Starting Over at Blueberry Creek--Includes a bonus novella Page 4

  Chief Brewer held up his hands. “Don’t ask me. I’m staying out of this one.” He headed out of the kitchen, chuckling softly.

  Luke and Eve followed him down the hall toward the garage where the engines were kept. The smell of wax was thick in the air, and Luke spotted Ryan finally shining one of the engines. Luke had asked him to take care of that yesterday.

  “It was nice seeing you, Eve.” The chief glanced over his shoulder. “I missed you while you were away at the academy,” he said. Then his legs slipped out from under him and he clawed at the air as he fell to the hard cement floor.

  Luke didn’t breathe. Eve screamed. And Ryan let out a few curse words as he tried to catch Chief Brewer or at least break his fall. In a quick second, Chief Brewer was sprawled on his back, face scrunched in a painful grimace, lying right beside a spilled bucket of wax and a few dirty rags.

  “Chief, are you okay?” Luke ran over and squatted down beside him. “Don’t move. Tell me where it hurts.”

  “Everywhere,” Chief Brewer muttered and then groaned. “It hurts everywhere.”

  Chapter Four

  Brenna sighed as she wiped down the stove top in the kitchen. She and Aunt Thelma had just cooked a large spaghetti dinner for a client’s luncheon in town. Spaghetti wasn’t necessarily fancy but the way she and Thelma made it was. The sauce was homemade with fresh tomatoes, minced vegetables, and meat. They had also prepared several trays of buttered bread and fresh tossed salad to serve as sides, along with a few jugs of sweet tea. Nate had taken the food for delivery while they cleaned.

  “You okay today, sweetheart?” Aunt Thelma asked, looking over with concern as she wiped down the neighboring stove. “You’ve been unusually quiet this morning. Even if you aren’t talking to me, you usually talk to yourself.” Aunt Thelma broke into a wide smile that reminded Brenna of her mom. Brenna’s mom and Thelma used to say that when they were young, they’d often been mistaken for twins. Both had dark hair that they wore up in a thick bun and equally dark eyes, set a little wider apart than most.

  “I’m fine,” Brenna said. “Just…” She shook her head as she finished wiping down the glass top. Then she stopped and turned to face her aunt, suddenly brimming with excitement. “I applied to Western University a couple months back.”

  Thelma straightened. “You did?”

  Brenna nodded.

  “You didn’t say anything. Why not?” Thelma asked.

  “Well, I guess I was worried that I wouldn’t get in.”

  “Well, of course you’d get in. You’ve always been so smart.” She narrowed her eyes. “You did get in, didn’t you?”

  Brenna nodded. “I did.”

  “Well, good for you, sweetheart! I know how much you want to be a teacher, and I know how great you’d be at it. Your mom would want this for you too. If she were here, she’d insist that you go finish that degree.”

  Brenna stepped toward her aunt and wrapped her arms around her in a big hug. “Thank you, Aunt Thelma. I’m so glad you understand.” Brenna pulled away and looked at her.

  “Of course I do. I’m thrilled for you, Brenna. Even though I’m a little sad for me. First, Eve took off to the academy for six months, and now you’re going away for a year. When are you leaving?”

  “I can start during the second summer session. If I accept, that is.”

  Thelma scrunched her brows. “Of course you’re accepting. We’ll have to hire more help.” Aunt Thelma tilted her head. “Or…maybe it’s time you sell this place.”

  “Sell A Taste of Heaven?” Brenna asked, shocked that her aunt would even suggest such a thing. They’d discussed it when Brenna and Eve had first inherited the place after the accident but their parents’ deaths were still too raw back then, and Brenna had clung to anything that belonged to them. But now…

  “If you get your degree, you’re not coming back to work here. And I don’t mind covering while you’re away at college but I want to retire in the next year. It’s time for me to chase my dreams too,” Thelma said. “I’ve always wanted to travel and see the world.”

  Brenna knew Aunt Thelma loved reading about different destinations but she’d never considered that her aunt wanted to go visit those places in person. “You’ve put off your life to stay here with us, haven’t you?”

  “Just a little delay,” Aunt Thelma said, holding up her fingers to measure an inch. “But family is never an inconvenience,” she said, repeating what she’d told Brenna on the phone last night. “Eve doesn’t want this business. We both know that. And you don’t want it either—not really.”

  “Mom worked so hard to build this place,” Brenna said.

  “She did,” Aunt Thelma agreed. “That was her dream, and she lived it while she was alive. It served its purpose for her. Now maybe it’s time to sell this place to someone else who has a passion for catering. Just think about it.”

  “I will.”

  Thelma put her apron away and walked slowly to the door. “I’m off to go to my doctor’s appointment now. It seems like when you get to be my age, you and your doctors become the best of friends.” She laughed under her breath. “Why don’t we have dinner sometime soon? We can celebrate your news and discuss plans for this place?”

  “That sounds good.” She watched her aunt wave and then head out the back entrance.

  When Thelma was gone, Brenna released another heavy sigh as she looked around the kitchen. Her gaze stopped on the wooden rolling pin that her mom had hung above the main stove many years ago. It was the one that she and Brenna had used together when Brenna was growing up. They’d roll out a mound of dough with that pin, and her mom would sprinkle imaginary love all over. “Made with love,” she’d claim, offering Brenna a wink. “Just like you.”

  Her mom had hung the rolling pin as a reminder that the secret ingredient to everything they cooked at A Taste of Heaven was love. Brenna tried to maintain that standard but it was getting harder to do when this kitchen was feeling more and more like a jail cell lately.

  * * *

  Two hours later, Nate’s niece Hannah pushed through the door. Brenna had offered to tutor her at Christmastime when Nate had mentioned how upset she was over her grades this school year. Hannah was struggling and needed a little extra help.

  “Hey, Hannah.” Brenna pulled off her apron and pointed at Nate. “Let me know if you need anything. We’ll be in the office.”

  Nate stepped over and gave his niece a hug. “You are more beautiful every time I see you,” he said. “Go learn lots.”

  Hannah offered a sweet smile, revealing a mouth full of braces. “Thanks, Uncle Nate.” Then she followed Brenna back to the office where they worked on algebra. For the first time all day, Brenna felt alive. She loved teaching, even if math was her least favorite subject. When she saw things click in Hannah’s eyes, Brenna felt invigorated. They sat for an hour and finished Hannah’s homework.

  At the end of the tutoring session, Hannah pulled a piece of paper out of her backpack and slid it over.

  Brenna’s gaze jumped to the red ink on the top of the page, and her eyes burned with happy tears. “A one hundred? You got a perfect score on your math quiz?”

  Hannah’s head bobbed up and down excitedly. “Thanks to you, Miss Brenna.”

  “No, you earned this. You’re the one putting in all the extra effort. You’re a rock star, and I’m going to tell your uncle Nate that he has to take you out for ice cream before he drops you off at home today.”

  Hannah’s eyes widened. “I wish you could come too.”

  “Next time. I need to close up this evening.” Brenna stood from the desk. “Come on, quiz-acer. Let’s tell your uncle the good news. He’ll be so proud.”

  Not nearly as proud as Brenna. For the first time today, she was smiling. Teaching fulfilled her in a way that catering didn’t. Keeping this business would only weigh her and Aunt Thelma down. Her aunt was right. It was time to put this place up for sale and move on.

  Tonight, she would tell Eve about her plans for college and then discuss selling the business. Technically, A Taste of Heaven belonged to both of them. Eve would have to agree to sell but Brenna didn’t foresee her sister objecting. She didn’t foresee Eve objecting to Brenna leaving town either. In fact, she suspected Eve might throw her a going-away party.

  * * *

  “Chief’s going to fire me, isn’t he?” Ryan asked for the tenth time this afternoon. Every time he walked by Luke in the last several hours, he’d phrased the question differently.

  “It was an accident,” Luke said once again. “A stupid one. Who spills wax and doesn’t clean it up immediately?”

  “I was going to clean it up once I was done with the engine. One thing at a time. Isn’t that what you tell us?”

  Really? Ryan was trying to divert the blame on him? “Well, some things you stop for,” Luke said. “If we’d gotten a fire call, you would’ve stopped, right?”

  Ryan nodded. “Of course.”

  “Spilled wax is dangerous. Now Chief Brewer is in the hospital because he hurt his back,” Luke told him.

  “He’s definitely going to fire me.” Ryan’s face was pale.

  If Luke were chief, he wouldn’t hesitate to do just that. Maybe he should just let Ryan fret over the outcome that he thought was inevitable. “Don’t you have a task list to do?”

  “I was going to do it later,” Ryan told him.

  “Guess again.”

  Instead of arguing, Ryan looked down at his feet, probably knowing that he was already on thin ice. Or slippery wax in this case. “I’ll get started on it.”

  “Good.” Luke’s phone buzzed inside his pocket as he watched Ryan walk toward the picnic table outside. He pulled it out and read a text message from Chief Brewer.

  I
need to see you ASAP.

  Luke’s heart dropped into his belly. It hadn’t been long since he’d left the hospital. Why would the chief be calling him back?

  You okay? Luke waited nervously for the chief’s response.

  No. My wife is smothering me, and I’ll be out of work for the immediate future. Leave Wally in charge and head over to the hospital.

  On my way, Luke texted back.

  “Wally!” Luke called, stepping out of his office.

  Wally appeared from the kitchen. “What’s up?”

  “I’m going to check on Chief Brewer. You’re in charge. Make sure Ryan stays on task.”

  Wally nodded. “Sure.”

  “If there’s a call, I’ll meet you at the scene.”

  “Roger that.”

  Luke grabbed his keys and then headed to his truck. A short drive later, he pulled into the hospital parking lot and went up to room 301, where Mrs. Brewer met him at the door.

  “Oh, Luke, please talk some sense into my stubborn husband.”

  Luke walked into the room and looked between the couple. “What’s going on?”

  “He’s refusing the pain medication the doctor prescribed. Why should he choose to be in pain?”

  “I’m fine,” Chief Brewer barked. “And it’s my pain. I’ll deal with it the way I want to.”

  Mrs. Brewer clucked her tongue. “See?”

  “If you don’t mind, dear, could you go get me some tea?” Chief Brewer asked, softening his voice. “I think that would ease my discomfort.”

  She looked at Luke and sighed. “He just wants to talk to you alone. I get it. I’ll take my time before coming back with your tea,” she told her husband.

  When she was out of range, Chief Brewer looked at Luke. “She drove me crazy when we were dating but now she drives me crazy in a completely different way.”

  Luke sat down in the chair beside the chief’s bed. “What’s the verdict?”

  “Strained back muscles. They did a bunch of tests to rule out anything serious. I still need to take it easy. No heavy lifting or heavy fire suits. He wants me to take a month off from work.”

  “A month?”

  “I have a history of back injury so we’re taking extra precautions.” Chief Brewer shifted uncomfortably on the bed. “That’s why I called you to come back here. You’ll be acting chief while I’m out. As assistant chief, you’re next in line.” The chief held Luke’s gaze. “You’re a born leader. I knew it as soon as I interviewed you. It’s one reason I made you my assistant. You came highly recommended from your previous chief, and quite frankly, I believe in you. The other guys will help out.”

  Luke’s heart was racing as he processed what Chief Brewer was saying. The guys had given him a hard time when he’d first joined the SSFD. He figured it wasn’t easy having a new guy come in and take a higher position. They were mostly cool now, even if Ryan still gave Luke attitude most days.

  Chief Brewer gestured at his body. “My injury is a good reminder that mistakes can be costly. It’s not just Tim I needed to have a talk with. I was going to review standards and expectations with the whole crew. I’m going to need you to do that for me now.”

  Luke hesitated as he looked down at his interwoven fingers and roped in his competing thoughts. He didn’t think him harping on the guys about their work ethics and attitudes was going to be received as well as it would have been from Chief Brewer. “Yeah, I can do that.”

  “Good. Also, I got off the phone with Mayor Everson just before you arrived. My injury and impending absence has sped up the approval for another fireman at the SSFD.”

  “A new hire?” Luke asked, looking up. At least there was a bright spot to this conversation.

  Chief Brewer pointed a finger at Luke. “Yep. That’s your first job as acting fire chief. Hire someone for the department. I trust you to go through the applications on file and determine the right fit for our crew.”

  Luke leaned forward over his knees, overwhelmed by the sudden responsibility that had fallen on his shoulders. “Anything else?” he asked.

  “Acting fire chief, a pep talk for the crew, and a new hire. That’s all for today.” Chief Brewer offered his hand for Luke to shake. “Good luck, son.”

  * * *

  Brenna turned onto her road and drove along the creek toward her house. She’d texted Eve and asked her to meet her tonight for dinner. Eve hadn’t responded to her texts yet. She was ignoring her. What else was new?

  As Brenna drove into view of her home, she exhaled when she saw Eve’s green Volkswagen Beetle in the driveway. Hopefully, Eve had cooled down since their fight last night and was ready to talk.

  She parked and hurried up the steps. As she entered the front door, Eve came walking toward her. She stopped and heaved a sigh.

  “Hi,” Brenna said. “I was beginning to worry about you. You okay?”

  “Never better,” Eve said.

  “Good. I’m glad to hear that. I didn’t mean to step on your toes yesterday morning at work. I’m sorry. And I’m sorry about, um, the banana.” Singular. Just one.

  “I’m over that,” Eve huffed. “And I don’t want to cook big fancy meals for people who should learn to cook their own food anyway. I got a new job today.”

  Brenna forced a smile. “Well, I can’t wait to hear all about it. We can talk over dinner. I prepared our meal at work today. It’s still in the car. I just need to grab it and warm it on the stove.”

  Eve rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated groan. “I’m not staying to eat. I’m moving out. Right now.”

  “What?” Brenna noticed the suitcases against the wall now. “You can’t move. This is our home. It’s yours just as much as it is mine.”

  “No, this is my prison where you treat me like a child. Luke reminded me that I’m an adult, and I don’t have to stay here if I don’t want to.”

  “Luke? Our neighbor Luke?” Brenna asked.

  “That’s the one.”

  “When did you talk to him?” Because Luke never ventured over. Not until the noise from Brenna’s fight with Eve had lured him to their front door. He’d been so nice. They’d come to an understanding. Or at least, she’d thought they had.

  “Why does it matter when I spoke to him? Are you jealous?” Eve asked.

  “No.”

  Eve smirked and reached for the handle of her rolling luggage. Then she lifted a carry-on bag over her opposite shoulder and took a few steps.

  “Can we at least talk about this?” Brenna asked.

  Eve kept walking.

  “Eve, you’re being irrational.”

  Eve whipped around to face her. “I don’t want to go to college, and I don’t want to live here anymore, okay? I want to be a firefighter at the SSFD, just like Dad.”

  Were they really going to go through this again? “There aren’t any openings right now…” Brenna began, willing her voice to stay calm. She could always talk Eve down. There was no reason for either of them to argue.

  Eve offered a satisfied smile. “Good news. The mayor approved a new position, and I got hired today.”

  Brenna blinked. “The Sweetwater Springs Fire Department is your new job?”

  “Yep.”

  “Doing what? Like, a secretary?” Please let it be a clerical job where it’s safe. Her father hadn’t died while working but he’d had several close calls. Brenna barely had any family left, just Eve and Aunt Thelma. She couldn’t lose them too.

  “Are you for real?” Eve asked. “News flash, sis: Girls can be whatever they want. And what I want, what I’ve always wanted, is to be a Sweetwater Springs firefighter.”

  Chapter Five

  Brenna gulped in the fresh air as she watched Eve back out of the driveway and speed away. She continued to stand there long after her sister’s car had disappeared from sight.

  “You okay?” a man’s voice asked.

  Brenna turned to see Luke approaching the porch from his yard. “No. I could scream right now.”

  Luke lifted one eyebrow. “Anything I can do to help?”

  “I doubt it. Eve just moved out.” Brenna tried and failed to keep her breathing and voice steady. She narrowed her eyes at the man in front of her, her heart kicking softly against her ribs. Down, heart. The only thing she was interested in where Luke Marini was concerned was giving him a piece of her mind. “She says you advised her to.”