Page 175 of Small Town, Big Storm

A deep, slow breath.

Then he nods, and I can see the look in his eyes, know I’ve pushed him far enough.

For tonight, anyway.And only about the past, I think, as a bit of mischief slices through me.

Because the future?—

“Maybe you should go find Riley and fix things withher.”

Any softness disappears like so much smoke and he glares at me.“There’s nothing between us.”

“Just cleaning those gutters, right?”I smirk.“And making out at the inn.”

“Fucker.”He digs into his pocket and chucks a set of keys at me.“Now get out of here already.”

“But I thought this was my house?”I ask innocently as I catch them.

“Asshole.”He grins then his expression softens.“But damn right it is.”

Heart full, past in ashes, I hold the keys tight, look around at all we rebuilt, and know…

I’m finally home.

Epilogue

Poppy

“I need another, Pop!”Tommy shouts, and I chuckle.

Because some things never change.

Even if the place I’m bartending at isn’t Sully’s.

The Home Ice Classic is beginning in less than an hour and Cedar Hollow Ice Center ispacked.

Excitement buzzes in the air, and the party has spilled out onto Main Street, which is closed to cars for the occasion.Blossom expanded her typical craft fair into a festival-like atmosphere, lining the road with booths selling everything from Hawks jerseys to this year’s commemorative goose, Terrance.

Music plays.Bubbles fill the air.Trinkets are bought.Faces are painted?—

“Honk!”

Gerald steals the occasional scoop of ice cream.

But mostly, everyone is well-behaved.

And since tickets are sold out and the ice center is at capacity, Clem had the brilliant idea to set up a watch party at the Cedar Hollow Beach.

That’s busy too, a big screen set up on the sand while people eat and play volleyball and float in the river.

I squirt some soda water into a glass, fill another with a lager and hand Tommy and Roger their drinks so they can go off and join the festivities.

“Can I get Two Home Ices?”a woman asks, and I grin.

The signature cocktail I came up with on a whim a few days ago has been selling like hot cakes—it’s just a whiskey lemonade with honey, mint, and a splash of soda water.

But as the summer sun beats down and the crowd grows, it’s the perfect refreshment.

According to me, anyway.