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Lucy grinned. “He’s good.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s with the name?” I interjected.
Lucy turned toward me. She was petite, almost fairy-like with her small frame, big blue eyes, and light-blond hair. She also ran a construction company with Amelia and had a bold and intimidating personality. “Levi had Ham the hamster before, but he died when he was three. We got another hamster. Levi really likes the name Ham, so…” She shrugged. In the small world of Willow Brook, Levi was also a hotshot firefighter.
I was grateful to be welcomed into this group of friends. The only downside was it seemed I might be the only single one. Tiffany had been single when I first started working at the vet clinic, but she’d fallen deeply in love with Wes. She and he were almost an insta-family as they shared guardianship of their mutual friends’ son after their friends died in an accident. She had sling-shotted past being single into commitment and parenting in a matter of months.
Tiffany grinned over at Lucy. “It’s cute that Levi loves hamsters.” Her attention swung to me. “While we’re on the subject of pets, Alice tells me that Cooper has the hots for you.”
I almost choked on the swallow of water I had just taken. When I collected myself, I pointed out, “Cooper’s not a pet.”
She rolled her eyes. “If Alice thinks he’s got the hots for you, he probably does.”
“Uh, I don’t think so. I expressed his cat’s anal glands. Trust me, it was not my best look.”
Tiffany shrugged. “It’s a great way to meet someone. Before you know it, you’ll have your own cat.”
“I wouldn’t mind having my own cat. I prefer the elderly ones, though.”
“How come?” Maisie prompted as she shuffled the cards and put them away.
We had just finished our last game for the evening, which, surprisingly, Lucy won. Maisie was the most frequent winner and highly skilled at cards.
“Because the old pets are harder to find homes for. Bonus is they’re usually somewhat trained, and you know what their personality is.”
“That’s what Wes always says,” Tiffany piped up. “Should I ask him to see if the shelter has any sweet old cats?”
“Not until I’m done taking care of Humpty. We don’t want to stress him out any more than he already is.” I contemplated how I could carefully and casually find out more about Cooper Hughes. If anybody knew, it would be these women since most of them were married or engaged to hotshot firefighters.
Willow Brook had a surplus of hotshot firefighters since it served as a hub for several crews covering Alaska's sprawling geography, which was known for its wildfires. The side effect of all the hotshot firefighters in town was an abundance of rugged, handsome men. It was enough to overwhelm one’s hormones.
The funny thing was that although I could objectively appreciate every firefighter I’d met, only Cooper lit that spark in me.
Later that evening, after Amelia graciously drove me over to Maisie’s place to get Humpty and to the store for supplies, I opened Humpty’s cat carrier and peered inside. He eyed me suspiciously, his round blue eyes assessing me. I stepped back. “Come out when you want. No rush,” I said conversationally.
I quickly jogged back down the stairs, fetching the food, kitty litter, and the small litter box I’d picked up at the grocery store on the way home and left in the entryway. When I returned to my apartment, Humpty sat in front of his carrier. He glanced over, watching me as I poured kitty litter into the litter box and put it just inside the bathroom door beside the trash can.
I situated his food and water bowls beside the island between the kitchen and the living room. He began inspecting the area, thoroughly sniffing everything. I let my gaze arc about the space. I wouldn’t have to worry about losing him in here. I lived in a small apartment on the upper floor of a building next door to Firehouse Café. Alice had hooked me up with it, and Janet James, who owned the café, was my landlord. She was the best landlord I’d ever had. There was one apartment across the hallway, but I didn’t know who lived there as the last tenant had recently moved out.
It felt kind of odd to have Cooper’s cat here in my apartment. I didn’t know if he recognized me from our one and only meeting. He was friendly enough and kept circling back to twine around my ankles as he explored. I changed into my comfy clothes, my hand reflexively smoothing over the scar on my lower back.
My mind immediately veered to my mother, and I wondered how she was doing tonight. Lifting my phone from the coffee table, I tapped out a quick text.Let’s grab a coffee in the morning. The clinic is closed tomorrow. Say 10?
Her reply came quickly.I’d love that. See you then.
* * *
Humpty appeared to be content the following morning. I woke with him curled up by my feet, purring up a storm. After filling his food bowl and giving him fresh water, I left, buttoning my jacket as I jogged down the stairs. The small entryway had another apartment down here that Janet told me she used for tourist rentals.
Stepping outside, I took a deep breath of the chilly air, savoring the fresh hints of spruce in the air. When my mom had told me she wanted to move to Alaska because one of her best friends lived here, I’d initially hesitated. It was a long way from California. But then, we’d both needed a change of scenery after my stepfather died.
I glanced around as I walked the short distance to Firehouse Café. Downtown Willow Brook was a cute little place. Mountains surrounded the town with snow-covered peaks stark against the blue sky. A glacier glittered under the early morning sun. The downtown area had brightly colored signs and cute storefronts. Main Street was the only street in town that had a sidewalk.
I walked into the parking area in front of Firehouse Café, smiling as I pushed through the door. The scent of fresh coffee with hints of sugar and savory flavors from the baked goods drifted through the air. It was warm in here. At this early hour, it wasn’t filled with customers, but several people were at tables, reading and talking as they sipped coffee.
Local artwork was displayed on the walls in this old fire station that had been renovated into a café. The original fire pole was still here with fireweed flowers painted on it. The concrete floor was stained a soft shade of blue, and a large chalkboard hung above the register at the back with the regular menu and specials listed in colorful chalk.
I stopped at the counter, just about to reach to ring the small bell when Janet came walking through the back. She beamed when she saw me. Her dark hair streaked with silver was twisted into a braid, and her eyes crinkled at the corners with her smile.
