“Evelyn tells me you’ve been studying hard.”
“I try to come in three times a week. I could just as easily study at the clinic, but there’s something about the smell of tea and old books that I find agreeable to the task at hand.”
“Same!” She gestures to the table. “I was hoping to give you a practice test to see which areas you’re weak in.”
“I can tell you that without any fancy test—it’s math.”
“Doh!” She snaps her fingers. “That’s where I’m weak too. But I’ve learned a few tricks over the years.”
We spend the next two hours going over math problems, which is a type of torture that should be classified as a war crime.
Willa is more patient than any teacher I’ve had before. Every time I get a question wrong, she says, “Okay, let’s try it another way,” and reframes it.
When I’ve had enough, I push the book away, manifesting a comical snarl.
Willa giggles and checks the time. “Would you like to grab something to eat?”
My stomach growls a response for me.
We wave to Evelyn on our way out and head to The Ridge Diner, dining on the best burgers and fries I’ve ever tasted.
“So, how do you like Iron Peak?”
“It’s great. Tight knit in a way you only see in Hallmark movies.”
The waitress drops off two big slices of pie. I inhale deeply, savoring the sweet scent.
“Don’t forget to box a second slice,” Willa tells the waitress. “Colt will get grumpy if I forget.”
The waitress turns back, smiling. “I’ll drop it off with the check.”
“Ah, make it two,” I interject.
“Two,” the waitress calls back.
“Pie is the least I can offer Kellan after all he’s done for me.”
The corner of Willa’s mouth curls into a smirk. “Have you known him for long?”
My cheeks flush with heat. “Growing up, he was my brother’s best friend. I never actually thought I’d see him again, but…things got hectic in my life, and he agreed to take me in.”
“Hectic?” She arches an eyebrow. “I hope it’s not anything too serious.”
“Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction, but that’s a story for another day.”
“I have a crazy story of my own, as do a few other women around these parts. Iron Peak seems to be a magnet for damsels in distress.” She stabs her pie with her fork. “We’ll have to get together with some of them and reminisce about our sordid pasts.”
It feels like an enormous weight has been lifted off my shoulders. “I’d love that.”
“So, I hear you’re grooming at the clinic.”
“Kellan allowed me to take over one of his spare rooms. Mostly, I clip nails and trip backsides, but I’ve done a few shaves, and the results were passable.”
“It sounds like you’re looking to settle here, then.”
I frown.
“What’s wrong?”
