Free Shelter for Adeline by Susan Stoker Page A

company.”
    “Thanks. But the night’s not over.”
    “It’s not?”
    “Nope. I have one more surprise up my sleeve.”
    Adeline eyed him with a smile. “I’m afraid to ask.”
    Dean laughed. “Nothing bad. Promise. But we have to drive there. I’d like you to ride with me…if that’s okay. I’ll bring you back here for your car.”
    Adeline bit her lip. The night had been amazing. Dean was funny, interesting, and surprisingly romantic. She hadn’t expected that. Probably stereotypical of her, and rude, but there it was. She would’ve never guessed the hot fireman would take her to a glass-blowing demonstration then dinner at the small Belgian hole-in-the-wall bistro.
    “This isn’t where you’re gonna take me back to your apartment and show me the hidden closet where you keep the bones of women you’ve taken out then killed and stashed, is it?”
    Dean chuckled and put his free hand on her shoulder, brushing it down her back to rest in the hollow of her spine. “No, beautiful. I told you before, you’re safe with me. I wouldn’t hurt one hair on your head.”
    Adeline considered him a moment. Tipping her glass up and finishing the last of her wine, she finally nodded. “Okay. I trust you.”
    Dean’s eyes closed for a moment, then opened, and Adeline almost gasped at the intense look he gave her.
    “Thank you,” he said. “That means a lot to me. Ready?”
    She nodded, and he stood and held the back of the chair, helping to move it out of her way as she got up. As they walked through the restaurant, his hand made its way to the small of her back, and even though she was wearing the corset, Adeline could swear she felt the heat from his fingers seep into her skin.
    They leisurely walked to the parking garage where he’d left his car.
    “You don’t mind a few dog hairs do you?” Adeline asked him. “I brush Coco every day, but I swear the dog grows hair overnight, just to annoy me.”
    “It’s fine. There’s probably still a lot of hair in my car from my Rottie.”
    Adeline didn’t ask where they were going, which was probably stupid, but she hadn’t lied. She did trust Dean. Besides, he seemed to like surprising her.
    They drove for around twenty minutes on the Interstate, and she recognized the area as he turned off. “What are we—”
    “Hang on, beautiful. Almost there.”
    Adeline didn’t say a word as Dean pulled into the parking lot next to Station 7. The building was lit up and she saw one of the trucks parked behind it.
    Dean cut off the engine and turned to her. “You trust me, right?”
    “Yeaaaaaaah?” The word was drawn out in question.
    “And you said you can be adventurous, yeah?”
    “Again, for the most part, yes.”
    “Good.” With that, Dean opened his door and got out. Adeline sat in her seat in confusion as he came around to her side and opened her door. He held out his hand. She put her hand in his and he pulled her out to stand in front of him. Looking up at him, she waited for an explanation.
    “Wanna watch the sunset with me?”
    “Sure. I’m not sure how that’s adventurous though.”
    “How about watching it from the bucket at the top of the ladder?” He gestured to the truck sitting in the lot next to them.
    Adeline’s eyes got huge as she looked from the fire truck and the ladder safely tucked in the down position, then back to Dean. “Seriously?” she asked.
    “Seriously. Unless you’re scared of heights, then no, I’m just kidding.”
    “I’m not afraid of heights,” Adeline enthused. “This is so awesome!”
    He smiled then, and Adeline realized how nervous he’d been that she’d say no or otherwise freak out.
    “Great, let’s go in and say hi to whoever’s here, then we’ll get our butts up there before the sun goes down. I’d hate to have planned for this and then freaking miss the sunset.” He turned and opened the back door of his car to let Coco jump out, then took her hand again and excitedly walked them to the side