ALFIE
Chapter One
Ten years later
This change of pace is taking some getting used to.
I’m used to the noise of the big city, the excitement of racing to a callout and being surrounded by people all the time.
But I’m also burnt out by the things I’ve seen, constantly having to watch my back and finding it hard to switch off.
My girlfriend and I broke up last year - nothing awful, just no spark left for either of us - and since then I’ve questioned what I was doing so far away from my hometown and my family.
Which is why I find myself three days before Christmas sitting by the side of the road measuring traffic levels. So far I’ve counted three cars, the We Tree Kings Christmas tree truck and a silver van struggling against the rapidly falling snow.
My cell rings and I pick up.
“Bro! We need the deputy sheriff here to help with the cookies.” Taylor’s voice is cheerful.
“Is that an emergency? My shift finishes soon. I’ll stop by and say hi. See you later.” I can tell my sisters are still enjoying the novelty of having me back in Snowflake Falls.
In fact, my whole family is delighted. All four of my sisters are now coupled up and my Mom keeps making jokes about how now I’m back I can find “the one”. I keep telling her I don’t believe in that kind of stuff, but she’s not listening.
As I drive over to Taylor’s house, the winding streets of Snowflake send the memories flooding back.
I’ve been here for two weeks now and part of me is surprised at how easily I’ve slotted back into life when I tried so hard to get away when I was younger.
I guess I thought more excitement in my life would make me happier, but it didn’t.
The violence and desperation I saw in the city were making me numb, and I felt like I was losing part of myself.
Taylor’s son Oscar rushes out of their house when he sees my car. “Uncle Alfie! Make the lights go!” I blip the lights a couple of times and he jumps up and down in excitement.
He hugs me as I walk up the steps and Taylor comes out to peck me on the cheek, her hands covered in cookie dough. I forgot how tactile everyone in my family is.
“Come in Alf, I’m just finishing up to put these in the oven.” She gestures towards the kitchen.
“Smells great.” I walk into the living room and stop in surprise. There’s a gorgeous woman with wavy dark hair sitting at the table, which is covered with receipts. Her eyebrows shoot up her forehead as I walk in.
“Alfie - you remember Faith who lived next door to Mom and Dad? You guys used to study together in high school, I think? Give me a sec, I think something’s burning...” Taylor’s distracted by the cookies and rushes back into the kitchen.
I walk over to the table. My beautiful high school crush, grown into this absolutely stunning woman. I always thought Faith was wonderful, but never believed she’d be interested in me, since she had a boyfriend.
She stands up and reaches her hand out like she wants to shake hands. It’s cute and awkward at the same time.
I take her hand in mine. “Pleased to meet you.” I say and then wink.
She laughs. “It’s good to see you Alfie. I wasn’t sure whether to give you a hug or not. I heard you were back and working as the deputy now, I was hoping to see you and say hi.”
“What are you doing here? Waiting for cookies like me?” I take a seat opposite her at the table.
“I’ve come to help your sister with her accounts. She might be a hell of a baker but she has a little trouble organizing her receipts. Some of them have essential numbers obscured by icing and gravy. It’s hard work, but she adds cookies as a bonus, so...” Faith rolls her eyes.
“I remember you were always so good at math. You’re an accountant now?” I can’t help gazing at her. She’s wearing a red sweater and jeans which emphasize her spectacular curvy figure.
“Yep, there’s more and more people every year who need an accountant. I also help businesses get their tax in order. I like helping people get their affairs straight when they’ve let them slide. Logical brain.” She smiles and taps the side of her head.
“Ah, then Tay must drive you crazy. She’s all about the pastry and not about the organization. Good thing Miles is organized enough for her and Oscar both.” Miles, my brother-in-law, is in the military and doesn’t miss a trick.
“I hear you talking about me, Alfie. Never forget you’re my little brother and the time I locked you in the cupboard.
I can do that again. All this deputy stuff doesn’t scare me.
” Taylor sets the cookies down on the table.
“Okay, so you guys need to give me your honest opinion on these. I’m serving them at Magnus’s Christmas party with the coffee. Is the mint too much?”
Faith picks up a cookie and takes a bite. “Wow, these are delicious. I love the chocolate and cranberry together. I’m going to Magnus’s party too. He said he owed me a drink for helping him untangle the Lodge’s accounting problem.”
I swallow the cookie nearly whole. They don’t make them like this in the city. “Perfect, Tay. Is this Magnus you’re talking about that Magnus Huckle guy? The architect who designs the houses for billionaires?”
Taylor nods. “That’s the one. He’s a sweet guy. He got married to Alexis’s husband Dax’s Mom while you were in the city.”
“I’ve missed out on a lot being away. Got some catching up to do…” I look over at Faith. I wish I could speak to her alone. I think the last time we had a proper conversation was at that party years ago before her idiot boyfriend set himself on fire during a drinking game.
Her cheeks flush and she stands up, looking at her cell phone. “I need to go. Great cookies. Lovely to see you after all this time, Alfie. Taylor, I’ll send an email with your next steps.”
Taylor walks Faith to the door and she puts on her coat. I don’t want her to leave, but what am I meant to do - arrest her? For being too gorgeous?
I shake my head. I’m not sure what’s got into me. I’m meant to be back in Snowflake Falls to reconnect with my family and see if I enjoy a quieter pace of life.
I’m not here to fall head over heels in love.
Especially not with the girl who used to be my neighbor, right next door.