Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
After Nick left, Kate unpacked her kitchen boxes and spent the rest of the evening baking and packaging an assortment of mini muffins into holiday tins.
In the morning, she set out to introduce herself to the local businesses.
With a cloth bag filled with baked goods, she set out on foot, thinking she’d start at the bookstore and visit with Paige Turner, the owner of Turner Books, and swing by Rural Chic Boutique at some point to splurge on something fun to wear.
Although the air chilled her, the sun shone bright.
She was on a mission to make a good impression with the townsfolk, to market her baked goods and promote her coffee shop.
A lovely display of cookbooks and kitchenware filled the front window of Turner Books.
The Christmas cookie cutters and holiday potholders caught her attention.
She might have to do more than window shop.
She opened the heavy glass door to the bookstore.
The aroma of mulled spice filled the air, and Dean Martin’s voice crooned about it being cold outside.
“Kate!” Paige yelled from the back, making her way to the front of the store. “It’s so good to see you again.” She wrapped Kate in a hug.
“You too.”
“How was your drive?”
“No problems. How’s the blushing bride-to-be?” Kate set her bag on the counter. “Michael said Henry can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle. It’s all they talk about.”
Kate had met Paige when she visited her cousin Michael in New York.
Michael’s partner, Henry, one of Paige’s good friends, introduced them.
When Paige held a grand opening and a signing for her third book, Kate flew to Minnesota, wanting to see the town Paige left her position in New York City for.
While walking around town, she noticed the majestic old white church for sale.
She contacted the real estate agent and placed an offer before flying out the next day.
Paige beamed. “I swear, Henry texts me every day asking about the wedding preparations. I think he’s driving Michael nuts, although Michael has had a few good ideas I’m implementing.
That reminds me . . .” Paige reached under the cash counter and pulled out an envelope.
“I saved this to give you when you arrived instead of mailing it.”
Paige handed her the embossed lace envelope. She opened it and skimmed the invite. “Thank you so much. I’m looking forward to the wedding.”
“Enough about me,” Paige said. “I heard you met our sheriff.”
“How—”
Paige held out her hand. “Hand me your phone.”
Kate unlocked her phone and handed it over. Paige’s fingers flew over the keyboard, and she handed the phone back. “Punch in your passcode.”
Kate did as instructed.
“You now have the Town Talk app. Answer a few of the questions and you’re good to go. You’ll be in the know,” Paige said with a smile.
She peered over Kate’s shoulder. “Scroll up.”
“What!?” Kate had found a picture of herself on the side of the road, being escorted back to her car by Nick. “But—”
Paige chuckled. “Welcome to our small town.”
* * *
After purchasing a few kitchen items from Paige’s window display, Kate stopped at the hardware store. She had a friendly conversation with Nate, the owner, and she promised to stop in again to meet his daughter, Sloane.
The afternoon sun now shone brightly overhead.
She stopped in at the Lake Times and then at Mane Attraction, the only hair salon in town.
The people of Deer Creek Falls were welcoming and enjoyed the treats she delivered, thankful that she was opening a coffee shop in town.
They all promised to be faithful customers once she opened.
During her drop-offs, everyone asked her the same questions: Where was she from? Did she move to Minnesota alone? No doubt after scrolling through the Town Talk app, they already knew the answers, but she responded to their questions nonetheless.
With only two tins left, she stopped in at Rural Chic to see Chloe before finishing up at the Deer Creek Lodge. After staying at the lodge on the Fourth of July, she knew mornings could be hectic with guests checking out, so she’d make the lodge her last stop of the day.
Chloe waved from the front window, hanging what looked like vinyl 45 records on a shiny silver Christmas tree. Kate returned her wave and stepped through the door, causing jingle bells to ring overhead. The smell of leather and pine greeted her.
“Kate!” Chloe called, hopping down from the bay window. “I’m glad you stopped by.”
Chloe had joined Kate for breakfast at the lodge in July. They’d talked for hours, becoming fast friends. Although it had been hard for Kate leaving her best friend behind in Chicago, she knew she wouldn’t feel too lonely with Paige and Chloe nearby.
“Hi, Chloe.” Kate pulled a tin from her bag. “This is for you.”
The front door jingled, and Ruth Reid, Chloe’s mom, rushed in and stomped her snowy boots on the rug. “Sorry I’m late, Chloe. Megan—” Ruth stopped. “Kate! So good to see you.” She unwound her scarf and removed her mittens.
Kate had gotten to know Ruth over coffee when she stayed at the Deer Creek Lodge.
Being an early riser, she liked to walk the bike path outside the lodge as the sun rose over the lake.
Both mother and daughter had welcomed her with open arms, reinforcing her decision to buy the church and move to the quaint and friendly town.
“Good to see you too, Ruth.”
Chloe asked her mom, “So, what’s up with Megan?”
“Oh. Yes. Kate, Megan is my pastry chef,” Ruth clarified.
“Anyway, I finished baking tonight’s dessert because Megan called.
Her doctor put her on bed rest. I’m afraid I’ll have to get an early start on the cookies needed for our annual Santa Days.
” She looked back at Kate. “Santa Days is an event we hold here at the lodge, and the main draw is a visit from Santa.” Ruth waved a hand in dismissal. “Anyway, that’s why I’m late.”
Kate pulled the last tin from her bag. “These are for you. I intended to stop over after visiting Chloe.”
Chloe already had the cover off her tin, and bit into a dark chocolate chip muffin. “These”—she swallowed—“are to die for. Tell me you’ll be making these daily once you open.”
“Absolutely. They’re one of my favorites.” Kate smiled at the praise.
Ruth handed her daughter a tissue she pulled from her purse.
“I understand you met my brother.” Chloe’s eyes twinkled as she stuffed the rest of the muffin into her mouth.
Ruth and Chloe both grinned at her like lovesick teenagers waiting for her to spill some juicy details. “It was actually Sawyer who pulled me over,” Kate said.
“Oh, we know,” Chloe said. “But I saw Nick’s vehicle in the church parking lot last night.”
Kate’s cheeks heated. “I fed him leftovers, but only because I was about to eat when he stopped by to apologize.”
“That was very thoughtful, Kate. He works long hours and forgets to eat,” Ruth said. “I worry about him. He doesn’t date, and I’m afraid he’s becoming a workaholic. He hasn’t had time to do anything fun since he moved back to town.”
“Speaking of the single sheriff.” Chloe gestured toward the door.
Nick walked in, glanced Kate’s way, and nodded. “Ladies. Nice tree, Chloe.”
“Thank you.”
Nick’s radio squawked. He turned up the volume, and at the same time Chloe and Ruth’s phones rang.
The color drained from Nick’s face. Kate could hear a sharp intake of breath from Ruth.
“Mom, Chloe,” Nick said. “Get in my car. We’ve got to go. Dad’s at the hospital. He had a heart attack.” Kate placed a hand over her mouth.
All three women stood in place, stunned into silence, until Chloe grabbed her keys and jacket from behind the counter.
“Chloe, go. I’ll lock up,” Kate said. A tear escaped as Chloe tossed the keys to her, and the three Reids rushed out the front door.
Kate’s heart sank. She hugged herself, chills overtaking her body. The memory of getting the call when her dad had been shot rang through her head. That was a memory she longed to forget but never would. She said a quick prayer for a good outcome for Mr. Reid and the family.
* * *
Time stood still. Getting a call about a loved one was a police officer’s worst nightmare. Nick corresponded with Meg on a secure line while driving like a bat out of hell to the hospital twenty minutes away in the neighboring town. He’d make it in less.
His mom, quiet in the front seat, stared straight ahead, her hand clinging to the door. Chloe sat in the back, her fingers flying over the keyboard of her phone.
“Dad collapsed in the lumberyard,” Chloe said.
Nick cleared the emotion from his throat. “Jake was there and took immediate action.” Jake Meyer, a paramedic for the county, was the best there was. Their dad was in excellent hands. Nick’s eyes blurred. Get it together, Reid.
He pulled up to the hospital and parked near the ambulance bay. His mom jumped out and ran inside. He opened the back door for Chloe, and they followed close behind their mother.
“I’m sorry, Sheriff, you need to wait here.” A nurse he recognized held up a hand, concern etching her face. He couldn’t remember her first name. Why the hell couldn’t he think of her name?
“Status,” he barked.
The nurse placed a comforting hand on his forearm. “We’re taking good care of your dad. I’ll find out more and let you know. Wait here.” She headed for the double doors.
Cole and Ethan rushed into the waiting room. Cole ran up to his mom and engulfed her in a hug, murmuring softly. Ethan reached out to Chloe and put an arm around her shoulder.
“We were finishing our workout when Cole got the call,” Ethan said.
Nick found a quiet corner and called his brother Garrett, then rejoined the group and waited for word.
Soft voices filled the room when Elsie Andrews and Abe Turner showed up, followed by Elsie’s twin, Emma Nelson; Rosie Cermak, Linnie Reynolds, and Paige.
Linnie eased her good friend Ruth into a brown vinyl chair and held her hand.
Both women had tears running down their cheeks.
Nick headed for the coffeepot and poured himself a cup. He turned off his radio and paced the large waiting room.
Cole joined him. “You need to stop pacing. You’re making me nervous.”
Nick glanced around the neutral-colored room and stared at a picture of a waterfall. “Sorry.”
His brother placed a hand on his shoulder. “Did you get a hold of Garrett?”
Nick ran a hand over his jaw and through his hair. “I had to leave a message.”
Cole groaned outwardly.
“He needed to know. I told him Dad was stable and we were all with him.” He swallowed the brown sludge the hospital called coffee and grimaced. “He replied with a text: On my way.”
“Okay. Good.”
Nick glanced at Linnie Reynolds, Ethan’s mom. She had lost her husband when Ethan was a teen. He swallowed back the lump forming in his throat as tears threatened, hoping his mom wouldn’t become a widow and they wouldn’t lose their dad too.
More and more of the town’s residents showed up. He loved his town. They’d all dropped what they were doing to be here for his family.
Dr. Mike Mitchell, a cardiologist, and Dr. Anderson, the ER doctor, both dressed in scrubs, came through the double doors.
Nick and his siblings surrounded them. Holding his breath, Nick waited.
He had met both doctors before today and knew of their impeccable reputations.
But when both entered the waiting room together, he worried.
“Jim suffered a myocardial infarction.” Dr. Mike told them. “He is being prepped for surgery where we will place a stent.”
Nick held it together during the surgeon’s explanation, while Chloe wiped at her eyes and held their mom close.
“He’s asking for you,” Dr. Mike said to Nick’s mom.
Ruth wrung her hands together. “When can I see him?”
“A nurse will come and get you. Only immediate family.”
Her eyes glistened. “Thank you.”
Nick placed a gentle hand on his mom’s shoulder.
* * *
Nick pulled into his parking spot at the police station, emotionally exhausted. His dad’s surgery had been a success, and he was resting comfortably.
Sitting in the lot, Nick wondered what it would be like to share this roller-coaster of a day with another person. To have a shoulder to cry on. He wasn’t as macho as some thought him to be; he broke down from time to time, just not in front of anyone.
None of his siblings were married. Both he and Garrett had almost made it down the aisle, but he’d never asked why it hadn’t happened for his brother. His family didn’t know how close Nick had come.
He placed a finger to his temple, stifling a headache. His thoughts drifted to the woman who’d set his pulse racing at first glance, Kate Davis. He shook his head and headed inside.
When he entered the building, Meg rushed forward. “I’m so glad your dad is going to be okay.”
He shrugged off his jacket and placed it on the coat rack. “Thanks. Me too. I’ve got some paperwork to do, and then I’m signing off.”
“Okay, hon, finish up and then get some sleep.”
“Thanks, Meg,” he said and headed to his office.
Nick had known Meg for years. She had been a dispatcher when he’d been in the D.A.R.E. program back in high school. She always looked out for him like a second mom. Being her boss now felt strange, but they respected each other, and it worked.
Sawyer stood up from his desk. “Glad to hear your dad is doing well. Scary shit.”
“Thanks, Sawyer. Not a day I’d like to repeat.”
“I hear ya.”