Chapter Five
PAISLEY
The following morning, I tiptoed down the stairs, pausing at the bottom and holding my breath as I listened for any motion in the kitchen. There wasn't a peep, so I finally mustered up the courage to peek into the kitchen. Finding no sign of Russell, I hustled outside.
After I climbed into my car, I realized he must have arrived last night after I'd gotten here. I experienced a stab of disappointment that he didn’t know what kind of vehicle I owned.
Seeing as we worked together and parked in the same parking lot, I knew what he drove.
But maybe there was more to it than that.
I tried to think if I knew what any other people drove.
I’d recognize Maisie’s vehicle because I'd seen her arrive.
Aside from that, I was only familiar with Russell's truck. What did that mean?
“Now, you’re being ridiculous,” I said to myself as I started my car.
Once I turned out of the driveway, I headed toward Firehouse Café because I needed coffee. I was trying to figure out a way to tell Janet I needed another option for a rental. I already knew there weren't any. If she hadn't already rented the B&B for the winter, I think she would’ve let me stay.
I jumped out of my car and walked quickly across the parking area, my breath misting in the cool morning air.
The bell above the door gave its friendly jingle as I stepped inside, the low hum of voices reaching me instantly.
Even though it was early, this place was already busy.
I waited in line, and my stomach growled audibly.
When I got to the counter a moment later, Janet grinned. “Shall we start with your food order?”
“Please. How about two bagels with smoked salmon cream cheese? I'll have one now and then one at lunch.”
“You got it.” She called my order over her shoulder and then looked back at me. “Coffee?”
I paused, contemplating what I wanted. “Can you do that mocha thing you made me the other day?”
“You got it. No sugar, though, right?”
“Definitely not. I don't like my coffee sweet, but your mocha with that touch of chocolate is perfect.”
Janet smiled as she rang me up and began to prep my coffee. “So, are you all settled?”
“Yep. It's a nice place. I didn't know Russell lived there.” I’d abandoned the idea of asking her about other options since I knew she’d offered me the only one she knew of.
When her eyes met mine, I could’ve sworn I saw a glint of calculation, but it disappeared as swiftly as I imagined it, and she didn't say another word.
She simply shrugged. “He lives downstairs, and you've got the upstairs all to yourself.
You work with him, so sharing the kitchen shouldn't be a problem. Russell's a nice guy.”
Janet's tone was a little too innocent, but I didn't know her well enough to call her out on it yet. “His mom seems really nice.”
Janet nodded. “She is, and she could use that rental money.”
I decided to push it a little. “Are you sure? Because it doesn’t seem like she was renting it out before, and rentals are pretty hard to come by around here.”
Janet looked the slightest bit guilty. “You needed a place to stay, and his mother mentioned it.”
As I nodded, I heard the bell over the door jingle again and reflexively looked over my shoulder to see Maisie Steele walking in with her husband, Beck.
Maisie worked as the dispatcher at Willow Brook Fire & Rescue and was becoming a friend, or so I hoped.
Their hands were linked, and I couldn’t help but take in how cute they were as a couple—Maisie with her brown curls and freckled cheeks and Beck with his rumpled dark curls and flashing green eyes.
“Well, hey,” Maisie said when she stopped beside me at the counter, releasing Beck’s hand. “Are you all situated in your new spot?”
“How did you know I was moving last night?”
“Janet told me.”
“Where are you staying?” Beck asked. “Not easy to find a rental around here this time of year.”
“Is it ever easy?” I returned.
“Definitely not.” He chuckled.
“I didn't know it when I rented it, but I'm staying in the upstairs apartment where Russell lives.”
“Oh, that's a sweet spot.” Beck nodded. “Their family used to rent that out every summer to tourists, but they don't do that anymore, not since his dad passed.”
He went quiet for a moment, almost like a brief gust of cold air passing through the conversation. There was a story there, but I sure as hell didn't know what it was. I simply nodded. “Well, it’s a nice place.”
Janet handed me my coffee. “Your bagels will be out in a minute.”
I waited at the end of the counter, and Maisie came to stand with me while Beck ordered. “I'm so glad you found a place. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have a place right off when I moved here.”
“What do you mean?”
“I inherited my grandmother's old house and her job too. I was kind of a bitch when I first moved here. I think it's a good thing they felt bad for me and gave me the job anyway,” she offered matter-of-factly.
I sputtered on a sip of coffee. “Seriously?”
She shrugged. “Oh, I can be moody.” She paused, glancing at Beck when he stepped forward to wait with us. “Right?”
“What?” Beck prompted in return as he immediately reached for her hand.
“I was kind of a bitch when I first started working at the station,” she explained.
Beck's eyes bounced from Maisie to me and back again. He appeared to be attempting to assess the situation. She smiled encouragingly when his eyes met hers again. “It's okay. You can be honest.”
His lips kicked up into a grin, and he nodded. “I thought she hated me. Secretly, she wanted me bad.”
Maisie rolled her eyes. “So cocky.”
I laughed, thinking about how obvious their love for each other was.
They had a warm, teasing relationship. “You can be a bitch if it helps to adjust to moving here,” Beck commented.
“Although that doesn't really seem like your speed.” I opened my mouth to say something when he added, “Well, except when it comes to Russell.
You're gonna have to figure that out now that you two are roommates.”
“We've already figured it out,” I ground out, trying not to grit my teeth.
He nodded. “Good then.”
Maisie met my eyes, a knowing glint in hers, but I ignored it and was relieved to hear Janet call my name when she set a small paper bag on the counter. “I'm sure I'll see you two back at the station.” With a wave, I snatched the bag and practically ran out of the café.