Come Fall In Love at Madison Creek...Just in Time For Valentines Day!

​Valentines Day will be here before you know it. 
Whether you love or hate this heartfelt holiday, I have another sweet story from your favorite town for you.

You met Daniel McAlister in Sun Kisses, along with his feisty Pop, Paul McAlister. They're both back in The Heart Collector- A Madison Creek Novella #3. Check out the video below and then scroll on down to read the first couple of sample chapters.

Stay tuned. This story will be available by January 30th! 

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Madison Creek Town Novella Series
Book 3
The Heart Collector
By
Jackie Castle

​Prologue 
Twelve-year-old Daniel McAlister raced across the backyard to the sprawling maple that grew on the border of his yard and Sara Fletcher’s, his best friend. Even if she was a girl. He stopped at the rope ladder, cupped his dirt-smudged hands to his mouth and yelled, “Hey, Sara-para, you up there?”
Her sweet voice that reminded him of tinkling bells rang down, “Yep. Come on up, Danny-boy.”
Sara had her own rope ladder that extended down into her yard. The pine-wood shelter was nestled in the split in the vast trunk about ten feet up in the orange-red boughs. He shimmied up the rope like Tarzan and pushed through the trap door. Sara sat over on her side which was decorated with pink frilly curtains and fuzzy rugs. His side had no curtains and only an old quilt full of rips to cushion him against the splintery floor. Sunlight filtered in through gaps in the wall, casting beams on his amazing comic book collection he kept encased in a plastic bin stolen from Mom’s sewing room.
“Whatcha’ doing, dork?” he asked, sitting cross-legged and leaning back against one of the thick branches that helped support the outer wall. Journey sang Don’t Stop Believing on the little portable radio. “Thought you’d be locked in the house having to help wrap those smelly flowers for your sister’s wedding.”
“That’s all done.” She rolled her eyes. “Melissa Ann is all in a fit over her dress shrinking since she bought it. Kept trying to tell her she’d not fit in it if she didn’t stop eating all those Twinkies.”
Daniel chuckled as he flipped through his newest Spiderman comic. He’d already read it twenty times. “Well, glad you escaped. I’m bored. Want to grab the skateboards and head down to the park?”
Her nose wrinkled. Blond hair fell into her big green eyes that made his heart beat in funny ways. She might be his best friend, but he was determined that someday she’d be something more. Maybe one day she’d be making flowers for their wedding. He smiled at the thought but kept it to himself.
“Can’t.” She leaned back over the paper she was scribbling on. “We have the rehearsal dinner tonight. And I’m busy, anyway.” Sara liked to draw and paint and was pretty good at it.
But when Daniel leaned forward to check out her latest sketch, he found her writing a letter instead. She always dotted her i’s with little hearts or smiley faces. “Who are you writing to?”
Her deep greens turned upward as she stared at him for a long moment over her letter. “Not going to tell. You’ll just laugh. And this is my secret project.”
He scooted on his bottom a little closer. “I like secrets. And you know I’m good at keeping them. Tell me.”
She straightened, then propped her elbow on the crate box with a piece of cardboard taped to the top to make a little art table. Breathing out a long sigh, she rested her chin on her fist. “I’ve been thinking. Melissa Ann should have planned things better. If she had, maybe she’d not ended up with that ugly Harry Kent that works at the bowling alley.” She cringed. “His face is all covered in acne. And he smells funny.”
“That’s cologne, dork.” Daniel shook his head. She didn’t have a dad in her family and didn’t have much in male influences to realize such things.
She made another note. “Well, it’s awful. I pity her. Even if she keeps gushing about what a catch he is. As if.”
He didn’t miss the roll of her eyes as she added two more lines to her letter.
“Anyway, I’m going to plan things out better. I’m making a list. And I’m going to keep it in my super-secret hiding place. When some fella comes asking for my hand in marriage, I’ll pull out my trusty list and make sure he meets my qualifications.”  She actually said, qualley-fly-kations, but he didn’t correct her. With a wave of her pink pencil, she narrowed her gaze at him. “I’m going to be prepared.”
Daniel pondered his friend’s announcement for a moment. They’d been best buddies since fourth grade. Surely she’d give him first dibs, wouldn’t she? “Just what kind of qualifications,” he stressed the correct pronunciation, “are you looking for?”
She shook out the letter, smoothing down the edges. “Well, he has to be handsome, of course. No weird marks on his face.” She shuddered.
Daniel ran his hand over his cheek, flinching at the few little bumps popping up along his chin line. He’d have to ask Mom to buy something to fix that.
“And he has to be kind and fun. Likes adventure…”
His chest puffed up. Now she was talking. Why, he was the one who talked her into jumping out of the tree swing into the creek last summer. She’d been afraid. “What else?” At this rate, he had a real good chance at bagging that husbandship award. He was all that and even more, far as he was concerned.
“Well, he needs to make more than a bowling tech, that’s for sure. I don’t really expect him to be a millionaire, but he needs to be able to support me comfortably. I jotted down a few acceptable professions.”
Daniel leaned forward. Sara folded the note over. “Anyway, it’s a work in progress. I’m still thinking, but I have a pretty good start on what I expect out of my future husband.” With a definitive nod, she creased the letter with her thumbs, then stuffed it into a blue envelope. She’d decorated it with hearts and flowers and all sorts of girly things. In big bubble letters, she’d written: Dear Future Husband.
He motioned for the envelope. “I can look it over for you and make sure you covered all your bases. You might have forgotten important stuff. Like making sure they take a shower at least once a week and put on clean underwear at least every other day.”
Her nose wrinkled so much over that, her freckled cheeks reddened. “Ew. Boys.” She stared down at her letter for a moment. “Maybe when I get it all done, then I’ll let you take a look.”
He slumped back against her yellow beanbag, covered in gray duct tape. “Fine. But you’re going to marry me when we grow up. We pinkie promised.”
“Back in the fifth grade. We were children then.”
Before he could protest this, Mrs. Fletcher called from the back door of their red brick house. “Sara Lynn? Where’d you run off to? Sara Lynn Fletcher, get in here! You better not be getting dirty out here.”
“Oh man, I better go.” Sara shoved the letter into an old Nike shoe box then placed it on the narrow shelf where she kept her favorite books. “I’ll see you later, Danny-boy. You guys are coming to the wedding tomorrow, right?”
He nodded, trying not to cringe. When he got married, he wasn’t going to go for all that frilly white stuff that Sara’s sister was doing. Nope, maybe they’d get married while jumping from the plane, or scuba-diving in the ocean. That would be a blast. He’d seen a couple do that on some program called Weird Weddings. 
Soon as he heard the screen door to her house bang shut, he had the lid off her super-secret box and was pulling out the letter. “Let’s see what your qualifications really are.” He knew from her long letter that she’d only shared a small portion of it. His eyes grew increasingly wider as they scanned down her extensive lists. “Charity work? Eh. Okay. Acceptable professions… lawyer, doctor (brain surgeon or something like that). Yuck. As if I want to touch someone’s brain. Oh hey, this one is promising, international spy.” He gave a nod of approval. “Must make several thousand a month. Or week? What? Good grief.” Daniel smacked his head.
“Time for dinner,” his own Ma called out from his yard.
“Be there in a minute!” He called back, ripping out a sheet from the back of Sara’s sketch pad, he quickly copied her letter. Not word for word, but just the important parts. Those things he’d need to strive for. He knew without a doubt, he and Sara were meant to be forever friends. When kids grew up, that normally meant getting married. He was willing to do that. So long as they could get married in a cool way. But it looked like this might require a bit of work on his part.
Well, he was up for the challenge. He returned her envelope to the shoe box and replaced it on the shelf. Then he folded his copy and shoved it into the back pocket of his jeans. As he climbed down the rope, his mom called again, irritation in her voice.
“I’m coming, I’m coming. Hey Ma?” He reached the back door and entered the kitchen where the smell of oregano and tomato sauce hit his nostrils. Ugh, not spaghetti again! “Ma, what kind of school does someone go to become an international spy?”




 
 
Chapter One 
 
Sara Haven sneezed and was gripped by a throbbing ache in her chest. She grabbed the nearest pillow and squeezed it tight until the discomfort eased. At this rate, she’d never get this room livable enough for her and Alex, her twelve-year-old son, to sleep in.
“Mom, at least open a window.” Her son appeared in the doorway with a box of cleaning supplies in his arms. “Granny Daisy said for you to take it easy. She’s calling for someone to come help us, can’t you wait?”
Sara slumped into the wicker rocking chair that creaked under her weight. Hopefully, it wasn’t as fragile as she felt at the moment. For only being thirty-six, she moved and acted more Gran’s age. “The window is painted shut, or I would open it. And if I don’t get this room cleaned up, we’ll not have anywhere to sleep tonight.”
Her SUV was still packed with all their belongings, or what they’d been able to bring with them. There wasn’t much. She’d sold as much as possible to fund this little trip back home to Madison Creek. After Neil’s death, followed by her sickness, she needed this fresh start. She needed the support of family and the only family that was able to take her in was her Grandma Daisy and her husband George Alton.
Alex set the box on the foot of the old bed covered in plastic. Small balls of dust bunnies clung to his pale blond spikes. He had the prettiest gray eyes, like his father. Neil’s intense gaze had captured her heart from the first moment they’d met at that flea market down in Missouri.
“Mom, come downstairs. Gran is ordering pizza for us.” His fists perched on his narrow hips. Lithe and tall, so like his father, all the way down to his guardian personality. Sometimes, bordering on bossy. 
Sara hugged the pillow tighter against her still aching chest with a wary smile. She resisted the urge to touch the scar running down the middle of her breastbone, determined to break that nervous habit that only called more attention to something she didn’t want to think about. “Gran doesn’t seem the pizza eating type. Did you have something to do with her choice?”
His left shoulder jerked in an upward motion. “She said she used to love pizza, but her new chompers aren’t fans. So she ordered a side of lasagna for her and George.”
Gran’s husband, George Alton, did not like to be called by anything other than his given name. And the first time Alex called him Grandpa, she was sure the elderly gentleman was in danger of having a heart attack before correcting them on what he was to be called. For the most part, George seemed okay about them converting his upstairs storage into a small apartment. In return, Sara promised to help him organize his books for tax season. He said he couldn’t read the small numbers as well as he used to, but Sara suspected the business was beginning to be a bit much to take care of for the dear, old couple. Granny Daisy had mentioned on the phone that they’d like to keep the store in the family if only they could find someone willing to take it over.
Sara promised to consider her offer and pray about it. But she had so many things to pray about these days. Such as getting her younger brother to speak to her again. She’d been such a bully to him while they were growing up. He’d been Daddy’s favorite and she’d slightly resented his intrusion into her perfect world when she was five years old.
Alex pulled her by the hand. “Come on, Mom. I’m starving. We can take a break and maybe Gran’s niece will show up to help you.”
Granny’s niece. Sara’s cousin, Haley Madison. No, Haley Madison-Winters now. She’d met her once back when the blond southerner came to stay with Aunt Rose and Uncle Charles in that enormous Victorian that sat on a hill. Though Sara was a few years older, they’d hit it off during Haley’s summer visit. She could use a friend here and hoped Haley hadn’t changed too much in the years they’d lost contact with each other.
“Pizza does sound good. And I could use a cup of hot tea.” She pushed herself out of the rocker. It seemed to sigh in relief.
Wrapping her arm around her son’s neck, they walked side-by-side down the narrow circular stairs. “You’ll need a haircut before you start school on Monday, don’t you think?”
His back and shoulders slumped. “Can’t you home-school me again? I’m really not impressed with the public school system, Mom. It sorely lacks in the educational stimulation I need to keep my mind flourishing and—”
“Stop it with your dollar talk.” She gently pushed him away. He was too much sometimes. “I swear, we need to get you involved in sports or something normal. Something besides reading the dictionary and encyclopedia, for goodness sakes. You’re a boy! Act like it.”
While she’d been in the hospital for a month and a half, they’d had to stay with Neil’s parents. They were an older couple that worked at a prestigious college and were seldom home.
To keep himself occupied, Alex had managed to read up to the letter P in the Oxford English Dictionary and had read through five volumes of encyclopedias that Neil’s father kept in the Haven family library. The old man had tried to keep Alex entertained, but as a senior college professor, he wasn’t too comfortable with small boys.
Her flexible Alex the Great tried hard to not be a burden and made the best he could out of the situation. Which was to remain as quiet as possible and keep his precocious mind busy with reading.
George’s wall of books presented her son with a whole new utopia of reading material, though he’d been warned in no uncertain terms to not touch the goods.
“I don’t think homeschooling is feasible right now, honey. Give me the rest of this semester to get us settled in…” she paused for a long moment as they reached the bottom landing. “And I need more time to heal from the surgery. We can talk about it this summer, okay?”
His head bobbed a couple of times before his stormy grays looked up at her. “I’m sorry Mom. When I first said it, I was just kidding. Then, I wasn’t so much. I miss how we were when Dad was alive. The traveling around. Learning on the go.” A wistful smile played with his pale pink lips. “But that was yesterday, right? Today is today. Public school will be another grand adventure for me, right?”
Sara bit her bottom lip, trying to hold back the tears threatening to let loose over everything they’d lost. Neil had been a traveling missionary pastor first in South America, then in the Middle East.  Because they moved around so much helping new churches get established, she’d chosen to homeschool Alex. And he took well to it, being naturally disciplined and eager to learn. Life was his classroom.
She was determined, to get past this hurdle. She would heal. Please God, don’t take me away from him, too. Alex needs me. I don’t know who else will take him if I’m not here.
When they reached the bottom landing, the door to the antique shop opened with the tinkling of bells. The scent of pepperoni and melted cheese hit Sara a moment before a loud southern drawl assaulted her ears.
“Howdy, Auntie. I ran into Larry who had an order of pizza for you. Offered to bring it in for him.” Despite being bundled in a thick down coat, Haley’s bright blond curls poked from under the hood. She wore jeans tucked into red boots.
“Hello dear. Where’s our Ethan? Could he not come too?”
“He had to run an errand, then promised to come back and help.”
Sara nearly tripped over Alex who’d frozen at the doorway leading out to the shop.
“Who’s that?” His wide grays stared at the woman with curious interest.
“Your aunt. Come on, I’ll introduce you.” She moved around her son and hurried to greet her cousin. “Haley, I can’t believe you actually moved up here for good.”
Haley wrapped her in a tight hug. “Me neither. It’s so cold up here, I swear I saw the icicles shivering this morning.” She stepped back, her merry blue gaze traveling from her face and stopping momentarily at the scar poking through the V in her shirt, then darting back to her face. “How you doing, Sugar?” She squeezed Sara’s shoulders affectionately. “You look as pretty as a daisy.”
Heat rushed to Sara’s cheeks. That was nice to hear, even if her cousin was only being nice. Sara knew she had to look a fright with her pale complexion and messy hair covered in dust. She hadn’t worn make-up for some time, not having the energy or reason to put any on. “Well, I don’t feel like a daisy, but I’m glad to be here. And it’s so good to see you again. I was thrilled when Gran told me you’d moved back, too.”
“So you’re staying?” Haley asked.
“Probably until the day I die.” Hopefully, that would be some time away, but Sara feared it could happen at any time. Especially if the cancer returned. She didn’t think she could handle more surgeries and chemo treatments. No, she needed to get her life settled and find a back-up for Alex just in case.
 
*  *  *  *
 
Daniel McAlister was so caught up in carving the owl statue for the library, he didn’t even realize someone was hitting the front buzzer until Pop called out from the living room, “You going to get that, or do I need to start getting up? Maybe I’ll reach the door by spring.”
“I got it,” Daniel rolled his eyes at the old man who could move around better if only he’d do what his physical therapist told him. “Hate for you to miss the end of Judge Judy.”
“Appreciate it,” came Pop’s snide answer. The cushions of his lazy-boy creaked as he settled back into his chair.
The buzzer went off again.
“Coming,” Daniel shouted, wiping his hands on a cloth and jogging through the house from the back workroom. “Coming.” He yanked open the door to a younger man in desperate need of a haircut. The fellow looked vaguely familiar, but Daniel was pretty sure his work had been interrupted by one of those missionary fellows that liked to pound on doors. The man was nicely dressed in a vest and black leather jacket, but Daniel had never seen any of those folks wearing jeans with rips running down the legs. “Can I help you? I go to the Presbyterian church down the street.”
At least he did for Christmas, Easter, and other special occasions. When he couldn’t find an excuse for not going.
The man’s mouth dropped a moment before he gave a nod. “That’s, uh, nice. I called and spoke to Paul McAlister earlier this week. I need a couple of signs made. For an adventure lodge and my wife’s B and B.”
The chair creaked again followed by a grunt as Pop managed to get up. “Is that Mr. Winters?” He ambled into the entryway, excitement on his face. “The violinist Mr. Winters?”
Mr. Winters ducked his head with a chuckle. “Yes, sir. You must be Paul. Pleased to meet you Mr. McAl—”
“You call me Paul. This here is my son, Daniel. He does most of the work nowadays. But come in out of the cold, friend. Let’s talk about what you want. I’ve been pondering your ideas and drew up a couple of sketches.”
“Fantastic. And please call me Ethan. Mr. Winters is my father. He would have come, too, but has been feeling under the weather this week.”
Daniel stood aside while Ethan Winters entered and removed his snow-covered boots beside the door. That was nice of him.
“Come on out to the workshop,” Daniel motioned for him to follow. Now he knew where he’d seen the man before. He’d played at last summer’s music festival with his friend who was a cellist. They also played at the Holiday festival. No wonder Pop was acting like a boy. He’d loved the duo’s music and often played their videos he found on the Internet. “Pop, why don’t you make us all some coffee? Unless you’d prefer tea or hot cocoa? We have both.”
Ethan removed his jacket and hung it on the coat rack. “Coffee sounds great. I take mine black.”
When they entered the closed in porch Ethan let out a low whistle of appreciation. “Wow, what a great workroom. I love all the windows. You have a stunning view of the river.” He stopped at one of the benches where they’d been working on cabinets for a client. “You do some nice work, Daniel. I’m so thrilled you had time to fit our signs in. We’ve checked a couple of other businesses in the next town, but I prefer to work with locals first.”
Daniel pulled aside a blanket covering the computer and then sat at the desk to boot up the system. If he’d heard the rumor mill correctly, or rather Pop with his love of gossip, the Winters couple was part of the town renovation committee. He had a few jobs scheduled in the coming weeks for that, too. The council hired him to build benches for the city park.
“Well, if you’re not in a big hurry, we can fit your signs in. Do you have a deadline?”
Ethan moved toward the desk, folding his arms over his chest as he thought a moment. “My wife was hoping we’d have the signs for our reopening at the end of the month. We close down the restaurant after Thanksgiving. Same with the Lodge except for special hunting groups that stay during deer and grouse season.”
Daniel wondered what one had to do in order to be part of this special group?  But he didn’t ask. His property allowed him plenty of hunting space when he felt inclined.
Pop ambled in with a folder of his sketches. Daniel preferred to design his ideas on the computer but his father was old school in how he handled the business. Sometimes that drove Daniel crazy. “Did I hear correctly? You’ll be opening the Inn restaurant for Valentines?”
“Sure will. But we’re only taking reservations. Anyone who comes needs to have a ticket to get in, I’m afraid. We won’t have as much help that weekend, so we’re limiting our guest list.”
Pop rubbed at his course white beard. “Any tickets left? How much they going for?”
Ethan grinned as if he held a secret. “There’s a few tables still open. We’re asking $150 a couple and seventy-five for single tickets. A portion of the money we raise will go into the Madison Creek Beautification project. But you get a prime steak dinner in the deal and live music.”
The old man’s brows pinched. “Humph. That is steep. Perhaps we can work a deal? I can throw in some smaller signs for a place at one of those tables?”
Ethan’s grin widened. “I do love to barter, Paul. Would that be one seat or two?”
Pop’s glance darted at Daniel a moment, then quickly back to their guest. His weathered hands twisted the folder nervously as a bit of red crept up his neck. What was Paul McAlister up to this time? Daniel’s brows furrowed in question, but the old man ignored him.
“Two. I… uh… I want two.”
“Why?” Daniel blurted, his brows now shooting high on his forehead. That was a hundred and fifty bucks they were talking about. “I’m not going to any Valentines part—”
“Not you,” Pop swatted the folder at him. Daniel managed to duck out of the way. “I wouldn’t take a stick in the mud like you anyhow. Why, you’d not know a good time if it kicked you in the gut and danced over your prostrate body. Sheesh.” He shook his head at Ethan, then extended his hand. “We got a deal or not? Want them extra signs for your doors? I have some samples you can look at.”
Ethan shook his hand. “Sounds like a great deal. Haley’s been wanting signs on each guest room to identify them. We’ll work out something.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and took a couple of steps away as he spoke into the device, leaving himself a reminder to reserve two tickets for Paul McAlister.
Daniel continued to stare at his father. Two expensive tickets for Valentines? What mischief was he up to now?
Paul ignored Daniel’s questioning look as he opened the folder and spread out his sketches. After a couple of minutes, he muttered, “Noneya! You’re always telling me to mind my own business and leave your life alone. I’m telling you the same.”
Ethan returned and took up the sheets of paper to examine them. As they talked over the ideas, Daniel focused most of his attention on setting up the project order. But in the back of his mind, he bristled over Pop’s words. The old man was always on him about finding a wife and starting a family. He wanted a couple of grandchildren to spoil before he headed for the great beyond.
But Daniel couldn’t care less about getting tangled into another bad relationship. Women were much too fickle for his tastes. They all said one thing when they meant the complete opposite. Nope, he was a happy bachelor. Now that he was back to doing the work he really loved. He had enough money to keep him comfortable for years to come, why would he want to go ruining that with another risky engagement?
No thanks.
 
 


​
 
 
Chapter Two 
 
With Haley’s help, Sara was able to move the boxes of junk Gran and George had collected over the years into one of the smaller rooms. Sara’s chest hurt and she considered setting up her oxygen but feared if she pulled it out, Alex would start worrying again.
Haley pulled her hair back and secured it in a ponytail. “This job is bigger than a Brahma bull. Good night.”
They were both covered in dust and cobwebs. Sara was sure there were mice in the walls which gave her the creeps. She’d have to set out some traps and try to keep them from Alex who’d trip them to save the rodents if he found out.
“I have to get it done. At least enough so we can have somewhere to sleep tonight.” Sara plopped down on an old wooden stool and almost fell off when it leaned dangerously to the left.
“Tonight? Oh, no way, Cuz. You can’t sleep here. I can hear you wheezing. Do you need to go outside and get some fresh air for a spell? I can keep working. Ethan just messaged me that he’s on his way.” She turned in a circle with a shake of her head. “Even still, we’ll not have it clean enough for you to sleep up here.”
As if to confirm her dire prediction, the sound of scuffling feet came from the corner, along with a dull thud of a box toppling over. Several ornaments rolled out and across the floor.
“Oh no. You’re not staying here if I have a say. There’s plenty of vacant rooms at my place. You’ll come stay with us until we get this bronco tamed a bit more.”
Sara buried her face in her dirty palms. She didn’t want to be a burden. Part of moving here was to get back on her feet. Maybe help Gran with her business and start a life for herself. And her first night there, she was going to have to mooch off her cousin. “I can’t pay for a room, Hale. You need them for guests, don’t you?”
“Family trumps guests. Besides, I don’t officially open for the season until the end of February. So, the rooms are empty. Alex will love it out there. Lots of woodsy yard to explore. I know Wally will love him. I hope he’s not afraid of big dogs.”
The way Haley Isabelle could prattle on and on. The whole time they’d been working she caught Sara up on how she returned to Michigan to take over Auntie Rose’s home after Uncle Charlie passed on. Then she talked about turning the Victorian into a B&B after she ran her husband, who she referred to as her Handsome Yankee, off the road with an out of control snow blower. Normally chatty people grated on Sara’s nerves, but Haley’s drawl made her stories simply hilarious until she was gasping from laughing so hard. 
Pounding footsteps came up the stairs. Haley turned toward the noise. “There’s my handsome Yank now. I asked him to stop and buy some traps. Hope he got enough.”
Ethan found them in the storage room, his eyes widening at the boxes towering along two of the walls. “Oh wow. You should have asked me to bring the dolly, too. Did you two carry all these boxes?”
“About half,” Haley answered with a loud sigh. Most were in here. Someone will need to go through them eventually and see what can be tossed.”
Ethan laughed. “As if George will let you toss anything. He told me on the way up here to make sure you were being careful with his stock.” He set a paper bag on the floor beside the door and peered into the closest box. “Hey, a Scooby-doo lunch box.” He lifted it out. “I bet there’s a gold mine up here if someone wanted to rummage through it.”
Haley’s hands perched on her narrow hips. “What we want is to get this place livable. And rodent free.” She picked up the bag and peered inside. “I said to get the baits that’ll kill them, not traps.”
“I can’t poison them! We’ll set traps and catch them.” His hand went to his chest as a look of disgust crossed his face.
“You expect us to take care of trapped…rodents?” Haley said the last word with the same disgust Alex had for broccoli.
“No, I’ll take care of them. Just call when one gets trapped, Sara. I’ll be here in less than half an hour. Promise.”
Sara remained doubtful but knew Alex would side with Ethan. Haley scowled for a moment, then her features softened as she playfully pushed him away, calling him a big softy.
They made a cute couple, but watching them made her miss Neil even more. Time to get over that. She’d not push the past and all those wonderful years out of her mind. But she needed to get to a place where she was happy for others who’d found happiness.
Haley blew out an exasperated sigh. “I invited Sara to come stay with us until we’ve cleaned this mess up. She was planning to sleep here tonight. Can you imagine?”
“Really, Hale, I don’t want to be a burden—”
“You won’t,” Ethan cut in. “We have plenty of room. And I’ll get a few guys to help move the big stuff in here. My mom and sister won’t mind coming over to help you get the bedrooms livable.”
This was all too much. Sara stood, ready to put her foot down and hoped the weathered floorboards wouldn’t give out underneath her. She’d not be in debt to anyone. “I can’t possibly—”
“Mom?” Alex’s voice came from the doorway. “I took the trash bags out. Ol’ George had to check them all to make sure there was real trash and nothing important. That’s what took me so—” He spotted Ethan who still held the Scooby-doo lunch box. Extending his hand, he said, “I’m Alex Haven.”
A smile spread across Ethan’s face. “Ethan Winters. A pleasure to meet you, young man. I’m Haley’s husband.”
“So, you’re family, too?” Her son’s eyes brightened.
“Well, I guess we’re cousins. By marriage. Which works for me. Does that work for you?”
Alex nodded.
Ethan set the lunch box back before turning his full attention to Alex. “We were just talking about you and your mom coming to stay with us until we can make this place livable. Do you like dogs? We have a big sheepdog named Wally who loves to play fetch.”
Alex nodded, his gaze widening. Ethan had found his soft-spot. Alex loved animals of any kind and was never afraid to approach one.
“Great.” Ethan seemed truly relieved. “My arm is going to fall off if I don’t find someone else to play with him from time to time.”
Her son turned to her, excitement lighting up his face for the first time since they’d arrived. “My clothes are still packed. When can we go— wait, what’s that you’re holding Haley?” He pointed at the box with a picture of a mouse on the outside.
“Traps,” Ethan answered as if sensing a storm brewing. “Seems there’s a few mice up here. We’ll catch them then let them loose down by the lake. You won’t have to worry about them.”
“Well trap them and not kill them? Promise?” Alex folded his arms over his chest.
“Absolutely. Scouts honor. No killing innocent mice.”
“Good.” Alex’s stance relaxed. “I just can’t… I don’t want to see anything else dying.”
Sara’s heart broke.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed Haley cover her mouth. “You won’t. We just need to move them, that’s all.” And in an instant she was at his side, hugging him against her. “So come on. Time’s wastin’ and we still need to get you settled into your temporary home.” Dabbing at her cheek, she met Ethan’s sympathetic gaze and said, “You’ll call Ma and tell her to set the table for two more?”
 
*  *  *  *
 
Daniel maneuvered his van down the slick road toward the Madison farm. Or rather now, the Madison B&B and Winters’ Adventure Lodge. Ethan had promised him that any time he wanted to join one of the hunting groups, he only needed to speak up.
Maybe he’d take him up on the offer. Normally, he liked to go out by himself where he could hear his own thoughts. He’d had his fill of noise and chatter all those years he lived in Cincinnati working as a corporate lawyer. Enough of that noise.
He’d missed his simple little hometown more than he’d realized at first. When Pop had called him home for a serious talk about needing to either pass on the business or sell it, Daniel jumped on the opportunity to take it over. Pop had been surprised.
“Thought you loved being a crooked lawyer,” he’d half-joked. His father had never understood his need to move away and study law.
At the time, Daniel thought he needed to make a lot of money. Number seven on the list. He’d even been sure to give money to several charities, which had been number eight: a generous heart. Though he never volunteered his actual time with being too busy juggling the firm’s many cases.
Daniel didn’t love being a lawyer at all. He’d missed the creative work woodcarving offered him. He’d missed the thrill of making something beautiful out of an old chunk of wood. What he loved was having a final product he could be proud of, that brought pleasure to others, instead of the tears some of the cases he had a hand in bringing.
The road made a sharp curve. Daniel snapped his attention back to the frosted highway. As he came out of the turn, thankful his tires held, the old Victorian came into view. They’d done a nice job of restoring it. A new paint job. A parking lot had been added alongside the garage. Old man Madison used to love tinkering out there with his gadgets. His own dad had once worked on the Madison farm before the Mr. Madison gave up trying to keep the orchards going.
Ah well, time marches on. He shook his head over Pop’s favorite saying. Often proceeded with a lecture about Daniel’s life marching on with no wife or kids.
He slowed the van, wondering at which building he’d find Mr. Ethan. He’d forgot to set a meeting place. Well, no matter. He didn’t need anyone to help him measure the two entrances to the lodge and inn.
This job would pay big. Even with the few freebies his father had thrown in for the dinner tickets. He pulled into the house entrance first and parked. A big black dog bounded toward him, all wagging tail and tongue.
“Hello there fella,” Daniel bent down to pat the dog on his head and found a ball dropped at his feet. “Is this how you always greet visitors?” He wasn’t too keen on the idea of picking up a slimy ball covered in mud but wasn’t sure how to politely decline.
“Wally! Where’d you go, boy?” A whistle came from the front porch.
Daniel smiled down at the waiting dog. “I suspect your name’s Wally?”
The dog’s tail thumped the snowy drive. He lifted one of his front paws as if to shake. Surprised, Daniel reached down to grasp it, when the dog made a quick maneuver to push the ball closer.
“Oh fine. Here you go.” He picked up the toy and hurled it across the yard.
Wally took off after it, snow flying in his wake.
“Oh man, you’re done for, Mister.” A young boy with blond spiky hair hopped off the railing. “He’ll not leave you alone now. Wally really loves to play ball.” He tucked his gloved hands under the arms of his down coat. “You must be the sign maker? I was told to keep an eye out for you. Ethan’s practicing. He said if you show up that I’m to invite you inside for something warm to drink.”
Daniel almost reached over to pat the boy’s head but feared being impaled by one of those points poking from his head. “Appreciate the offer, but I’m on a time constraint. I’ll just take the measurements I need, then be on my way. Tell Mr. Ethan he doesn’t need to trouble himself coming out if he’s busy.”
“Sure, I’ll tell him. But Haley likes to feed people. Not sure you’ll get away from here without her trying to make you something to eat.”
Wally returned with his ball looking like an over-sized snowball as the white stuff clung to his fur. He dropped the ball, shook off the snow, then sat and waited for it to be thrown again.
The boy picked it up. “Told you. I’ll entertain him while you get your work done.”
Daniel headed to the fence line with his clipboard and measurement gear. He used the wheel to gather the distance across, then his tape to take down width and height for the supports. They’d decided on a sign that hung across the driveway. The one for the lodge entrance would be the more difficult of the two since it would need to offer room for trucks and RVs to pass under.
He was about halfway through his measuring when the boy appeared again. “Haley said you better stop in before you leave or she’ll, um, hunt you down like a coon dog, or something like that. Anyway, she has something to give you, so I’d do what she says, Mister. I’ve seen enough to know she means what she says.” He rolled his eyes with a shake of his head.
“My name’s Daniel McAlister,” Daniel introduced himself. He didn’t care to be called Mister by anyone.
The boy extended his gloved hand this time. “Alex Haven. Pleased to meet you, Mr. McAlister.”
Daniel shook his hand, finding the boy quite mature for his size. At least he seemed to have some manners. He returned to his work, but the kid didn’t leave. Climbing onto the fence, he watched with mild curiosity as Daniel worked out the numbers in his mind.
Finally, Alex asked, “How long you been in the sign business, Mr. McAlister?”
Daniel cast him a humorous glance. The boy probably had nobody to play with. Well, he wasn’t here to entertain anyone’s kid. “A while.”
Alex gave another nod. He must have figured out Daniel wasn’t the friendly, talkative type. In one swift move, he was standing on the fence railing like a tightrope walker. The sheepdog was back, following his movement with a low whine. As if warning him to be careful. He kicked off a bit of snow with his boot and wobbled dangerously for a moment.
“Did you see that, boy?” Alex boasted.
Wally barked.
Daniel tucked the measuring tape into his hip pocket. “I think he’s trying to tell you that you’re going to fall if you don’t get down.”
Alex waved a gloved hand. “I have great balance. I used to run along the jungle trees with the native boys when we lived in Brazil for a year.”
Was he serious? Daniel collected his gear but didn’t head for his truck. “You lived in Brazil? Whereabouts?” Not that he’d know any places, but if the boy stumbled with names, he’d know if his leg was being pulled.
Alex gave the name of some place in language Daniel didn’t understand. “Dad’s work took him all over. We even lived on a medical ship in Africa for two years. The Mercy Ship. My favorite place was Odisha. There were these super old temples there. Lots of little tribes where we did our work. You know, spreading the gospel and trying to build new churches.”
Okay, so the boy wasn’t pulling his leg. Daniel was impressed. “You’ve had an interesting short life, haven’t you? What are you? About ten, or—”
“I’ll be thirteen this summer.” He spun around on the rail. His boot shot out from beneath him and he tumbled down into the ditch.
“Oh no!” Daniel dropped his gear and raced around the fence, hoping the boy wasn’t severely injured. The dog squeezed through the railings and reached him first, licking his face until Alex pushed him away. “I’m fine Walls. Get off me.”
“Easy there,” Daniel said, now at his side. “Let me help you up. Take it slow in case you hurt something.”
“Just my pride, Mr. McAlister. That’s what I get for bragging.” He stood but winced when he put weight on his left foot. “Great. Now Mom will know I was messing around.”
Daniel had to chuckle. “Is your mother inside?”
He nodded.
“Fine, let’s get you in where she can take a look at it. Anything else hurting?”
Alex shook his head as he limped out of the ditch. They slowly made their way to the front steps about the time Ethan Winters came out wearing a parka and boots. “Good, I hoped you hadn’t left. Oh hey, what happened? You all right there, Alex-buddy?”
Daniel didn’t want to rat on the boy, so he left the explaining to him. When he told what he’d been doing, Ethan merely shook his head and helped him inside. “Live and learn, right? That’s what you said earlier when Haley burned her finger touching the pot without an oven mint.”
“Yes, sir. I think I landed wrong on my foot. But I don’t think it’s broken.”
“I bet you’re right,” Ethan motioned Daniel to follow them inside. “You wouldn’t be able to walk on it if it was broken. Come on over to the couch. Let’s get that wet coat off first.” He helped the boy remove his jacket and hung it on a peg beside the door.
Daniel immediately took off his slushy boots, now caked with mud from running into the ditch. His socks were damp and sent a chill up his legs despite the warm interior of the fine home. He also hung his coat, not wanting to drip on the polished wood floor.
Ethan seemed used to these kinds of incidents. He removed the boy’s socks and examined the ankle. “It’s swelling. I’ll go get some ice.” As he headed through a double-doored partition dividing the sitting room from a garden dining room, he called out. “Haley, have you seen Sara? Her boy had a tumble outside.”
Sara?
Daniel gave a start as if he’d been doused with a bucket of snow. Then he shook his head, knowing it couldn’t be the Sara Fletcher he was buddies with back in his school days. She’d moved far away, last he’d heard from Pop who kept a direct line to the town’s rumor mill. Jerry, her brother still live in town, working as a lawyer. Sometimes Daniel did a little side work for ol’ Fletcher. 
Searching his memories, he recalled that his Sara had married some kind of… oh man. She’d married a missionary.
Daniel’s eyes slowly closed.
“You all right there, Mr. McAlister? You look like you might get sick.” The boy’s face pinched with worry. He had that same line between his brows he remembered Sara-para having.
Oh, no way.
Grabbing his coat off the hook, he shoved his right arm into the sleeve as Ethan returned with an ice pack.
“Hey, don’t go yet, Daniel. I have those tickets for Paul that I promised to send over with you. And we—”
“Not feeling—” Daniel started.
Then he heard from the top of the staircase, “Alex? What happened baby?” Footfalls padded downward.
“I have to go.” He shoved his other arm into the jacket and found it was upside down.
Ethan called up, “Don’t panic. It’s most likely a sprain.” His gaze met the boy’s worried frown, “We don’t want her getting unnecessarily worked up.”
Alex nodded. “Yeah, especially after yesterday. Please tell her I’m fine.”
Ethan patted the boy’s spiky head. Daniel wrestled with the jacket to get it turned around right side up, but then couldn’t find where he’d kicked off his boots.
“Tell me what happened,” the woman raced into the living area as Ethan was setting the ice pack on the boy’s ankle. She grabbed his face, examining him for other injuries.
Daniel froze for a moment. She was even more beautiful now than the last time he’d seen her. His breath caught and he was stuck like a deer in bright headlights.
“What were you doing?” she chastised while bending over the back of the couch to examine his ankle. Ethan kept repeating that he thought it was just a sprain. “He walked up here on it, with a bit of help.”
Sara clasped her hands over her pale face. “What if you’d been out there alone—”
“Mom, don’t do that,” Alex warned. “We’re not supposed to do what ifs, remember? Besides, Mr. McAlister was out there with me.”
There they were, in the corner by the closet! Daniel grabbed the dripping boots, checking that he had the right one this time and shoved his foot inside. There was a sloshing sound. He might as well have walked outside barefooted for all the good it would have done him. But he didn’t care at the moment. All he wanted was to get out of there before she actually recognized him.
“Danny-boy?”
His shoulders slumped. Too late. Grabbing the door handle he gave it a sharp turn and yanked it open. “I have to go. Running late.”
“Wait. Daniel? Is that…? Oh, it is.” A smile lit up her previously worried face. He didn’t want, or need, her smile.
With a curt nod he said, “Ethan, I’ll come back later. Sorry for leaving so quickly, but something’s come up.”
“Wait,” Sara called, moving toward him.
He didn’t want her anywhere near him. “Sara. Hope you enjoy your visit.” If it was more, he didn’t want to know that, either. Not after all she’d put him through. The door banged closed behind him. Frigid temperatures slammed him like a wet rag. He’d not even bothered to button up his jacket or tighten the laces on his shoes. He rushed off the steps and toward his truck as if a mad dog were chasing him down.
He’d be crazy to stay and get sucked into her vortex of… of… deception. That’s what it was. To lead a fella on, making him think you wanted one thing, then you go for the complete opposite of what you claimed you wanted.
That man she married had none of the qualifications her list required!
Well no, thank you.
He’d not be suckered again.
Pop would have to come and get his own tickets.