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Of course, all of them refused Burke’s money. Between their parents and Fox, they’d been raised to work hard and take care of themselves.

Still, Burke had multiple accounts and lots of savings he could access for emergencies.

He’d earmarked some of it for the farm they’d inherited from Fox’s brother, Jay, a man they hadn’t known existed until both men had passed away. Then they’d received letters telling them about the farm and Jay’s passing, a year after his brother’s death.

All four of Burke’s younger siblings now lived on Jay’s farm in Vermont. The No Phailed Apples Farm. Ridiculous name, but it gave Burke his first smile of the morning. Of the month? Year?

He shoved thoughts of the past year away and pondered Vermont. Knox and Thea ran the farm, with Thea in charge of the soil and composting division. Jolie tended to the land’s biodiversity, while her partner, Ford, was the expert in construction and repair. Amber and Gray ran the No Phailed Apples Inn. Lawson maintained the machinery while his partner, Dani, tended apiaries and made metal art.

They’d also added more people to the farm. Nash, Olivia, and their two kids made cider from the apples. Seth and Mara ran the inn’s kitchen. Wyatt and Esme were creating new plant varieties in the greenhouse at the back of the property and promoting the inn on social media.

Burke and his brothers had worked with Nash, Seth, and Wyatt during their stints in the army. They were all solid men who found farm life to their liking. The group was building its own community.

Burke’s gaze drifted back to the harbor and the people rushing everywhere. He’d always found the city exciting; the energy fueled him.

Now, he turned away from it and looked at the water instead.

As part of his exit strategy from the army, a therapist worked with Burke to help him transition to civilian life.

He’d have to lean into Darnell’s advice again with this new transition. Burke landed the job at Anderson right away, so he’d ignored the first piece of Darnell’s advice.

Let your body and mind rest. Adjust to making your own decisions. Take time to decide the next steps. Don’t rush into anything.

Is that what he should do now?

The clients clamoring for his attention wouldn’t give him much time to decide anything. They needed someone they could trust to tend their books. He couldn’t leave them hanging for long.

But making a decision was beyond him at the moment.

Maybe another mug of coffee would help.

Chapter 2

A Question Mark

Rissa held Frizzle’s leash as they left the RV and crossed the street to Phail Way Park. The snowbanks were taller than her dog, but Frizzle didn’t mind. She pranced along like the queen of the world, stopping to sniff every footprint and bend in the road.

Snowmen and snow forts covered the park. Rissa wondered if the snow would melt and the kids could start all over again. Growing up in Vermont, she’d learned early that snow might show up to stay anytime from October right through until Christmas.

Even though Thanksgiving had just passed, Christmas decorations showed up at every turn. Rissa smiled at the coordinated look created by potted evergreens outside every business decorated in green, red, and white.

She and Frizzle followed the sidewalk around the park, taking in the other side of the square. The business names made her grin again. Doc’s. The Saloon. Yoganna Love it. Phail Jail.

“Well, Frizzle, this town has a great sense of humor.” What would it be like to live here, surrounded by people who obviously knew how to have fun? Unless that was only on the surface. She’d been burned before, literally. Living in the Q Lab meant she moved on when her gut screamed at her. She wouldn’t ignore it again.

Rissa shook off the unhappy memories and decided the best place to ask about parking the Q Lab overnight was probably the diner. From her experience over the past few years, she knew the people running diners knew everything.

She scooped Frizzle into her arms. At a grand total of not-quite-six pounds, Frizzle wasn’t a threat to anyone, but she still might not be allowed in the diner. Only one way to find out.

With Frizzle snuggled in one arm, Rissa opened the door with her other. She’d become an expert on diners since living on the road, but the interior of this one surprised her.

No red-and-white soda-fountain look here. Instead, blue and green tartan covered the booths and stools. A large Phail crest in the same colors covered the wall over the booths, showcasing the town’s slogan. Come to Phail to Succeed.

The scents should have matched the Scottish decor, but instead of mince and tatties, Mexican scents filled the air, making her stomach grumble.

“Hi there. I’m Ginny. Welcome to the No Fail Diner.”

Rissa smiled back. “Thank you. I just arrived in town. This is my Yorkie, Frizzle. Is she allowed inside?”