Page 63 of One Chance to Stay
“What? I might not have been born here, but you pick up a few things along the way.”
“Do you know her Social Security number, too?”
“I’m sure I have it somewhere.”
“She offered to help with the bonfire.”
Evelyn’s head perked up at the mention of her event. “I’m listening.”
“Well, if you’re going to have me bartending from an ice fishing shack, might as well make it festive. We can do hot chocolate for the kids and themed cocktails for the adults.”
“I’m not hating this idea.”
I spoke to her pride. “Just think what they’ll say afterward? It’ll be the talk of the town, the perfect way to kick off Christmas. Who knows, next year you might even get a few out-of-town visitors wanting to join in.”
“You’re good.” The smirk said my strategy worked. “I’m leaving this in your hands. I trust you.” She grabbed me by the furry buttons on my Santa costume. “If it goes wrong, you’re my scapegoat.”
“I expect nothing less.” Moving out of her way, she approached the final pie. “I’m going to hit the sack.” I walked toward the hallway before stopping. “Don’t forget the photo.”
“Oh. He’s a thirsty one.” She gave me a high-pitched whistle.
Yes. Definitely related to Jon.
The steam rose off my body as I stood at the window. My skin remained damp, the streaks of white pressing against the glass leaving a trail of fog. While I might be toasty inside, outside, the snow continued to fall.
Flipping the latch, I opened it a crack. As soon as a gust of frigid air brushed against my stomach, it was as if I stood on Seamus’s porch again. The situation had been dire, and yet, all I could focus on was the burly man standing in the door. It wasn’t so different from when he appeared at the American Legion. Both times, it made my heart swell. Different reasons, same effect.
I glanced back at the bed, my screensaver cycling through photos of various bar events. I quickly noticed in the montage where Mabel found her way into every picture. She might be a stellar performer, but her resume should include being an expert at photo bombing.
Behind the screensaver waited a dozen tabs. Career surveys. Job opportunities. Colleges. I had started looking for ideas for the next stage in my life. Evelyn had mentioned Grace, and with the glee in her voice as she talked about approving an adoption,I found a direction forward. Counseling. Social work. Therapy. There were dozens of possibilities, and I needed to narrow them down. Something in my gut told me I was on the right track.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I shut the window and grabbed a towel off the bathroom door. Did I really need another slice of pie from Evelyn? No. Would I turn her away? Probably not. When I got back to the city, I’d need to put my gym membership to use.
“Evelyn, you’re killing me.”
I opened the door.
“Evelyn—” Twice as thick and a good foot taller, this was not my friendly hostess. “Seamus, what are you doing here?”
His eyes remained downward, and I watched as a thousand emotions raced across his face. He couldn’t hide the confusion. Whatever had brought him here pushed him far outside his comfort zone. For a second, I feared?—
“This…” He went from looking at my chest to staring me in the eye. “This isn’t casual for me.”
I found myself without a pithy reply. The softness in his eyes took him from handsome to… I wanted to hold him. He’d be the little spoon, and every time doubt entered his voice, I’d squeeze him tighter. This wasn’t the moment for my snarky antics.
I rested a hand on his chest, my thumb running back and forth. Seamus didn’t understand that his quietness tore through my life like a hurricane. I came to Firefly to figure out my future. I thought that meant a new occupation. Instead, Firefly offered me a man who shook me to the core.
“It’s never been casual for me,” I whispered.
His hands reached for my cheeks, but they didn’t have the same lingering tenderness as before. He leaned forward, pressing his lips against mine. There was no taste of bourbon, no hint of beer. This moment didn’t come from liquid courage.
I wrapped an arm around his neck, pulling him closer. He stepped forward, pushing me back into the room. I didn’t want to stop, to pull away from this man who put his heart on his sleeve for me. I ignored the towel as it dropped from around my waist.
His beard tickled until I had to pull away for fear of sneezing. I gasped as the sneeze teetered on the brink, threatening if I moved the wrong way. When the sensation subsided, I turned back to Seamus.
“You’re naked a lot.”
