“Obviously, he’s a firefighter. There are firefighters aplenty around here,” my mom said with a shrug.
“He’s the firefighter who stopped to help me when I had the bee sting situation,” I said under my breath.
“He took you to the hospital, right?” my mother clarified.
“Yes.”
“Well, he’s a good man, then.”
I thought about my father and about all the good things he had done when he was a police officer in Willow Brook. He had been beloved around town. As a result, when the whole truth came out, many people had been shocked.
“Dad was a good man too, Mom. Or, so I thought.”
She paused, sadness flickering in her eyes. “Nobody is all one thing.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just that. It isn’t black and white when it comes to anyone. Obviously, I was very hurt by what happened with your father, and it took me a long time to reach this point. But I do recognize that he was the man who was so beloved in the community. He was a good father. And, he was also the man who made a choice that was very hurtful for you and for me.”
My throat felt tight, aching with that old blockage of emotion I never knew what to do with. I took a shaky breath. “Mom,” I began.
She shook her head sharply. “You know it’s true. Obviously, I have no idea what Kincaid is like in all facets, but he stopped and helped you. He didn’t have to.”
“He’s a firefighter,” I pointed out.
“Well, sure, but if memory serves, he wasn’t on duty. He heard sweet Bella barking, and that’s why he came over to help you.”
I’d filled my mom in on the details of that afternoon when she took me to the mechanic to pick up my car after they repaired the bent rim the following day. I cleared my throat, breathing slowly and trying to ease the tightness and achiness that had taken up residence in my heart so many years ago. Back when I truly grappled with the depth of my father’s betrayal.
“I know,” I finally said.
My mom paused, her brows hitching up slightly before she added, “Clearly, you think Kincaid is handsome.”
“Well, I mean objectively speaking, he is.” I ignored the heat climbing up my neck into my cheeks.
My mother’s laugh was dry as she shook her head slightly. “Yes, I’m sure it’s just objective. But you don’t usually blush when—” she gestured subtly toward Levi Phillips, another firefighter I knew, who happened to be standing at the counter.
I’d been a few years behind Levi in high school. He was a huge flirt and friendly with everyone. “I know Levi’s handsome,” I said with a shrug, striving to come off as casual.
“And yet, I don’t see that kind of reaction toward him.”
“Mom,” I ground out.
Her eyes twinkled just as Casey stopped beside our table, a tray balanced on her arm. “Should I get those plates?”
I nodded. “Go for it. My scone was delicious.”
“Luna is such a good baker,” Casey replied.
“The baked goods here have always been good,” my mother added.
Janet happened to overhear as she was passing by. She stopped beside us, smiling warmly at my mom. “I appreciate your loyalty, but Luna’s baked goods are absolutely better than mine.”
My mom chuckled as she shrugged. “If you say so, Janet.”
Janet’s hand fell to my mom’s shoulder and she gave her a gentle squeeze. “I do say so. How are you two doing, by the way?”
“We’re good. I’m just so glad to have my daughter back in town full-time now.”
