Loving A Firefighter (Loving Series) by Susan Leigh Carlton Read Free Book Online Page A

her. I met her about two weeks ago. I think you’ll like her. She’s really pretty and works at WFAA.”
    “Well, I’m glad you’re seeing someone.”
     
    * * *
    He held the door for her and then called out, “Mom, Dad, come meet Carrie.”
     
    “Come in the kitchen. I have to watch something on the stove.”
     
    “Carrie, this is my mother, Ellie.   Mom, Carrie Evans.”
     
    “It’s a pleasure meeting you Mrs. Reynolds. Thank you for having me on such short notice. I hope it’s not too much trouble.”
     
    “No trouble. My mother used to say, you can always add water to the soup.”
     
    “Chip, your Dad’s in the back yard. Carrie, are you from around here? Yes ma’am. I was born and raised in Denton. I graduated from SMU.”
     
    “You’re the first girl Chip has brought home in quite a while. He must like you.”
     
    “Mom”, said Chip who had come back in from outside.
     
    “Well she is, isn’t she, Tom?”
     
    “Yes she is and she’s mighty pretty if you ask me. Introduce us Chip.”
     
    “Carrie, this old codger is my Dad, Tom. He loves to embarrass me.
     
    Dad, this is Carrie. She’s a baseball fan and has a brother in the Cardinal’s chain.”
     
    “Well, so what do you think of the Rangers chances this year?”
     
    “If they don’t have any crippling injuries, I think they will go to the World Series again.”
     
    “A girl after my own heart.”
     
    “Chip’s taking me to Saturday’s game against the Red Sox.”
     
    “See, I told you Dad would like you.”
     
    “You really have a nice family.”
    “Yeah, well just wait until you meet my brother and my bossy sister.”
     
    After dinner, Carrie helped Mrs. Reynolds clear the dishes. “How did you come to meet Chip?” Mrs. Reynolds asked.
     
    “Not the usual way, that’s for sure. My ex-boyfriend started a fire in my living room one night. The smoke alarm woke me and I pulled the alarm in the hallway. Chip was the first responder. He took me to the EMT’s and they took me to Baylor Med. He came to the hospital the next day for followup questions. He was going to take me home once they discharged since Mom was on a shift. She’s a nurse at Parkland.   A friend gave me a ride home but he called with some more questions and the rest is history.”
     
    Mrs. Reynolds chuckled and said, “That isn’t the way an arson investigation is done. This is house full of firefighters and he just wanted to get to know you better.”
     
    “Well, I’m glad he did. He’s a nice guy and very shy.”
    “There’s nothing shy about Chip. He’s playing it very carefully. He must like you a lot.”
     
    Chip wandered into the kitchen, “What are you guys talking about?”
     
    “Just girl talk. Are you ready to go?”
     
    “I think so. I start a 24 tomorrow morning. That means I work 24 hours straight and then get four days off.”
     
    “I’m ready. Mrs. Reynolds, thank you so much for having me. The meal was delicious and I really appreciated the girl talk.”
     
    “Mom, what did you tell her? Now you know why I never bring anybody here.”
     
    “Well, look who’s got the big ego. He thinks we were talking about him. We were just talking about clothes and perfumes and stuff.”
     
    “You like her fragrance? It’s J’Adore.”
     
    “I’m impressed, and how did you come across that bit of information?”
     
    “When you’re on 24 straight hours, guys talk too you know.” He winked at Carrie.
     
    His mother saw the wink and said, “You’re full of it. Now kiss me goodbye and take this girl home. Goodbye, Carrie. It was nice meeting you. Keep your guard up with him. Be careful son. I love you.”
     
    “Love you too, Mom.”
     
    “Wait, I want to say goodbye to your dad.”
     
    Chip walked with her back a small den. “Dad, we’re leaving.” He embraced his dad, with no awkwardness. “I love you, Dad.”
     
    “Me too son, and be careful on your shift.”
     
    “I will.”
     
    “Wait, I want