Attraction? Roman blew out a breath. That was the understatement of the century.
Which meant he had to focus on the job. Thankfully, she seemed to be on the same page, and the two of them had slipped into something he considered companionable friendship. They still argued, especially over him wanting to change the way some calls were handled, but he found himself actually welcoming those times. There was little he found more appealing than Frankie in debate mode.
It made him wonder if his time in Butterfly Harbor shouldn’t be extended.
And that thought had sobered him instantly.
Now that the holiday season had officially begun, it was only a matter of time before he needed to make some decisions regarding his potential employment with the federal fire investigative task force. Things were going pretty well here. He was content. Not necessarily happy, but...content. He could feel himself settling, and settled was not compatible with the future he had mapped out for himself, the promises he’d made both to himself and to his father. Not that there was any hiring going on this time of year. He had a few weeks to think on it some more, but in the meantime, he could address a few issues right here in Butterfly Harbor.
The first weekend in December, he’d organized a group to head out to where he and Frankie had rescued Parker and his grandfather, and they made quick work of cutting back the shrubs and limbs. Until actual funds for a railing could be obtained, they used crime-scene tape to denote areas of danger. He’d been impressed, although he shouldn’t have been given the tight-knit community, at how many people, men, women, even kids had turned up to help. He planned on doing the same with other town projects once a month for the foreseeable future. The calls tapered off and after a few more battles with Frankie over the Cocoon Club and their odd requests, he let her roll with them. For now.
But how he appreciated the down days.
With Frankie occupied with Jasper, Roman grabbed a crowbar and headed outside and across the street to the long-empty house that had been calling to him since he’d first arrived in town. It took more effort than expected to kick through the dead brush and weeds, but he soon had the boards blocking the front door popping off and dropping to the ground.
The doorknob was rusted and creaked when he turned it. It was as if the door had forgotten how to operate, and it took Roman actually shoving it open to be able to step inside. He stood there, hand wrapped around the door frame, the wood rough against his fingers.
The spacious room that greeted him was covered in sturdy knotted floorboards and accented with a large brick fireplace along the far wall. The smattering of windows were still boarded up, but there was enough light from the open door and the slats in the wood for him to get the layout of the place. It was definitely in need of some TLC. The first bedroom was small but comfortable and had its own pass-through to a bathroom. He found a larger master suite at the end of the hall and an enormous bonus room—space that could easily be broken up to allow for a small office. Lots of windows. Lots of natural light. He looked up, considered skylights or maybe solar panels. His mind started ringing like a cash register. Boy, it would cost. But it could be worth it.
The floor creaked under his feet, but as he prowled the house, he found himself falling in serious like with the place. There was a lot of potential here. It would take a ton of work. More than he’d expected, but yeah. He stood at the sliding glass doors looking out at what at one time must have been a lovely view of the more rustic, forested areas of town. What had the plans been for this place? he wondered.
“What are you doing in here?”
He’d gotten used to Frankie popping up at unexpected times. “Did we get a call?”
“No.” Her arms were folded across her chest, and she was holding herself so still she looked as if she’d turned to stone. “I was getting some fresh air and saw the door was open.”
“Been wanting to look at this place since I got here. It’s got great bones.”
She didn’t respond, and as she drew her gaze around the room, he swore he saw a shimmer of tears in her eyes.
“Is there something wrong?” Had he stepped in it again?
“I just, I haven’t been in here in a really long time. Do you mind if we—” She gestured to the front of the house before she spun around and left.
He found her outside, rocking back and forth on her heels. “What is it, Frankie?”
“It’s nothing. Stupid, really.” She swiped a quick hand over her cheeks. “All these years you’d think it wouldn’t matter. This was my dad’s dream project. The Chief’s House, he called it.” Her lips trembled as she forced them into a smile. “He was always going to get to it next week, next month. Then there weren’t any of either left. Monty and I have never known what to do with or about it. Can’t bring ourselves to sell it, not that anyone would buy it. He used to tease me and Monty that it would be his escape from us because we were such terrors.”