Page 87 of Hearts on the Mend

“What if I found something here for you?”

I scoff, tapping my fingers over the table, which is too small. I barely fit in the seat. There’s a reason why I like being outside. I don’t feel quite as large. Feel more like I fit in.

“Something like what?” I ask.

“Well, I’m retiring, for one.”

My eyebrows shoot up.

“And I’m gonna need a fire inspector, because Paul’s retiring too.”

“What are your plans?”

“Oh”—he laughs—“nothing exciting. Got a condo in Florida with the rest of the Massholes.”

“So you’re going to be a snowbird, huh?”

“That’s what you have to look forward to when you get old.” He chuckles. “My body can’t deal with the cold anymore. What do you think?”

“What do I think about what?”

“What I just offered. Fire inspector. Hell, you’d make a great chief too.”

I chew over my words carefully. I don’t want to offend him. “Well, I need to think about it. Need to see something in writing.”

Besides, I don’t know if I could go back to working at a local firehouse. Hated working structural fires.

“Not really sure I want to stay in Merritt Point.” But that’s not entirely the truth any longer.

“That’s not what I heard.”

My eyebrows shoot up again.

“What did you hear exactly?”

“Well, everyone at bingo was talking about you taking up with Cassie Whitman and her daughter. Even what’s-his-name at the hardware store says he has lollipops stocked just for when you visit with Ruby. Says you three are in there a lot.”

“Have you seen the house?”

He nods. “Big undertaking. It was too big for Ruth.”

“Look, it’s a small town, and small towns like to talk,” I say. “I’m here to get back on my feet after the accident, not move back.”

“But you’ll consider it?”

“I’ll read over any offers,” I correct.

Now I see a way out, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that it was tempting.

Chapter 28

Cassie

The leprechaun visited Merritt Point this morning. The tiny mischief-maker made our milk and toilet water green, and we had Lucky Charm pancakes with a side of chocolate coins.

If only Ruby understood that the leprechaun was actually the ridiculously handsome smoke jumper I’m completely head over heels for. He tiptoed through the house last night, chuckling as he went rogue with a bottle of food dye. Might have been the cutest thing I’ve seen, but with that duo, it seems like I’m always catching myself with a dumb smile on my face.

Ruby is practically the man’s shadow.