Page 74 of Fake-Off with Fate
“I’d be a much better mayor than Phillip,” I feel the need to tell him.
“I agree,” he says. “But being that Phillip actually wants the job and you don’t, I’m guessing he’s the one we’ll be stuck with when my term ends.”
“You have my sympathies,” I say sourly. “Marcy is going to fill you in on the details of what we’ve put into place later today. Let me know if you have any questions.”
“Will do. How are things there? Your house still standing?”
I pick up my phone and look for messages before answering, “I haven’t heard anything yet. I’ll keep you updated though.” I hurry to ask, “How are things going with you and Mom? You guys back on track?”
“One hundred percent,” he says. “I’ve been a pigheaded fool. Nothing and no one is as important to me as your mother, and I have you to thank for reminding me of that.”
“I love you guys,” I tell him. “I’d do anything for you.”
“Well, you certainly have. You’ve saved our marriage and you’ve done your best to save Maple Falls. I owe you a lot.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’m glad you guys are staying together.”
“We’re doing more than staying together,” he says. “We’re planning our next vacation. We’re thinking three weeks in Italy over Christmas.”
“Seriously?”
“You betcha! Your mom and I had so much fun in Barbados, we can’t wait to go someplace else and make more memories.”
I don’t know who I’m talking to, but I suddenly suspect the man on the other end of the line isn’t my father at all. “You were hit by a hurricane, Dad,” I remind him.
“And it was invigorating! There’s nothing like staring death in the face to remind you about what really matters in life. Like what you must be feeling now with your house in jeopardy.”
As soon as I hear those words, I realize that I’ve been looking at this fire all wrong. I’ve been feeling sorry for myself, like I’m a victim of a horrible twist of fate. I should really be seeing this as an opportunity to make a change. I’m just not sure yet what kind of change that will be.
CHAPTER 34
JAMIE
Sittingout on the little patio off my room at the lodge, I try to assess how I currently feel about living in Maple Falls. I had my doubts about how I’d do during my first week here, but then Ashlyn took me under her wing and helped me start to feel a sense of community. The Ice Breakers’ continued efforts to help raise money for the town are a big part of that, as well.
But now that Ashlyn is no longer here, I once again feel like a visitor on the moon. I remind myself that I still have the team, and the guys and I are getting closer every day. For instance, Carson and Asher have decided to share a rental house.
It helps that we won our second game, too. Being two for two is a nice way to start the season, and I have a strong feeling we’ll just keep winning. And that’s not just cockiness on my part, either. The Ice Breakers have a magical team chemistry the likes of which I’ve never seen before.
Today is the first day of Maple Fest and while I had planned to go, I was going to do that accompanied by Ashlyn. It’s weird to think of being there without her. She hasn’t called me back to tell me what’s going on with her house, and while I don’t want to be a bother, I really want her to keep me updated.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I call her.
“Hello?” Her voice is breathy like she just sprinted a mile.
“How’s it going?” I ask.
“Jamie, hey. It’s okay. Good, really.”
When she doesn’t elaborate beyond that, I ask, “How’s your house?”
“Still here,” she says. “They created a fire line a few blocks from me and managed to stop the spread. It’s already at eighty percent contained, so it’s only a matter of time before the whole thing is out.”
I’m relieved for her but at the same time another, less altruistic, thought hits me. Had Ashlyn’s house burned down, there was still a chance she might have come back to Maple Falls. Now there’s not. “I’m happy for you,” I tell her. And I am. I’m just not happy for me.
“Thank you. It’s been a wild week for sure.”
“Do fires usually last so long?” I ask.
