Venturing over, the waitress took their breakfast order.
“Unless there’s a major incident, you’ll keep regular office hours.” While they ate, Tom passed along a few tips for surviving and thriving in Truelove. “You can leave the weekend duty to the less senior officers. But, of course, a police chief is always on call if needed.”
He pushed away his now-empty plate. “I’m hoping to have more time with the boys. To build a solid relationship with them.”
Tom laid down his fork. “How long have you been their guardian?”
A sharp pinch of grief assailed him. “Since my brother and his wife died four months ago. I never expected to be their guardian. With Mom getting on in years and my sister expecting her third child, everyone agreed it was best.” He sighed. “I never reckoned on marriage or a family of my own, though.”
Tom’s brows bunched. “Why’s that?”
His shoulders rose and fell. “Relationships are hard enough. With the unique hazards in our line of work, relationships have proved impossible for me. Or, at least, healthy relationships.”
Tom gazed at him over the rim of his mug. “Sounds like there’s a story there.”
“Not a pleasant one.” His lips twisted. “Experience can be a bitter teacher.”
“You probably just haven’t found the right woman yet. And even then, it takes work, for sure. It’s not easy, but no matter the job, nothing worthwhile ever is. Marriage and family are some of life’s greatest joys.”
He kept further opinions on the matter to himself. His former, uncertain lifestyle hadn’t lent itself to developing viable relationships. For the foreseeable future, casual dating was out for him, too.
Bridger had no intention of allowing the twins to get attached to a woman, only to lose her when the relationship inevitably turned sour. They’d already suffered far too much loss in their young lives.
He could no longer be away for weeks on end as an undercover cop. Once he assumed guardianship, he’d been determined to do everything in his power to minimize the risks his chosen profession imposed. After losing their parents so unexpectedly, Austin and Logan needed stability and love.
Bringing him to Truelove. A chance for him and the boys to make a good life together. Even if it meant major life changes and moving halfway across the state. Yet without his mother’s willingness to relocate and look after the twins when he was on duty, he could’ve never made the move.
Silver-haired Tom eased out of the booth. “I’d best be off. Don’t want to make you late.” He snagged the bill off the table.
“Wait, sir. Let me—”
“Next time, it’s on you.” Tom clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Welcome to Truelove, Chief Hollingsworth. It’s your town now, but I’m here if you ever find yourself needing an old man’s advice.”
Bridger lingered for a few moments. Sipping his coffee, he enjoyed the view out the plate glass window overlooking Main Street.
On the horizon, wave upon wave of undulating blue-green ridges enfolded the charming town like the worn but comforting arms of a beloved grandmother. The Appalachians were old mountains. The mountains defined the citizens of Truelove. As did the gushing river, forming a horseshoe around the town limits.
A slower pace of life. The simplicity and goodness of small things. Parenting the twins and becoming police chief were a responsibility and privilege he didn’t take lightly.
“I’m glad I caught you.” An attractive young woman in sneakers, black capri leggings and a bright pink workout top threw herself into the seat across from him. “We didn’t get a chance to talk before you left this morning.”
Startled, he jolted. Coffee dribbled down the sides of the mug in his hand.
“Oh!” Her large dark brown eyes widened. “You’re not—I saw the sleeve of your uniform and thought—” She blushed. “I keep forgetting Dad’s gone civilian.”
His insides did a nosedive. Her. It was her.
When her gaze had caught his yesterday on the sidewalk at church, his heart had sped up. Which made no sense. Completely irrational. And yet...
“You’re Maggie Arledge?”
She nodded, setting her dark brown ponytail in motion. “Sorry about that.” She gestured toward the puddle of coffee.
“No problem.”
Their brief encounter yesterday had disconcerted him. To a guy like him, who prized order and reason above all else, it was disturbing. He’d done his best to put her out of his mind. A semisuccessful effort. Until now...
“I—I just didn’t hear you coming.” He raked his hand over his head. “I usually don’t have my back to the door.”
“But let me guess.” Yanking several napkins from the canister, she mopped the table. “Dad automatically took this seat first.”
“Old habits die hard.”
“I’m also sorry about rushing away yesterday.” Flushing, she bit her lip. “It’s nice to officially meet you, Chief Bridger.”
She took a big breath as if gathering her courage. Extending her hand across the table, she gave him a tremulous smile. And in that split second, she went from attractive to very pretty.
When his hand closed over hers, a bolt of electricity shot up his elbow. Blinking, she drew back.
She’d felt that, too. Static electricity maybe?
He dropped his hand into his lap. “Just Bridger.” He rubbed his hand against his uniform slacks. “It’s nice to officially meet you, too, Maggie.”
Uncertainty flickered across her face. “I—I should go.” She propelled herself out of the booth.
What was it with the sudden exits?
Grabbing his hat, he scrambled out after her. “Wait.”
Poised beside the booth to flee, she stood about five foot six to his six-foot height.
He strangled the brim of his hat. “Um...” He reddened.
Athletic and fit, she looked at him, eyebrow raised.
Yet other than the irrational impulse to halt her precipitous leave-taking, he didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t like him to get flustered over a woman. Undercover work required a cool head and, oftentimes, a glib tongue.
She inclined her head, sending her ponytail waving. “Yes, Mr. Bridger?”
He frowned. Was there an unspoken mountain rule about the casual use of given names?
“It’s
