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Jackson drew in a deep breath, enjoying the smell of wildflowers and dirt, of clean mountain air and sunshine. A red-winged blackbird chirped from its perch on a nearby fence post and a duo of squirrels chased each other around Jackson’s jeep.
Maybe he understood why his brothers stuck around this place.
“Morning, son.”
Jackson turned around to see Isabel’s grandfather hosing off an SUV he assumed was Isabel’s because he hadn’t seen it before she’d shown up in town. He would have recognized Eugene Perri anywhere. The man looked exactly the same except his sandy hair was a little whiter and his face a little more creased.
“Mr. Perri, so good to see you,” Jackson said as he approached.
“Now you used to call me Eugene. Let’s not be strangers, Jackson.”
“Okay.” Jackson had always felt comfortable around this man. “I can’t believe our paths haven’t crossed until today.”
“I know, but I’ve been holed up in there for a bit.” Eugene arrowed a thumb over his shoulder to his cottage. “Haven’t been out and about much.”
“Yeah, I was sorry to hear about the heart attack. You look as if you’re doing well now though.”
“Thanks. It’ll take more than a wonky heart to stop me.” He patted his chest.
“That’s the spirit.”
“Isabel said she had a nice time at your birthday party yesterday. Happy birthday, by the way.” Eugene adjusted his sunglasses as he poured some soap in a five-gallon pail by his feet.
“Thanks. It was a good party,” Jackson agreed. For many reasons. “I’m glad she had fun.”
“That was nice of you to get her back in touch with her Maplehaven friends.” Eugene picked up the hose and held it over the bucket, but he didn’t unleash the spray yet. “Going to ask her to have more fun?”
“Do you think I have a good chance of her saying yes to more fun?” This man had always been a straight shooter with Jackson. It had been one of the things he’d liked most about him.
“It’s got nothing to do with chances, boy,” Eugene said. “It got to do with intentions. If your intentions are genuine, what woman can refuse that?”
“Solid advice, sir. So you don’t object to me asking Isabel on a date?” Jackson figured Eugene knew all the details about how he and Isabel had broken up sophomore year. Isabel had told her grandfather absolutely everything. He was pretty sure Eugene even knew Isabel had lost her virginity to Jackson.
“I don’t object,” Eugene said, “as long as your intentions are genuine.” He let water gush from the nozzle, immediately churning up suds in the bucket and ending their conversation.
Jackson gave him a little salute and headed for the front door. With a centering breath, he knocked and listened as barking sounded from inside. A moment later, the door opened and Blaze plowed his head right into Jackson’s knees.
“Hey there, buddy.” He crouched and gave the dog a vigorous rubbing. “You’re looking well.”
“And Isabel hadn’t been hallucinating yesterday,” a voice that wasn’t Isabel’s said. “Jackson Henley is really in Vermont.”
Slowly, Jackson looked up to meet a steely gray-blue stare. Rising to his feet, he said, “Charlene.”
“Jackson.” She smirked. “Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, I can tell you if you hurt Isabel again, I will take you up in my chopper, fly to a volcano, then drop you into it so no one will ever find your charred remains.”
“Great,” Jackson said. “It’s nice to see you again too, Charlie.”
She let out a grunt, letting him know she wasn’t kidding. Charlene Moyen would kill him if he hurt Isabel. He was surprised she hadn’t traveled to his college dorm room and set him on fire. She had given him one hell of a phone call after he and Isabel had broken up though. She’d hurled curse words at him he’d never heard before and he’d been happy there were several states between him and Charlie.
“Is Isabel here?” he asked, noting how Charlie didn’t let him into the cottage.
“She’s in the kitchen.”
He waited for her to move, which she only did because Blaze nudged her so the dog could pass. Jackson slid in behind the dog, but he was pretty sure Charlie would have let him stand out there all day.
“I’ve got my eye on you, Henley,” Charlie whispered before jogging ahead of him and beating him to the kitchen. “Jackson’s here.” Her upbeat tone was completely different than the one she’d used to greet him. As if she hadn’t just threatened to burn him to a crisp in a volcano.
Isabel turned around from the sink where she’d been washing dishes. Her face brightened when she saw him and that encouraged Jackson even if he was slightly intimidated by Charlie’s greeting.
