“We have that in common.”

“I heard as much. Violet is a big fan of Andrew, and he told her that you’re the one who taught him how to stand up for himself.”

“A lesson I learned the hard way at that age,” Gabe admitted. “In fact...” He glanced toward the back of the bar where several guys from Angi’s old group of friends surrounded one of the bar’s large pool tables. “There were a few little jack holes in this town when I was younger and came to visit my grandmother. Seems like it’s nothing new around here.”

“Unfortunately, yeah. I appreciate what Andrew did, and I’m sorry he got in trouble for it. I put a call in to the principal to report what Violet told me. I know a lot of kid problems go unnoticed, especially when bullies are sneaky little jerks.”

“Jerks,” Gabe echoed. “That might be an improvement over jack holes. Not that this makes the behavior okay, but I guess the main culprit’s father has left town and they don’t know whether he’s coming back. Went on a business trip and hasn’t returned.”

“That sucks for the kid,” Gray said, “but it’s not an excuse. Either way, thanks for your part in making both the women in my house a lot happier than they would have been otherwise. That makes me happy.”

Gabe tipped his beer toward Gray and they both drank. He liked the firefighter. He exuded a natural confidence, like he’d always been sure of who he was and where he fit in the world. Gabe envied that ease and wondered if he’d ever achieve it for himself.

“Do me a favor in return,” he told Gray. “Chances are good that I’m going to be heading out of Magnolia myself after the holidays. With my grandmother gone, there’s nothing keeping me here.”

Gray arched a thick brow but didn’t argue.

“Keep an eye on Andrew, would you?” Gabe’s chest tightened as he thought of the boy. “He needs all the support he can get and deserves a decent man to be a part of his life.”

“Aren’t you that man?”

“Not when I won’t be here.”

“You don’t like running the shop?”

“I was taking care of things for my grandma. I haven’t talked to the attorney yet, but now that she’s gone, I imagine my mom is going to inherit In Bloom. She and I don’t mix.”

“Got it. The fire department has an opening,” Gray said, and gestured to a group of men and women at the back of the bar. “The reason I’m here on a weeknight is because our captain is retiring. They’re promoting me, so I’m going to be the one doing the hiring. There’s training and a long list of requirements, but if you change your mind about heading out of town, give me a call.”

“Thanks,” Gabe said, the thought of staying like a shiny gold object just out of reach. “But I doubt that’s going to happen.” And he wasn’t about to admit how much he wanted it to.