“Yes, ma’am.”
Ella and Adrian said their goodbyes and left. Peter moved closer to Tiago and showed him a trick with the football.
He seemed like a good guy. Most guys she knew wouldn’t take the time to get to know a kid like Tiago. Josh adored the man. Cole respected him. Megan and Ella had nothing but nice things to say about him.
She sighed. He probably had a girlfriend somewhere. A guy that hot who was good with kids and willing to run into a burning house and save people didn’t stay single long. Yes, he might as well have Hero tattooed on his forehead.
Even if he did have a hard time making decisions.
But now that he’d given a date for making the chopper decision, they were one step closer to putting together a serious Crisis Response Team.
And that’s why she was here. To recruit volunteers. Train them. Streamline policies and procedures. She had the will. She would make a way.
And Tiago would have this cute little town to grow up in.
Things were looking up.
“Hey, T, why don’t you head up to the apartment too.”
“It’s summer now. I can sleep in.”
Before she could say anything, Peter piped in. “Dude, I’d listen to your sister. Otherwise you’ll get grounded and I’ll never get to come play Madden with you.”
Tiago rolled his eyes. “Fine.” He trotted back over to the garage.
Once he was out of earshot, Ronnie turned back to Peter. “Hey, thanks for hanging out with him. He could use some positive male influence in his life.”
“No dad in the picture?”
He had to go there.
Still, he might as well know a little of what he was getting into if he really did want to hang out with her brother. And something about his steady stare, the way he’d saved her from a football concussion earlier…Peter seemed safe.
And he’d probably figure out that she wasn’t like any of the other women he worked with—if he hadn’t already. “My dad died when I was young. Not even sure who Tiago’s father is, but probably no one worth knowing anyway. It’s pretty much just me and him.”
He gave a soft nod. “That’s gotta be rough. I lost my dad when I was a baby. But Tiago seems like a great kid. He’s lucky to have you.” He got up, clearly ready to end their conversation.
She didn’t know why, but she sat there, not quite ready to leave. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow at the Loon Cafe? Seven a.m.?” Sheesh, and she sounded even a little…what? Needy?
Please.
He glanced at her. “Yep.” Then he said goodbye to Cole and Megan and hopped in his truck.
Apparently, the campfire was over. Ronnie thanked the hosts and headed to her own apartment. She slipped into her pajamas and thumbed through a running magazine as she sat on her bed, back propped up on the pillows, her thoughts back to the fire-table discussion.
That group jelled. Like they’d all grown up as best friends or something, even though they hadn’t all grown up here. What would that be like? Not that she needed friends. She’d done fine up to this point. But it would make things easier to fit in at least a little. And her job did kind of depend on staying in the town’s good graces and getting along with Peter.
The nice guy with spectacular arms who wasn’t afraid of their not-so-pristine background.
Shoot. She might even like him.
Tiago came in with fresh minty breath wearing his favorite fuzzy pajama pants. He plopped down next to her but didn’t say anything.
“Ready for bed?”
He nodded, but he didn’t move. She knew that look on his face though. “What’s up, T?”
“I…I’m sorry.”
She put down her magazine. “Sorry? For what?”
He blew out a short breath. “For everything. That you had to give up the Army and take care of me.”
Ronnie leaned over and looked deep into Tiago’s brown eyes. “You have to know. I would do anything for you. We’re family. That’s what real family does. Forget about Mom and all our crazy cousins and stuff. You and me. We’re in this together, ’kay?”
His face softened for a few beats but then twisted in frustration. “It’s not fair.”
“What’s not?”
“Ronnie, I didn’t set that fire. It’s not fair that I got in trouble and you had to leave everything.” He buried a fist in one of the throw pillows. “But you gotta believe me. I didn’t do it.”
“I do believe you, Tiago. But you might as well learn now, not much in life is fair. You gotta watch out because there’s a lot of messed-up stuff. This world…well, it’s a hard place. Cruel even. You know that. No one else will look after us. All we can do is be on our guard, put it behind us, and move on. Try to make something of ourselves.”
He looked skeptical. “You really think we can do that here?”
What was it that Adrian said? Deep Haven is a great place for a fresh start.
If she were going to have a fresh start—and not the variety of Lara Morales—but if she were going to have the right one, this would be the place to do it. And unlike her mother, she would stay with Tiago and keep him safe. Not let some guy come into their lives and take over.
Tonight was the happiest she’d seen her brother since she’d come back to the States, so she would do whatever it took to give him a good home here.
“Yeah, I do,” she said to his question. “We can build a new life here.”
She would make sure of it.
Chapter 5
Knowing her, Ronnie would be on the rampage this morning, ready to whip their EMS into shape. And, okay, maybe they did need a lot of help. But the last thing Peter wanted to do was lose his cool.
He really was a competent chief. And Deep Haven was a fantastic place to start over.
And he didn’t have to prove that to anyone, thank you.
Yeah, he needed coffee. Vats of it.
Peter opened the glass front door of the Loon Cafe, its bell above clanging in welcome. The smell of pancakes and Italian dark roast met him in the entry. Pastor Dan and Kyle nodded from the barstools. Edith Draper and her silver-haired cronies stopped their conversation in the booth long enough to wave hello.
He let out a sigh of relief when no one struck up a conversation. He slipped into the last booth along the back wall and flipped over his coffee mug.
Within seconds, Thelma filled it. “Morning, Peter. What’ll it be today? One of your aunt’s caramel rolls? She just pulled a pan out of the oven.”
The bell above the door sounded again. He tucked himself farther into the booth, keeping Thelma between him and everyone’s prying eyes. “Uh, I’m actually meeting someone later. So just coffee for now.”
And with the day he had ahead of him, he’d need it strong—something to steel himself for meeting with Ronnie and that dreaded vote.
Interest twinkled in Thelma’s eyes. “Oh, really? Who are you meeting?”
“That would be me,” a loud and familiar voice answered.
Peter’s first sip of coffee spewed from his mouth, showering the table and Thelma’s apron. “Ronnie?” He coughed. “You’re early.”
She materialized from behind Thelma, her eyes bright, her expression chipper, as if she’d been awake for hours already. “So are you. Good. We can get started. After this gets cleaned up, that is.”
Should’ve known. Five seconds in Veronica Morales’s presence and he’d already lost his composure. He took the damp rag from its usual spot behind the counter and wiped down the booth and table while Thelma brought them fresh full mugs and silverware.
Kyle didn’t bother to hide his chuckle. And Peter felt pretty sure Edith almost fell out of her seat trying to see around Thelma. A few scowls were sent Ronnie’s way. People must’ve figured out she was the one Cole hired instead of Kirby. Even Thelma was rather cool toward her, and Thelma loved everybody.
Ronnie finally sat down and asked for a menu, apparently not noticing the displeasure in the room. After Thelma left, she looke
d around, taking in the mural of Lake Superior painted on the wall right above them. “So this is the Loon Cafe?”
Peter tried another sip from his mug, ignoring the fact that all the cafe customers still looked their way. At least this time the coffee went down. “Yup. Been in the family for five generations.”
“Your family owns it?” Ronnie’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Yeah, the Dahlquists own four of the restaurants in town. My dad runs the Timberwolf Bar and Grill. It only serves lunch and dinner, so I come to breakfast here a few times a week. My Aunt Connie and Uncle Gunter run this place.”
“I thought your father died.”
“He did. My mom remarried.”
“Oh. Okay, so what’s good here?” She lifted the menu.
“Everything. Most people come for the caramel rolls or the biscuits and gravy, but the pancakes are good too. Aunt Connie makes her own maple syrup. Oh, and the cook makes a great omelet.”
She smirked. “Ah. So you’re indecisive about what you eat too.”
He bristled. “Not always. Besides, you asked for recommendations. There are a lot of good options.”
“Mmmhmm.” Her sights dropped to the menu.
She wore bright pink, completely impractical earrings, her dark hair pulled back all businesslike, and the kind of outfit his sister wore to work out in.
He just didn’t understand this woman.
She looked up and caught him staring. “Is there something wrong? Do I have something in my teeth?”
“No. I just…”
“What?”
Thelma approached again, saving him from having to admit he’d been studying her weird earrings with the exercise ensemble. “What’ll it be, folks?”
Ronnie ordered an egg-white omelet with turkey bacon. Thelma said nothing as she wrote down the order.
“You, Peter?” she asked with her usual warmth and smile.
He said the first thing that came to mind. “I’ll have…the Cascade omelet.” He closed the menu. “And we’ll take a caramel roll to share.” See? He could be decisive.
“You sure you want the Cascade? It has mushrooms in it. You hate mushrooms.”
Oh, yeah.
“Uh, just ask Vlad to keep the mushrooms out.”
Thelma glanced at Ronnie and sent him a concerned look before walking away.
Why did he choose this place again?
Busy digging through a bag, Ronnie didn’t notice. She pulled out a folder and notebook and slapped them on the table. “Let’s get down to business. Did you bring your volunteer list?”
Don Berglund walked by and frowned at the back of Ronnie’s head. Thank goodness he was behind her. Cole wasn’t kidding when he said she’d need some help fitting in.
“Peter. List?”
His attention snapped back to her. “Sorry. I didn’t write them down. I just know.”
“Okay, so who’s in charge of the EMS?”
“Ellie used to be in charge, but she retired. Then Dan, the pastor there at the counter by Kyle, took over, but he’s dropped down to part time. Eli Hueston ran the place the last few years, but he just moved to Florida.”
“So basically no one. Okay.” She wrote something in her notebook. “How many EMTs do we have?”
“Well, Jensen, but his wife just had a baby. And usually Seb, the mayor, and Kirby Hueston when he’s around. They both just happened to be gone Saturday night.”
Ronnie nodded. “So, I’m left with Dumb and Dumber, the first responders on that call with Gust.”
Seriously? “Hey—”
“Admit it. They were both dangerously out of shape. And clueless. Sorry to say it, but your team is pitiful.”
Peter’s shoulders stiffened. “They showed up. They’re volunteers. They do this for nothing!”
Great. He was getting worked up again. And why? He’d had the same thoughts, questioned Uncle Charlie’s and Dean Wilson’s abilities and motives too, so why did it bother him so much to hear her say the very same thing?
Maybe because she was just so…blunt. His grandmother might even call it rude.
No, all of Deep Haven would call it rude.
Not that she even seemed to notice that he was upset. She continued to write notes. “The biggest problem is lack of organization and manpower. We need more volunteers and to establish a training schedule. But we can do—”
“Peter! There you are.” Vivien called to him from the front door and walked over. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Scoot.”
She shooed him over and plopped next to him in the booth just as Thelma set the steaming omelets on the table. Vivien helped herself to the caramel roll. What was it with these women encroaching on what was supposed to be the most important meal of the day?
“Viv, what are you doing here? And since when did you become a morning person? You didn’t make first hour all of senior year. It’s not even seven.”
“I’m looking for you. And don’t worry, I’m still not a morning person. I’ve been up all night. Now, about my idea—”
“Excuse me, who are you?” Ronnie asked, head tilted to the side. “You’re interrupting a meeting.”
Vivien extended a hand. “Vivien Calhoun. And I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need Peter’s help. It’s crucial. You don’t mind, do you? Oh, I love your earrings!”
Ronnie’s lips thinned as she stared Viv down.
And he was trapped against the wall.
“I’m Ronnie. What’s so crucial?”
“Oh, these rolls are heaven. You have to try this.” Vivien tore off a piece and handed it over to Ronnie.
Who stared at it as if it might be a cigarette offered to a child. But she took it. Ate it.
“It’s good,” Ronnie said quietly.
“Right?” Vivie picked up a fork and dived into Peter’s eggs.
It was a gift. Vivien could tame anyone. And finally, Ronnie had one more person in town on her side.
But then Vivien turned and set her sights on him. “So that big town meeting tonight…you said it’s about the Westerman, right?”
Peter set his mug down on the table, splashing his napkin. “Ugh, you too, Vivie?”
“What?”
“I suppose you want me to vote for the Zimmermans. Did Elton send you?”
“No! Like I would listen to him even if he did. Besides, I have a better idea. A brilliant idea.” She squeezed Peter’s arm. “What if we made it into a youth center? A youth center with a theater and a gym!” She squealed. “Wouldn’t that be great?”
A youth center?
Ronnie set down her fork. “A youth center sounds like a good idea.”
“Yes, see? I knew I liked you! These kids need something to do in the summer and a warm place to hang out in the winter. A youth center would be perfect.”
“There are already two proposals on the table—Pierre’s Pizza and the resort.”
“Yeah, but you know the town needs something like this.” She turned to Ronnie. “Do you have any children?”
“My little brother lives with me. He’s ten.”
“And wouldn’t you want something constructive and positive for him to do?”
Ronnie nodded.
Vivien continued, her passion growing. “Just think, we can offer tutoring, year-round theater productions, more community sports and activities, maybe even an art studio. Basically, a safe place to hang out and have fun.”
The idea had potential. But—
“What do you think, Peter?” Vivien asked.
What did he think? Too many thoughts. What would the Zimmermans say? What would the Dahlquists do? What would be best for the town? What would Seb think? “A youth center could be a good idea, but you’d have to have a proposal ready tonight. And I can’t present the idea. It would have to come from you. Could you come up with a plan before the meeting?”
“Don’t worry about that. I already have Ree typing something up. She’s the writer.”
“All right, then present i
t tonight, and we’ll see what happens.”
“Do you think there’s a chance?”
“There’s always a chance.”
“That’s all I needed to hear.” Vivien swiped the last bit of caramel off the plate with her finger and licked it. “So, Ronnie, you should bring your brother to the musical tryouts on Friday. I’m leading a children’s production of West Side Story. It’ll be great.”
“Children’s theater? I don’t know. Tiago is more of a sports or video game kind of kid.”
“He should at least come try out. He might love it. Even Peter did theater back in the day.”
Peter groaned. “Viv, don’t…”
Ronnie leaned forward. “Really?”
Then she smiled. And something about her smile changed her entire face, just like last night at the fire. And oddly, it did something in him too. Made him stop. Look at her.
Yeah, she was pretty…when she wasn’t biting his head off.
“He was the best—”
Oh no. Vivie! Peter reached over to clamp a hand over his cousin’s mouth, but she squirmed away.
“—Danny Zuko.”
Ronnie’s jaw dropped. “Danny Zuko? From Grease?”
“Please stop talking.” He buried his face in his hands.
Of course she didn’t listen. “Oh, yeah. He made slicked-back hair, black leather jackets, and penny loafers cool again.”
Peter lifted his head. “Let’s remember it was seventh grade, I was the only boy who could sing bass, and I broke my arm, which meant I couldn’t play baseball that year.”
Vivien sighed. “Ah, the good ol’ days. I got to be Rizzo. The illustrious start to my stage career.” She popped up and ruffled his hair. “Well, I’m off to see how far Ree is with that proposal thingy and then to find a job. I’m hoping Casper will have a kayak instructor position at the Wild Harbor Trading Post that’ll be flexible enough to work around the practice schedule. So see you tonight, Petey. Nice to meet you, Ronnie. Oh, and I’d better see you both at tryouts on Friday!” Like the whirlwind she was, she zipped through the cafe and out the door, everyone smiling and waving at her before she left.
Peter grumbled as he took a bite of his now cold omelet. Well, that went well.
He held up his empty coffee cup to Thelma. “More, please?”
Crazy for You Page 7