“What about you?”
“The chief of the Ryker Falls Fire Department wants me to apply to take over his job at the end of the year.”
Her eyes lit up. “That is so awesome, Luke! Congratulations.”
He couldn’t stop the smile at her excitement. “Yeah, it will be pretty cool. I need to do a few more papers, but I want it.”
“Your family must be proud.”
“Sure. Just like yours are. Although I’m not going to lie, your career is a lot cooler.”
She waved his words away.
“Why don’t you see that what you’ve done, are doing, is such a big deal, Quinn?”
She’d been running her finger around the handle of her cup, but she stopped to look at him.
“I know it is. Know how hard I worked for it.” Her words were soft. “I guess I’m just not the type of personality that acknowledges it.”
“At least that’s honesty.”
“Funny, I’ve never said that before. Maybe when I took that hit to my nose it affected my brain as well.”
“Maybe. Or maybe my hotness is loosening your tongue.”
“Of course, that’s exactly it. Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Better watch it, Captain Harper, or I’ll have something else for you to do with that smart mouth.”
“Luke!”
“Quinn.” He laughed at her shocked expression.
“Hey.”
Nixon arrived at the table. He held a plate of pastries in his hand and looked like he’d rather be anywhere but here.
“Hey,” Luke said. “You want to sit with us?”
He looked uncertain, but Quinn held out a chair and waved him into it. Luke had already figured out the boy had a thing for Quinn. He couldn’t fault him, because he did too, he just didn’t have a label for it yet.
“So what’s the deal, Nixon? You make these?” Luke asked.
He nodded.
“Okay, you’re going to have to give me more than a nod. You haven’t spoken two words since you came to Ryker, and now I find you’ve been slipping out of the house to bake with Albert.”
“It’s no big deal. I used to do the cooking for Mom.” The boy shrugged.
Luke tried not to stiffen at the mention of his mother.
“I enjoy it.”
“Well now, that makes my life easier. On the nights I have to cook, if I pay you, will you do it for me?”
Nixon looked at Luke.
“I mean it. Cooking is not my thing. I can make an omelet, but that’s pretty much it. Also those store-bought boxed meals. There’s also the pizza I can take out of the box and put in the oven.”