising. "Do you just come here in the name of a call to grab a free snack? Do you think that uniform gives you a free pass to do whatever you want?" I seethe.

"This uniform gives me a lot of passes."

"It won't give you a pass on party patrol. Mads, we need to pick a date to get together to do this taste testing." Maddox's face takes on a different shade as Reece asks him to give her time. It's not the fun, flirty Maddox that was here a minute ago. "Don't keep brushing me off. We need to do this otherwise we're going to run out of time."

He visibly takes a breath and looks at his watch. "I can't cut out of work, Reece."

"I'm not asking you to. I'm asking when you're free. Why won't you commit to a date?"

"Do you want me to pull the alarm to get him here?" I speak to Reece but have eyes for Maddox.

He cocks a brow and heads to the door. "Just tell me when, sister." The bell above the door rings once as he steps through. I watch him climb into the truck and pull away from the curb without a second glance.

"What was that about?" I ask quietly not wanting to intrude as I already see she's upset.

"Maddox being Maddox. Firefighting comes first. And Maddox's time comes second. Everyone else is third."

Rubbing her arm, I give her a squeeze. "You know where I am. Either here or home so tell me what works best. I'll make arrangements for whenever you need."

She gives me a quick hug. "Thanks, girl. I better get back to Beach Brews before my boss fires me."

I giggle at her. "The only thing he's firing your way is?—"

"Shh! Don't you dare!"

Shaking my head at her, my lips twist to hide my amusement as she skips from the shop. I replay her words in my mind. So, Maddox is a one track guy. What he wants is first. What he needs is second, and everything and everyone falls behind that.

I've been that ‘everything and everyone else', so I can feel for Reece. I also won't ever be that again.