Crazy for You Read online

  Praise for Crazy for You

  With authentic local flavor, swoon-worthy hometown heroes, and gorgeous scenery, Michelle Sass Aleckson has crafted a heartfelt return to Deep Haven, Minnesota. This latest installment in the Deep Haven series will surely delight Susan May Warren fans and those who love sweet romances.

  Gabrielle Meyer, author of Snowed In for Christmas

  Michelle Sass Aleckson has created an engaging story with characters who keep you turning the page and a setting readers have come to love. Crazy for You will leave romance fans with a warm glow of happily ever after.

  Toni Shiloh, author of An Unlikely Proposal

  Crazy for You

  A Deep Haven Novel

  Susan May Warren

  Michelle Sass Aleckson

  A Note from Susie May

  You want to write about a fireman in Deep Haven? Yes, please!

  This was my response to Michelle Sass Aleckson’s proposal for her first book in our Deep Haven collection. And, you want to make him a local, and related to nearly everyone in town? Oh, double yes!

  And, oh by the way, what if it’s a Hatfield and McCoy feud set in a small town?

  Ding, ding, ding! This book rang all the winner bells for me from the first pitch.

  And then I read the book… She blew me away. To say that I love this story doesn’t do justice to the amount of exclamation points I’d like to add! I fell in love with Peter Dahlquist from the first page—and to pair him with a fiery Latina EMT who moves to Deep Haven is perfect. She’s exactly what calm and steady fire chief Peter needs to ignite a fire in his heart.

  Add to that the tension between the two warring families—the Dahlquists and the Zimmermans—who have definite ideas about how Peter should vote in an upcoming town meeting, and you have the makings for a hilarious yet poignant story about being caught in the middle between people you love.

  As for Ronnie Morales, she’s got a big heart and isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in, starting with her kid brother. They’re hoping to make Deep Haven their permanent home. But is small-town life right for this big-city girl?

  You will love this country mouse versus city mouse story about finding your place in a small town.

  And, did I mention it has a fireman?

  All I’m going to say is…enjoy. And thank you for reading!

  * * *

  XOXO,

  * * *

  Susie May

  To Jesse, who has always been my biggest fan and constant encourager from the moment I spoke out loud this crazy dream to write.

  * * *

  You have sacrificed, invested, and given so much to make my dream a reality. You are my first dream and my favorite dream come true.

  * * *

  Love you forever and a day.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  Connect With Sunrise

  Other Deep Haven Novels

  Then Came You

  Sneak Peek

  Acknowledgments

  About the Authors

  Chapter 1

  The plan was easy. Bring Oreos, kiss his mother, and skedaddle.

  No need to stick around and get caught in another fight.

  The last thing Peter Dahlquist needed this Memorial Day weekend was another fire to put out. At least, the family relations type. A good old-fashioned barn blaze—he’d be all in.

  He stood on the apex of Zimmerman Mountain and looked out on the land that had been in his family for more than eight generations. Eighty acres, about half of it developed now with log cabin and A-frame Zimmerman homes, all nestled in a valley of birch and pine forest. And sprawling out at the foot of the acreage was the glorious blue of Lake Superior, calm and barely frothy against a pebbled shore.

  For the annual family picnic, all seventy-two of his closest relatives were gathered in the field behind him, in the yard of the family lodge, the first homestead—now remodeled—of Luther and Agnes Zimmerman. The fragrance of fresh cut fescue and other field grasses mixed with the smoke from the usual bonfire. Uncle Martin held camp talking politics in his grizzled voice with the dozens of other uncles and aunts, most of whom Peter didn’t know.

  Okay, he knew them all. But sometimes, he wished he didn’t. Especially when it came to local politics.

  “Uncle Pete, watch out!”

  He turned just as a football shot toward his head. But instead of ducking, he reached out and nabbed it with one hand.

  He still had it.

  His second cousin, once removed, held up his hands and Peter chucked it back to fourteen-year-old Ben. He’d heard the kid was hoping to make the Deep Haven Huskies football team this fall.

  “Wanna play with us?”

  Toss around a ball and avoid getting roped into discussion? Definitely.

  He opened his mouth to say yes when Elton stepped up and dropped a heavy hand on Peter’s shoulder. “Sorry, Ben, I’ve gotta steal Pete to help unload wood for the fire. As soon as we get it going, we’ll eat. Tell the others, son.”

  Great. See, he should’ve made a run for the hills as soon as he was done stacking wood for the fire. And running back to town for more ice. And after the game of hide-and-seek with his younger cousins.

  Okay. Peter just couldn’t find the words to say no.

  Which was, of course, why he was in this mess.

  “No problem,” Peter said as he grabbed the wheelbarrow from Elton and followed his older cousin to the wood pile behind the family lodge, a simple one-room cabin they used for all the family events.

  “So. Pete, you know which way you’re voting, right? We could really use that property.”

  Yep. Ambushed. He knew it was coming.

  If he kept his mouth shut, what were the chances of being struck by lightning? Peter glanced at the wide expanse of clear blue sky stretching over Deep Haven and the glistening sapphire of Lake Superior down the hill. Not a hint of a storm. At least not the kind he could appreciate.

  “I’m still researching all the options.” And a way to bring about a peaceful end to this longstanding family feud. It all started with him. He had to find a way to end it.

  Elton grabbed a small log and faced him. “The Westerman Hotel should be brought back to its former glory. We can do that. We’ve got the Grand Moose Lodge here on the ridge and the Mad Moose Hotel down in town, but the Westerman with all that lakeshore could really help us draw in a different clientele. And it would be great for the community. We can use that big ballroom for weddings and events.” He threw the log in the wheelbarrow. “Besides, we’re family. What other options are there?”

  Peter bent down and pitched a log onto the pile. “You know the other options. Ever since Pierre’s burned down, people have been wanting a pizza place. That could be good for the town too.”

  “People? Oh?” Elton made a face and shook his head. “You mean the Dahlquists. Isn’t it enough that they own half the county? They’ve got four other restaurants.” He threw another log into the wheelbarrow with a violent thunk. “How many more does Deep Haven need?”

  Everyone just needed to calm down. Peter took a breath. “El, if Dahlquists own half of the county, Zimmermans own the other half. You’ve got two other hotels besides the resort and Mad Moose.”

  “
No, you’re just saying that because you’re a Dahlquist.”

  “Hey, I have Zimmerman blood. You know that—”

  “Exactly. So show some loyalty, dude.”

  Peter took a breath. “I am being loyal. But—”

  “But nothin’. Are you a Zimmerman, or aren’t you?” Elton chucked the last wood into the wheelbarrow and stepped up to grab the handles. “Don’t betray the blood, man.”

  He didn’t wait for Peter as he trundled the wheelbarrow away.

  Are you a Zimmerman, or aren’t you?

  The answer should be obvious. Apparently not.

  Now might be the exact time to leave.

  Except, by the time he got back, Grandma Zee and the aunts finally brought out the hot dogs, buns, and store-bought potato salad. Family units clumped together and moved through the line. His cousin Katie, first cousin once removed, handed him her shih tzu while she piled up her plate. She’d inherited the Zimmerman dark hair and tall basketball legs. He followed her to the fire pit where she sat with her husband, who held a babbling toddler.

  “Peter, you don’t mind watching Daisy while I feed the baby, do you? Then Paul can make a plate.”

  Paul Hamlin, of the lesser known Hamlin clan. He’d played football a couple years after Peter.

  “Sure.”

  “She probably needs a trip out to the woods, but be careful. She’s a fraidy-cat and might bolt if she hears any strange noises. And I forgot her leash, so you need to carry her.”

  If it got him out of Elton’s crosshairs, he would watch the spoiled dog all night. There was no way his outspoken cousin was done with the discussion. He’d probably track him down with one of those logs.

  Peter tucked Daisy under his arm, his stomach rumbling. By the time the dog did her business and he got back to the gathering, the food table was as bare as the dusky sky. He watched the teenagers start up their touch football game again. Ben and one of the older kids snuck out into the woods beyond the field.

  Oh, he knew exactly what they were up to. Some things never changed. He’d probably wander over later and make them all put out their cigarettes and warn them about the current level three fire warning.

  But the Zimmerman clan weren’t the troublemakers in town. Well, not usually.

  His mom came up to him, her smile bright. She wore her favorite purple Deep Haven Huskies football sweatshirt with white capris. “Hey, Pete.” She patted his arm and handed him a Rice Krispies bar. “I noticed you didn’t eat.”

  He took the treat. “Thanks.”

  “I also saw you brought Oreos again.”

  “If you want me to show up, you’ll have to be prepared—”

  She held up her hand. “It’s fine.” She smirked. “I’m just glad you showed up. It’s hard to be in enemy camp.”

  “Mom, you’re hardly in enemy camp—”

  “I’m a Dahlquist now. Yes, your father was my first love and I married into the Zimmerman family, but I think they would’ve been happy if I’d stayed married to his memory and never looked at another man. I’m not sure that they ever got over Gary adopting you and giving you his last name when I remarried.”

  “Mom, you’re not the enemy. Grandma wouldn’t insist that you come if you were.”

  “You’re right. And if I miss this, then I miss Grandma Zee’s famous rhubarb cake.” She winked.

  Truth was his mother was his one reason for coming. This was one of the only times he got her to himself while his dad took his two younger brothers camping. Abby, his sister, had opted to stay in the Twin Cities with friends.

  “Cute dog.” She patted its head.

  They found seats near the fire. He had to give it to his great-grandparents—when they built this cabin, they took maximum advantage of the grassy slope and the view. The firepit was in the perfect spot. The outside speaker system of the lodge pumped out country tunes. Bright colors lit the sky as the sun sank lower. If only he could relax and enjoy it like every other year.

  “Dad and the boys make it to the camping site yesterday?”

  “Yup, their annual trip. But they’ll be at the Dahlquist get-together tomorrow evening.” She rubbed her arms. “It’s going to be a cold one tonight. I hope Gary packed his good sleeping bag.”

  “I’m sure they’re fine.”

  “Probably. But it’s a wife’s prerogative to worry. And a mother’s.”

  He saw the concern in her look, but better to pretend he didn’t. He stared into the flames, watching the glowing coals burn, seeing the warm faces of his relatives as they joked and roasted marshmallows for s’mores. He didn’t look at Elton, but he felt a simmer of conversation, as if it buzzed in his blood, just as Elton suggested.

  “Are you doing okay, Peter?”

  “Ma, I’m fine. You know me.”

  “I just want you to be happy.”

  “I am.” Really. He was. He had a great job, great family. So what if, at times, it felt like something was missing?

  Grandpa Zim lumbered over and plopped down next to Mom. “There’s nothing to worry about, Barb. Peter’s a good boy. And he’s going to make the right decision in that vote next week.”

  And here they went again. Back into the crossfire. His mother’s lips curled into a tight smile. The others probably didn’t see the pinch around her mouth as anything significant, but the smile she gave Grandpa was as fake as the artificial sweetener in his pop.

  Elton spoke from across the circle, where he sat on a bench, his mouth full of food. “Yeah, Peter knows what he needs to do.”

  The chatter ceased. And he didn’t count, but nearly everyone, including Grandma Zee, pinned their attention on Peter. The dog squirmed in his lap.

  Uncle Al’s voice boomed from across the pit where he sat in a lawn chair. “Of course, he knows what to do. We’re counting on him. Right, Peter?”

  At any time the Lord could open up those skies and bring that deluge. Or earthquake. Tsunami. He’d even take a tornado. He wasn’t picky.

  Instead his newly engaged cousin Ree—just an ordinary first cousin—and her fiancé, Seth Turnquist, came up from the driveway holding hands. He liked Seth. Big guy. Had saved lives last fall when a town dock collapsed. And Ree had harbored a crush on big Seth for as long as Peter knew her. Now, she glanced at Peter, a twinkle in her eye. She never had any problem mixing it up with the Zimmerman brood. “Come on, guys. Give Peter a break. This is supposed to be a family picnic, not the Deep Haven City Council Meeting.”

  “Thank you, Ree.” At least someone understood the position he was in. Of course, she’d also asked for an exclusive interview for the Deep Haven Herald once he decided, so maybe she was just trying to stay on his good side.

  Daisy picked that moment to rush out of Peter’s lap and inspect the crumbs under the tables. He followed her. Might as well see if there was a lone hot dog bun or something left.

  Vivien Calhoun, third cousin by marriage, joined her best friend Ree at the food table, scooping up the last Oreo in the package. “What’s this vote about?”

  Seth dropped a bulky arm around Ree, pulling her close. “The Westerman Hotel is up for grabs.”

  Vivien brightened. “Oh, I love that old building!”

  Old was right. If Adrian Vassos had purchased the property like Peter had hoped, this wouldn’t be an issue, but as soon as the place was available again suddenly everyone wanted it. And he’d regretted running for city council ever since. He couldn’t go anywhere without one side or the other of the family pushing him to vote their way.

  Worse, the place was a fire trap waiting to blaze over. As fire chief of Deep Haven, all he could see was a potential fire hazard sitting right on the harbor shore, vacant for the local kids to play in, get trapped, and die. Something needed to be done with the place soon. Seb Brewster, their mayor, had already called for a vote—which, of course, Peter had stalemated with a tie.

  Seb expected him to break it at Tuesday’s meeting.

  Change of subject needed now. “Vivien, what
are you doing in town? Are you back from New York for good?”

  She came and sat next to him, petting Daisy while he bit into the burnt hot dog he’d scrounged up. Her wavy brown hair hung down her back, long legs in skinny jeans tucked under her. Her blue eyes gleamed in the firelight. “I am. I’m running a summer theater program.”

  “Where?”

  “Here. In Deep Haven.”

  Uncle Charlie laughed from his lounger nearby. Not really an uncle—his father’s cousin. But every man over fifty was monikered with “uncle.” Uncle Charlie wore his typical Twins cap, a pair of jeans, and a flannel shirt he couldn’t quite button over his girth. He held one of his grandkids on his knee. “Who’s going to do summer theater?”

  Vivien glared at him. “The kids. I started working with a children’s theater back East and loved it. Kids have so much potential and they usually aren’t as self-conscious as adults. Besides, what else are they going to do all summer?” Daisy shuffled over and Vivien pulled the dog onto her lap. “And how about you, Petey? Dating anyone?”

  He stared down Vivie. “No. No time for that around here.”

  Seth smirked as he roasted a marshmallow for Ree, the skin turning a delicious golden brown. “Yeah. That and the fact that you’re related to pretty much everyone in Deep Haven has put a serious damper on your love life, man.”

  Vivien shrugged a slim shoulder and flipped her dark hair. “Then why don’t you move?”

  Move? Moving wasn’t the answer.

  Yeah, this big crazy family drove him nuts, but he loved it here. He loved walking into the Loon Cafe and knowing every person who sat at the counter or in the red-padded booths. He loved his job as fire chief, helping people, fighting fires, running the annual Fire Prevention Week at school. Loved to see the awe in the kindergartners’ faces when he brought the fire trucks to school. He loved the lake, the town, and every festival they hosted. And it was because of his love for Deep Haven that he’d run for city council. He’d wanted to give back and make Deep Haven an even better place.