“It’s a warm brownie with fudge, ice cream, whipped cream, and a cherry,” he announced softly. “I didn’t know if you liked it melted. I put it in separate containers.”
“Oh no, I love when it all melds together. I can’t tell you the last time I ate a brownie like this. Did Sledge tell you it’s my favorite dessert?” she asked excitedly.
Ty took out the other ingredients, made up the treat, and then handed her the spoon. “No. You mentioned women liked chocolate, and I guessed you might like this one.”
“Thank you for bringing it to me,” she said, gently holding the side of the bowl as she scooped up a bite. “Mmm. You outdid yourself.”
“I have to speak with Leo this evening. He’s returning from Seattle. I told Kassie I’ll bring you home if you feel comfortable with the arrangement. If you’re not, one of the veterans will pick you up,” Ty explained.
“It seems silly for them to drive here when you’re headed in my direction. I don’t know where Leo lives on the mountain. I don’t want to have you goout of your way.”
“Nonsense. Leo lives to the west of the hospital. There’s a road leading to his house. The rest of the team live on the east side of the mountain, facing Bear’s mountain.”
Scarlett envisioned it in her head. “May I ask you some questions? I’m trying to see if I can recall where things are located.”
“Of course, what do you want to know?”
“Can you tell me where the hospital’s at and everything around it? I know the service dog facility’s distance, but they mentioned cabins. I’m not sure where,” she explained.
“There’s a path to the right of the hospital. If you stay straight, it leads you to them. If you take a right at the post, you'll reach the hiking trails. Kassie’s a firm believer that their mountain can help in healing. If you took the road up and to the left from the hospital parking lot, you’ll find the facility for Serenity Securities. Further down the mountain, you’ll encounter another subdivision of cabins for veterans to transition into when they graduate from the hospital.”
“I didn’t realize the size of this place,” she murmured while she continued to eat the gooey goodness.
“Chase, I mean, Doc, and his father dreamed of building this for veterans for years. After he met Kassie, he and the team went on a mission. Their helicopter crashed and she started it in memory of him. When he returned, they built it together and even boosted the economy of Serenity,” he explained.
“Along with the number of strangers coming into our town.” A man behind Ty complained. “The Winters think they own this place. They don’t even ask what the citizens want. We’re the ones who must deal with the increasing population, the crowds in the stores, or the traffic on the weekends when they come to visit the people on the mountain.”
Ty stood and turned while Scarlett braced herself, unsure what to expect.
“I didn’t hear you complain when they paved the streets, Jeremy. Nor did you complain when their friends, Victoria and Ivan, paid for the new library and upgrades to the school.” Ty stuck up for his friends.
“I’m complaining now. All the noise and these kids taking all our jobs,” Jeremy continued.
Scarlett scooted her chair back, hearing the sneer in his voice. Ty placed himself before her. “If it’s such a problem, maybe the police need to speak with you about all these incidents happening around here.”
Jeremy’s chair skidded across the floor. “Are you accusing me of something?”
“You seem to hold a lot of anger for people who have done nothing to deserve it. They offer medical care to our residents instead of us having to drive to Seattle and when they see a family in need, they’re the first to help,” Ty growled.
“Our town seemed good enough for his mother and father. Even Chase lived here for years and didn’t seem to have any issues with us,” Jeremy argued. He moved close enough that Scarlett caught the scent of his cologne.
“Dad, it’s time to go home,” a younger man said, approaching the two men.
“It’s about time you got here. Did you get the field plowed? It’s nearly winter, and you’re a month behind,” Jeremy grumbled as he moved away.
“Yes, Dad. It’s all done. Let’s go home. I have to get to the bank in the morning and still need to muck the stalls,” he stated, picking up the trash his father left on the table.
“Have a nice night, Ben,” Ty said to the younger man as he escorted his fatherto the entrance.
“Wow, I didn’t expect things to get heated,” Scarlett said as Ty sat.
“Jeremy always likes to cause trouble. I didn’t think he was bitter about Chase. He’s lived here his whole life. His family has always supported the community.”
“Do you think he’s capable of all the accidents?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I’ll mention it to Leo. His men can investigate it,” Ty said as he picked up her empty carton. “Here, I’m wiping some chocolate off your face.” He leaned forward and she sat still as the napkin gently wiped the corner of her lip. His knuckle brushed against her cheek, making her shiver. His hands smelled of herbs and something smoky from cooking.
“You have goosebumps,” he said softly, taking off his sweatshirt, walking behind her, and placing her arms inside the sleeves.
