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Chapter One
Returning Home
Colton
It has been five long years since I stepped foot in the town of White Bridge and things are just as I left them.Nothing much changes in a town this small.I am glad to be back, but I also wish I had stayed away.Driving through town to the firehouse, where I will serve my first day as fire chief, I take in all of my surroundings.
Memories flood my mind.From playing ball in high school to my senior prom.My first kiss under the bleachers and the day I asked Sasha to marry me at the waterfall.So many memories bombard me that I actually slow my truck to avoid causing an accident.
Most of the businesses I grew up with are still around.Dan’s Hardware is still on the corner of Main Street and Audrey’s Diner on the opposite corner is still painted that god-awful dirty turquoise color.There are a few new businesses though.A bookstore called Little Letters and Cake My Life.The latter seems to be a bakery and has a line waiting outside the door.I will have to stop in there at some point to find out what the fuss is about.I may or may not have a major sweet tooth.
I don’t have time for that now though.I need to make sure I am at the firehouse before any of the members on my shift, so I continue my drive.Three blocks further I pull into a parking spot and shut down my truck.Taking a deep breath, I grab my bag and get out.There is a pristine green lawn in front of the older red brick building that has been converted into a station house.
“Morning,” An older woman with graying hair and sharp blue eyes greets me as I enter.“How can I help you today?”
“I’m Colton Black —” I start but she cuts me off when she jumps up and comes around the counter.
“Oh,” she smiles broadly while clearly scoping me out.“We have been waiting for you.It’s about time we got some young blood back into this station.I’m Denise Ellis.”
“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“Oh my,” she fans her face.“Why don’t you go through to the meeting room.”She points at a closed glass door.“The rest of the team should be here shortly.”
Nodding I make my way toward the room she indicated but I don’t miss her muttered words as I walk away.
“If only I was thirty years younger.”
I chuckle to myself and shake my head.I’m going to have my hands full around here if anyone else is like her.
It’s another twenty minutes before my shift starts to wander into the meeting room.I wait patiently while each grabs a cup of coffee and a seat.One of the men nods at me indicating that everyone has arrived.
Rising, I stand behind the podium and face the people I am now in charge of.This is a big responsibility.If I slack or shirk my responsibilities, I could cost one or more of them their lives.I take my job seriously, even more now that I am back in my hometown.
“Morning everyone.I am Chief Colton Black,” I state.“We will get to know one another as we go, though most that grew up here probably know me or know of me.But the most important thing to know about me is that I will always have your back.Do your job and stick to the guidelines and we will get along just fine.Let’s get to work.”
* * *
Echo
As the last client leaves, I sigh loudly.I am tired beyond words and my feet ache like a bitch, but I can’t stop smiling.Cake My Life has only been open for two weeks but it is a roaring success.I love watching every face brighten with joy when they bite into any of my creations.
I love baking, I always have.From eclairs and croissants to full-on wedding cakes.You name it and I will bake it.Today has been extra busy with three custom cakes but no one will ever hear me complaining.
I look around at what I have created.The pastel pink walls with puffy white clouds that I painstakingly hand-painted.Three chrome top tables with chairs at the front and my gleaming display case and counter.It’s exactly what I have always envisioned.
Turning the sign on the door over, I officially close the shop for the day before heading to the back to clean up.I really need to consider hiring an assistant, but I hate not being one hundred percent in control of everything.I know it’s a bad habit and I need to learn to delegate but that’s just not the way I am.
When I am satisfied that everything is clean, I take off my apron and hang it on the hook behind the back door, grab my shopping list, and lock it up.I need to head to the grocery store to stock up on some items that have run out.
Outside the air is warm from the last rays of the summer sun.I love living in White Bridge.I love the sense of community and being able to greet almost anyone without them thinking I’m some weirdo.I grew up here and I honestly have no inclination to ever leave.My sister wanted out of here as fast as her slim legs could carry her and I never understood why.Who wouldn’t love to live and raise a family in a close-knit community?
Humming to myself I push my trolley down the perfectly stacked aisles, grabbing items not only for the bakery but for myself.My mind is full of all the things I still need to do this week, like the three-tier gender reveal cake that I need to finish before Saturday.I love doing them.No one knows the sex of the baby except for me and the doctor.It’s so much fun to plan something special for each couple.
With my mind going through all the options I have I don’t see the massive man in front of me until I ram him with my cart.
“Shit,” I curse before looking around to see who heard me but find us alone in the aisle.“I am so sorry —” I start to apologize.
“Echo?”
