Chapter 24
The fireweed was blooming all the way to the top — Dace liked that saying, meaning fall was here. Labor Day saw the beginning of the end of tourism season and Dace’s office work seemed to slow down to a more manageable pace.
Naomi showed back up one day, and resumed a life at the clinic. She didn’t talk about where she’d been for two weeks. Dace was just glad to see her. Somewhere along the line these women had become friends, not just people she needed to take care of. And she particularly liked Naomi. A fierce woman. Dace wanted to be fierce.
When the tall, older man walked into the office on the Thursday after Labor Day, Dace couldn’t quite place him.
“Lanky around?” he asked.
She recognized his voice — he’d been in uniform the last time she’d seen him. Now he was wearin
