“Did the adjuster tell you anything useful?”
“You think he’d be more helpful. If I hand over my report as-is, they have to pay out the claim. In my experience, those guys try everything they can to pay as little as possible.”
“You don’t think Henry Davenport did this, do you?”
Chase stabbed a strip of steak with his fork, chewing slowly as he mulled that over. He didn’t know the man well, but Henry was a community-involved citizen. Always donated his time to help with setup and teardown of the summer festivals. Hung with the coffee-drinking crowd who still preferred the Moosecakes diner to Black Bear Coffee. Attended church on Sundays. “No, I really don’t think Henry did this.”
“He couldn’t have set the fire anyway, right? If his story holds true.” Laurel moaned softly at the next bite of steak, temporarily raising Chase’s ego. “I’ve been to five-star restaurants that can’t grill a steak like you can.”
“Guess I’ve still gotsomeskills.”
They shared a dangerously flirtatious gaze across the breakfast bar. One that begged Chase to shove away the contents between them and kiss Laurel until they were both oxygen-deprived. And maybe even a few seconds more.
Laurel was the first to look away, slipping a piece of steak to Zeus. “Do you believe him? Henry?”
“You think he’s lying.”
Laurel shrugged. “Seems convenient he was out on that property at just the right time, considering they live down the street from my parents. Can you hunt anything this time of year?”
“Just small game. Pheasants, ptarmigan, that sort of thing.”
“I still think it’s wrong that you canhuntour state bird.” She shook her head, reaching for her half-empty wine glass. If she had another, Chase would insist on driving her home. Maybe he would regardless, because he hadn’t spotted her car in the driveway. No way he was letting her walk across town alone.
“Henry didn’t say anything about hunting,” Chase said, thinking back to the very generic statement he provided the police. “He has a right to be on his property, even if there isn’t another house or anything on it. Some people go for drives to think or watch the sunset.”
“Which is why no one else is questioning it like you are.” She carried her empty plate to the sink and rinsed it off before she opened the dishwasher. “Do you even use this thing?”
“Not really.”
“Why not?”
Chase shrugged. “Don’t dirty many dishes. You were the one who wanted the dishwasher, remember?”
“Because I was the one whowashedall the dishes.”
“Feel free to carry on that tradition tonight,” he teased, and she hit him with the towel she used to wipe her hands. Chase grabbed for her wrists, pinning her against the sink as she playfully struggled to get free. Their laughter caused Zeus to bark enthusiastically, pacing behind them trying to figure out how he could join in on the fun.
Chase couldn’t stop staring at her wine-stained lips, craving her kiss more than ever. They belonged together. She had to feel it, too. “You remember what happened the last time you whapped me with a towel?”
“Whapped?” Laurel repeated, bursting out in a fit of giggles that made Zeus bark louder. “You saidwhapped.”
“And someone is officially tipsy.”
“Not even close.” She pushed at his chest with her palms flat against him. His heart thundered in his ears. How many nights had he dreamed of being this close to his wife again? With the way her eyes darkened a shade, she might let him kiss her. And he wanted to kiss her.Badly.
The echo of the doorbell made Chase want to curse, but he held his tongue. Of all the moments for an interruption, this was the worst. “I can ignore it,” he said to Laurel, dropping his gaze to her lips without an ounce of discretion.
“You—you should answer it.” Her words were nearly panted, as if they’d been making out instead ofalmostgetting to the good part. “I need to use the restroom.”
“Use the one upstairs,” Chase said, reluctantly pushing back from the sink and letting Laurel free. “Just trust me on that.”
As Laurel hurried up the stairs, Chase went to answer the door. But not before the doorbell abuser got in a series of rings. If it was one of his buddies, he might slug them for the untimely interruption.
“Ava.”
“You should try answering your phone.”
Chase frowned, certain he had only missed the one call from her earlier today. Maybe she’d tried again when he was focused on Laurel’s very kissable lips. But certainly, it wasn’t enough to warrant an in-person visit. “You didn’t even leave a voicemail. Is there an emergency?”
