“Yes,” Sam said, laughing. “Bode can be a handful, but he can be handled if done right.” She grinned at the wink Sam sent her. “I must confess I came in for another reason.”

  Jennie held her grin. She was going to be nice because this woman was marrying her boss. But not only that, she liked Sam. She found her to be a straight shooter, which she appreciated from people more often than not.

  She’d rather look a snake in the eye before it attacked than have it slither up from behind and get her in the ass.

  Not that she’d compare Sam to a snake and felt bad that thought popped into her head, but it had more to do with the fact that she had to learn to go with her gut on her first opinion of people.

  She liked Bode and Drew. She adored Drew’s wife, Amanda. Sam was more her type in the bigger picture, but again, she didn’t feel like she measured up to them either. Sam came from a long line of doctors. Money and class, something she didn’t have or come from.

  “I’m sure you did.”

  Sam laughed. “Hudson and Delaney were on the hot seat a few weddings ago, but you had some flames thrown in your direction. I’ve been there before; I know what it’s like.”

  “It’s not all that bad,” she said.

  “No,” Sam said. “It’s really not. The Bond family is pretty accepting of people.”

  “I’ve noticed that so far,” she pointed out.

  “I can’t profess to know Alex all that well. Not even Penelope, let alone your brother.”

  “I understand. The family is big.”

  “It is,” Sam said. “I’m getting used to most of them. Not all. It seems there are some I only see at big functions and though I’ve been to three weddings now and a few bridal showers, it’s not enough time to get to know everyone.”

  “I’ve only been to two,” she said. “And everyone has tried to come up and get to know me. Or talk to me. I’m not used to that. I’m more used to being on my own.”

  “We don’t want you to feel that way here,” Sam said.

  “I don’t,” she said.

  “Good,” Sam said. “I know you’re pretty upfront with everyone. Don’t be afraid to stand your ground in this family. Bosses or not. They will appreciate it more. Just because you work for them doesn’t mean they have to know your personal life.”

  She frowned. “What does that mean?”

  Sam stood up. “Everyone wants to help. I’m sure your brother too. I’m just saying that I think you and I are a lot alike in some instances. Do what feels right for you, not what others want you to do.”

  “Okay,” she said. Sam left after that and Jennie got back to work unsure of what to make of that conversation.

  It’s bad enough she was confused over Alex and now the talk with Sam didn’t make much sense.

  Two hours later she was interrupted again and this time it was Helena Bond. She’d thought Janet Bond was pushy before, but Helena was just as bad, doing it in her sweet way. That was almost more frustrating because you didn’t see it coming.

  “Hello, Jennie,” Helena said, moving in and taking a seat. “I brought cookies and put them on the table. Please help yourself.”

  “Thank you,” she said. “I believe I will.”

  “I have to keep the boys supplied with Amanda out now.”

  “I heard you did it plenty before Amanda came along,” she said. Drew’s wife loved to bake and bring in treats or send in desserts with Drew, but Helena tended to do it for the construction crews more.

  “I do enjoy spoiling the boys. Bode says the guys love it and it gives me something to do. I’m trying not to crowd Amanda too much with the baby.”

  “I don’t think she feels that way,” she said.

  “No,” Helena said. “She doesn’t. It’s my first grandchild and Liam sure is adorable. I think Scott is more smitten than me. I’ll be going over there later to visit, but wanted to see how you were doing.”

  “I’m doing well,” she said.

  “I’ve known your brother for many years. Janet has taken him in like a fourth son.”

  “And you and Janet talk?”

  “We do. I won’t profess to know everything. There are things Janet wouldn’t share, but I know enough. Your brother is a great person. A great man and well respected in our family. Everyone wants you to feel welcome too.”

  “And I do,” she said.

  She’d been back in Griffin’s life for over a year at this point. Living on the island less than that, but still, at this point, those close to Griffin or Penelope knew some of the situation.

  “I also know that many might have been shocked to see you with Alex.”

  News to her. “Why?”

  “Because Alex has always been a little bit of a ladies’ man on the island. Probably off it at times too.”

  “I’ve heard that said about a lot of the single Bond men.”

  Helena laughed softly. “I sure do admire your spunk. You fit right in. You’re right. And that is why I’m here. Don’t let anyone say or make you think Alex isn’t a great guy.”

  “I know he is one,” she said.

  “Good. He’s sensitive but doesn’t like people to see.”

  “Are you sure about that?” she asked, grinning.

  “I’ve known him his whole life. I’m sure you’ll learn more too. He’s a great catch. A protector.”

  “I don’t need anyone to protect me,” she said.

  “Which will get his back up. And yours,” Helena said.

  “It’s happened.”

  “You’re used to it with Griffin too,” Helena said. “Don’t judge Alex by what you’ve got with your brother either.”

  She didn’t think she was, but maybe there was part of her that was lumping them in the same category and shouldn’t be.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Helena stood up. “I’ll let you get back to work now.”

  She watched Helena leave this time and realized that was probably what Sam had been warning her about. That she should do what she wanted with her relationship and not let what others said influence her.

  The problem was, she didn’t know what to do with the guy that she was losing her heart to and was afraid of letting him know.

  She wasn’t in a place to deal with it. Too much had happened in her life that she had to get control of.

  She liked what they had and for now it would have to be enough.

  Alex would have to understand and accept that too.

  24

  Something Better Than Fine

  Alex didn’t want to accept that though a month later.

  Things were going fine with his and Jennie’s relationship. But he wanted something better than fine.

  He wanted to move on to the next step.

  He wanted to tell her how he was feeling, but she was holding back.

  Rather than push her—because he knew damn well she’d push back—he was letting things go at their own pace.

  He’d never been one to rush anyway and couldn’t figure out why he wanted to this time.

  “Alex,” he heard the fire chief say, “can you come into my office when you’ve got a minute?”

  He was cleaning the fire truck, trying to get his mind off of Jennie. They all had chores they had to do at the firehouse when they weren’t on calls. Things they had to check over to make sure the equipment worked and trucks were stocked.

  “Sure,” he said. “I’ll be in there in a minute.”

  He finished up what he was doing, then jumped off the truck and went to Jim’s office. The office he hoped would be his someday in the future. In the meantime he had steps he had to climb first. Captain being next, then assistant chief and finally chief. He didn’t care if it was this station or the other one, but he was moving up in his career.

  “Come in and shut the door,” Jim said.

  He did as asked. He wasn’t worried it was anything serious. He never did anything to jeopardize his career. It meant way too much to him.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Lyle put his retirement paperwork in this morning.”

  Alex started to grin. Lyle was a captain. This meant he should be getting that long-awaited promotion. “He’s been talking about it for months, but then I reminded myself he’s done this before and changed his mind.”

  “Between us, his wife told him enough is enough. He’s only fifty-six and says he had a lot of years left of working in him, but this job can take a toll on you. More so when you’re a captain and the first one into the fires. He’d been hoping to get that assistant chief promotion, but there are only four of them, whereas there are eight captains. No openings for a few more years at the very least, as you know.”

  He did know that. One chief at each station. Four captains and two assistant chiefs. They didn’t have an assistant chief on twenty-four seven like they did a captain. But schedules were moved around to accommodate having one there most times and on call the other times.

  Assistants didn’t fight the fires. They did a lot more of the paperwork end of things. In terms of danger, captain was probably the most dangerous. Fire chief was the most political. Assistant was the one many wanted to stop at. Or some didn’t want it at all as the paperwork and semi-politics weren’t for them.

  Alex, he was fine with talking with people. Maybe it had to do with the fact this island was his family. His legacy. His bond.

  The other legacy of the island—the love at first sight one—yeah, he’d been feeling like he’d gotten bit by that bug too but had no intention of sharing it with anyone.

  “I do,” he said. “Did Lyle give a date for his retirement?”

  “Thirty days from today. June twenty-fourth will be his last shift.”

  Alex nodded. “That’s great. I’m happy for him.” He wasn’t going to ask if that was the date of his promotion. He didn’t want to assume but had been told before the next slot was his.

  “I give you credit for holding your question back,” Jim said with a grin.

  “I shouldn’t have to ask, but I don’t want to take anything for granted either. Everything has to go through the town board.”

  He knew that. Promotions had to be voted on, but since there were only three people who took the last test and he scored the highest and had the most seniority, plus the test was good for three years, he figured he was up next. Again, he’d always kept his nose clean.

  “There is a meeting in three weeks,” Jim said. “The paperwork will be submitted in a few days so that a vote can be done. I don’t see an issue, but I’ll keep you in the loop.”

  “Thanks,” he said.

  He didn’t get to say anything else before the alarms started to go off. Jim pulled out his phone and looked at the information coming across it.

  “It’s the casino. Probably a false alarm,” Jim said. “The sprinklers haven’t been engaged yet.”

  Which they always hoped since the place was so damn big. They had sprinklers everywhere that would be set off if there was enough heat to trigger it.

  Alex was running out of the room to get in his gear like everyone else, then hopping in one of the two trucks to drive it to the casino fifteen minutes away.

  By the time they got to the casino, the alarms had been shut off and both Griffin and Eli were standing outside waiting for their arrival. Another sign it was a false alarm.

  He pulled the truck to a stop and got out, Jim pulling in the fire department SUV and walking over to Eli. The rest of the crew were standing there waiting to see if they needed to get in full gear and helmets.

  “I’m going to send the guys in to just do a quick check,” Jim said to Eli.

  “By all means,” Eli said. “Do what you need to.”

  Alex and the crew followed Lyle in after being told someone pulled the alarm. Griffin had security checking the cameras to see who it was, but no one was being allowed to leave the casino. There was an invisible dye on the handle and a special light would show the proof once they found out who did it. It wasn’t his problem, but his cousin’s.

  His was to check the building to give it an all clear.

  Jim was talking to Eli and Griffin now, being shown the feeds of the building to prove there was no fire or smoke, but doing their due diligence, they had to walk the whole building and that would take a half hour or more even with multiple men splitting the floors.

  When Alex got back to the lobby, he was by himself, Jim on his phone, Lyle and the other crew still walking around.

  Griffin moved over to talk to him. “It’s all clear,” he said.

  Eli moved over too. “We knew,” Eli said, “but do appreciate the work you guys are doing to make sure.”

  “Only doing our jobs,” he said. Griffin was watching him and he wasn’t sure what was going on. He hadn’t seen the guy since his wedding over a month ago. Jennie saw him more but hadn’t said too much either. “Something on your mind?”

  “Don’t mess her up,” Griffin said simply.

  It was probably the worst thing he could have said when Alex was fighting everything he could to get Jennie to open up. “Like you did?” he asked.

  Griffin scowled. A lesser man might have backed down, but Alex wasn’t. Eli let out a snort. “Not the time, boys. Griffin, you had that coming and you know it.”

  “Is there a problem here?” Jim asked, moving over. Shit. It was the last thing he needed the fire chief to witness or worry Griffin would make a negative comment about him.

  “No,” Eli said. “Just talking about the building being all clear. Griffin’s annoyed because now he’s going to have to interview people and he hates talking.”

  “Yeah,” Jim said. “Better you than me. Keep us posted if there is anything you need from us, but we’ll clear out now.”

  Eli nodded, Griffin turned to leave and Alex headed for the truck.

  When he was back at the firehouse, Jim came over to talk to him. “Griffin is a tough one to get a read on.”

  “He is,” Alex said.

  “Not sure how your cousin deals with him.”

  He was guessing Jim had no idea Alex was dating Jennie. Though his family knew, not everyone he worked with did. He wasn’t one to kiss and tell and men didn’t always seem to be that interested in other men’s lives.

  “They’ve managed to work together for years,” he said.

  “I’m sure. I can’t say I’ve had any issues with the guy, but I wouldn’t want to meet up with him in a dark corner. Shit, when his sister got hurt months ago, he called to get the information on the way to the hospital. There was this tone to his voice that just sent chills up my spine. It was this controlled concern that might dominate a room, even over the phone. Like the guy would steamroll over anyone in his way to protect those he loved.”

  The look in Jim’s eyes that told him that, yeah, his boss knew about his relationship with Jennie. “He’s not the only one that can be that way,” Alex said. “I’m going to get my gear off.”

  Jim laughed when he walked away and Alex was going to try to put this from his mind. He didn’t think Griffin was the type to say anything to Jennie and it was best he didn’t either.

  He didn’t need his girlfriend pissed at him.

  25

  Fueled With Emotions

  “That ferry ride wasn’t so bad, was it?” Alex asked less than two weeks later. Jennie was back in Boston, this time for Hailey Bond’s wedding.

  “No,” she said. “But you drove over, not me. And now you get to unload us and fight traffic to get to the hotel.”

  She’d never been one to want to deal with traffic and congestion like this. Boston was a pretty city, but it felt tight to her. She avoided coming here as much as she could. And she’d only done it once on her own. The first time she came to Boston to find Griffin.

  A year ago, she was fueled with emotions more than she was now. Jennie liked the calm life she felt she had on the island.

  Though she knew Alex was starting to get antsy, she wasn’t ready to let him in more than he was.

  Maybe it was wrong of her to feel that way, but too many years of having to be on her own and keep everything in, well, it was hard to let it out now.

  “It doesn’t bother me that much,” he said. They were waiting in line to pull off the ferry and were in her car again, not his truck. They’d been walking around the ferry for a bit on the ride over talking to other family members coming for the wedding. Though she’d been told many came over last night or earlier. Those that had houses in Boston and didn’t have to wait to check into a hotel.

  With the wedding being at night, there was plenty enough time to get in and get ready in their room. Alex had gotten a room right at the hotel Hailey’s reception was in.

  She knew Drew, Bode, and most likely Coy, were staying at their parents’ house tonight. Her brother was flying over with Eli today. They were probably already in Boston, but Penelope flew over last night with the baby saying it was easier and faster than dealing with the ferry. Her parents were in Boston and picked her up.

  It’s funny how she knew all these little details about her brother and his family when for years she wasn’t sure where he even lived.

  They slowly made their way off the ferry, Alex easily navigating through the traffic on the docks and toward their hotel downtown. “It’s so busy here.”

  “The docks are a busy place. Cargo ships are always coming in and out.”

  “Let me guess,” she said. “Part of the Bond business.”

  He turned to grin at her. “Not my family’s business. That would be Mitchell. At least a lot of the cargo and shipping part. I don’t know all the details of anyone’s business or jobs. It doesn’t concern me.”

  “That’s always been the attitude I’ve taken on in life. I just care about my life and putting one foot in front of the other.”

  “Do you feel as if you are finding your way?” he asked.