by J. H. Croix
I hurried back outside, moved my car into the garage, and brought in what few belongings I had. All I’d brought were my clothes, my toiletries, and Wilbur’s things.
Wilbur happily curled up in his bed, and I decided I might as well venture into town to get some groceries. I wasn’t going to have tons of spending money until I found a new job, but I’d use my savings to stock up. Without needing to pay rent, my savings would stretch further and buy me some time.
The lawyer had already switched the utilities over to me. He’d also given me the name of the person who’d checked on the house periodically. By the time I returned from the grocery store, I was feeling accomplished.
I thought I could actually do this. I was pleasantly surprised to discover I had good cell reception here, so I could use my streaming subscription on my computer. Things were falling into place, at least for the night. All was well. Until someone started pounding on my front door that night.
Chapter Four
Graham
Six hours earlier
* * *
I walked down the hallway at Willow Brook Fire & Rescue. I passed an office, slowing when I heard someone call my name. Taking a few steps back, I peered through the doorway.
“Hey, man,” Cade Masters said from where he sat at a small round table with Beck Steele and Levi Phillips.
Cade was a superintendent for one of the hotshot crews here, and Beck and Levi were also hotshot firefighters. I’d known them all for years, seeing as I’d grown up in the area. I’d started here as a town firefighter and recently taken the position as superintendent on the new expansion hotshot crew.
“What’s up?” I asked, leaning my shoulder inside the doorframe.
“Just wondering how your trip went. Any trouble picking up that equipment?” Cade asked.
“Nope. No problem. Some of the guys just helped me carry it into the storage area. I thought I’d pop over to let your dad know his stuff is in there.”
Cade flashed a grin. “He’ll appreciate it.”
Rex Masters was the town’s police chief and Cade’s father. We shared this building with the town’s police force.
Beck asked, “Did you get my special vest?”
Levi chuckled. “Special vest?”
Beck nodded. “We’re all getting new vests.”
Cade simply rolled his eyes while I shrugged. “I’m the delivery guy. That’s it. Feel free to go paw through the boxes,” I added, thumbing over my shoulder in the direction down the hall where the storage area was.
Beck stood from the table. “I’m going now. I love new stuff.”
I pushed away from the doorframe and stepped back into the hallway, making room for Beck to pass by. “I’ll catch you guys tomorrow. I gotta hit the store and make sure I’ve got some food at home after I check in with your dad.”
With a wave, I headed toward the front of the station. A moment later, I pushed through the doorway into the reception and dispatch area which was situated between the fire station and the police station. Maisie Steele, Beck’s wife, stood from the desk. She was the main dispatcher for the town. Her brown curls bounced when she smiled over at me as she finished a call. “All right, we’ll have one of the officers head out there and check for you.”
She hung up as I paused at the round counter encircling her desk. “Sounds like a call for the police?” At her nod, I added, “I hate when I’m not on duty, and there’s a call for the crew.”
Her big brown eyes crinkled at the corners with her smile. “I think you’re all like that. It’s that rescue complex.”
“Rescue complex?”
She shrugged lightly. “Yeah. Beck has the same issue.”
I’d been surprised when Beck got married. He’d gone from being a total flirt to a completely committed family man with two kids.
“We just like doing our jobs. Anyway, you’ve got a bunch of office supplies that came with everything else I picked up in Fairbanks. Thought you might wanna know. Beck beat feet in there because apparently, he likes new stuff,” I said dryly.
Maisie shook her head and laughed softly. “He does. He’s like a kid. Thanks for getting those supplies for me.”
“No problem. I was going anyway.” I tapped my fingers on her desk as I pushed away. “Catch you later.”
She waved as she sat down and took another call for dispatch. I pushed through the swinging door into the police side of the building. Rex was taking a call, but he hung up when I peered into his office. He and Cade looked remarkably alike. Rex was more weathered, with deep laugh lines around the corners of his green eyes. Leaning back in his chair, he ran his fingers through his brown and silver curls.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“Just stopping in to let you know your stuff is in the storage area.”
Rex nodded. “All right, good to know. Thanks again. You saved us some money by not having to ship it down here.”
“Happy to help. Catch you later. I’ll be in tomorrow because I’m on duty.”
Rex’s phone was already ringing as I stepped back, lifting my hand in a quick wave. I headed down the hallway, returning to the parking area. After a quick stop at the grocery store, I figured I’d grab some pizza to go.
Walking into Alpenglow Pizza a while later, I ran into Levi with his wife, Lucy. In all honesty, Lucy intimidated the hell out of me. Although she was petite, she was fierce. That said, she smiled when Levi greeted me for the second time today. “Hey, man, sounds like you had the same idea we did.”
“Pizza to go?” I returned as I stopped beside them.
“Yep. This pizza is freaking amazing,” Levi added.
“Sure is.”
“How’s everything out at your place?” Levi asked as the line inched forward.
“Pretty good. I need to make some repairs, though.” I glanced at Lucy. “Do you and Amelia do small projects?”
“We do anything,” she replied.
Along with Cade’s wife, Amelia, Lucy ran Kick-Ass Construction. It had the best reputation in town as far as construction companies went.
“Perfect. I can do the work myself, but I don’t have time. I’ll stop by and chat with you two at some point. Maybe next spring, though. I’d like to say I could get it done before winter, but it ain’t happening. Are you all booked up?”
“We’re always busy,” she offered with a quick shrug. “For smaller jobs, we can usually find a way to fit things in. Beck knows our office number.”
By then, they were at the front of the line. “I’ll call next spring when I have time to plan.”
In short order, I was headed home with a large pizza. Allie and I wouldn’t finish it tonight, but leftover pizza was the best. As I was driving home, I idly noticed there were lights on at Harold’s old place. He hadn’t been here in years and had passed away. I was curious if the place had sold recently.
When I got home, my daughter, Allie, was waiting for me. “Hey, Dad!” She threw her arms around my neck, and I squeezed her tight with my free arm for a second before she bounced away.
“Ooh, you got pizza!”
I grinned. “Sure did. You hungry?”
Allie shrugged, and her brown curls bounced with the motion. “Kinda. Gram had a snack for me after school, but I still want pizza.”
I walked past her after toeing my boots off and aimed for the kitchen. “Well, let’s eat.”
A few minutes later, I was just about to bite into my pizza when my cell phone rang. I was surprised to see Rex Masters’ name flash on the screen. I swiped my thumb across the screen. “What’s up, Rex?”
“I was wondering if you minded swinging by and checking on Harold’s place. We’ve had two calls that the lights are on there. I don’t want to assume it’s a break-in, but he hasn’t been here in at least two years. Janet James was checking on the place, but she’s out of town tonight. I left her a message but haven’t heard back.”
“I’ll drive over right now,” I said.
“Thanks. Give
me a call if I need to drive out there. You’re right next door, so I figured I’d ask you first.”
I took a quick bite of pizza to stave off my hunger pangs. Allie looked up when I stood from the table. “Where are you going?”
“Rex wants me to check on the place next door. Be right back.”
Allie nodded and took another bite of pizza. Minutes later, I rolled to a stop in Harold’s driveway. Before he passed away, Harold was what was known as a snowbird in Alaska. He built his home for hunting and spent summers here, but he left every winter. Roughly two years ago, he’d called to let me know he was having health problems and had moved into a long-term care facility.
Glancing around the small circle at the end of the driveway, I studied the closed garage. With the lights on, I presumed whoever was here was parked in the garage. I climbed out of my truck and walked up the stairs. I knocked on the door, wondering who was here.
A moment later, I heard a sharp bark. I hoped whoever was about to open the door didn’t have an asshole of a dog. The door swung open, and my chin might’ve hit the floor. Madison Glen stood there.
Unsettled and rattled by my body’s instantaneous jolt of lust, I led with, “Breaking and entering?”
Madison’s eyes flashed, and she put a hand on her hip. “Absolutely not. I own this place.”
Annoyance prickled through me. “I know you don’t own this place. It’s owned by Harold Brady. He passed on a few years ago, but as far as I know, it hasn’t sold.”
Madison let out a heavy sigh. “Harold was my grandfather, and he willed me his place after he passed away.”
“Bullshit,” I countered as Wilbur trotted out and circled my feet.
“Wilbur! Don’t be nice to him,” Madison ordered.
I looked down at the dog with his stub of a tail wagging. I leaned over to stroke my palm down his back. Straightening, I ignored the way the hairs stood on my body, attenuating to Madison’s presence as a hum of desire coursed through me. “Harold used to come here every year. I knew him well because I live next door.” I gestured to the trees.
Madison’s gaze followed the direction of where I pointed. “In the trees?” she returned, her tone tart.
I rolled my eyes when she looked back at me. “No. Not in the trees. Through those trees is another house. Harold specifically said he didn’t have any family, if you’re wondering why I’m doubting you.” I was feeling downright mulish about Madison’s presence here.
“Well, he lied. He also wasn’t on speaking terms with my mother, who was his daughter.”
A chilly breeze gusted through the trees, and Madison’s eyes narrowed. “It’s cold. Am I free to remain in the house I own?” she pressed, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Look, I need to call the police.”
“What?!” she squeaked.
“I didn’t come here because I’m nosy. The police chief asked me to check on the house.”
“Oh, my God. You’ve got to be freaking kidding me,” she muttered. “Whatever, come here, Wilbur.” She snapped her fingers, and he immediately stopped circling my feet and trotted to her.
“Can I come in?” I asked as I slipped my phone out of my pocket.
“What? You’re accusing me of breaking and entering. Why would I invite you in?”
“I’m calling the police chief to sort this out.”
Madison’s expression was mutinous, but she stepped back from the door and gestured for me to enter. Walking through, I closed the door behind me. Madison crossed her arms tightly and waited under the archway that led from the entry area into the living room. She tapped her foot on the floor, although the effect was ruined by the fact she wore fluffy socks, pink with dogs on them, an incongruent touch to the princess vibe she gave off.
A second after I called, Rex answered, “What’s up?”
“There’s a woman here, Madison Glen. She claims Harold was her grandfather. I told her I didn’t think that was the case because he said he didn’t have any family.”
Rex’s sigh filtered through the line. “Janet would know, so let me keep trying to reach her.”
“What do you want me to do about Madison?”
“Do you mind waiting?” Rex asked.
“Well, she clearly doesn’t want me here.”
Rex chuckled. “Well, I guess if she takes off after you leave, then we’ve solved our problem.”
“True story. After you get ahold of Janet, give me a call and let me know what she says.”
Hanging up, I lifted my eyes to Madison’s again. “That was the police chief. He’s going to ask the woman who checked on the place periodically. She’s out of town, so he’s waiting to hear back.”
Madison rolled her eyes. Without a word, she turned and stalked away, disappearing down the hallway to one side. Wilbur followed her. Unsure what to do, I waited. They returned a few moments later, and Madison thrust some paperwork at me.
Glancing down, I skimmed it. It appeared to be a will and the deed to this house. I brought my eyes to hers again. “None of us knew Harold had any family. Alaska is an easy place for people to disappear, and I already know you’re from out of town.”
Madison’s lips pressed in a line. She snatched the paperwork back from me, her fingers brushing mine and sending heat sizzling in the wake of her glancing touch.
“Fine. Could you please leave?”
Sweet Jesus. Her haughty tone and the icy look in her eyes set every cell in my body on fire. I didn’t know what it was about this woman, but holy freaking hell, she turned me on.
“I’ll leave, but I’m sure the police chief will be following up.”
“Whatever.” She waved airily as if she were dismissing me. “Just go.”
I took a last look at her and turned on my heel. When the door clicked shut behind me, I hesitated for a beat before forcing my feet to walk down the stairs and to my truck.
A few minutes after I returned home, my phone rang. “It’s Rex!” Allie called.
“I’ll take it.”
I’d filled her in when I got back from my brief visit with Madison. Allie was excited about the potential for a new neighbor, and she’d been waiting for Rex to call.
I answered, “What’s the scoop?”
“Madison Glen is Harold’s granddaughter. He wasn’t on good terms with her mother, but he left everything to Madison,” Rex explained. “You officially have a new neighbor.”
A few hours later, I laid in bed, fiery hot memories of that kiss with Madison spinning through my thoughts on repeat. She lived next door. This was going to be interesting.
Chapter Five
Graham
“Allie, come on!”
“I’m coming!” she called in return.
My daughter pounded down the stairs, practically skidding to a stop in the kitchen as she came around the corner.
“Can we get coffee?” she asked.
I arched a brow. “Coffee?”
Allie shrugged, her blue eyes twinkling. “Yes.” I waited. She rolled her eyes. “Okay. Not coffee. Hot chocolate,” she amended because she knew coffee for her wasn’t on the menu.
When she saw the look on my face, she added, “I just want to stop by Firehouse Café. I’d like one of those cranberry orange scones too. Please.”
Aw, hell. I couldn’t say no, even if I wanted to, so I nodded. “Can do.”
“Yay!”
Glancing at my watch, I added, “We need to roll. You only have a half an hour before school starts.”
Allie’s curls bounced on her shoulders as she spun away and hurried toward the entryway. I heard the rustle of her backpack as she yanked it out of the closet. I grabbed my keys and wallet off the counter and followed her outside.
As we began the drive into town, she commented, “Do you think our new neighbor will be nice?”
I’d kept it vague last night, but she must’ve seen the smile teasing at the corners of my mouth.
“What else do you know?” she chirped.
“I told you it was Harold’s granddaughter last night,” I replied, briefly sliding my gaze to hers before looking at the road again. I shook my head, almost to myself. “I didn’t even know he had a granddaughter.”
“I knew he had a granddaughter.”
“You did?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you serious? I talked to him every year when he came, and he never mentioned a granddaughter. In fact, he made a point of making it clear that he didn’t have any family.”
Allie looked awfully pleased with herself when I glanced over as I came to a stop before turning onto the highway. She pursed her lips and shrugged. “You talked to him about guy things, hunting and stuff. He told me about the rest. He doesn’t stay in touch with his family, or he didn’t.” A shadow passed through her eyes, and she looked away.
My daughter bonded tightly to people. Harold had doted on her, and she’d loved it. When she looked out the window, I turned onto the highway that would lead us into Willow Brook.
“His granddaughter, Maddie, is the only one he kept in touch with. He hoped she wouldn’t turn out like his daughter. He didn’t like his daughter,” Allie offered.
“No?”
I didn’t like how curious I was about Madison or Maddie, as Harold apparently referred to her. I hoped for once my usually chatty fourteen-year-old would offer up whatever she knew. She didn’t need to know that I’d crossed paths with Madison before. She certainly didn’t need to know the woman had nearly set me on fire. I was still feeling the occasional reverberation from that kiss. It felt as if cinders had settled inside me in its aftermath, and the embers of the fire still burned.
Allie kept on talking. “I don’t know all the details. All I know is he thought his daughter was a money-grubber, and she married an asshole. He told me he planned to leave his place to his granddaughter. We haven’t seen her since he passed away, so I thought maybe she didn’t want it.”
“She does,” I offered.
Allie snorted. “I bet that was funny, you showing up and checking on the place, and it’s actually hers. Did you do your whole firefighter-take-care-of-the world thing?”