Page 8 of One More Time

“Good memory.”

“It’s the middle of winter,” Lia pointed out. “Are you like Uncle Wyatt and Uncle Griffin? They say fire season is in the summer.”

Fiona interjected. “Those are Blake’s younger brothers. They’re twins and also hotshot firefighters on a crew up in Fairbanks.”

With a nod, I glanced down at Lia. “Fire season is mostly in the summer. I’m starting to train here now so I’ll be ready when summer gets here. The crews travel to other areas if needed.”

Fiona’s daughter nodded solemnly. “Last winter, Griffin went to California.”

Blake returned to Fiona’s side, hearing Lia’s comment. “We keep hoping to get them to move back to Fireweed Harbor.”

“My position isn’t the only opening here. They have a few because they’re expanding with a new hotshot crew that’ll be based out of here,” I offered.

“I’m leaning on both of them to work for the family. We’ll see,” he replied.

I’d heard about the Cannon family before I even took the position here. Fireweed Industries was a big deal company and not just in Alaska.

“What do you do for the business?” I asked politely.

“I run the winery and brewery. Not the restaurant portion but production and distribution. We’re scouting for a new lead brewer. Our current guy is moving to Juneau with his wife because they’re having a baby and want to be closer to her family. I’m hoping I can convince Wyatt to take over. He loves that stuff. I’m also hoping someday we can convince Griffin to help Kenan. Kenan’s kind of our catchall. He does whatever we need, and we need at least two more of him.”

“I can imagine. Fireweed Industries is a major corporation.”

“It is, but being here in Fireweed Harbor, it’s family-oriented,” Fiona chimed in.

“Fiona’s the chef at the winery restaurant,” Blake explained, his eyes warm as he smiled at her. “I’m not technically her boss.”

Fiona’s cheeks flushed slightly as she rolled her eyes. “You technically are.”

Phyllis called over, “Hot chocolate and muffin are ready.”

With that interruption, I departed with a wave. As I happened to be walking out, the man I now knew to be a total jerk was leaving with the woman who had confronted McKenna. I followed them out, unabashedly listening because they didn’t notice me.

I couldn’t hear what the woman said, but the guy said, “Just get over it, Heather.” She let out an annoyed huff.

I shook my head to myself. What a fucking asshole. Protectiveness flashed through me. I could only imagine what it was like to be McKenna or anyone in a family such as theirs. You’d always be wondering who wanted you for you and who wanted you for superficial reasons.

Chapter Five

Jack

“Jack here,” I answered the call.

“Hey, hey!” Gage Hamilton’s voice came through the line, and a smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

“Hey, how are you doing?”

Gage was my cousin. He and his siblings were the reason I fell in love with Alaska. Gage had moved back to Alaska to renovate the family ski lodge and created a beacon of sorts for the extended family. After a few visits there, I’d been keeping my eye on positions as a hotshot up here.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“Just checking to see how it’s going now that you’ve moved to Fireweed Harbor.”

“So far, so good. I’m under contract for a house and have a lead on a short-term rental to stay in until I close,” I replied, thinking of McKenna’s number burning like a hot coal in my phone. “I also found my favorite coffee shop in town.”

Gage chuckled. “Coffee is more important than a place to live,” he replied dryly.

“Everything okay in Diamond Creek?”

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