Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49258 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49258 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 15
Koa pulled into his driveway with a smile. He had time to take a shower and whip up some dinner before his little girl arrived home from her shift. Giana had needed four days at home to recover from her illness. While she’d rebelled against his insistence that she be fever-free for twenty-four hours as Zale had required, Giana had texted her appreciation today that she hadn’t passed it along to her staff when three firefighters had called in sick after another returned too quickly. The illness was rampant this year, as Zale had reported.
It had taken a couple of weeks for them to settle comfortably into each other’s schedules. Thank goodness, they both understood that work could have emergencies. Their career requirements fit well together. Either of them could be called to duty at a moment’s notice.
He’d always looked forward to the next time they’d get to see each other. Giana had adapted well to shrugging off her responsibilities from work when she walked through the front door. It helped that he made a point of greeting her with a kiss and a cuddle before taking her to her new nursery to strip off her adult clothes. Dressed in cute, comfortable clothing like a swishy dress or leggings and a T-shirt, Giana normally didn’t fret over job worries.
Sometimes, she needed extra attention to flip that switch from ‘responsible for everything’ to ‘little girl’ mode. A red bottom was usually his last resort when she got stuck in work mode. Thank goodness changing clothes, hugging her stuffies, and her daddy’s affection usually did the trick to help Giana shrug off her work concerns. Those sweet interventions saved her from too many spankings.
Koa showered and pulled on a pair of shorts. He had pulled out the ingredients for a Greek salad he’d planned for dinner with chicken when a knock sounded on the door.
“Did you forget your key, Flame?” he called as he walked to the door. Funny. She didn’t answer him.
“The door is open,” he said as he twisted the knob.
“Good to know. Should I just walk in next time?” his neighbor three houses down asked.
“Oh. Hi, Sharon. Let me go get a shirt. I was expecting Giana.”
“No need on my behalf. I’ll be glad to check out the scenery.”
“I’ll get a shirt. One minute, please.”
Koa hadn’t liked Sharon the first time they’d met. Her husband was an officer on base, but as a pilot, he traveled a lot. His wife flirted with everyone. He suspected Sharon’s activities weren’t limited only to talking while her husband flew.
Koa jogged to his bedroom and grabbed a T-shirt. He stopped in the hall to pull it on before reappearing at the entrance where she could see. To his surprise when he reached the open family room and kitchen area, Sharon stood inside with the door closed.
When he stopped in his tracks to look at her incredulously, Sharon said, “It was getting hot out there. I didn’t think you’d mind?”
“Sorry, Sharon. I think it’s better if we step outside.”
Koa didn’t wait for her to answer, but brushed by her to grab the doorknob. Sharon stepped forward into his path and crumpled dramatically to the floor when he couldn’t avoid brushing against her.
“Ouch! I’ve turned my ankle. Could I have some ice, please? I think I’m supposed to put it up, aren’t I?” she asked with a grimace, clutching her left foot.
“Let’s get you back to your house, and you can take it easy for the rest of the night,” Koa suggested, wishing to get her out of his house as soon as possible.
Koa lifted her to her feet and left her standing by the couch as he opened the door. Sharon took one limping step and shook her head. “I can’t do it. I’ll take a seat and rest my ankle for a bit. I’m sure it will be fine in a few minutes.”
Trying to think quickly, Koa searched for a way to transport her a few houses down the street. He didn’t have a wheelchair to push her in. Getting her into the truck would take as much time as walking down the street.
Mentally shaking her head, he offered, “If you’ll allow me, I’ll carry you back to your house.”
“If you don’t mind putting those big muscles to use…” Her voice trailed off.
The last thing Koa wanted to do was get close to her, much less touch Sharon. Trying to keep his face from revealing his true feelings toward her, Koa pasted a smile on his face. He scooped Sharon off her feet and walked out the door. Crap!
“Hi?” Giana appeared exhausted and totally shocked to see him carrying another woman.
“Hi, neighbor. Just borrowing Koa’s brute strength. I’ll send him home soon.” Sharon ran her fingers over Koa’s bulging biceps. “Maybe?”
“Keep him,” Giana told the flirtatious woman.