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“Oh, that’s right.” She pressed her palm to her chest. “I’m sorry about your parents.”
“Thank you. It’s been a few years, so I’ve adjusted. I miss them like crazy, but it’s life, I suppose. I’m sorry about your mom,” I added.
“Thanks,” she said quietly.
“How’s your dad?” I asked
“Oh, he’s good. You know my dad.”
I grinned over at her. “I do. He’s always been such a nice guy.”
“Always will be,” she said lightly.
“Should I get the whole update? Like are you seeing anyone, all that?” I prompted, waving airily as I drove.
“Not too much to update. I’m single. That’s probably for the best because relationships aren’t my thing. Chase and his fiancée are expecting, so I’m super excited about that.”
“Are you serious? Chase is having a baby?” Chase was her older brother.
“Well, he’s not having it, but he’s the father,” she quipped. “His fiancée is Hallie Thomas. She lives in Anchorage, but she’s moving here. He’s a hotshot firefighter, so he’s friends with Jonah. He’s next door to you, right?”
“Oh, wow, you’re up to speed on everything,” I teased.
Tiffany chuckled. “I go to the Firehouse Café on the regular, so it’s hard not to get caught up on local gossip.”
I grinned. “Excellent point. So it’s the next road, right?”
“I think so. I think there’s a sign,” she said, her words trailing off.
I slowed, and there wasa small sign—Willow Brook Animal Rescue.
A few minutes later, Tiffany and I were waiting in the reception area, which had photographs on the walls of various pets and their new families and a desk with a sign. We had followed the instructions and rang the bell and were still waiting.
I slid my gaze to Tiffany after perusing the bulletin board, saying, “Do you think anybody’s here?”
“Someone’s here,” a man’s voice called.
Tiffany and I approached the desk, glancing at each other when no one appeared. Another moment later, a man came out of the door beside the desk. His alert gaze bounced from Tiffany to me and back again. He had dark blond hair and rich brown eyes. He moved with a rangy ease.
I felt like I recognized him, but I couldn’t place him. Tiffany beat me to it when she said, “Wes Stuart?”
“Tiffany Mills?” he returned before he glanced at me. “Alice,” he finally said, sounding more confident about that than Tiffany. My brain finally registered the memory. This version of Wes wasn’t the Wes I recalled. He’d been brainy and quiet in high school, also a tad nerdy. Now, he was handsome and fit and gave off an outdoorsy vibe.
“Wow,” Tiffany said. “I don’t remember the last time I saw you.”
Wes, otherwise known as Wesley, flashed a quick smile. I studied him for a moment, waiting for some kind of reaction. I’d found myself doing that with men ever since my kiss with Jonah. I wanted to think it was just my rusty libido, not Jonah. My libido had nothing to say about Wes.
“It’s nice to see you,” I said. “I just moved back recently.”
Tiffany grinned as she looked from me to Wes. “Same here.”
“Well, that’s the theme then. I just got back last week. I’m taking a position as a hotshot firefighter.” His gaze shifted to Tiffany. “I believe I’ll be on the same crew as your brother, Chase.”
Tiffany’s cheeks were a little pink when she looked at him. “Oh wow. Small world.”
Wes cast a wry smile. “Willow Brookisa small town.”
“If you’re going to be a firefighter, what are you doing here?” I asked.
