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“I don’t know anyone in the area, so I welcome the company. Maybe you can come up for dinner? I make a mean beef stew. Until Ruck Up gets up and running, I imagine I’ll be pretty lonely up there.”

Emerson turned with some papers, indicating where to sign. “Not too lonely, you’ll have Yogi Patrol next door.”

“Excuse me, what?” The pen halted mid-signature.

“Yogi Patrol. Have you been up there yet?”

Zee thought she would be at a remote cabin, alone. “No. I was headed there when I saw your sign and I thought it was, well,a sign. Besides, a jump always centers me. Frees me, you know?”

“Yep, I feel the same way, girl. But Yogi Patrol is a fireman assigned to check with campers, day users, and hikers to keep campfires and cookouts in check and what not for the rec area. A fireman stays in the other cabin. You know they are connected and share a bathroom, right?”

Zee was taken aback by this recent information. Not the connected part, but that there would be someone sleeping there part. “Kinda, but I guess I made assumptions. I was told that the FD had an office for the rec area at the other end of the cabin, but I didn’t know they would man it twenty-four seven. I guess that explains the exceptionally low rent.”

When Zee rented the cabin, the realtor sent a million pictures explaining all of that. Even that Ruck Up’s office could be in the front and she could live in the back. It was the perfect set up. What she failed to mention was a practical roommate. She was prepared to deal with the daytime, because she’d be in work mode, but she liked her nights to herself.

“The FD owns the whole set-up but rents the other half at their discretion and uses the money to improve the rec area with things that state funding doesn’t cover.”

This was news to Zee. “I don’t remember seeing a fire department on my lease agreement. It was under Malone, I think.”

Emerson blushed. “Yeah, that would be my husband’s family. They technically own the cabin, but all income generated by it goes to the fire and police departments.”

“Wow, that’s nice of them. Now I feel bad about the great deal I got on rent.”

“Girl, don’t. Your business is going to do great things for this town. I can’t wait. So, what made you choose Sunnyville?”

That question squashed Zee’s good mood. “Long story. Maybe I’ll tell you over dinner. What do you say to Saturday? I’ll whip up a pot of my famous stew. You and the husband, family can come by?”

Emerson leaned forward on the counter. “We’re already heading up on Saturday. It’s the unofficial start of the season. We all meet up, have a potluck, and go out and clean up the area. Pick up trash, clear back dead brush, you know, make it camp and hike ready. You make your beef stew and I’ll introduce you to the Malones, and Barney; he’s on Yogi Patrol this season.”

Saturday seemed soon to be thrown into the deep end, but she wanted to get on with her new life and business. What better way to immerse herself in her new life than dive in head first?

A voice in the back of her head was giddy about sharing space with a male fireman. How many books had she read with a hero in turnout gear? The practical voice, the one who earned the nickname Zero Kelvin, wasn’t excited at all. That part of her knew there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of her giving into a fantasy like that.

She was just as her name said; ØK. . .ice cold, and not even a fireman could thaw her heart.

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