Page 49 of Cross Checks

Chase pointed over my shoulder at an array of fresh vegetables and spices laid out in the kitchen. “What’s all that? Did you go grocery shopping, too?”

“I stopped on the way home. I thought it had been a while since we cooked together, so I picked up some supplies. I thought we might just put together a big salad for lunch.”

Chase grinned. “That works. I can chop. It’s hard to screw that up.”

While he chopped up the veggies, I set to work on a vinaigrette dressing. I stuck some garlic bread in the oven as an accompaniment.

“Tell me about your day,” Chase urged.

I chose not to share the big news, but I told him little anecdotes about seeing Chief Norton and hanging out with my buddy, Lyle.

“He could use a good boyfriend,” I informed Chase. “Just in case you know any great guys that are looking.”

“Sounds like you had an interesting day,” Chase observed. He looked at me, and I knew he sensed there was more I wasn’t telling him, but he didn’t press me.

After we finished eating, I suggested spending the afternoon going for a walk downtown to wander the familiar streets and shops that had been part of our daily lives. Chase agreed readily, his eyes crinkling with that smile that always made my heart skip.

Hand-in-hand, we explored storefronts in the process of taking down their holiday decorations, chatting about memories made in each place. We paused to watch kids skating on an outdoor rink, laughing as we watched a tiny little girl teetering until her dad skated by and swooped her up.

Our easy affection contrasted with the confused thoughts and emotions that still simmered inside me. With Chase’s arm wrapped around my waist as we walked, my career ambitions faded into the background. All that remained was us and the chilly winter air.

I knew reality still awaited, demanding I make a wrenching choice between the firehouse that shaped me and the extraordinary man at my side. But with Chase’s gloved hand clutched in mine, I pushed those swirling conflicts away for a little longer.

Chapter15

Chase

When we returned from our walk around downtown Cold Pines, we were both too tired to face making dinner from scratch. Instead, Hank pulled some of his famous lasagna out of the freezer.

“It won’t take any time,” he insisted.

His phone chimed just before he hit the button to start cooking our dinner. From the specific sound, he knew it was a video call from his parents. He wiped his hands on a dish towel and tapped the screen, revealing their smiling faces.

“Hey, Mom, Dad!” He greeted them with a voice full of affection.

“Hi, sweetheart,” his mom responded. “We have some exciting news to share.”

“You do? What is it?” He propped the phone up so I could see as we waited for the response.

“Your father’s been offered a buyout for early retirement.” She couldn’t contain herself and smiled from ear to ear. “And we’ve decided to take it. We’re moving to Florida. No more cold Portland winters. We’re too old for that.”

“Florida?!” The shock was apparent in Hank’s voice. I couldn’t believe it either.

“Have you picked out a place yet?”

Hank’s dad spoke up. “We’re considering Delray Beach. We have some friends who retired there in recent years. They call themselves the pioneers for our little group here in Maine.”

I busied myself typing on my laptop to pinpoint the location of Delray Beach. As he processed their announcement, Hank’s grip on the plate he was holding faltered. His fingers slipped, and I watched the china tilt.

Reacting quickly, I grabbed his arm to steady both him and the plate. He mouthed, “Thank you” to me.

“Honey, are you okay?” Hank’s mom asked.

I pointed to a page on the laptop that indicated Delray Beach was less than a 40-minute drive from Sunrise, where the Florida Panthers played. Hank blinked furiously.

“Are you guys serious?” was the only thing Hank managed to say.

“Well, yes, honey,” his mom continued. “Are you upset by this? We’ll make sure we have a guest room for you and Chase. Is he there?”

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