Page 110 of Perfect Enough

“It’s important I do it myself.”

He held up his hands in defeat. “If you say so. I will never understand this strange behavior.”

Confused, I asked, “What strange behavior?”

He pointed to the mess in the kitchen, the six vases of flowers on the kitchen table, the candles I’d asked Lilly for, and the box of chocolates my mother told me to buy. I’d known growing up with my mother when my father fucked up, chocolates went a long way with making up.

“Someday, Nate, a woman will walk into your life and turn it upside down, and then you’ll understand all this.”

He laughed. “I doubt it, but I’ll go along with you only because I like Sophia and think she’s good for you.”

My phone rang, and I looked to see it was Cap calling. I picked it up and put it on speaker. “Cap, did you get my message?”

“I did, as well as your email. Josh, you should take a bit more time to think this through. It’s not a good idea to make these decisions after such big, life-altering events.”

I looked up to see Nate watching me. So far, Grams was the only person who knew I was leaving the fire department.

“Sir, while I appreciate your advice, this has been something I’ve given a lot of thought to. As much as I love being a firefighter, I need to focus on my family.”

“Josh, are you sure you’re not just doing this because it’s what your grandfather would have wanted?”

Taking a moment to answer him, I replied, “My grandfather was proud of me and what I’d chosen to do with my life. He never once pressured me to work on the ranch. I was the one who’d always thought I wanted something different, but a few things have become abundantly clear to me since his death. One of those is my desire to work on the ranch, side by side with my family.”

“You’re absolutely sure about this?”

Smiling, I glanced at Nate, who had a stunned look on his face. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life, sir.”

“Well, then I guess the only thing I can do now is wish you the best. You’ll always have a place here if you change your mind.”

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate that more than you know.”

“Good luck, Josh. Don’t be a stranger.”

“I won’t, and thank you.”

After hanging up with my now-former boss, I looked at Nate.

A slow smile spread across his face. “You quit?”

I nodded. “I did. No one else knows except for Grams.”

“Grams?” he asked. “You talked to her about leaving the fire station?”

“We talked about a lot of things while I peeled apples for an apple pie.”

Nate smiled again, softer now, and I knew he was remembering that apple pie was Granddad’s favorite. “I suppose she helped you devise this plan to win Sophia back?”

“I’m hoping I haven’t lost her, and she’s just pissed at me.”

“Listen, about the bar and Sophia being there, I honestly had no idea the girl Decker liked was the same Chloe as Sophia’s best friend.”

Looking up from the sauce I was stirring, I replied, “I know. I also know you would never set me up, or do anything to intentionally hurtanyone.”

“Yeah, well, not everyone thinks like you do.”

My curiosity piqued, I asked, “Who are you talking about?”

He waved it off. “No one. So, what do you want me to say to get her here?”