Page 47 of Once Upon a Summer Night

“I’ll bet they enjoyed that,” Robyn said. “What was the challenge?”

“To see who could climb to the top of the ladder truck’s bucket and back down in the shortest time.”

“And they actually agreed to it?” Mia laughed. “Clearly, none of them knew you spent half your childhood climbing every tree in town.”

“Let’s just say they know better now. I’ll bet Dad never thought that pastime would come in handy. He hated when I would get up too high.”

The others laughed.

“So, how’s it working out, staying in the same house as your father again?”

Yes, Robyn had been around their place plenty growing up, which meant she’d seen firsthand the constant battles Hannah and her father had had.

“So far, so good,” Hannah said. “I still can’t get over how great he is with Noah.”

“You should bring your boy over, sometime. What is he, seven? Jace, our youngest, is nine. He would love to have a new buddy to run around with.”

“And they have an in-ground swimming pool,” Mia added with a grin. “So, you know Brooklyn and I would be happy to join you, too.”

“We would love that. Speaking of which, if you’re here…”

“Don’t worry, mama,” Mia said. “He’s hanging out with Brooklyn this morning. New art project, I promised not to look until I got back.”

Hannah smiled. “Oh, fun! Hopefully there’s no glitter this time. Dad loved it, but Aunt Faye mentioned something about Rex leaving glitter bombs in the yard.”

“Order ready for Brooks.”

Hannah waved to the barista, told the women to enjoy their coffee chat, then headed to the counter to collect her drinks. Halfway there, her cell came alive. A quick glance at the caller ID had her instantly curious. Why was Mick Swanson—one of her fellow captains at Kankakee Station Number Five—calling her while she was on vacation?

“Hey, buddy. Miss me yet?”

“Not as much as you miss me, pipsqueak,” teased her favorite fire mentor. Mick was in his late forties and had a daughter about to graduate high school. Countless times, Hannah had traded advice on how to deal with emotional teenagers for best ways to deal with a testosterone-filled fire station. “Thought you were due back yesterday, but they said you called in another two weeks off. Everything okay?”

Hannah eased into an empty seat near the order pickup counter. “Had a little hiccup with the adoption process, but we’re working through it. Thanks for checking on me.”

“Oh, good. For a minute there I worried you women had gotten a little too crazy on your winery tour and ended up behind bars or something.”

She laughed. “Nope, nothing that exciting. Just spending a little more time with my family, is all.”

“Your family?” Mick whistled. “Damn, that must have been one helluva hiccup. At least tell me you got that call from HR while you’ve been off.”

Hannah frowned. “HR? For what?”

“Oh shit, really? I just. I mean, I assumed…”

“What are you talking about Mick?”

“They were calling people to set up interviews for the safety inspection and training manager position, Hannah. A couple people here have interviews scheduled midweek. Sorry, kiddo, I thought for sure you’d get a call.”

She sat stunned, the news like a sucker punch to the gut. After all the legwork she’d done to get this position prepped and ready to go, they hadn’t even bothered to offer her a courtesy interview? Hannah looked to the floor, struggling to digest the news.

Maybe she wasn’t meant to go back to Kankakee after all…

*

Chase popped overto Brooks Farm shortly after dinner that night, eager to spend time with his girl and her boy. And, now that he’d survived the talk with her father, Chase didn’t have to worry about how he did or didn’t act around her in front of the rest of the family. Though, for Noah’s sake, he would do his best to behave. Because at the end of the day, he knew Hannah and her boy were a package deal now, and he’d have to win both their approval to make things work.

So far, he and Noah had hit it off pretty well together. He hoped his little surprise for tonight would serve to strengthen their growing bond.

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