Page 28 of Midnight Clear

“Don’t think we’ve forgotten about the kitchen renovation idea,” Hattie said. “Your dimples and boyish good looks only go so far.”

He shoved the turkey in the oven with a grunt and managed to get the door closed, and then he put a hand on his lower back, mostly kidding about the muscles that were probably going to be very sore later.

“You heard the woman,” Hank said, making his way back toward the door and flashing the dimples in question. “She can’t make up her mind. But when she does, I’ll have a crew here ready to tear this whole place apart.”

“Deal,” Raven said. “You know who’d be great at helping pick out things for the kitchen?” Her eyes were big and round and full of mischief. “Sophie would be great at it. She’s always been very decisive.”

“Not in my experience,” Hank said under his breath.

“Maybe you’re not giving her the right choices,” Raven said. “But my bet is on you.”

Hank looked around the kitchen, his gaze meeting his sisters-in-law and his mother.

“Tell Sophie hello for us,” his mother said, coming up to kiss him on the cheek.

“Will do,” Hank said.

“Oh, and thanks for shoving that devil turkey into the oven for me.”

Hank chuckled as he put his gloves back on and headed out the back door and into peace and quiet.

ChapterEleven

It didn’t takeHank long to fix the boiler. It was just old and cranky, much like the house itself. But it was a good house with good bones that held a lot of memories. He couldn’t imagine his parents living anywhere else, and he hoped his mother was only kidding when she’d asked about the new condos in town.

Or maybe if they really wanted a change they could move into town and he could take over the ranch. But that was ridiculous. He didn’t have the time. He barely had enough hours in the day to take care of his own business.

He put his tools away in the back of his truck and then got in, starting the engine and cranking the heat. He’d given Sophie time to cool off and think things over, and maybe she still didn’t want to see him. But he owed her an apology.

He drove away from the farmhouse, the big Christmas tree lighting up the front window. There had been enough snow that the road into town would have to be plowed again within another day or so. Even now the snow was swirling against his windshield and his wipers were working overtime.

There was no through traffic on O’Hara land since it was all private property, but there were still ranch hands and family members who’d be driving the treacherous roads, even on Christmas.

He breathed out a sigh of relief as he got off the one-lane road and onto the mountain road that led down to the town. Everything would be closed down on Christmas Eve except for The Lampstand. They always did scheduled seatings for a special Christmas Eve dinner.

But as he got closer to town he noticed something was different. Something was strange. The Christmas tree lights were on at the center of the rink, but there was a smoky haze that floated around it. And then he noticed all the people who were gathered and the pillar of black smoke spiraling into the sky.

He judged the distance from where he was and knew in his heart it was the bookstore that was on fire. He pulled into the parking lot of the condos and jumped out of the truck, not even sure if he’d turned the engine off. And then he ran across the street and up the hill toward the bookstore, cutting through the crowds of people who had gathered to watch.

The fire trucks had just arrived and were getting the hose connected to the nearest hydrant, but he only had eyes for Sophie. Someone must have called and told her about the fire, because it looked like she’d thrown a sweatshirt over her pajamas and slipped into her snow boots before running the two blocks to the store. She wasn’t even wearing a coat.

“Sophie,” he said, running up and taking her into his arms. He noticed a smudge of soot on her cheek and swiped at it with his thumb. “What happened? Are you okay?”

The look on her face was pure devastation. Her eyes were wide and glassy with shock.

“It’s gone. It’s all gone.”

He was going to tell her it would be all right. That the firemen would put it out and they’d salvage whatever they could. But one look at the inferno in front of him let him know that would be a lie.

All he could do was hold her close and watch as the third floor crashed into the second. And the second into the first. The firemen had put up blockades to keep people back, but he could feel her straining against him as tears coursed down her cheeks.

They stayed until the fire had been doused, and there was nothing left but smoldering heaps of wood and glass.

Hank talked to the fire marshal and then managed to get Sophie down to The Lampstand. His Aunt Simone was still there. She and Uncle Tommy and their kids didn’t show up for the celebration until Christmas Day.

“Bring her to the lounge,” Simone said when he and Sophie walked through the front door. The fire was the talk of the town and the smell of smoke had even permeated to the inside of the restaurant.

“I’m so sorry, Sophie,” Simone said, settling her in a chair. “I can’t even imagine what you’re feeling right now. Maybe you should take her home.”

---