“What for?”
“There are lots of cute boys out there. And beaches full of them running around in swimsuits. You know?”
“I know. You toured me when I came to visit right after you started dating Westley, remember?”
“That was when I didn’t know what I was doing. Now I know all the spots. You should come.”
“If I get this job, it will be a while before I get vacation time.”
“An actual job.” She sighs. “I don’t know why anyone in their right mind would sign up for one of those.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, well, this is what I want, so please be the one person who wants it for me.”
“I do. If you want it, I want it for you. And all our friends want it for you.”
I have the best friends on earth.
I button the last button and do a twirl. McKenna rises off my bed and walks toward me, bracing my arms with her hands. “You look great. And you’ve done everything you need to be the best candidate for the job. Go get ’em.”
I smile and tug her into a hug. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” she says, giving me a squeeze and stepping back.
I grab my purse, shuck on some dressy boots and we head out the door together. I bend to grab the umbrella off the porch. McKenna bumps her shoulder into mine. “You know you’re my sister in every way except sharing a set of parents. Sometimes I wish you really were my sister. I’d trade one of my brothers for you in a heartbeat.”
“Really? Which one?” I tease.
“Depends on the day.”
I snort. “You don’t mean that.”
She grins. “Yeah, okay, you’re right. But try growing up with four extra dads breathing down your neck. Honestly? I’d say you should marry one of them just to make yourself officially part of the family, but that would be beyond weird.”
I pop the umbrella open, glancing out over the landscape. McKenna’s words drift between us, and I fight to keep them from sinking into my heart. The pasture rolls into the distance as far as I can see—wide and open. The fence line cuts a tidy seam between the Lawsons’ land and ours—a physical reminder of their nearness and of the lines we don’t cross. A smile tugs at my mouth anyway, because what I have in McKenna is priceless—a friend who’s closer than a sister.
McKenna reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I guess we’re stuck being neighbors and besties.”
“I could do way worse,” I say, squeezing her back.
“Yeah. Me too.”
The rain stops on my drive into town. I park on the street that runs in front of the fire station. The county offices are a few blocks down, but I could use the walk to burn off some of this nervous energy. And, yes, I might also want to peer into the bay at the station. Nothing like a firefighter spotting to lift the spirits before an important interview.
The town smells earthy-fresh. Water sprays from under the tires of the few passing cars. I take a deep breath to steady my rising nerves. My pace slows as I glance across the street.
Unfortunately, the bay doors are closed—probably to keep the rain out. It’s for the best, I’m sure.
I arrive at my interview ten minutes early, opening the large glass door and stepping onto the penny tile floor that’s probably older than my grandma.
Susan Voorhees is at the desk in the lobby. Her voice echoes off the double-high ceiling and the staircase behind her. “Well, hey there, Carli. I heard you had applied for the inspector position. Just go on and have a seat. I’ll tell Sherman … uh, Battalion Chief Hayes you’re here.”
“Thanks, Susan,” I say. “Or, Mrs. Voorhees.”
“Oh, goodness no, Carli. You just call me Susan.” She shakes her head in amusement, then she picks up her phone and calls Chief Hayes. “Sherman, Carli’s here for her interview.”
I’ve just taken a seat when Chief Hayes comes down the stairs. “Carli, good to see you.” He extends his hand and I shake it.
“You too,” I say, feeling as if I should say more—something professional or witty—but nothing comes to mind so I just stand there.
