Page 29 of Cabin Fever With My First Flame

I grunt. “Thanks for the heads-up. I’m just checking in and have a question.”

“Fire away,” he says, laughing at his “firefighter” joke.

“How long have you known that Daniel and Bailey were getting a divorce?” I ask bluntly.

Zimmerman hems and haws. “Since before you moved back here.”

I palm my face in frustration. “Why didn’t you or anyone else say anything? Even Bryce didn’t mention it, and he’s friends with Daniel.”

“Do you really want to know?”

I nod, although he can’t see me. “Please.”

Zimmerman clears his throat. “The ink wasn’t dry on the divorce until a few weeks ago, Finn. No one wanted to get your hopes up in case they reconciled. I should have warned you that Bailey was returning home once I found out and at least prepared you for the encounter. If it’s any consolation, we’re all rooting for you now.”

I press the talk key with a smile. With nearly the whole town in support of Bailey and I getting together, maybe that second chance Micah is praying for is closer than it appears. “Rah-Rah.”

Chapter seventeen

Bailey

Is it wrong thatI’m a bit excited that I have another few hours to spend with Finn? It should be since I told him that friendship is the only thing on the menu. Then again, he’s been as sweet as the homemade hot chocolate I’m whisking, and he is a rather tempting treat.

Micah comes into the kitchen after a fresh shower and peaks over my shoulder. “Whatcha’ makin’?” he asks.

“Sea salt hot chocolate. I thought you might want something to warm your insides after spending all day shoveling snow. Dinner will be ready soon.” I ladle some of the creamy liquid into a mug for him, which is the equivalent of Pavlov ringing his bell. All the other kids come over once they hear the first drop hit the bottom of the cup.

Micah goes to the pantry, grabs a bag of miniature marshmallows, putting a small handful into his cup. He pours some into each of their mugs so that there is a layer of ooey gooey goodness on top.

I turn the heat down to low and continue whisking so that the milk doesn’t burn. “If you ever want a job, Micah, I’m hiring help once I get my bakery up and running.”

“I might take you up on that offer, and I’m sure Finn will approve as long as I get to bring home the day-old pastries,” he teases. “And don’t forget, as a junior firefighter, I can help you put out the flames when you inevitably burn the muffins because you’re staring at a hot firefighter.”

A blush creeps across my cheeks. Finn was always pretty to look at, but he’s like a fine wine that has gotten better with age. Instead of being simply fit and lean as he was in his youth, now his body is sculpted and muscular. Gone are the boyish features, replaced with a chiseled jawline and rugged look. “I wasn’t staring. I was distracted by the mess on the floor.”

Ella snorts. “You were distracted by the shirtless man cleaning up the mess. Don’t pretend that you weren’t.”

I ignore Ella and focus on Micah. “If everything goes according to plan, my shop should be open by mid to late spring. Ella will be working there on the weekends.”

“Can I work at your shop, too?” Ava asks. “I can be your taste tester!”

I tickle my daughter. “Of course you can. I can pay you in cupcakes!”

Finn finally returns and looks fantastic in a pair of dark-washed jeans and a cream-colored, cable-knit sweater over a burgundy T-shirt. “Sorry that it took me so long. I spoke with Chief Zimmerman, and he says the next storm isn’t supposed to hit us until Christmas Day. That should give us plenty of time to get you to your parents’ house.”

I fix him a mug of cocoa and one for myself before shutting off the burner. “What about the four of you? Are you spending Christmas with your parents, or are you spending it up here?” I ask as I inhale the chocolatey aroma before taking a sip.

He leans against the counter and glances over at the kids. “That was the plan, but with the roads being blocked and the state in lockdown, I doubt they’ll make it home in time.”

Isaac walks in and rinses out his cup before placing it in the dishwasher. “Grandma and Grandpa went on a cruise to Aruba.”

Finn smiles and hands Isaac a paper towel to wipe off his chocolate mustache. “Yes, they did. My dad retired last year from the investment firm, and they have been doing some traveling; mostly to California to help me with the boys. Their flight was supposed to get in tonight, but with the flights being canceled, they’re probably enjoying the extra time in Miami.”

“Have you tried to call them?” I ask, walking over to the landline and picking up the phone. There still isn’t a dial tone. “Never mind.”

Finn smirks. “Most people don’t have landlines anymore, so fixing it isn’t high on the priority list when other things need to be taken care of. Once we get into town, I’ll give my parents a call using my cell phone.”

I feel bad that Finn and the boys will be spending their first Christmas at Lake George all alone and say as much. “You shouldn’t be alone on Christmas.”

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