His Obsession (Snowflake Falls Fire Department #6)

1. Kyla

Chapter One

KYLA

There’s a ghost in my bakery.

What else could explain why the fire alarm has gone off on three separate occasions this week? Each time, there's been nothing wrong. No smoke, no fire, not even a charred chocolate chip cookie. It’s spooky.

“A fourth time? You’ve gotta be kidding me,” I groan. Cookie Corner isn't even open yet, and already it's giving me a headache. The high-pitched screech echoes off the freshly painted blue walls. Tiffany hisses at the noise, puts her ears back flat against her head, and then dashes into the kitchen, her black and white fur bristling. My poor rescue kitty has been through enough trauma without having this to deal with.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, take a deep breath, and call the fire department. There has to be a logical reason why this darn alarm keeps going off. Through the frost-streaked windows, fresh snow drifts down onto the street. Mid-January in Snowflake Falls is a postcard-perfect winter scene, even with all the holiday decorations now packed away.

I fell in love with this little building the moment I saw it. Inside, I've transformed what was once an old antique store into my dream bakery. The original hardwood floors have been restored, and the walls painted from dark red to a soft pale blue. The cute vintage display cases are currently empty but will soon be filled with cookies.

Maybe I should be more embarrassed about calling the fire department. Again . But at least this time I had the presence of mind to put on a clean apron and fix my hair. The last time they showed up, I was covered in flour and looked like I'd been caught in a snowstorm. The two guys who arrived were capable and friendly, but I was more focused on getting back to work.

The bell above the door chimes and heavy boots thud against the floor. “Fire department!”

That deep voice sends an unexpected spark through my body and straight to my core. I step out from behind the counter, ready to explain that, yes, I'm the bakery owner who can't seem to keep her fire alarm from throwing a tantrum.

And promptly forget how to speak.

The firefighter standing in my little store is gorgeous . Tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair and warm brown eyes that crinkle slightly at the corners when he sees me. His turnout gear makes him look even larger, but his lopsided grin is gentle. He’s so hot I can’t do anything except gawk for a few seconds.

“Zander. Fire department…you reported an alarm activation?”

“Yes! I mean, hi. I'm Kyla.” I swallow, waving up at the ceiling where the alarm continues its ear-splitting shriek. “I promise you I'm not doing this on purpose. I think my bakery's haunted.”

He raises one dark eyebrow, and my cheeks heat up. “Haunted?”

“What else could it be? The alarm's gone off four times this week, and there's never anything wrong. I've had it checked, double-checked, and triple-checked. I'm starting to think something doesn't want me to open next week.” I’m babbling, distracted by his chiseled, handsome face and the way his uniform strains across his massive shoulders.

Zander's lips twitch as if he’s trying not to smile. “Okay to look around?”

“Be my guest. Maybe you'll have better luck ghost-hunting than me.”

He checks the alarm system, the kitchen equipment, and the wiring. I try hard not to notice how his big muscles flex as he reaches up to examine the alarm, or how his presence makes my tiny store feel even smaller.

“Opening soon?” Zander asks, glancing over.

"Thursday. Assuming my supernatural friend here doesn't have other plans.”

“You’re new to town?”

“Is it that obvious?”

He glances over his shoulder with a playful grin that makes my stomach flip. “Snowflake Falls isn't huge. Everyone knows everyone. I’d definitely remember you.”

The way he says it makes me glad I'm leaning against the counter for support.

“I moved here from Pinebury,” I explain. “This building came up for rent. I know Snowflake Falls, since my aunt Christa owns the Candy Cabin. She wants to concentrate on confectionery and this is going to be the cookie hub. It felt like fate.” I rub my hand through my hair. There’s a fifty-fifty chance it’s now streaked with flour.

Zander climbs down from his stepladder, frowning. “The system looks fine, but..." He walks over to the kitchen area, examining something near the back wall. “Aha! Here's your ghost.”

I follow him, the top of my head just reaching level with his shoulder. He smells good, a fresh, outdoorsy scent with a hint of musk underneath. “What is it?”

“There's some damage to the wiring insulation here. Probably mice. When they chew through it, it can trigger the alarm.” He turns to me, and I crane my neck to meet his gaze. “Not supernatural, but annoying.”

"Mice?" I shake my head. "That's so much worse than a ghost."

His laugh booms out. “Don't worry. I know a good electrician who can fix this up before your opening. Donnell owes me a favor.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it. And I'm sorry for calling you guys out here so many times.”

“Don't worry about it.” His gaze lingers on my face. “Better safe than sorry. That's what we're here for. Maybe next time, try baking the ghost some cookies first?”

I laugh. “I'll add it to my recipe testing list. Ghost-appeasing snickerdoodles.”

“Sounds delicious.” Zander pulls out his phone as Tiffany marches back into the room. She rubs against his leg and he leans down to pet her. “This beauty will scare off any mice in the meantime. Here’s Donnell's number. And, uh…” He hesitates for a moment. “Maybe mine too? You know, in case the ghost comes back.”

I stare back at him. I’ve been in town for ten days. After leaving Pinebury behind, dating is the last thing I should be thinking about. But my heart skips a beat and I answer without thinking. “That would be great. For ghost-related emergencies only, of course.”

“Of course.” His lazy smile makes my core tingle.

After Zander leaves, I stand in my quiet, alarm-free bakery. A couple of people are looking over at Cookie Corner. In a town this small, an out-of-control alarm is probably the most exciting thing happening since they took down the Christmas tree in the town square last week. That's what attracted me to Snowflake Falls in the first place. No drama.

The snow is falling harder now, adding another layer of white to the peaked roofs and window ledges. A group of kids hurries past in their new winter boots, backpacks bouncing as they head home from school. An elderly couple walks by, hand in hand. They wave when they see me, even though I don’t know who they are.

I should probably be guilty about how happy I am that my alarm malfunctioned again. But as I turn back to my kitchen, one thought runs over and over again in my head.

Thank goodness for ghosts. And handsome firefighters too, of course.