“He’s gorgeous! Can I pet him?” Someone asked, and Jake beamed as he nodded permission.
“Yeah, the Bash effect,” Doreen murmured to herself, finally reaching Jake’s side. She paused to scan the crowd, her eyes searching for one particular face. That belonged to that tall man, whose steady presence had somehow woven itself into the fabric of her thoughts with no warning and even less permission.
The James effect,she thought with a smile.
But there was no sign of him yet.
She glanced at her watch; it was still early, so he might be tied up on duty. Her fingers closed around her phone in her pocket, temptation tugging at her to text or call, but she resisted. This wasn’t a date, not even a solid plan. Was it? He’d probably only agreed to show up for Jake’s sake.
But he’d promised, a small voice in her head insisted.
“Aunt D, it’s starting!” Jake called, pulling her attention back to the evening’s entertainment.
The crowd quieted, everyone turning toward the stage as a deep, resonant voice boomed out, weaving a tale of the town’s founding amid ancient mountains and whispering pines. Doreen found herself drawn in, the storyteller effortlessly painting vivid pictures of seasons past, of timeless winters, but a small ache began to bloom beneath her ribs.
James wasn’t here yet. And it stung more than she wanted to admit.
The first act wrapped with applause rippling through the square, and Doreen sensed someone approaching from behind. She turned, her heart lifting in anticipation of seeing James, butit was a broad-shouldered man she didn’t recognize, flanked by two children.
“Doreen?” he asked, his tone friendly and a little too familiar.
She went on instant alert; she’d never seen this guy before, yet he knew her name. “And this must be Jake,” he added with a nod.
“And this must be Bash! Can I pet him?”the girl piped up.
“I...” Doreen started, protective instincts flaring.
“Sorry,” the man said quickly, extending a hand. “I’m Daniel, a good friend of James and Christopher.” He thrust out his hand in greeting, his smile easy and reassuring, like someone used to putting people at ease.
Doreen relaxed a fraction, shaking his hand while piecing it together—James must have mentioned them, spreading the word about Bash’s antics. “Nice to meet you,” she said, though her gaze flicked back to the crowd, still hoping for a glimpse of slate-blue eyes.
Ridiculous, maybe. But she couldn’t help the tiny spark of hope that kept flaring in her chest.
“Maisie and Teddy have been begging me for a dog for months,” Daniel said, gesturing to his two children, who were already kneeling beside Bash, running their hands through his golden fur.
“You could borrow Bash for a trial run,” Doreen offered with a grin. “Just return him when he’s outstayed his welcome. That’s usually when he’s left muddy footprints all over the floor or hidden your shoes.”
Daniel laughed and shook his head. “If Bash comes to stay, it’ll be a done deal. No way they’d give him back.”
“Can’t blame them,” Doreen agreed, watching the three kids huddled around her dog, their faces lit with pure joy. “Bash is a certified heartbreaker.”
As she glanced over the crowd again, Daniel raised an eyebrow. “Looking for someone?”
“Oh,” she felt heat creeping across her cheeks. “James mentioned he might stop by.” The words tumbled out before she could filter them.
“He’s probably caught up in some emergency, I bet. The guy takes his job seriously.” Daniel’s smile held a large dose of sympathy.
Doreen nodded. “A real local hero, huh?”
“Trust me,” Daniel leaned closer, his voice dropping. “James wouldn’t bail on you unless it was completely unavoidable.”
“I wasn’t…” she began, but Daniel suddenly raised his hand.
“Speak of the devil,” he said with a knowing smile. “Here he is.”
Doreen turned, and there he was… James striding through the crowd in his uniform coat, hair dusted with melted snow, a smudge streaked across his jaw.
Relief crashed over her like a wave as she let out a long breath. He was here. Like he promised.
