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“You want this, Luke. I know it, just as you do.”
He nodded. “I do,” he realized. “I really do.”
Chief Carter sat back with a smile. “Well, then.”
And that was pretty much that, Luke thought.
“Your shift is over. No point in hanging around, you go on now and talk to your brothers about it. I know how you Trainers work; you share most things.”
“Sure. Okay.” Luke got out of his chair, shook Chief Carter’s hand, and walked out. He collected his things from his locker and left with his head still buzzing.
Did he want to be the Chief of the Ryker Falls Fire Department?
Hell yes, he did.
Heading out to his pickup, he climbed in and was soon heading down the main street of Ryker Falls. It had once been the place where he’d lived through hell at the hands of his father. The memory still lingered on the edges of his brain when he let it. It was also the place where he’d had some of the happiest moments of his life.
Familiarity, Luke thought, looking around him. That was his thing. He needed to know that when he woke, nothing had changed. His brothers were close, and the rest of his family who he loved. Friends too. Luke didn’t like change and knew that was a throwback to a time when he’d had a lot of it in his life.
As far as picturesque scenery went, this road offered it. At the end of town stood the twin mountains, Phil and Roxy. Apparently a forefather of Ryker had twins, and the mountains were named after them. Driving under banners, he was soon parking outside his family’s cafe, Phil’s. He took the steps up and pulled open the door. Someone of his blood would be here at this time of day. He felt the warmth and smell of the familiar wrap around him.
“Family.” As luck would have it, both his brothers were at the counter drinking coffee.
“Bro,” they called back.
The décor was white, with modern tables and chairs. The color came from the plants and pictures thrown around the place. Halloween featured in here too. With cobwebs, pumpkins, and other things. He sat next to Jack; on his lap was Benjamin.
“Hey, buddy.” He held out a hand, and Benji slapped it.
“Uncle Luke!” he said with enthusiasm like he always did, no matter if he’d seen Luke an hour earlier. He’d grow up to be a replica of his daddy one day, but his start in life was a lot better.
“Where’s your sister?”
“Annoying Aunt Jess into baking a cake at home,” Joe said. “So what’s happened?”
“Why do you say something has happened?”
“You have a huge grin on your face.”
“And there he is, my favorite cousin.” Pip wandered in from out the back.
“Can I get a coffee, thanks, Pip?”
“Spill.” Jack waved his hand at Luke.
“Chief Carter just told me he wants me to be the next chief of the Ryker Falls Fire Department when he retires at the end of the year.”
Jack spat out his coffee, and Joe choked on his donut.
“Luke!” Piper ran around the counter and hugged him. “You’ve always wanted this.”
“Not sure about always, but yeah, I guess I’m happy about it. It’s just taking some time to adjust.”
“Bro, you were born for this,” Joe said now he’d stopped coughing.
“My baby brother, the fire chief.” Jack smiled. “Could not be prouder.”
Piper went back to the machine to make his coffee, her eyes going to the door as it opened. She smiled, and Luke turned to see who had entered. He felt that jolt he’d got every time he’d seen Quinn Harper.
