When I land, will I be Maverick, able to take a daring risk as I used to?
17
WINNIE
I’m supposedto be reviewing the Fire & Ice Fest insurance binder, but instead I’m staring out my office window at the mountains, thinking about sawdust in my hair and hazel eyes that shift between green and whiskey and the way Patton’s voice deepens when he calls me by my name.
This is a problem.
“Earth to Winnie!” Mindy waves a hand in front of my face.
I startle.
“Are you on squirrel watch?”
I blink, refocusing on the document that might as well be written in ancient Greek for all the sense it’s making right now. “I was thinking.”
“About how the copier died again? Heads up, by the way.” Thomas appears in my doorway, sloppily eating what looks like a Crush Cake.
Emphasis on crush, as in he’s demolishing the thing and I may have one of those on a certain firefighter. A crush, not a cake, though come to think of it, I have yet to sample one. For all I know, they could taste like cardboard. Doubtful, but possible.
“I’m thinking about … work. Definitely work. Thanks, Thomas. I’ll call the repair company.” I am not considering a possible crush on Patton.
He sighs. “I did my best.”
Mindy perches on the edge of my desk, eyes sly. She leans in and looks from side to side as if to make sure we’re alone. Voice just above a whisper, she says, “Or were you thinking about a certain firefighter?”
I blurt, “Policy premiums and deductibles.”
“Mmm. Sure. Along with very professional work thoughts about very professional vendor negotiations and a very professional almost-kiss in a dusty bakery to be.”
My face flames. “How do you?—?”
“Silver Sam saw you two through the window,” Thomas supplies helpfully.
I thought we were alone! Patton and I then, and Mindy and me now. What is it with this place?
Thomas continues, “Sam told Lucky at the gas station. Lucky told everyone at Huck’s this morning. The diner told the rest of the town.”
“Nothing happened!”
“Yet,” Mindy sing-songs.
I bury my face in my hands. “I hate small towns.”
“No, you don’t.” Thomas takes another bite of his Crush Cake, and the sweet scent makes my heart hop. I should probably watch my cholesterol. Sugar intake. Patton exposure.
Pauline appears and adds, “You love it here. You love the gossip and the quirky people and?—”
“And Patton,” Mindy finishes.
“I do not love Patton Cross!”
Through the glass partition wall, said firefighter looks up from his desk across the hall. Our eyes meet. He raises one eyebrow in that cocky way that shouldn’t be attractive but might be. Okay, fine. It, unfortunately, regrettably, absolutelyis.
I grab a file folder and hold it up to block my face.
“Smooth,” Thomas observes with a chuckle.
