Need You for Mine (Heroes of St. Helena)(78)

The door opened and Frankie peeked her head out. Then she held up the sticks and Harper felt a rush of joy push through her system. Because she was witness to the first-ever pregnancy confirmation by alpaca—and Adam was going to be an uncle.



Harper was magical. That was all there was to it.

St. Helena’s community park looked like a scene from Pollyanna. The night sky twinkled with lights, every oak tree and booth post on the property had glowing mason jars hanging from it. The picnic tables were covered with red-checkered tablecloths and baskets of various wildflowers, and they were overflowing with families and residents.

McGuire and Seth had handled the ladder raise like pros, Harper’s casino tables were a huge hit with the over-sixty crowd, and there wasn’t a single kid without some kind of face art and honorary firefighter’s hat running round. They’d already raised enough money to pay for Back-to-School Packs for every kid on their list, and the barbeque dinner, which had been smoking all day and sending off some serious mouthwatering scents, had yet to be served.

And dinner was the biggest moneymaker of the night.

This event was, by far, the best Beat the Heat Adam had ever been to. People had been telling him as much all day. Based on the way Chief Lowen was grinning in Adam’s direction, people had been telling him too.

“The chief was telling me that an opening came up for an incident command position in a special operations wildland firefighting team in Colorado Springs. He wants to send someone from our unit so they can come back and train our firefighters here,” Roman said. “It would be a six-month post, minimum.”

“Six months with those guys would be invaluable,” Adam said, thinking about the lucky SOB who’d get to go balls to the wall with some of the most elite firefighters in the country. He wanted to be that SOB so bad he could taste it.

“It would also mean getting six months closer to lieutenant, which is why I want to recommend you.”

And there it was. That addictive buzz that preceded a major rush. It started in his chest, pinching and gaining volume, then moved up and out until his entire body was intoxicated at the idea. “Thank you, Cap.”

“You did the hard work. I just want to acknowledge it,” Roman said. “Your experience as a smokejumper has given you the ability to evaluate the big picture in a matter of seconds, but the way you handled McGuire and Seth and getting everyone involved in helping with the event cemented that you’re a real leader.”

“I learned from the best.”

Roman gave a short, tight nod, then cleared his throat before he spoke. “I’ve known that you were a great firefighter, but now when you talk, the guys get in order and go.”

“I work with a great crew. They’re like my brothers.”

“This isn’t the time to be humble,” Roman said with a laugh. “They follow you—not just because they like you, but because they respect you. You’ve earned that respect. Including mine.”

Adam wasn’t sure what to say. For the first time in forever he was at a loss for words—an overflow of emotions could do that. So could being conflicted.

Did Adam want to be the IC on that special ops team? Hell yeah. He was willing to do just about anything to make sure he was the top candidate on that list. Anything except put Roman in a tight situation.

It was no secret that Lowen and Adam weren’t BFFs. Just like it was no secret that Lowen would rather promote McGuire than see Adam rise in the ranks.

“What about the chief?” Adam asked, suddenly regretting every prank and play-it-loose relationship he’d had.

Roman smiled. “With everyone telling him what a great job you did managing this event, and how you pulled everyone together to get it accomplished, if I back you, you’re in.”

Adam was beyond humbled that a man like Roman, decorated and admired, saw enough in Adam to put his name on the line. But he also knew there was someone else who was behind Beat the Heat’s success. “Harper really came through for this event.” She’d also come through for him, in a big way. Because of her unwavering support, he’d been given the chance to prove himself. “If you can make sure some of that praise you’re doling out makes it her way, it would be appreciated.”

Roman’s smile faded and he went serious. Too serious to be anything good. “Actually, Harper is the reason I haven’t brought you up to Lowen yet,” Roman said in a low voice. “I wanted to talk to you about the position first. Make sure it worked with you.”

“No need to talk, everything about this works for me,” Adam said, his shoulders relaxing a bit. “Being so specialized will put me in a management position when I get back, not to mention on the fast track to lieutenant.”

Roman lifted a brow, as if waiting for Adam to see the catch. But there was no catch—this was a golden opportunity.

“It will also put you an airplane ride away from your girlfriend.”

Adam’s chest pinched at the thought of not seeing Harper every day. He wasn’t sure what was going to happen come Monday when that clock expired, but he liked the idea of seeing where things led. Harper was sweet and funny and sexy, and she got him. Got him so completely that he didn’t have to pretend to be anybody but himself.

And he didn’t want to lose that.

Harper would tell him he could have both. That he’d be an idiot to pass it up. And she’d be right.