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Today we get to leave the house. I’ll drive the plow to town and clear the road, drop her off at the Lodge before helping the rest of my team plow every street in and around Winter Lake. We haven’t seen the last of the snow this season but for now, we aren’t expecting any more.

And life has to get back to normal. But what is normal for Brooke?

It isn’t living with me. I protested her leaving before but now I wonder if maybe I should let her move back to the Lodge. Let her get on with life. Without me.

“Deep thoughts?”

“Fuck!” Spinning around, I find Brooke just inside the door of the woodshed. I didn’t hear her come in. So in my head I didn’t hear the door open.

“Sorry.” She moves into the shed, her gaze taking everything in. “I haven’t been in here.”

“No.”

“It’s an office.”

“Yeah.” My gaze follows the path of hers. “We run the firewood business here.”

“Where’s the wood?”

“Through there.” I point to the door at the back of the room. “The wood is stored on the other side of that wall. The building to the back of this one holds the mill.”

“And you work for the Public Works?”

“Yes. Normally Felix manages the business, I help out whenever I can. We have a couple of part-time guys who do deliveries for us too.”

“You supply Winter Lake?”

“Yeah.”

“How much time does it take to manage the business?”

“A few hours a day in the off season; in winter it’s more full-time hours.”

She moves to one of the desks, picks up the order log. “We’re not in the off season.”

“No. With Felix laid up I’ll have to spend more time here⁠—”

“I can do it. With Riley.”

I open my mouth. Close it. “You? Riley?”

“Yes.” Her gaze meets mine. “We’ve been talking. I know she’s been coming out before this last week.”

“She has.” I don’t want to get my hopes up, but I can’t help it. If she’s saying what I think she is, I won’t have to spend days not seeing her.

“Okay. Here’s what we’re going to do. Riley and I will manage the business, which lets you do your job in town and Felix recuperate.”

“You work at the Lodge.”

“I do. Did.” Her gaze hasn’t left mine and I move closer to her, drawn in by those bright green eyes. “I gave them my notice. Michelle is going to take over my job there.”

“You’re staying.”

She grins at me. “Did you think I was leaving?”

“Well, yes, you have a job⁠—”

“Had.”