by J. H. Croix
“What are you talking about?” I countered.
“Your vibe, always taking care of everybody. That’s all.”
“It’s my job,” I muttered.
“You’re not a cop,” she pointed out.
“No, but Rex asked me to stop by and check on the place, like I told you last night,” I returned just as pointedly.
“I can’t wait to meet her. Can I go over after school today?”
“I don’t know. She might not want surprise guests.”
Allie sighed heavily. She’d perfected the art of sighing. As of late, every sigh was imbued with shades of meaning, all of which I was supposed to intuit even if she didn’t elaborate.
“We’re her neighbors. She’ll feel all alone and unwelcome. Plus, you went by acting like you were a cop,” she added.
“I made sure to tell her I was not a cop and explained that Rex asked me to stop by and check on the place.” I felt more defensive than I wanted to. Lately, my daughter had the unique ability to elicit a sense of defensiveness over the most minor things.
“I’ll take you over there this weekend. How’s that?”
Allie bounced her heels on the floorboard. “That’d be great.”
I turned onto Main Street, watching as golden leaves scudded across the road in front of us. We were headed into autumn, and the leaves were starting to fall from the birch and cottonwood trees. Most of the forests around Willow Brook were evergreen, but there were clusters of birch and cottonwood.
We drove past Willow Brook Fire & Rescue, and the parking lot was noticeably full. Rex was probably having a meeting over on the police side, or one of the other crews was having a staff meeting. The sign for Firehouse Café appeared ahead, its bright red lettering announcing the town’s favorite—and only—coffee shop. Other places served coffee, but it wasn’t the main draw. I couldn’t imagine anyone even trying to compete with Firehouse Café.
Moments later, I’d parked, and Allie was already hurrying out of the truck. “We don’t have time to hang out,” I called as I caught up to her.
“I know, Dad. My first class starts in twenty minutes. That gives us ten minutes here, five minutes to the school, and five minutes for me to get in the building and to class. Plenty of time.” She tapped her watch for emphasis.
Chuckling, I followed her in the café. The scents of fresh coffee and baked goods filled my senses. Allie skipped to the line and tapped the shoulder of a man waiting.
He glanced back, a smile cracking open on his face. “Well, hey, Allie.” Beck’s eyes lifted to mine. “Good to see you, Graham. How’re you two doing this morning?”
“I’m getting a cranberry orange scone before school,” Allie whispered conspiratorially.
Beck nodded solemnly. “Good call. You should get two and sneak one into class.”
I rolled my eyes. “Seriously, dude.”
Beck flashed a grin. “Sorry. I always snuck food in school. You did too.”
I sighed. “I know. I just don’t want her to get in trouble the way I did. She’s a straight-A student.”
“Fair enough. Don’t do what your dad and I did,” Beck added, pulling one of Allie’s curls and letting it go with a bounce.
He was next in line, and Allie prodded him in the back when the couple in front of him stepped out of the way. “Hurry up. I have a time limit, or I’ll be late for school.”
“Go ahead. I can wait.” Beck gestured for us to step in front of him.
“You don’t mind?” I asked.
“Nah.” He shook his head quickly.
“I’ll cover your coffee then. You getting a shot in the dark?”
Beck nodded.
“Did you do that just so Dad would buy your coffee?” Allie asked pointedly.
Beck threw his head back with a laugh. “Nah, I’m not that slick. Honestly, I just wanted you to make it to school on time. I can be chatty. Janet knows that.”
Janet smiled amongst the three of us. “That I do,” she agreed. “What’ll it be?”
“Can I get two cranberry orange scones and—” Allie began.
“No coffee,” I cut in.
Janet chuckled. “You’re too young for coffee, dear.”
Allie groaned.
“Hot chocolate is what you want, right?” I pressed.
Allie brightened instantly with an enthusiastic nod. I ordered Beck’s and my coffee, and we stepped out of the way to wait while Janet prepped everything. “Heard you have a new neighbor,” she commented.
“We do. It’s Harold’s granddaughter. Do you know her?”
“I met her this morning. She’s right over there.” Janet pointed toward the windows to the side of the café.
All three of us swiveled to look where she pointed. Madison sat at a table. Sunshine was falling through the window, creating shimmery glints of gold amidst her dark locks. She was stunning.
Allie swung to me, her eyes wide. “Can I go meet her?”
“You can’t be late for school,” I warned.
“I won’t.” Allie didn’t wait before she skipped across the café as Janet chuckled.
“You can be grateful your teenager isn’t sullen and hates to talk to adults,” she offered encouragingly.
I’d known Janet for as long as I could remember. Growing up in Willow Brook, I had memories of my parents bringing me here when she owned the place with her late husband. He passed away after an accident on an icy highway, and she carried on with her warm smile, her kind brown eyes, and her familiar dark hair streaked with silver that she almost always wore in a braid. She felt like a grandmother to me.
“I know I’m lucky,” I replied. “She’s a good kid.” My eyes flicked to Beck. “Can you grab our stuff when it’s ready?”
He nodded. “You got it. I’ll bring it over.”
Crossing the small café, I tried to ignore the subtle buzz of electricity that set to thrumming in my body. When I stopped by the table, I caught the tail end of my daughter’s comment.
“I live next door with my dad. He’s the one who pretended to be a cop and showed up asking who you were,” Allie explained.
Stopping beside the table, I glanced at Allie and shrugged. “I stopped by because Rex asked me to. Did you introduce yourself?”
“Of course, I might have forgotten to tell you my name, though. I’m Allie, Allie Holden. This is my dad. He’s a hotshot firefighter. He’s nice, although he probably seemed a little bossy when he acted like you were a criminal.”
Madison’s eyes swung to mine. I felt a little jolt, as if a tiny bolt of lightning struck me, when her pretty green eyes collided with mine. Her face was fresh and pink-cheeked. She had this sultry, wholesome vibe that confused me. She was almost too pretty for it.
I tried to tell myself I needed to give her more of a chance. It’s just she reminded me too much of Allie’s mother, who was long gone. She’d been mostly absent from Allie’s life since a month after she was born.
“Hi, Graham,” Madison said, dipping her head.
“Do you go by Madison or Maddie?” Allie interjected.
Madison’s lips twitched at the corners. “Both, so take your pick.”
“I go by Allie, even though my name is Alison,” Allie offered.
“Do you answer to Alison?” Madison asked.
Allie pursed her lips, tapping her fingertip on her cheek. “Sometimes. Dad only calls me that when he’s frustrated.”
Madison’s eyes lifted to mine, and I saw the mirth glinting there.
As I fought the urge to grin, Beck arrived. “Here are your scones. Don’t get yourself in trouble if you try to sneak one in class,” he offered as he handed the small paper bag to Allie.
I glanced at him, adding, “Karma. You just wait. Once your oldest is fourteen, you’ll think twice about encouraging them to behave the way we did when we were in high school,” I teased as he handed me my coffee.
Beck’s eyes widened. “Dude, I’m not ready. Don’t give me a heart attack.”
> With a low laugh, I gestured to Madison. “This is Madison Glen. She’s Harold’s granddaughter who inherited his old place.” Pointing at Beck, I added, “This is Beck Steele. We grew up together, and he’s also a hotshot firefighter here in town.”
Beck dipped his chin in acknowledgment. “Nice to meet you, and welcome to Willow Brook. We all loved Harold even though he wasn’t around very much.”
Madison’s lips tightened at the corners, and an intense emotion flashed through her eyes before she shuttered it quickly. “He meant a lot to me. I didn’t know he’d left me his place until a few months ago. I’m glad to know people here cared about him. I didn’t get to see as much of him as I wanted,” she offered.
I was way too freaking curious about Madison. I wanted to know why Harold disowned Madison’s mother. But if Harold was close to Madison, then she couldn’t be all that bad. That said, family could overlook all kinds of stuff. Hell, I’d given Allie’s mother the benefit of the doubt for way too long when it came to Allie.
“We need to get you to school,” I interjected.
Allie let out a put-upon sigh. “Fine.” Her eyes bounced to Madison. “Can I come over and visit this weekend, Maddie?”
Madison’s eyes shifted to mine. At my nod, she replied, “Sure. Let me give you my number.”
She pulled out her phone, and I watched as my daughter exchanged numbers with a woman who pretty much set my body on fire. Just being near her again had heat rising swiftly inside me, sparking the electricity sizzling through my veins.
“You sure that’s okay?” I couldn’t help but ask.
Madison nodded. “Of course, I don’t know anyone in town except you three now and Janet over at the counter. Friendly neighbors are a good thing. I have an excessively friendly dog. Your dad may have mentioned him.”
Allie’s eyes snapped to mine. “What? You didn’t mention she had a dog.”
“I didn’t think about it,” I replied sheepishly.
Allie huffed. “I have to go to class. I can’t wait to meet your dog.”
A few minutes later, we were back in my truck. “How could you forget about her dog?” Allie asked, her tone accusatory.
“I just didn’t think of it.”
The question of a dog had been on the radar for the last year. Allie’s beloved childhood dog, Banana, had passed away, and she wanted another one. We didn’t have time for training a puppy, so I’d been putting it off. Now that Madison lived next door with a dog, I knew this meant plenty more discussion on the matter.
“We can talk about the possibility of a dog at another time,” I added.
Allie shrugged. “Fine. Maddie’s really pretty, by the way.”
I slid my eyes sideways. My way too perceptive daughter had likely sensed my reaction to Madison. Fuck my life.
Chapter Six
Madison
I was waiting at the counter for a coffee to go before I left. Janet, who’d introduced herself when I came in, was peering through the waist-high door into the kitchen behind her and replying to something an employee said.
I took a moment to glance around. The café was cute and inviting. The tall, square brick building had an open, airy space for dining in what apparently used to be the town’s fire station. Beyond the counter, the kitchen was visible with scents of baked goods and coffee pervading the entire café. The old fire pole was painted with bright pink flowers, adding a touch of whimsy. The windows let plenty of light in and offered a view of the cute downtown shopping area.
Janet turned back and began getting my coffee ready. “I hope it didn’t freak you out to have Graham check on the place last night.”
Before I could respond, she added, “Graham’s a good guy, if a little, well, prickly.”
“That’s one way to put it,” I replied. “I thought he was going to arrest me.”
Janet chuckled. “Graham would not have arrested you. Rex Masters—he’s the police chief—had left me a message, but I didn’t even notice because I was busy. By the time I called Rex back to confirm you were Harold’s granddaughter and had inherited the property, he had already asked Graham to stop by because he lives next door. At least you know we look after each other around here. Are you planning to stay?”
Janet was curious and didn’t even try to hide it. She was also really nice, and I could use a few more nice people in my life. “For the time being, I plan to stay. I can work online, so I’m hoping I can find some opportunities here. Maybe in Anchorage.”
“What do you do?”
“I’m an actuary.”
Janet gave me a long look. “Wow, that sounds terrifically difficult and maybe boring.”
I laughed. “To some people. I love numbers. They relax me. I know it’s weird, but it is what it is.”
Janet chuckled. Her eyes twinkled with her smile. I’d liked her instantly. She was warm and funny and welcoming. She gave off a motherly vibe, and I sensed she was protective of those she cared about.
While I felt instantly comfortable with her, I internally shook my head at myself. I was so filled with doubts about myself. This past year of my life had left me feeling exposed and stripped bare, as if the façade of a house had been torn off to reveal it was nothing more than a stage prop.
“Graham can be grumpy,” Janet offered, “but he’s got a heart of gold.”
She counted out my change and handed it over with my coffee to go. “He’s got his hands full with Allie. She’s a little firecracker, that girl.”
“How old is she?”
Janet drummed her fingertips on the edge of the counter. “Fourteen. Graham’s been a single father since only a month after she was born.”
“Really?”
Janet nodded, brushing her braid off her shoulder. “Allie’s mother was his high school girlfriend. She was a looker. There’s no doubt they didn’t plan for her to get pregnant. She never wanted to be a mom. Lord knows why she even had the baby, but she did.” I was waaa-yyyy too curious about Graham and almost leaned forward as Janet continued. “She passes through town once in a blue moon, just enough to make Allie wish she had a mother. Graham’s as solid as they come. His hands are full between work and being a father.”
“So, are there a lot of firefighters around here?” I asked.
I was still absorbing that detail about Graham, and my curiosity about him was a flame burning higher and higher. The man who was now my neighbor, and the man who’d laid the best kiss of my life on me when I thought I’d never see him again, of course he was a firefighter. That fit.
“We have a surplus of firefighters around here, hotshots and regular,” Janet replied.
“What’s the difference between a hotshot firefighter and a regular one? They’re the ones who go out in the wilderness, right?”
Janet nodded. “Not much other than wilderness in most of Alaska. The crews around here are smoke jumpers. They fly out and land right in the middle of the fires. It sounds exciting, and I suppose it is, but it’s not an easy job.” Pausing, she dampened a towel under a faucet and wiped the counter as she continued talking. “Until this year, he was on the town crew, but he’s the superintendent for a new hotshot crew here.”
“How many crews are in town?”
“Willow Brook is thick with firefighters and hotshots, all of them too good looking for their own good. The Fire & Rescue station here serves as a hub for three hotshot crews and a town crew. Graham’s a good neighbor to have. Make sure to get his phone number. If you ever need anything, he’ll be happy to help.”
I couldn’t even imagine asking for Graham’s phone number, but I bit back the urge to snort a laugh. At least he hadn’t arrested me the other night. Even though he wasn’t a cop, I didn’t doubt if he’d truly thought I was breaking and entering, he’d have done his best to make sure I stayed put until the police arrived.
“I’ll make sure to ask him,” I commented as a bell jingled behind me, and I glanced toward the door to see some customers entering. “Thanks for the co
ffee.” I turned back and cast a quick smile at Janet.
“Always. Hope to see you often. My sandwiches are pretty good too,” she offered with a grin.
“I’ll be back.” I waved as I turned and left the café.
My budget didn’t allow for having coffee out every day, but it was nice to meet Janet and get a feel for the town. Willow Brook was a far cry from Houston, but it was a cute town, and people seemed friendly.
I slipped into my car and quickly checked my notes on my phone. I needed some things at the grocery store. I’d stocked up on food yesterday, but I’d forgotten to get a few household items, such as toilet paper. There was one roll, but I needed more, along with some cleaning supplies. Although the house appeared to have been cleaned, it was still dusty.
My heart pinched thinking of my grandfather. I’d never gotten to see him as much as I’d wanted over the years. It didn’t surprise me he didn’t talk about his family with many people around here. He and my mother had a bitter relationship. He’d never liked my father. When my father tried to force my grandfather to invest in his business, he’d refused. After that, he and my mother hardly spoke.
I wondered if my grandfather had known more than I did about my father’s business instincts. I shook my head to myself as I drove through town and turned into the parking area of the grocery store. I hurried through, scooping up everything I needed, and then headed home.
As soon as I realized I was starting to think of this place as “home” in my own thoughts, even though I’d only been here since yesterday, uncertainty stole through me.
The anxiety hovering inside me over the past year had become familiar. It was this cold unsteadiness inside, as if a door had been left open to a home and cold air was blowing through. I didn’t like the feeling. I also didn’t like that I was getting used to it.
As I drove toward home, I admired the view. I still couldn’t quite believe I was living here. The mountains were tall in the distance, their hulking form both intimidating and comforting. They were so solidly there.
