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Enter Roht have his sights set on a big job beyond Butterfly Harbor, he’s going to do the job he was hired to do Even if it is the one Frankie’s been ai for ever since she was a kid These two are combustible from the second they breathe the sahs, too, courtesy of the seniors’ Cocoon Club

There’s so readers, welcome back To the new folk, I hope you enjoy your ti your way

Anna J

CHAPTER ONE

“I’M SORRY, FRANKIE But you didn’t get the job”

In the days that would follow, the fact that Fire Chief Bud Granger struck Francesca Bettencourt speechless—a feat long considered impossible—would be the talk of the town Whispers would turn to end of Frankie Bettencourt that had been building in Butterfly Harbor for the past three decades Of course, years down the road, Frankie would argue it was her stellar control of temper that was the real accomplishment of the day That’s what happened, Frankie supposed as she considered sinking into the familiar worn leather hardback chair across the desk from her boss, when one was blindsided

Her knees shook Her fists clenched Inside, deep inside where her dreams had waited sheltered, nurtured and protected, she cracked But she didn’t crumble Instead, Frankie did what she always did in the face of adversity: she stood

She cleared her throat, knowing her speak-first, think-laterelse Noas not the time to lose her cool

“Frankie?” Bud shifted in the squeaky office chair behind the old, scarred desk and winced ever so slightly “You did hear ht?”

“Mh nuinary loose bit of hair behind her ear and scrunched her toes in her ork boots When the tightness in her throat eased and she felt she could speak without spitting fire, she cleared her throat again and clasped her hands behind her back “May I inquire as to whom the town council has promoted to the position?”

Bud’s wince beca in the wrinkles of age and experience The chair creaked under his significant weight as his fingers tapped the file folder on the side of his desk “Frankie—”

“I’d like to know Sir” Frankie loathed the tren of weakness that slipped past her control But she loathed the pity she saw on Bud’s round face most of all