Page 78 of We Can Forever

“The fittings.” He helps himself to a potato skin.

“Oh, right. Well, I’m sure it will all work out.” I lean against the counter, not worried one bit.

I already changed the blueprint a bit to appease Pat, and if he wants to order different fittings, I won’t fight him on it. Either way, the new kitchen will have everything it needs.

I’m also not worried about tonight’s fundraiser. It’s mostly a formality; we’ll probably have all the money we need for the renovation within twenty minutes. The whole island is invested in this station, eager to support it.

Eager to support me.

It took me a little while to really see that. And yeah, sometimes I still chafe when people in town compare me to my dad, but I know they’re doing it because they miss him.

Just like I do.

“I’ll come by in the morning,” Pat says. “Help you total up the cost of the renovation and see what we can do with the raised money.”

“Thanks, Pat. I appreciate it.” I follow him out of the kitchen and to the living area, which is full of chairs and a microphone at the front of the room.

The area is already stuffed way past fire code, but for once, I choose to overlook that. Having this many people show up—at least fifty of them, and with more entering as I look—makes me warm all over.

Finding Hannah, I slip my arm around her waist. “Hey.”

“Hey.” She nuzzles my neck. “Did you?—”

“Hannah!” Katie runs over, her newly finished unicorn scarf hanging from her neck, and grabs Hannah’s hand. “Carol is helping Rose and me decorate the Christmas tree! Come on! We have new ornaments.”

Hannah gives me an apologetic look, but I just blow her a kiss. We’ll have plenty of time together later, and Katie’s love for Hannah is the biggest blessing in my life. Without their happiness, nothing means anything.

Hannah follows Katie through the crowd and to the Christmas tree in the corner, where her aunt and Rose are wrapping garlands around its branches, and Red comes up to slap me on the shoulder.

“You ready to take the mic and lead this thing?” he asks.

I look at the assembled crowd, all the people watching me expectantly, all the people here to support their fire station and the legacy that my dad left.

All the people who care. All the people who have my back through thick and thin. My community. My home.

“Yeah,” I tell Red. “I’m ready.”

“Did you see what Flick won?” I ask Hannah as I park the truck in front of the house.

“The basket from the vet’s office?” She smiles. “Yeah. She looked so shocked.” A thoughtful look comes across her face. “Do you think my aunt is really happy staying at the bed-and-breakfast and not with us?”

“I saw her out there pulling weeds this morning.” I snort. “If she has something to do, I’m sure she’s happy. They’re probably thrilled to have the free help too.”

“True.” She giggles.

I quickly unbuckle my seat belt and rush around the truck to open her door, disappointed that she beats me to it.

“Sorry,” she says. “I’m eager to get inside.”

“It is cold.” I take her hand in mine, hoping that it’s not too chilly out here for her.

“No, that’s not why.” She unlocks the house and pulls me closer.

Getting the hint, I kick the door shut behind us. My hands dance across her body, eager to do the impossible and touch every inch of her all at once. We kick off our boots, drop our jackets.

“Too many clothes,” I murmur against her lips as we scramble to remove yet another layer.

Hannah laughs and tugs on my pants. Tired of not already being in the bedroom, I scoop her up and carry her down the hallway. In our room—I never get tired of calling it that—I set her on the bed and quickly remove the rest of our clothes.

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