Her mother glanced around and smiled at the passersby. Then she lowered her voice. “Hannah, it’s not like that.”

“Then how is it? Because I want to know. I can barely bring myself to walk into the fire department since Dad died. If it wasn’t for that place, he’d still be alive.”

Her mother’s mouth gaped. It took her a moment to gather herself. “I had no idea that’s how you felt. Why didn’t you talk to me?”

“I…I knew you had enough to deal with.”

“Is this why Ethan left?” Her mother stared at her as though she could automatically tell if Hannah was speaking the truth or not, just like when she was a child.

Hannah glanced away and shrugged.

“Let’s have some coffee,” her mother said.

Hannah walked with her mother into the café. With it being mid-morning, not many people were inside. They found a booth and ordered two cups of coffee.

“Hannah, you can’t blame the fire department for what happened to your father.”

“Why not? If he wasn’t a firefighter, he’d still be alive.” The pain and anger came rushing forth, surprising Hannah.

“No matter the danger, your father would have saved those horses. He took care of others, even if it meant risking his own safety.” Her mother reached out, placing her hand over Hannah’s. “Your father loved us, but he was driven to help others. It’s who he was.”

For a few moments, they quietly drank their coffee while Hannah digested this information. Her mother seemed to make peace with the whole situation. Maybe it was time that she did. But she still had another question for her mother.

“Doesn’t it worry you to get involved with another firefighter?”

Her mother blushed again. “We aren’t involved. We’re friends.”

“I saw the way you smiled at him. You only ever smiled like that at Dad.”

Concern reflected in her mother’s eyes. “Are you upset with me for moving on with my life? I need to know.”

“Surprisingly, no. I want you to be happy…even if it’s another firefighter.”

Her mother reached out and gave her hand a quick squeeze. “Hannah, you need to let go of the what-ifs. They’ll drive you crazy if you let them. I know. I had to accept that it was your father’s time to go. As much as I wanted him to stay with us, it wasn’t the plan. He loved you and your brother and sister with all of his heart. You couldn’t have asked for a better father. I will always love him. But your father wouldn’t want this for you.”

“Want what?”

“I saw you with Ethan. There was something special between the two of you. If you’re pushing him away because he’s a firefighter like your father, please don’t.”

“It’s more than that.” Hannah drank some more coffee. “His life is in New York. Not here.”

“Did you ask him to stay?”

Hannah glanced down at her coffee cup.

“Hannah…”

“No. I didn’t.”

Her mother finished her coffee. “You should consider calling him. I’m sure he’d be happy to hear from you.” She checked the time. “I have to go. We can talk more later if you want.”