Page 9 of Once Upon a Summer Night

“Sure does. Oh, wait—I’m on the schedule to work here tonight.”

Aunt Faye shook her head. “I’ll close the bookstore early; we don’t have any workshops on the schedule. Mia, text Brooklyn and let her know dinner will be at the farm at six. Just the girls tonight, we can introduce her to the others another day.”

“The others?” Hannah asked.

A mischievous grin formed on Del’s lips. “You bring your stories to dinner, Little Sis, and we’ll bring ours.”

Regret pricked her anew. Time had gone on in Bourbon Falls without her. Aunt Faye had told her about Del’s new computer guru boyfriend, Isaac, and Mia reconnecting with her college crush Alex who was supposedly now some bigtime author, but something told her there were countless more stories that she’d missed in her time away.

Yet another consequence she hadn’t anticipated before leaving.

“Okay. Well, at least let me cook for everyone since we’re crashing there tonight.”

“You did not drive all this way to cook us dinner,” Aunt Faye insisted. “I’ll order carryout from the Sweet Mash, in celebration of our little lamb returning home.”

“But—”

Aunt Faye reached into her pants pocket and withdrew a key on a small ring. “Here,” she told Hannah as she handed it to her. “Go and get yourselves settled in. And don’t worry about old Rex—he wouldn’t harm a flea.”

Hannah frowned. “Old Rex?”

“Pop’s dog,” Del said, pulling her into another hug. “I’ve gotta get back to work, but holler if you need anything. And don’t worry, we’ll get you caught up on all the family happenings in no time.”

The longer they talked, the more an outsider she began to feel. She looked to the front windows. If only Chase would be there, too. She’d always relied on him for strength in tough situations.

No, the old her had relied on him. The new her had long ago learned to fend for herself. She’d be wise not to slip into her old habits during their visit—it’d just make leaving again that much more difficult.

Chapter Three

Chase’s mind wasstill reeling as they finished cleaning up the single car accident—Drunky’s Car: 0, huge old maple tree: 1—and started their return to the fire station. Hannah was really back. And wow, she looked good. Damn good. It sucked that she’d picked a day he was on duty to return. It’d nearly killed him to walk away after waiting eight long years to see her again. All he could hope is that her promises held the same weight now as they once did. They had so much to catch up on.

Noah’s small voice echoed through his thoughts.

Well, my new mom. My real mom is in heaven now…

Poor Beth. The town had been abuzz with rumors about the two friends who had vanished into the night after graduation: an unwanted pregnancy, a forbidden love, a cross-country road trip dare. Chase had known the reason they’d left, knew that Beth was convinced her parents would insist she give the baby up if she told them about her oops. He also knew that accompanying Beth was Hannah’s ticket out from under her father’s heavy thumb. He’d meant to join them, eager to escape his own hellacious childhood home, but fate had had other plans. When he wasn’t able to meet up with them to make the great getaway, he’d had no choice but to wait for Hannah to reach out so he could catch up with them later.

But she never did.

As the crew made their way back into town, Chase kept his unfocused gaze on the passing scenery. Truth was, it still hurt that she’d left without a trace for so long. And despite telling himself countless times that ship had sailed, she still haunted his dreams more than he’d care to admit.

But had he sat around all these years, sulking that she’d gone? No. Instead, he’d chosen to build a life for himself here, one he’d worked his tail off for and was damned proud of. That hard work and determination helped him climb the ranks at the station, learning everything he could from Chief Brooks and his firehouse brethren along the way. Being the town’s next chief was his goal, and it was nearly within his grasp.

Unfortunately, if he’d learned anything today after just one chance reconnect with Hannah, it was that the flame in his heart with her name on it had never fully extinguished. Now he just had to figure out how to keep it under control so he didn’t start hoping they might finally find their happily-ever-after.

What was that phrase Del liked to use during times like these? Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me?

Chase’s cell buzzed in his pocket. He withdrew it to find a new text from Del. Speak of the devil.

Can’t believe she’s back.

Chase typed his response.Me either. Got called on a run, what’d I miss?

She didn’t spill, guessing she wants to talk without Noah listening. Doing dinner at the farm tonight. I’ll keep you posted. They’re staying for the weekend.

Perfect, he’d still have a chance to see her again before she left. Now he just had to find a way to pass the remainder of his shift without staring at the clock all day. Time always seemed to crawl slower the more you checked on it.

But what could she have to talk about with the others that she didn’t want Noah to hear? Something to do with her father, maybe? Those two had always had a rocky relationship, the chief being more protective with her than the others after losing his wife far too early. But the chief had mellowed over the years—she’d learn that soon enough. Then again, the chief wasn’t at the farm right now for her to see that.

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