“That’s awful.” Shelby gasped. “How can people be so cruel?”
“People—most people—just don’t care beyond themselves.”
The truck’s tires thumped over the brick-paved block that made up the main square of the town.
“But how could someone not want Dante? He seems so sweet.” Shelby scratched behind his ears and the dog sighed happily. “Who wouldn’t want to open their home to him if they could?”
At the single stoplight in town, Joel bowed his head. Eyes closed, he took a deep breath. “They just didn’t want him. No one wanted him. That’s all there was to it,” he whispered.
The light turned green and he pulled around the corner and parked in front of Gran’s Candy Shoppe. A streetlight illuminated the interior of the truck’s cab. Joel’s smile was gone. His brow furrowed.
They just didn’t want him. No one wanted him.
Joel had been in the foster system when he’d lived in Goose Harbor. An older couple from their church had taken him. After Joel disappeared, the couple had sold their home and moved to Florida.
She listened to Dante’s even breaths for a minute. “Dogs are wonderful. I love them because they don’t judge. They don’t care if something’s wrong with you. That’s why I started working with them.”
“Exactly. He’s become everything to me.” Joel scratched Dante’s back.
Shelby leaned across Dante and placed her hand over Joel’s. “I’m glad he found you.”
“Me, too.” The trace of something that wanted to be a smile pulled on his lips. He fished a pen and a folded receipt from one of the truck’s cup holders. “Let me give you my number. Promise me that if you start feeling worse or your head starts hurting or you get dizzy you’ll call me.”
“Sure.” She reached to take the piece of paper from him.
He didn’t let go of it. “Anytime of the night. I’m serious.”
She met his eyes. The intensity of his gaze made her catch her breath. “I promise,” she whispered.
He let go of the paper. “Have a good night, Shelby.”
“You, too.” She grabbed her purse. “And take care of sweet Dante.”
“Will do.” Joel saluted her.
She laughed and made her way to the door on the side of the building that led up to her apartment, the whole time keenly aware that Joel hadn’t pulled away until she was safely inside.
* * *
Joel straightened his shirt, took a deep breath and then stepped into the fire chief’s office. Three chairs and a mammoth mahogany desk filled the small room, leaving him no choice but to stand in the small square of space in the open doorway.
Chief Wheeler hopped to his feet when he spotted Joel, a boisterous laugh making his red beard waggle as he offered his hand. “Great to see you again, Palermo. Are you settling into your new place all right?”
“I only just got in last night. I haven’t even unpacked yet, sir.”
“Well, take time to enjoy the town this week—chief’s orders.” He plunked into his chair.
“Will do.” Joel sat in the seat across from Wheeler. “Is there anything else you need from me before I start?”
“Nothing I can think of, other than never call me sir again.” He laughed.
“Chief?” A light tap sounded on the door. “Do you have a minute.” Shelby Beck popped her head into the office. “Oh, I’m so sorry. You’re busy. I can come back later.”
“Hogwash. You know I always have time for you.” The chief motioned for her to join them. “Shelby, I want you to meet our newest fireman, Joel Palermo. I believe he’s about your age. If I recall correctly, he’s also single.”
A small grin played over Shelby’s face. “We’ve met.”
“I see.” The chief winked at them.
She grabbed the last available seat in the room, which brought her knee to knee with Joel. Her smile was infectious.
He leaned forward to examine the cut on her temple. “How’s your head?”
“Good.” She moved her hair to cover the barely visible gash. “How’s Dante?
Joel leaned back in his chair. “I’m sure he’s happy to have a yard to sniff around in. Our last place didn’t have one. He may be old, but he really likes being outside.”
“You know,” she began, “when you’re on your days staying here at the firehouse, I could walk Dante for you and stop in to make sure he’s okay.”
Joel nudged her knee with his. “Look at you, Miss Businesswoman, adding me to your clientele when I’ve been in town less than twenty-four hours.”
“No. I didn’t mean—I’m offering as a friend.” Shelby’s cheeks flushed. “I don’t want your money.”
“I was kidding with you.” He winked.
Chief Wheeler crossed his arms over his chest. “So, Shelby, I’m assuming you came in here to do more than just flirt with my handsome new fireman.”
Shelby’s cheeks blazed fire-engine red. “I’m not—”
Joel opened his mouth to defend her.
But the chief slapped the table and laughed. “I’m kidding, girl. Although, if you like him, I could order him to take you on a date.”
Shelby looked down at the floor. “Like I said, I can come back another time if that’s better.”
Chief Wheeler adjusted his tie. “Relax, Shelby. What can I do for you?”
She knit her fingers together as she blew out a long breath. Then she tugged a bundle of papers from her purse. “My father left me this. I can rebuild. Finally. I’m going to meet with Ida today. When her husband was mayor, I remember him raising money for just that purpose. I want to see if that money is still available, but even if it is, I’m sure it won’t be enough.”
The chief sat a little straighter. “And you’re asking if the fire department would help you raise more?”
“People love firefighters.” She shrugged.
“Dashing men in uniform coming to the rescue. What’s not to love, right, Joel?”
Unsure of the correct way to interact with his new boss, Joel only offered a smile.
The chief extended his hand to shake Shelby’s. “Of course we’ll help. In fact, Joel, since you’re new around here, as your first order of business upon joining the department, I’m going to have you team with Shelby on planning a fund-raiser. You’ll get to meet the whole town that way.”
“Sure. Why not?” Helping host a fund-raiser was the perfect opportunity to get in good with the people of Goose Harbor, which was what he needed if this was going to be his forever home. He wanted them to forget the moody teenager who ran away. If he had tried, he couldn’t have come up with a better way to enter the town again.
“I was thinking a pancake breakfast,” Shelby piped up.
Joel leaned his elbows on his knees. “Food included. This gig is getting better by the minute. So, what are we fund-raising for?”
“To rebuild the church.”
Her words hit his gut like a two-ton weight. Rebuild the church? There had been only one in town when he left. But—he swallowed hard. It felt like there was gravel in his throat—it couldn’t be. “What church?”