Page 77 of The Fixer and the Fugitive

“That maybe we should all help,” Maybe blurted, anxious to get it out before Tony interrupted again.

“That’s so sweet, but help with what? The trees are almost all gone,” Celeste said.

“They’re not, actually,” Baird said, poking his head around the corner where he’d apparently been hiding during Tony and Maybe’sLaurel and Hardyroutine.

“Ta-da!” Fletcher announced, poking his head out from the opposite side, breathless and panting. “Sorry, I just got here and hopped over the porch railing. Firing trainer, not working well at all.”

“What?” Celeste said, wary at the sight of Fletcher. If he was involved, it could be anything. And it was. Maybe took her hand and gave it a tug, urging her outside. They made space as she stepped onto the porch, followed by Sam. And then she saw them, practically all of Paradise, lined in a parade of trucks. And in those trucks were hundreds upon hundreds of trees,fruittrees.

“We thought we’d have a planting party,” Maybe said, clapping her hands together excitedly.

“I thought that was supposed to be my line,” Tony said resentfully.

“No, you were supposed to say… Oh, hush. You’re teasing me,” Maybe said, shoving his arm.

“From the moment we met,” Tony agreed, turning his gleaming smile on Celeste. “What do you think?”

“I…I…I…” That was all she could utter. She tossed Sam an SOS, eyes brimming.

“We’re so happy,” he said, easing his arm around Celeste. “We already knew we loved it here and wanted to stay. This kindness is confirmation of that.”

“Should we get started planting?” Fletcher asked. He glanced down at his hand. “I brought gloves. Got to protect the merchandise.”

“It’s okay, Fletcher. The television only cares about your pretty face,” Tony told him.

Wow,Celeste mouthed to Sam. Apparently the entire town was in on the delusion of Fletcher’s supposed fame.

People began unloading trees, asking Celeste where she’d like them. She had no idea. No one did. It turned out no one in Paradise had any idea what to do with fruit trees, besides plant them and hope for the best.

After the trees were unloaded and arranged, Elliot pulled Celeste aside. “I wanted to ask you something.” He darted a look over her head, to make certain they weren’t overheard. “I couldn’t help notice that you seem well equipped to handle emergencies. Lately I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed, working two jobs, and I wondered if you might consider becoming a deputy, on a part time basis.”

“Wow,” Celeste said slowly. It came so naturally to say yes, she had to make herself pause to think about it. Being a deputy would be a natural fit, an easy transition from her last job. However… “Thank you so much for thinking of me, but I think I’m going to say no. I kind of want to explore a new path and figure out a life that doesn’t involve keeping the peace. But I do know someone who is handy with a weapon and has a hero complex.” Her eyes swiveled to Sam, at this moment holding one of Fletcher and Chloe’s children on his hip and making her laugh.

“Do you think he’d be interested?” Elliot asked.

“I’ll talk to him. I have some pull.”

“He’s so…happy,” Elliot said with a grimace. “It would be like having my wife, but at work.”

“Don’t fall in love with him,” Celeste warned. “He’s taken.”

Elliot snorted and gave her shoulder a light shove. They didn’t talk about it again, but she noticed him watching Sam with a mixture of speculation and approval and was fairly certain an offer would be forthcoming.

Hours later, after Avery and her husband delivered food for the entire crowd, the planting was done, and everyone left, only Sam and Celeste remained. They lay on their backs hand in hand, staring up at the fading sunlight.

“You know this means we can never leave here,” Sam mused.

“Spoiler alert: I never intended to.”

“Me neither,” he said happily.

A breeze drifted by. It was that sweet spot in late spring where any amount of sun or warmth brought swift giddiness and a promise of better things to come.

“Sam,” she said softly.

“Mm,” he returned, giving her hand an affectionate squeeze.

“This seems like a good time to tell you one more thing I left off my list. Another secret, a big one. Maybe the worst one.”

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