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The reporter in me was intrigued with Jack’s turn from welcoming and flirty to cold and distant. Putting aside my ego, I was determined to solve the mystery of why Jack had turned frosty. But the woman in me, the primal uncontrollable part wondered, could Jack Frost be melted?
SIX
JACK
After walkingCharlotte back to her office I needed to change my pants. Sure, the hot coffee didn’t burn me, but the cold coffee that had soaked through to my thermal long underwear didn’t feel very…pleasant.
I hopped in my car and carefully set the folder with the paperwork for the property on the passenger seat.
To Henri I probably looked like a thirty-year-old bum who still lived with his parents. And, I didn’t care. The truth, that I’d sold everything I owned, well, almost everything, to buy a remote ski lodge with my brothers would’ve sounded more impressive.
But I wasn’t in the business of trying to impress other people. Except my Mom and Dad. The bell dinged as I drove over the old-fashioned strips, letting the gas station attendant know that I’d pulled into the pumps. One of the young guys who worked at the station, a kid named Taye, jogged out the door. “Fill ‘er up Jack?”
“You got it Taye.” The hinges groaned as I opened the door and got out.
“I can grease those hinges too if you’d like.”
“Why not?” I smiled. I wasn’t getting special treatment because my parents owned the garage, the crew that worked at the station were serious go-getters. Something that seemed to be lacking in kids these days.
Kids these days.
I couldn’t believe I’d even had that thought. I was turning into a grumpy old man. Glancing around the parking lot I was relieved to see that Henri’s car wasn’t anywhere in sight. “Phew,” I said out loud as I walked into the diner.
The morning rush was in full swing, and unlike Sugar Peaks, this was a more blue-collar crowd. Old retired miners and railway men met for morning coffee and the diner’s signature pastry, a deep-fried flattened donut sprinkled in cinnamon and sugar.
“Jack.” My mom smiled and kissed me on the cheek. “I was wondering if I’d see you this morning. How did everything go with…” she glanced around like a secret agent “the paperwork,” she whispered.
I laughed, thankful that she wasn’t referring to my morning with the cabin stealer. “It’s done.” I slid into the one free booth and my mom didn’t even ask, she poured a glug of whiskey into the coffee mug and topped it up with the very strong morning brew. “Mom. I’ve had so much coffee already, and I’m even wearing some.”
“This isn’t a coffee.” She winked. “It’s a celebratory drink, until we can pop some champers to celebrate your new business.”
“Champers?” I raised my eyebrows at my mother and took a sip of her ‘local’s coffee’.
“Champagne, honey.” She rested her hand on my shoulder. “That’s what the kids are calling it these days.”
That was it. I was officially getting old. My mom was hipper with the next generation’s lingo than me.
“I’d have a drink with you, honey, but that will have to wait until later. These guys are running me off my feet.”
“We can get a bottle or two of champers when all of us are together and the renovations are finished.”
“I’m so proud of my boys.”
Me and my brothers had all moved away from Chance Rapids, and I was the only one to come back. Joey, Will, and Riley had contributed finances to the project, but my role was on the ground as the general contractor.
“Do they know it’s done? And when do you get the key?” My mom glanced around the room, always checking to make sure everyone had at least a half a cup of coffee in front of them. Satisfied that no one was going to go into caffeine withdrawals she returned her gaze to me. There were tears in her eyes and she swiped them away with the back of her hand.
I already had the key, but technically I had to wait for the lawyers to do some stuff on Monday.
My mom grasped the carafe with both hands. “All my boys, back in Chance Rapids.” She had a far-off dreamy look and I didn’t have the heart to remind her that her other three sons had no intention of ever moving back to Chance Rapids.
“I wanted you to be the first to know.” I smiled and held mom’s hand. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
“Oh my God. Jackson Lumber, don’t you dare thank me. Having you home to help take care of the animals has helped us more than we’ve helped you. And, we did kick you out of your cozy cabin last night. That Henrietta seems like a nice girl.” There was a hinting tone in her voice. Ever since I’d come home mom had been trying to set me up, but I’d kept to myself, always finding excuses not to go to the square-dancing sessions, or any of the other old lady stuff she seemed to think my soulmate would also appreciate.
“She seems alright.” I shrugged, the warmth from the whiskey running through my body, reminding me that I was still soaked in coffee thanks to that ‘nice’ girl. “But, she’s only here for the weekend, and she’s a journalist.”
“Oh,” Muriel gave a tsk sound, but then shook her head. “You never know, once Chance Rapids gets under your skin, it’s hard to leave, maybe she’ll stick around a little longer. And, Jackson, just because…your ex was a journalist, doesn’t mean that they’re all bad.”
