Page 5 of Finding Home (Willow Valley #1)

FIVE

EVERETT

A fter dropping Lila off at school, I make my way to the fire station, ready to begin my first shift as fire chief.

I was a captain at my old station in Calgary, and when my grandmother first got sick and I told her I’d move here to be closer to her, she told me that the current fire chief was retiring and that she’d talk to the hiring committee to try to get me the job.

With my experience at a larger station, they said I’d be a valuable asset and hired me within a week of opening the position.

I know I won’t see the same action here that I did in the city, but it’s for Lila and Gran, so I’ll push through.

Walking into the station, I see a group of men sitting around a table, heads together like a group of teenage girls.

But when one of them spots me, they go quiet.

Busybodies, just like Gran said. I find my office and see a letter addressed to me sitting on the desk.

I quickly read it and log in to the computer to read through a few introductory emails before I leave my office and call a meeting.

The men make their way into the small room that looks like it’s set up to be a classroom and meeting room. I stand at the front with my feet shoulder-width apart and my arms crossed over my chest as they slowly find their way to a chair.

“My name’s Chief Lawson,” I say, quieting the group.

“As you all probably know, I’ve been hired to replace Chief Richards now that he’s retired.

I’ve just moved to town from Calgary where I was a captain.

I want this station to run like a well-oiled machine.

Now that busy season has started to die down, I want everyone to be updating their certifications.

Now is the time to look into courses you may want to take. ”

The guys stare at me, but I notice a few side-eyes amongst them.

“This may be a smaller department, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be making sure we’re all properly trained and certified.”

That statement seems to sit well with some and not so well with others.

“Unless someone has anything to add, I’ll be in my office. You guys can run through your normal shift checklists.”

I stay there staring at them with my arms crossed, and when no one says anything, I nod and drop my arms before heading to my office. I slowly make my way through the personnel files of all the men that work in the station.

We work in such a dangerous field that I need to know I can trust my men and part of that is getting to know them.

I make note of the training they have, where they may need to upgrade, and who might be able to level up.

It’s seven o’clock when my cell phone rings.

I smile, seeing Grandma on the screen, and know it’s Lila calling before they start her bedtime routine.

“Hey, Peanut,” I answer.

“Hi, Daddy.”

Hearing my daughter’s voice always makes me lighter, no matter what I’ve experienced during the day.

“How was your first day?” I ask.

“Okay. My teacher is nice.”

Chloe. Just the mention of her has memories of our night trying to make their way back to me, but I put up my mentally perfected barrier and ignore them.

“That’s good. Did you make any friends?”

Silence fills the line, and I dip my head, running my hand through my hair. I worried about how this move was going to impact Lila, at least in the beginning. She doesn’t know anyone, and that’s hard on a little girl.

“Everyone knows everyone, but I know no one,” she whispers, and I sigh .

“I know, Liles, but you’ll get to know them, and I’m sure you’ll have lots of friends.”

“I miss Katie,” she says. Katie is her best friend from Calgary. Getting her to say goodbye was hard. They both cried, and it tore at me to see how sad she was to be leaving her best friend and the place we had there.

“How about I call Katie’s mom and see if you can call her this weekend?”

Lila’s soft sniffles come through the line. “Really?”

“Yeah. I’ll see if we can set it up as a video call and maybe get a movie set up and everything.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“Of course, Peanut. I love you.”

“Love you, Daddy.”

“Have a good night. Let me talk to Grandma Delores quickly.”

My mother felt she was too young to be called Grandma when Renee got pregnant and insisted on being called Mimzy.

My parents haven’t been around a lot since Lila’s been born, granted they weren’t around much before then either.

Grandma hasn’t left Willow Valley in nearly twenty years.

When Grandpa got sick, she vowed to never leave his side, and she didn’t.

She remained in Willow Valley, taking care of him until he passed five years ago.

Since then, it’s been hard for her to consider leaving this town.

It’s where he’s buried. It’s where they met, fell in love, and raised their family.

Every one of their important memories is in this town.

That’s why when she called and told me she was sick I knew I wasn’t going to ask her to move to the city so I could watch out for her and take care of her when the time came.

I immediately knew I’d be moving to the small town I hadn’t visited since my grandfather’s funeral.

I spent nearly every summer with my grandparents growing up.

It was a great way for my parents to be able to do whatever they wanted without the trouble of having to deal with their kid.

My grandparents gave me a sense of stability my parents never did.

We talked all the time during the school year.

My grandmother was the one who gave me shit about my grades, saying I needed to graduate if I wanted to provide a life for myself, and my grandfather taught me to stand by my family.

My parents didn’t do those things. My parents couldn’t even be bothered to show up to half my parent–teacher conferences.

They were constantly seeking out new and exciting things, and the wants and needs of their child were not at the top of their priority list.

In high school, I vowed to myself I’d be more like my grandfather than my parents, dependable, consistent, and caring.

I hear some shuffling, and then Grandma’s soft voice comes through. “How are you, Everett?”

“I’m good, how was Lila after school?”

Grandma doesn’t say anything for a few seconds, allowing the silence to stew. “She was okay. She seemed a little down, but I’m sure she’ll be makin’ friends in no time and be happy as a pig in shit.”

I bite my lip, holding back my grin. Grandma never held back her language when I was around, and I haven’t stopped swearing around Lila either.

I try to tone it down when we’re together, but when she’s out in the world, I can’t expect people to all change and not swear, so she’s got to get used to hearing it and learn that they’re adult words and when she’s older and understands them then we can discuss her using them.

She dropped the word shit once, and all I had to do was give her a look and she apologized and never swore again.

“I’m sure you’re right,” I say.

“I’m always right. You should know that by now.”

I nod and smile even though she can’t see me through the phone. “You have everything you need for her nighttime routine?” I ask.

“I’ve got it all. Now stop fussin’ and get back to work. You’ll see her tomorrow after school.”

“Night, Grandma, and thanks for taking her.”

“No thanks needed, I’m glad to have my great-granddaughter here and to have you back in town. Be safe.”

“Always,” I say before I disconnect the call.

For the rest of the night, we get two medical calls, otherwise the men are all in the common area playing cards or watching TV before they head to the bunks while I remain in my office finishing my review of all the files.

I don’t know why I’m anxious as I stand outside Lila’s school waiting for her to come out after the bell rings, but as soon as I see Chloe behind a group of kids as they make their way out of the building, I know why.

I can’t see her and not have something about that night hit me.

This time, it’s the sparkle in her eyes when she smiles as the kids beeline their way towards parents.

Lila is the last kid out, and when she spots me, she yells, “Daddy,” and is barreling towards me as I crouch to catch her.

“Hi, Peanut.”

I pick her up, kissing her cheek a few times, and she giggles, a sound that fills my chest with love. Looking past Lila, I see Chloe making her way towards us. A soft smile graces her lips as she takes in Lila and me together.

“Miss Maxwell,” I say, lifting my chin.

A faint blush tinges her cheeks as she dips her head and tucks a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “Mr. Lawson.”

Something about the way she says it and the way her teeth dig into her bottom lip goes right to my cock, and once again she has me thinking about that night.

I need to stop thinking about it. I have too much shit going on in my life to complicate it with a woman right now.

As much as my night with Chloe was fun and I’d be down to do it again, I don’t need small town gossip and a woman on top of managing getting my daughter settled and figuring out Grandma’s upcoming doctor’s appointments and what those will all entail time wise and for her health.

It’s best for that night to remain firmly in the past.

“How was your first day?” she asks, reminding me of her sunshine personality that pulled me in during our first meeting.

“Fine,” I half grunt at her. It doesn’t deter her.

“Get to know your squad?”

“Yes. ”

She keeps going, ever persistent. “Adjusting to small town living?”

I nod.

“Well, Lila did amazing today. She shared with the class about how you’d take her to the library before you moved and would pick out books with her. The one we have here isn’t nearly as big as anything you’d have in the city, but I’m sure you could both find something there.”

“Thanks.”

Her smile only widens at my one-word answer, and I try not to roll my eyes at her ever-sunny enthusiasm.

“Have a good night. We’ll see you tomorrow, Lila.”

“Bye, Miss M,” Lila calls after Chloe as she makes her way back towards the school.

I stand there watching her until she disappears inside, wondering just how this woman can be so bright and bubbly.

“Daddy, can we have ice cream?”

I smile and shake my head. “After dinner.”

I carry her to the truck and buckle her in before making our way home, where I get her a snack before tackling more unpacking.