My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren Read Free Book Online Page A

blonde at the coffee stand to know his regular brew, like she did with every other person in line. He pictured his own mug on the shelf at the donut shop, where this morning he’d purchased a raspberry-filled bismark from the petite, doe-eyed brunette. He’d stopped for a long moment and just read the fifty or so cups on the rack, their first initial and last name demarking the owner’s place in the community.
    Coach K. That’s what his label would read. He’d rise early every day, slide into an orange molded booth with a fresh donut, a hot cup of black coffee, and raise a greeting to the mayor or the hotel owner from across the street or the booth of local contractors. “Hello, Coach,” they’d say without a trace of pity.
    After Caleb grabbed a napkin from the stand, he ventured through the crowd with his fish burger until he found a place in the middle of Moose Park, below the stage. A long-haired guitarist picked out some bluesy tune, as behind him what looked like locals in their T-shirts, jeans, and Birkenstocks jammed to his beat. A few courageous souls danced on the cobblestones of the park. Caleb moved out of their way.
    The rain seemed to have cleansed the clouds from the sky—only the clear blue remained. The town rose on a hill behind the harbor with unpretentious houses amid the lush backfill of white pine and cedar trees. He raised his face to the heat of the sun.
    â€œHey—if it isn’t the new coach.”
    He turned. “Chief . . . uh . . .”
    â€œDan Matthews. Enjoying the fish burger?”
    â€œI’ve never had a fish burger before. They’re . . .”
    â€œFabulous. We only get them twice a year—Fish Pic and Labor Day.” Dan patted his belly. “I’ve had three already. But don’t tell my wife—she’ll have me eating low carb for a month.”
    Caleb grinned. “Your secret’s safe with me. So how’s the family from the accident?”
    â€œI checked in with them this morning—the wife delivered a healthy baby girl by C-section but had to be airlifted to Minneapolis Medical Center’s burn unit. The father and his other daughter were released. I’ll check again, but I think everyone will survive, thanks to you.”
    â€œRight time, right place.”
    â€œAnd quick thinking. I really can’t talk you into volunteering for the fire department? You’d get to take a place in our annual dunking contest.” Dan gestured behind him. Caleb turned just in time to watch a victim splash into the drink at the hands of a little girl, her blonde hair pulled through the back of her blue and white baseball cap.
    â€œWay to go, Wendy!” Dan yelled, and she turned, waved. “She’s my oldest. Has the fastball of a Yankee pitcher.”
    A woman, her light brown hair in a matching ponytail, high-fived the girl. “And that’s my wife, Ellie. She’s the manager of our EMS department, and I promise, you don’t want me to sic her on you. An able-bodied man fresh to our community? Turn yourself in under your own volition is my advice.”
    Able-bodied. And so far, even in daylight, the pastor hadn’t given a second glance to Caleb’s shaven head under his baseball cap or the puckered skin on his hand, the one holding the fish burger. “I think I’ll be pretty busy with football practice, but we’ll see.”
    Ellie waved her husband over and Dan made a face. “Busted. I think it’s my turn in the tank.” He clamped Caleb on the shoulder. Thankfully, Caleb no longer had to wince. “Swing by anytime or even come up to the church. We’d be glad to see you.”
    Caleb took the proffered hand and returned an I’ll-do-that smile.
    His first friend in Deep Haven, a pastor. Yes, this place felt right.
    Finishing off the fish burger, Caleb made the rounds through the assembly of artisans who had set