“So you were Military Police with the Army for the last twenty years?” Candle Beach’s Police Chief Aaron Lee ran his finger over Jake’s resume, then leaned back in his chair and peered into Jake’s eyes. Above his head, framed degrees and commendations hung on the wall. File cabinets lined the other sides of the room. Every available space was covered with paper, but Jake suspected Chief Lee knew the exact location of every document he needed.

“Yes, sir. I retired as a Major. I was an enlisted soldier and then after a few years, commissioned into the Army through their Green to Gold program.” Jake put his arms on the desk and pointed at the education section of his resume. “I attained my degree in Criminal Justice while in the service.”

“Well, this opening is for an entry-level role. Is that something you’re interested in?”

“Yes. I know my prior experience and education would make me a good fit for the position. I realize I’m a little older than your typical applicant, but I think I’m probably a little wiser as well.”

Chief Lee chuckled and shook his head. “You should see some of the kids I get in here applying for a job with the Candle Beach police force. They think they know everything.”

“I know the type—I used to be one of them back in the day.” Jake grinned. “But in all seriousness, I want to stay in Candle Beach.”

“Right.” Jake could feel Chief Lee’s eyes on him. “You’re from the city. Why would you want to work for a police force in the middle of nowhere? I mean, we love our small town and everything, but it isn’t for everyone.”

“I understand your concern. But I have family here, and after spending half of my life devoted to the Army, I want to settle down and spend time with them. This town is great. I’ve met so many new people in the small amount of time I’ve been here, and everyone is so friendly.” With a start, he realized how much he wanted to stay in town. He’d gone back down to Portland for his Border Patrol interview the Tuesday after he first arrived in Candle Beach and then turned right back around the next day for his second interview with the Candle Beach Police Department. Driving down Main Street that morning had been like coming home.

The police chief smiled at him. “That’s how I ended up here. I used to work in the city, but I came to the beach for a vacation with my family, and the wife and I never wanted to leave.” He pushed his chair away from the desk and stood, then walked over to Jake and extended his hand. Jake rose and shook it firmly.

“After our Human Resources Manager met with you on Friday afternoon, she highly recommended you for the position,” the Chief continued. “But the final decision is mine, and you’ve given me a lot to think about. I’ll be in touch.” He held the door open for Jake. The sugary smell of donuts wafted through the room.

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.”

Jake left the interview with a bounce in his step. Was he really doing this? Thinking about staying in Candle Beach? A job with a small-town police department would be very different than working for the Border Patrol—if the federal government even called him back about the position he’d interviewed for. Candle Beach had its own allure though. Alex was here and he’d grown attached to him in the short time they’d spent together. And then there was Maggie. He’d promised his brother that he’d look after them, and now that he was free to make his own career decisions he planned to make good on that promise.

* * *

Maggie had to laugh at her son’s antics. He hadn’t stopped moving since she’d told him Jake would be there in ten minutes.

“When is he coming over?” Alex bounced on his toes on their thick living room carpet. “I want to show him how good I’m getting at Mario Kart.”

“He’ll be here soon.” Alex had insisted on having Jake over for dinner. He’d gone back to Portland for a few days, but had come back to stay in Candle Beach for the next week. She wondered again if she should have invited him to stay at their apartment instead of in a B&B. Probably better to not let him get closer though. It would be hard enough for Alex when his uncle moved up north for his new job with the Border Patrol.

An image of Jake sitting on the couch, laughing at a joke in the movie, came to mind. She’d miss him too, although the more time she spent with him, the stronger the physical attraction became. His easy banter had turned to flirting and it seemed like he felt it too. With him leaving though, there was no way she was going to act on anything. Given their family dynamics, that was probably for the best.

Someone knocked on the door and Alex ran to it, flinging it open.

“Alex!” Maggie admonished him. “You can’t just open the door without finding out who it is first.”

“But it’s Uncle Jake. I knew it would be,” he said, certain of his choice in his six-year-old logic.

She sighed. “Right, but you didn’t know it was him for sure.”

“But it was.” He dismissed her concerns and wrapped his arms around his uncle’s waist.

Maggie gave up and looked at the new arrival. She sucked in her breath. Jake hadn’t been around for a few days and if anything, his spell on her was even stronger. He wore a tight-fitting knit shirt that hugged his biceps and she had a hard time taking her eyes off him. He carried a yellow bag from the Lego store, a bottle of wine and a small bouquet of flowers.

“Hey, Alex. This is for you. I went shopping while I was in Portland and I thought you’d like it.” Jake gently disentangled his nephew from his waist so he could walk through the door, and handed him the Lego bag.

“Hey, Maggie. These are for you.” He held out the flowers and his eyes met hers. “I wanted to thank you for welcoming me into your home over the past week.” His easy smile seemed to reach inside her and melt her heart. She took the flowers from him and sniffed a red rose in the mixed bouquet. She loved roses, but didn’t usually buy them for herself because of the expense.

“Uh, thank you. They’re beautiful.” She turned and called over her shoulder, “I’m going to put these in some water.” Alone in the kitchen she sat down on the floor in front of the sink to reach into the cabinet where she kept vases. What was happening? Was the attraction due to his resemblance to Brian? Or maybe because she was finally opening herself up to dating again? Whatever it was, nothing could happen between them.

The oven timer beeped, so she grabbed the first vase she found and stuffed the flowers in it. At the sink, she filled the vase with water and set it on the counter before pulling a steaming pan of lasagna out of the oven and tossing the salad.

“Food’s ready, guys.”

They piled into the kitchen, Alex talking a mile a minute about the new Lego set his uncle had bought him. Jake devoured the pasta dish and complimented her on her cooking. It was nice to have someone to cook for, as her son was often a picky eater.

After Alex was in bed, they sat around the kitchen table drinking the wine that Jake had brought.

“So, I have some news.” He set his wine glass down on the Formica-topped vintage table she’d found at a swap meet.

“What?” Her heart beat faster. Was this it? Had the Border Patrol called him for the job? She knew he’d be leaving soon, but had hoped for Alex’s sake that he could stay a bit longer. “Are you leaving Candle Beach?”

“No. Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk with you about.” He scanned her face. “How would you feel about me staying in town?”

“You mean for another couple of weeks? Or what?”

“Chief Lee offered me a position with the Candle Beach Police Department. The town is growing and they had an entry-level opening.”

“Wait, what?” Maggie gulped from her wine glass. What was he talking about? He’d never mentioned any interest in being a policeman. Was this what his secretive meeting on Friday had been about?

“Well, you know I was an MP in the Army. I have a degree in Criminal Justice and this seemed like a perfect fit. After spending time with you and Alex, I’ve realized I want to be with family, not up north working at the border.”

She stared at him and poured another glass of wine.

“So what do you think?” he asked.

“I think it seems very sudden,” she said honestly. He’d only been in town for a little over a week and now he was making a huge decision based on her and her son.

“I’ve spent my whole life doing what the Army wanted me to do. This is something I feel certain about. I’ll start out as a rookie and they’re sending me to training near Seattle in January. Until then, I’ll mainly be working the desk and learning the ropes.”

“Wow. So you’re moving here.” She gulped down more wine. “That’s great.”

“You don’t seem too happy about it.” He placed his hand on her arm. Her skin burned pleasantly where his fingers touched her, sending an electric shock throughout her body. She moved her arm off the table, away from his touch, and brushed her hair back.

“Of course I’m happy. Alex will love having you here. I’m just surprised. You never seemed like the type of person who would be happy in a small town.”

He looked at her. “Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do.”

She met his gaze and her pulse quickened. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I’d like to be a part of Alex’s life.” He sighed. “I miss my brother. I wish he could have seen what a wonderful kid he had.”

Maggie’s eyes turned unbidden to their wedding portrait on the end table near the kitchen and tears welled in her eyes. “I miss him too.” She got up and placed her wine glass carefully in the sink. “I’ve got to turn in soon. I have an early shift at the café tomorrow.”

He followed suit. “I should get home too. I promised Chief Lee I’d be there at eight o’clock sharp tomorrow morning.”

She walked him to the door. “Congratulations on the new job.” She gave him a quick hug, determined not to let those pesky feelings of attraction stop her from how she’d normally react to good news.

He smiled at her. “Thanks. I’ll see you soon.”

She watched him go, unsure of how she was feeling. Now that he was staying in Candle Beach, should she say something to him about her growing attraction to him? Or was that a recipe for disaster? She didn’t want to jeopardize Alex’s relationship with his uncle. It was too important. With Dahlia’s wedding and Christmas right around the corner, she had enough on her plate. No need to add relationship drama to the mix.