Chapter Thirteen MADISON
Chapter Thirteen
MADISON
Graham: Be right there.
I was seriously relieved when Graham replied right away.
I peered out my window again, eyeing the large creature.
Unlike the time I’d seen the moose at the gas station, this one was closer.
I’d seen a few others since I arrived in Willow Brook.
They were plentiful in Alaska. So far, they’d all been at a distance.
This moose was easily taller than my car. It had long gangly legs and a giant head. Wilbur was quiet after his initial bark and just stared curiously through the window. I wondered how long it would take Graham to get here.
Only minutes after I’d sent my text, I heard the sound of approaching tires on the gravel.
A moment later, Graham’s truck appeared.
The moose turned and looked toward his truck.
Graham drove right up to it and laid on his horn, causing the moose to meander off at a lazy trot.
After a few minutes, he climbed out of his truck.
I watched as he put a shotgun in a small compartment behind the seats. I held Wilbur’s collar as I opened the door a moment later. “Why did you have a gun?” I said by way of greeting.
“Because if the horn didn’t chase him away, I would’ve fired the gun. Don’t worry, I wasn’t going to shoot the moose.”
He stepped through the door as I gestured him in and closed it quickly, locking it for good measure. “How often will I see moose?” I demanded.
“Maybe every other day sometimes,” Graham replied with a chuckle as I looked up at him.
“Seriously?”
He nodded slowly, and my belly did a quick somersault. Jesus. This man was too hot for my sanity. His hair was rumpled, and he looked a little tired. He also smelled woodsy, and I wanted to kiss him all over again.
I swallowed, ordering my traitorous hormones to get a freaking grip. “Thank you for coming over so fast.”
“No problem.”
Graham eyed me for a long moment as we stood there. Wilbur started sniffing around his feet, and Graham knelt briefly to greet him before straightening. “I should get home. Text if you need anything.”
After he left, I wondered how I was going to keep my sanity with a neighbor like him.
A week had passed since I’d sent out emails and completed some online job applications.
When I opened my email to find one from an energy company in Anchorage, I let out a little squeal.
They wanted me to contact them for a preliminary phone interview.
Wilbur came running over, bouncing up and down by my feet.
“Wilbur, I have a chance to get a job. This is great news!”
I chuckled to myself. After being something of a workaholic for years, I’d been feeling restless. I needed to work, and I wanted to feel useful. My savings was only going to last me for so long. “I think this means coffee,” I said to Wilbur.
He wagged his entire body in response. After taking a shower, I drove into town, my eyes landing on Willow Brook Fire & Rescue as I drove by.
I wondered if Graham was at work. My forays into town had demonstrated several things.
Everyone knew everyone here, and nobody hesitated to be nosy without me even introducing myself.
People seemed to know that I lived in my grandfather’s old place.
More than one person had commented on Graham being my neighbor and further that he was a firefighter, a nice guy, and a single father.
I could see the questions swirling in people’s eyes about me.
I was curious about my new town and uncomfortably inquisitive about Graham.
Since he’d hurried over to chase off that moose, I hadn’t seen him.
Allie had stopped by for a visit again. As agreed, I’d texted him.
She was a sweet kid. I didn’t need any reminders that Graham was a good man, but his daughter was also one of them letting me know how great her dad was.
A few minutes later, Janet was smiling at me. “What can I get you today?”
“I’ll take your mint chocolate latte. I’m kind of in love with those,” I replied with a sheepish smile.
“Well, they’re delicious.”
After she prepped my coffee, she opened a drawer under the counter and handed me a card. “This is for Jasmine. She’s an artist at the gallery. Ethan and Jack own several galleries here and in Seattle. They’re really nice people and are looking for an accountant. You do that, right?”
I looked over at Janet, and tears almost sprung to my eyes as emotion crested high inside.
This woman, who’d only known me for weeks at this point, actually cared.
“I do that. Thank you. I didn’t expect this.
” While I was technically an actuary and dug deep into financials and other information to assess risk, I was also a skilled accountant.
After what I’d just gone through by putting all of my eggs in one basket, I was thrilled to keep my options open.
Janet’s eyes were warm. “You’re welcome. I had a soft spot for your grandfather, and I know he loved you. We take care of each other around here.”
“I can see that,” I said slowly.
Just then, another customer arrived at the counter. “Thanks again.”
I stepped away, taking a sip of my mint chocolate latte. The sweet flavor slid over my tongue, and I let out a happy sigh as I crossed over to sit at a table. I looked out over Main Street, smiling at the sight of the tiny town. I was starting to think maybe I could make my new life work.
When I was back at home later that afternoon, I was surprised when my phone vibrated with a text. Not many people sent me texts. When I saw Graham’s name flash on the screen, I was even more surprised. I tapped to open it.
Graham: I need a favor. Can you pick Allie up at the high school? I’m out on a fire call, and I forgot to ask my mom to pick her up. My mom’s at a doctor’s appointment so she can’t go get her.
Me: Of course! Can you tell me where the high school is?
Graham: At the end of Main Street. Just follow the signs. I’ll be out of cell range for a while. Should be home in a few hours. Thanks.
Me: No problem, I’ll pick her up.
“Wilbur, I’m going to get Allie. Do you want to come?”
Wilbur wagged as he looked up at me. He trotted by my side after I tossed on a jacket and grabbed my purse. I quickly texted Allie to let her know I was on my way. She replied almost instantaneously.
Allie: I know.
Once I got to Main Street, I drove past the cluster of shops before I saw the promised sign for Willow Brook High School.
A few minutes later, I was waiting in a line of cars.
I chuckled to myself. This was the kind of thing many parents complained about—the drop-off and pickup at school.
It was a novelty for me, though, so I didn’t mind.
Wilbur was excited, pressing his nose against the passenger seat window as he looked outside.
It was a full five minutes as we inched ahead in line.
Once we got close to the front of the school, I scanned the area to find Allie.
A moment later, I saw her lifting her hand and waving.
She adjusted her backpack on her shoulders and started jogging toward the car.
“Wilbur. Get in the back.” I patted the seat, and he turned, hopping onto the console and jumping into the back seat.
Allie slipped her backpack off her shoulders quickly as she slid into the front seat. “Hi.”
Wilbur leaned forward and licked her cheek when she turned to greet him. “He’s very excited to see you,” I commented.
Allie stroked his face. “Do you take him everywhere you go?” she asked.
I shook my head. “I don’t like to leave him in the car. Should I take you straight home?”
Her eyes took on a gleam. “Can we go to Firehouse?”
“Is that okay with your dad?”
“I’ll text him.”
“Don’t text him. He’s out on a call,” I said quickly. “I’m sure it’s fine. You’re not allowed to have coffee, though.”
Allie let out a put-upon sigh, but when I glanced sideways, I could tell she was amused. “I’m allowed to have chai tea or hot chocolate.”
“I might have to get one of those hot chocolates with you. I saw the specials menu for those the other day.”
“The mint chocolate is the best.”
Allie scrunched her nose. “Actually, it’s a tie between that one and the caramel. So good.”
A few minutes later, we were on the way to Main Street. “How was school?” I asked.
“Fine. I’m a freshman, so I’m on the bottom of the social totem pole,” Allie offered matter-of-factly.
I laughed softly. “Oh, high school. It can be rough.”
“I bet it wasn’t rough for you.”
I glanced her way as I slowed at a stop sign. “What do you mean?”
“You’re pretty, and you always look put together. I’m not so great at that.”
I shook my head as I turned. “That’s not true.” Allie had brown curls paired with her big blue eyes. She was a lovely girl.
Allie sighed. “It is. I don’t know how to style my hair, and I don’t know how to do makeup.”
I recalled that I’d wanted to wear makeup at her age. My mother hadn’t allowed me to wear any until my junior year in high school.
I didn’t even know if that made sense, and I didn’t know what the rules were about this kind of thing. “You don’t need makeup,” I countered, and I meant it. Allie was adorable.
“Of course you’re gonna say that. Dad hates talking about looks, and my grandparents tell me I’m the best thing ever. Everybody’s trying to make up for my mom not being here. She’s beautiful. She was the homecoming queen in high school.”
“She was?”
I slowed, turning on my blinker as we approached Firehouse Café. I glanced sideways quickly to see Allie’s ponytail bouncing as she nodded. “She was. I’ve seen her pictures. She was beautiful. She still is.”
“Where does your mom live now?” I couldn’t help asking.
“Not here.”
I parked and looked toward her. Allie was staring out the window.
Even though I couldn’t see her face, I knew she was upset.
“My mom’s parents live here, but I’m not as close to them as I am to my other grandparents.
They’re awesome.” She turned to look at me, and the pain I saw in her eyes hit me like a punch in the chest. “My mom left when I was only a month old, and I’ve seen her—” She held up her hands and started counting with her fingers, stopping at the ninth.
“Nine times. She always says she’s going to visit every year, but she doesn’t.
She just canceled a visit last week. Dad felt bad, and that’s probably why he let me go over and see you.
He feels bad and sad because I’m kind of a girly girl.
He’s kind of a guy-ly guy.” Her mouth twisted, and the sadness faded.
She laughed softly. “If you know what I mean.”
“Guy-ly guy. I like that. He definitely is pretty guy-ly,” I offered.
Allie giggled and moved to climb out of the car. I wasn’t thinking when I reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry about your mom,” I said quietly.
She turned back, her eyes holding mine for a long moment. “Thanks. I can’t complain. I have an awesome dad, even if he gets on my nerves sometimes.” Her lips curled into a smile, and I squeezed her shoulder.
We climbed out of the car together and started walking into the café. “It’s obvious he loves you. Didn’t you tell me he let you paint his toenails once?”
Allie burst out laughing as we walked into the café, the little bell giving a cheery welcome when we crossed the threshold.
We approached the counter and waited in line.
This place was starting to feel comforting to me.
I didn’t know that many people in town, but everyone was always friendly here, and it was warm and cozy.
A cool gust of air blew in as another group of customers entered.
A moment later, we were at the front of the line, and Janet smiled between us. “Hi, ladies. What can I get you?”
“I’m going for the caramel hot chocolate,” I offered before glancing at Allie. “What about you?”
She scrunched her nose. “Mint hot chocolate.”
“Where’s your dad?” Janet asked as she began getting our drinks ready.
“He’s out on a call, and Gram had a doctor’s appointment, so Dad asked Maddie to pick me up. Isn’t it awesome that she’s our neighbor?”
Janet handed Allie her drink, smiling at us again. “Of course, and she’s lucky to have you and your dad as neighbors.”
“I still miss Harold,” Allie said hurriedly. She glanced at me.
“I do too, and I’m glad to have y’all as neighbors. It’s nice.”
“Why do you say y’all?” she asked after taking a sip of her hot chocolate.
I shrugged. “It’s a Southern expression, an abbreviation of you all.”
“I like it. It’s gender-neutral, so I’m going to start saying it, but I don’t think I can do it with your accent.”
Janet chuckled as she handed over my caramel hot chocolate. I paid for both of our drinks and mouthed, “Thank you,” as Janet began waiting on the next customers.
Allie stopped to greet a couple, a tall man and a small petite woman with blond hair, as we were walking out. “Hey, Jasmine,” she said. “Nice to see you, Donovan. Maybe I can come work on some pottery with you next week?” Her voice lilted with a question when she looked back at the woman.
“Anytime,” Jasmine said. “Like I told you, Saturdays are when I’m doing cleanup. It’s a good time for you to stop by.”
The woman’s eyes landed on me curiously, and Allie gestured to me. “This is Maddie. She lives in Harold’s old place. She’s his granddaughter and our new neighbor.”
Jasmine smiled. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” I said, feeling a little shy.
The man with her glanced at me, dipping his chin. “Welcome to Willow Brook.”
“Thanks.”
Jasmine glanced at Donovan before looking back at me. “You know Graham then. He works with Donovan.”
“Oh, you’re a firefighter too?” I asked.
Donovan nodded. “Sure am. I’m off this week, but I hear Graham’s crew is out dealing with a fire at one of those abandoned cabins a few hours north of here.”
“Is that where they are?” Allie asked.
“According to the scanner,” he replied.
Jasmine gave him a dry look. “Even when he’s off, he likes to know what’s going on and has to listen to the scanner.”
Allie giggled. “We have one too. Dad does the same thing when he’s off.”
“Nice to meet you,” Jasmine repeated as Janet called out a greeting to them.
“You too. I’m sure I’ll see you around town,” I replied.
Unlike Houston, that was highly likely. I was discovering that while I might be a city girl, I could get used to the cozy social world of this small town.