Knowing that Olivia believed in the importance of love in a sexual relationship, Trevor had expected the evening to end exactly the way it had. She’d surprised him a few times tonight, but the conclusion was still the same. She didn’t plan to act on her urges.

His mom was on the couch with a book when he walked in the ranch house. She had a small fire going.

“Hey, Mom. Good book?”

“Oh, yeah.” She put a bookmark between the pages and closed it. “Highlanders make terrific heroes. Did you eat?”

“Olivia fed me spaghetti.” He took a seat in one of the easy chairs.

“That sounds messy.”

“Not literally. Geez.”

“It’s a reasonable assumption. I’ve seen how she looks at you. And how you look at her, for that matter.”

“Well, it’s not going anywhere.”

“Why not?”

“She needs to be in love to get physical and her heart belongs to Edward.”

His mom digested that for a moment. “Then why is she looking at you like you’re the last piece of fudge on the plate?”

“She can’t help herself.”

His mom started laughing and couldn’t seem to stop.

“It’s the truth!”

She waved her hand in front of her face and kept laughing.

He rolled his eyes. “While you get a grip, I’m gonna fetch myself a root beer. Want one?”

Eyes brimming, she shook her head.

By the time he came back with his root beer, she was still smiling, but the total crackup seemed to be over.

She cleared her throat. “Thank you for that. Best laugh I’ve had all week.”

“Glad I could help out.” He took a swig from the bottle.

“So let me get this straight. She’s wildly attracted to you but she doesn’t want to do anything about it?”

“Exactly. She can’t see herself having sex without love and Edward was the love of her life.”

“I knew she felt that way after he died but when she seemed interested in you, I thought she might be modifying her stance.”

“Nope.” He rested the bottle on his knee and contemplated his mom. She loved those highlander books. She’d married a Scotsman and there had been no one since. “Maybe she never will.”

“Maybe not, but it’s kind of a shame since she likes you so much. I’m not saying you’re meant for each other or anything, but I can see how you two might get along well.”

“So can I, but she gave Edward her heart. End of story.” He paused. Oh, what the hell. He plunged in. “Is that how you feel?”

His mom blinked. “About what?”

“Your heart. And Dad.”

“Since I’m not dating, it’s never come up.”

“Is that why you’re not dating? Because your heart is spoken for?”

In the silence that followed, her expression was impossible to read. The only sound was the pop and crackle of the fire. “This is getting deep,” she said at last. “I’ll take that root beer, after all.”

He set his on an end table and stood. “I’ll get it.”

“I’ll stoke the fire.”

As he entered the kitchen, he was hit with misgivings. Maybe he shouldn’t have brought up the subject. He grabbed a root beer from the fridge, twisted off the cap and tossed it in the trash. But he wanted some answers.

He’d bet his brothers did, too, now that they were all happily paired up and she was still alone. Did she prefer it that way or not? Might be nice to know for sure.

He returned and handed her the bottle. “I hope I didn’t upset you.”

“I’m not upset. Startled, but not upset.” She hoisted the bottle. “Thanks.”

He smiled. “Anytime.”

She sipped her root beer and propped her bare feet on the couch. “Let me say up front that I consider your dad my soulmate. We fell in love when we were young and the connection was magical.”

“I like hearing that.”

“It’s very true. When you said that Olivia ogles you because she can’t help it, I laughed because I was the same with your dad. He knew it and he would have responded just like you did.”

“I wish I’d known him.”

“You do, in a way. Watch Ryker when he’s totally focused on a task. Ian was like that. Zane’s empathy for those raptors is so like your dad, too. Bryce has his musical ability and you have his knack for fixing things. Cody has his winning personality.”

“He sounds amazing.”

“He was. I see him in every one of you boys. Physically, because he had those broad shoulders and narrow hips, but emotionally, too. He was a good man. I wish he’d lived.”

His throat tightened. “If this is too hard for you to talk about, then—”

“It’s not. Is it too hard for you to hear?”

“No. I want to hear it. I’m probably not the only one. I know for a fact Bryce wonders if you’d ever want another man in your life.”

“Cody asked me about it once, too. I think he was ready to sign me up for online dating.”

“That sounds like him. I can’t picture it for you, though.”

“I can’t either.” She stared into the fire. “I loved your dad and I love my memories of him. You boys are constant reminders, which is nice. So often a look, a gesture, a certain way you stand, reminds me of him. Because of that, he’s with me all the time.”

“Then maybe that’s enough.”

She glanced at him. “It certainly could be. If that’s how things work out, I’m fine with it. I had him and now I have you. That’s plenty.”

“What do you mean, if that’s how things work out? Have you imagined something different?”

“Not specifically. Here’s the deal. I don’t need a man in my life. I have the five of you and even if I didn’t, I still wouldn’t need a token male on the premises.”

He grinned. “This is sounding like some of the conversations I’ve overheard when I was bartending for the Whine and Cheese Club.”

“Oh, yeah, we all took the pledge. Judy and Christine have husbands, but they’ve promised if that situation ever changes, they won’t immediately hunt for a replacement. We made them sign in blood.”

“Blood? Really?”

“Okay, taco sauce. We were drinking margaritas at the time. But it’s binding. We put the documents in Jo’s safe deposit box at the bank.”

“Speaking of Aunt Jo, she doesn’t seem interested in dating, either.”

“She’s not. And although Deidre’s enjoying her time with Jim, she’s not talking about making it legal. Neither is he.”

“Which brings us back to you. And your if that’s how it works out statement. Sounds like a dodge to me.”

She chuckled. “You’re persistent, you know that?”

“I do know that. I’ve been accused of it more times than I can count. And recently, too.”

“By Olivia?”

“As a matter of fact. But let’s not get off track, here. We’re talking about you, not me.”

“I have a feeling there’s a connection.”

“Maybe.”

“I’m no dummy, Trevor. Olivia’s a widow and so am I. I haven’t dated and she’s determined not to date even though she is itching to get her hands on you.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“You know she is. And you’re blushing.”

“It’s the heat from the fire.”

“Speaking of fires, aren’t you on call tonight?”

“Yep. Got my phone in my pocket.” He leaned back in his chair and stretched his legs out in front of him. He was ready to shift the focus of this conversation. “Let’s create a scenario. Say a handsome guy in his mid-to-late forties blew into town.”

“Is he a cowboy?”

“Do you want him to be?”

“Of course I do. Riding and horses are my life. And you boys.” She took a swallow of her root beer. “I’m not hooking up with some greenhorn who insists on group singalongs during a trail ride.”

“Someone did that?”

“Last weekend. I thought for sure Zane was going to gag him with a bandana.”

“No greenhorns, then. Let’s say a handsome, forty-something cowboy rides into town.”

“On a horse? Nobody does that anymore.”

“He rides in on his Harley. How do you feel about motorcycles?”

“I don’t know. Never been on one. Have you?”

“A few times. It’s fun. Excuse me a minute. The fire needs tending.” Levering himself from the easy chair, he went over, crouched by the hearth and used the tongs to rearrange what was left of the wood. He added one more log.

It never failed to amaze him that this cheerful blaze, if turned loose instead of being caged in this fireplace, could destroy the better part of an alpine forest, especially if the forest hadn’t been managed well. After working with ENFD for the past couple of months, he’d never again underestimate the power of fire.

By the time he settled back in his chair, he had more info on the Harley-riding cowboy. “He has a mustache.”

“Who does?”

“Your cowboy. Are you okay with that?”

“I have no idea. I’ve never kissed a man with a mustache. Why does he have to have one?”

“I dunno. That’s just how I see him. He’s kind, generous, and very attracted to you.”

“Does he have an income? I’m not getting involved with a deadbeat.”

“He has an income. I’m just not sure what he does yet.”

“Well, get back to me on that, because it’s important.”

“Let’s just say he has a decent income. Would you go out with him?”

She gazed at him without speaking.

“Yes or no? Is Dad your one and only or would you consider getting to know someone new?”

She opened her mouth. “I think—”

His phone chimed. The station.

“You have to go.”

“I do. House fire.” He stood and dug his keys from his jeans pocket. “We’ll finish this discussion later.”

“Sure.” She got up and gave him a tight hug. “Take care of yourself.”

He hugged her back. “Always.” He headed out to his truck. He liked it better when she didn’t know he was going off to a fire. She worried. But it couldn’t be helped tonight.

The timing had been lousy, cutting off their discussion right when she’d been about to reveal whether she’d date this mythical guy he’d dreamed up. She’d played along with his little game, though. She wasn’t totally opposed to the idea.

But that was after twenty-six years. Olivia had only been a widow for three. On the other hand, Olivia didn’t have five young boys to raise. In that case, three years might be enough.

* * *

Hours later, Trevor stumbled into the house, set his alarm and fell into bed without showering or changing clothes. He lay awake for a little while as adrenaline coursed through his system. They’d saved the dwelling, but more important, they’d saved the people, their two dogs and their cat.

The cat had been a challenge because she’d hidden under a bed in the kids’ room. Trevor had spied her under there and by some miracle had coaxed her out. The two kids had gone a little crazy when he’d climbed out of the second story with the calico snuggled against his turnout.

He and his buddies had celebrated a “good” fire when they’d made it back to the station. A good fire, as he’d learned, meant no creature had been killed, either animal or human. The wildfire near Olivia’s house wouldn’t qualify. While the forest dwellers who could run, crawl or fly away had escaped, the rest had been SOL.

It seemed his alarm chimed only seconds after he’d fallen asleep. He managed a quick shower, drank a cup of coffee from the pot his mom had left for him in the kitchen and took a couple of pieces of peanut butter toast when he headed out.

Fortunately, he’d spend the day pulling off shingles and the pitch of her roof wasn’t steep. The prep work wouldn’t require much thought or precision.

Just like the night before, she came out when he drove up. She peered at him as he climbed out of the truck. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Why?”

“You didn’t shave.”

He rubbed his chin. Sure enough. “Had a house fire last night.”

“Is everyone okay?”

“They are. We contained it with only minor damage. Everyone got out safely.”

“Good, but Trevor, you look dead on your feet. Maybe you should go home and get some rest instead of tackling this today.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I checked my weather app while I had my coffee and there’s a storm front moving in early next week. I need to get on this.”

Her gaze searched his. “Okay. What can I do?”

“Make me some more coffee, if you wouldn’t mind. One cup isn’t going to hold me.”

“I’m on it. Have you had anything to eat?”

“Peanut butter toast.”

“Then plan to take a break at ten. I’ll have something more substantial for you.”

“Thanks.” Evidently the offer of nourishing food had given him a new burst of energy, because his weariness evaporated. Or maybe it was the woman offering that food.

“Can I help you pull off the shingles?” She said it hesitantly, as if hoping he’d refuse the offer.

He grinned at her. “Much as sharing the time with you would be great, I’d rather have you down below making coffee and fixing food. That’s a chauvinistic division of labor and I apologize in advance.”

She looked relieved. “No worries. I have zero experience pulling off shingles. I might hinder more than I’d help.”

“Do you still have those cookies?”

“I do. In fact I’ll make some more. But I’m going to insist you eat some scrambled eggs before you load up on sweets.”

“I will. And thank you.”

Her smile was more powerful than a jolt of caffeine. “You’re welcome.”

After she went inside, he propped his ladder against the house and climbed to the roof. These picturesque shingles, otherwise known as fuel, were going down.