Page 27 of Keeping Happily Ever After

“I’m your mother, Bella, and I worry. And Jeremy does seem like a really nice man. I just want to make sure you’re being fair.”

“Fair?”

“To both of you.”

Fair.

What wasn’t fair was that her mom was making her question things she didn’t want to question, when she should only be celebrating. She dropped her chin to her chest.

“Bella.” Her mom’s voice was soft when she spoke again. “I know the timing isn’t perfect with Jeremy, and I know you don’t want to hear this, but—”

“Don’t say it.” Bella groaned. “I really don’t think I can hear it right now.”

“I was just going to say that if it’s meant to be, it’ll all work out.”

She groaned again and grabbed a cushion from the couch to bury her face in. “Mom, really. If you have to give me non-advice, do you think you could at least make it a little less cliche?”

Bella forced a laugh, and Lisa smiled. The mood lightened a little.

Her mom reached for her hand and squeezed. “Seriously, kiddo. I’m really proud of you.” Her mother’s eyes shone with unshed tears.

“Thanks, Mom. I know you—”

“No.” The tear slipped down her cheek. “I mean it. And I want you to know that. I know there’ll be some challenges ahead for you. But whatever you do, don’t let those challenges derail you from this path. This is what you were meant to do. I believe that.”

Bella giggled so she wouldn’t cry. “You sound like Papa.”

“Well, he’s a pretty smart man.” Lisa squeezed her hand in her own. “I mean it, Bella. I like Jeremy, I do. But as your mother, I need to make sure you understand that when it comes to your dreams, don’t let anything or anyone stand in your way, okay? There will always be some part of you wonderingwhat if.I meant it when I said that it would find a way if it was meant to be. Cliche or not,” she added quickly as she swiped at her eyes.

She promised she wouldn’t let anything stand in the way of what she really wanted. But long after Bella had gone to bed for the night, she lay awake, a question replaying over and over in her head.What was it that she really wanted?

“You know things like this are exactly why you’re going to get the chief job, don’t you?”

Natalie Collins, the rookie on Jeremy’s crew, tossed him a can of soda.

“Thanks.” Jeremy cracked the can. He needed the caffeine. “What do you mean? Things like what?”

Natalie flopped down on the couch across from him. “Things like cancelling your plans to come in because Jessie had to go home sick.” Natalie took a deep drink of her soda. “Not everyone would do it.”

“What are you talking about? Of course everyone would do it. If Jessie’s sick, he’s sick. We can’t have him here throwing up all over the station. And it’s not like it’s an optional job. It’s our duty to serve.”

Natalie pointed at him with her drink. “That right there. That’s why you’re totally going to be the chief.”

Jeremy shook his head with a chuckle. It’s not that he totally disagreed with the woman. He did think he had a great shot at getting the chief job, particularly because Ed Walker himself had hinted at it. But he disagreed with her that it was because he cared more than everyone else. All of his colleagues cared the same amount.Didn’t they?He shrugged and took another deep pull of his drink. “Nothing has been announced yet,” he said. “And we don’t even know for sure that Ed is retiring.”

Natalie raised her eyebrows and he laughed.

“Still,” he added. “I’m not going to get excited about anything until there’s something concrete.”

What he didn’t tell Natalie was that less than thirty minutes ago, he actually did have something concrete. Well, more concrete than he had before. Jeremy hadn’t expected to see the chief at the station when he’d come in, but the older man had been at his desk when he’d arrived. He’d looked preoccupied, so beyond offering him a wave as he walked by, Jeremy wasn’t going to interrupt him. But almost as if Ed had been waiting for him, he waved him into the room the moment he saw him.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

“No problem,” he said casually. “Doesn’t sound like Jessie’s in a good way and—”

“I don’t mean that.” Ed interrupted him. “But that’s good too.” He looked as though he were going to say something else, but changed tacks. “In fact, it’s really good, Jeremy. I can always count on you. Everyone can.”

Jeremy nodded.

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