“I go by Allie, even though my name is Alison,” Allie offered.
“Do you answer to Alison?” Madison asked.
Allie pursed her lips, tapping her fingertip on her cheek. “Sometimes. Dad only calls me that when he’s frustrated.”
Madison’s eyes lifted to mine, and I saw the mirth glinting there.
As I fought the urge to grin, Beck arrived. “Here are your scones. Don’t get yourself in trouble if you try to sneak one in class,” he offered as he handed the small paper bag to Allie.
I glanced at him, adding, “Karma. You just wait. Once your oldest is fourteen, you’ll think twice about encouraging them to behave the way we did when we were in high school,” I teased as he handed me my coffee.
Beck’s eyes widened. “Dude, I’m not ready. Don’t give me a heart attack.”
With a low laugh, I gestured to Madison. “This is Madison Glen. She’s Harold’s granddaughter who inherited his old place.” Pointing at Beck, I added, “This is Beck Steele. We grew up together, and he’s also a hotshot firefighter here in town.”
Beck dipped his chin in acknowledgment. “Nice to meet you, and welcome to Willow Brook. We all loved Harold even though he wasn’t around very much.”
Madison’s lips tightened at the corners, and an intense emotion flashed through her eyes before she shuttered it quickly. “He meant a lot to me. I didn’t know he’d left me his place until a few months ago. I’m glad to know people here cared about him. I didn’t get to see as much of him as I wanted,” she offered.
I was way too freaking curious about Madison. I wanted to know why Harold disowned Madison’s mother. But if Harold was close to Madison, then she couldn’t be all that bad. That said, family could overlook all kinds of stuff. Hell, I’d given Allie’s mother the benefit of the doubt for way too long when it came to Allie.
“We need to get you to school,” I interjected.
Allie let out a put-upon sigh. “Fine.” Her eyes bounced to Madison. “Can I come over and visit this weekend, Maddie?”
Madison’s eyes shifted to mine. At my nod, she replied, “Sure. Let me give you my number.”
She pulled out her phone, and I watched as my daughter exchanged numbers with a woman who pretty much set my body on fire. Just being near her again had heat rising swiftly inside me, sparking the electricity sizzling through my veins.
“You sure that’s okay?” I couldn’t help but ask.
Madison nodded. “Of course, I don’t know anyone in town except you three now and Janet over at the counter. Friendly neighbors are a good thing. I have an excessively friendly dog. Your dad may have mentioned him.”
Allie’s eyes snapped to mine. “What? You didn’t mention she had a dog.”
“I didn’t think about it,” I replied sheepishly.
Allie huffed. “I have to go to class. I can’t wait to meet your dog.”
A few minutes later, we were back in my truck. “How could you forget about her dog?” Allie asked, her tone accusatory.
“I just didn’t think of it.”
The question of a dog had been on the radar for the last year. Allie’s beloved childhood dog, Banana, had passed away, and she wanted another one. We didn’t have time for training a puppy, so I’d been putting it off. Now that Madison lived next door with a dog, I knew this meant plenty more discussion on the matter.
“We can talk about the possibility of a dog at another time,” I added.
Allie shrugged. “Fine. Maddie’s really pretty, by the way.”
I slid my eyes sideways. My way too perceptive daughter had likely sensed my reaction to Madison. Fuck my life.
Chapter Six
Madison
I was waiting at the counter for a coffee to go before I left. Janet, who’d introduced herself when I came in, was peering through the waist-high door into the kitchen behind her and replying to something an employee said.
I took a moment to glance around. The café was cute and inviting. The tall, square brick building had an open, airy space for dining in what apparently used to be the town’s fire station. Beyond the counter, the kitchen was visible with scents of baked goods and coffee pervading the entire café. The old fire pole was painted with bright pink flowers, adding a touch of whimsy. The windows let plenty of light in and offered a view of the cute downtown shopping area.
Janet turned back and began getting my coffee ready. “I hope it didn’t freak you out to have Graham check on the place last night.”
Before I could respond, she added, “Graham’s a good guy, if a little, well, prickly.”
“That’s one way to put it,” I replied. “I thought he was going to arrest me.”
Janet chuckled. “Graham would not have arrested you. Rex Masters—he’s the police chief—had left me a message, but I didn’t even notice because I was busy. By the time I called Rex back to confirm you were Harold’s granddaughter and had inherited the property, he had already asked Graham to stop by because he lives next door. At least you know we look after each other around here. Are you planning to stay?”
Janet was curious and didn’t even try to hide it. She was also really nice, and I could use a few more nice people in my life. “For the time being, I plan to stay. I can work online, so I’m hoping I can find some opportunities here. Maybe in Anchorage.”
“What do you do?”
“I’m an actuary.”
Janet gave me a long look. “Wow, that sounds terrifically difficult and maybe boring.”
I laughed. “To some people. I love numbers. They relax me. I know it’s weird, but it is what it is.”
Janet chuckled. Her eyes twinkled with her smile. I’d liked her instantly. She was warm and funny and welcoming. She gave off a motherly vibe, and I sensed she was protective of those she cared about.
While I felt instantly comfortable with her, I internally shook my head at myself. I was so filled with doubts about myself. This past year of my life had left me feeling exposed and stripped bare, as if the façade of a house had been torn off to reveal it was nothing more than a stage prop.
“Graham can be grumpy,” Janet offered, “but he’s got a heart of gold.”
She counted out my change and handed it over with my coffee to go. “He’s got his hands full with Allie. She’s a little firecracker, that girl.”
“How old is she?”
Janet drummed her fingertips on the edge of the counter. “Fourteen. Graham’s been a single father since only a month after she was born.”
“Really?”
Janet nodded, brushing her braid off her shoulder. “Allie’s mother was his high school girlfriend. She was a looker. There’s no doubt they didn’t plan for her to get pregnant. She never wanted to be a mom. Lord knows why she even had the baby, but she did.” I was waaa-yyyy too curious about Graham and almost leaned forward as Janet continued. “She passes through town once in a blue moon, just enough to make Allie wish she had a mother. Graham’s as solid as they come. His hands are full between work and being a father.”