Page 25 of Deck the Fire Halls

He shot me a look. “People? I meet people all day.”

“No, these are our kind of people,” I said. “You said before you wanted a sense of community, so that’s what I’m doing.”

He stopped at the end of the block. “I didn’t mean for you to... introduce me... God, is this going to be weird?”

He made me laugh. “It’s not going to be weird.” Then I reconsidered. “Okay, well, look. Hamish is a bit weird. He’s one of the Australians. But he’s lovely and funny; he just has no filter. I’ve only met him a handful of times. Since Colson and I became buddies, really. Braithe is good friends with Hamish, so I know him by proxy. But they’re all great, I promise.”

“And the two Australians are together?”

“No. Hamish is with Ren from the hardware store. And the other Australian is Jayden. He works at the diner sometimes, but he’s with Cas from the bed and breakfast.”

“Right. Sorry. I think I knew that.”

“The guy I’m hoping to introduce you to is Gunter. He’s with Clay Henderson. The big guy in the old sawmill truck who was dropping off all the Christmas trees up Main Street.”

Rob looked concerned. “I’m going to need you to draw me a chart.”

I laughed as I took his elbow and we crossed the street. “It’ll be fine.”

“Why am I meeting Gunter?”

“Because I think you guys could hit it off,” I explained. “And he’s started up a community youth group that I think you could really enjoy.”

“Why would I enjoy that?” he asked as we walked down to where the crowd was gathering by the river.

“Because you wanted to find a sense of community,” I explained. “And what’s a better way to do that than helping out at a center for teenagers.”

He looked about to object but Mr. Wilford spotted me as we edged into the crowd. “Soren,” he said with a tip of his hat.

“Mr. Wilford,” I replied. “Need someone to look at your heater again, drop by the station and give me a holler.”

“Will do,” he said.

Then Mrs. James from Cypress Street said hello.Then Rosie from the store, then Richard from the mechanics, and that was only the last thirty yards.

“Oh my god, do you know everyone?” Rob whispered.

“Mostly. It’s a small town, and I do community-based work, which helps.” I spotted the guys and gestured toward them. “This way.”

Clay saw me first and greeted me with a smile and firm handshake. “Ah, good to see you again.”

“Likewise,” I replied. We kind of had the attention of the group so I made a quick round of introductions. “Guys, this is Doctor Rob O’Reilly. He’s new to town and was lucky enough to move next door to me.”

“Uh, hi.” Rob nodded and everyone said hello back.

I didn’t miss the way Hamish and Jayden were grinning at me, but I didn’t want to embarrass Rob, so I focused on Gunter. “Gunter, I was telling Rob about your teen support group. I thought he might be interested in helping out.” I winced at Rob’s clear surprise. “Well, I mean, once he gets settled in. He’s only been here for a few days.”

I hadn’t really meant to throw Rob under the bus, but I really did think he would be a great fit for Gunter’s organization. And it could be really good for Rob too.

Maybe I shouldn’t have been so pushy . . .

Colson arrived with a clap on my shoulder, Braithe beside him. Colson was on duty, given his uniform, and Braithe was quickly absorbed by Hamish and Jayden, and Rob was soon talking with Gunter and Clay.

“Is this the new guy Braithe told me about?” Colson asked quietly.

“Yep.”

Colson nodded slowly, smiling as Rob listened intently to whatever Gunter was saying.

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