“What happened, East?” Maggie’s eyes darted between us.
I crouched beside her chair, meeting her gaze head-on. “Lila’s house caught fire tonight. She’s fine, but the mudroom and the back porch are a loss. Wade suspects it was deliberate, but he’ll know more in the morning.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” Maggie’s hand reached for Lila’s. “I am so sorry. But you’re safe. That’s what matters. Things can always be replaced.”
Lila swallowed hard, fighting fresh tears. “I didn’t want to intrude?—”
“Nonsense,” Maggie cut her off. “This is where you belong. No arguing.” I saw Lila’s shoulders sag with relief she didn’t want to admit. Maybe she’d thought Maggie would turn her away, but that was never an option. “You’re always welcome here.”
Chloe was already moving into nurse mode, checking Lila over with sharp eyes. “Any burns? Smoke inhalation? You should let me listen to your lungs. Did the paramedics check you out?”
Lila tried to wave her off and even assured her that the paramedics had checked her out, but Chloe was relentless until Maggie shooed her away with a loving, “Let the poor girl breathe, Lo.”
She tugged Lila toward the couch, fussing with a blanket and tucking it around her. “You’ll stay in the guest room. It has a view of the orchard. You’ll love it.”
“Thanks,” Lila murmured. Her fingers toyed with the edge of my jacket, which was still wrapped around her. I didn’t bother to tell Chloe that she could put Lila in the guest room if she wanted, but I’d be joining her there. “Really. I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”
“You’d do the same for us,” Maggie said firmly.
The truth was, she already had. Lila kept this town supplied with sugar and caffeine and still nurtured the kind of community her Grams had built decades ago. People didn’t realize how much that mattered until it was gone. I knew I missed out on the sense of belonging I’d found here. The realization that even when I thought I wasn’t accepted, Wildwood Meadows was still home. Now that I was grown and had some years behind me, I understood that my past might have clouded my view. Small towns loved their gossip, and perhaps they discussed my siblings and me —and how the Holts took us in —but that didn’t mean it was malicious. It was hard for me as a kid because I had wanted to disappear. I’d wanted to be normal. Froma normal family. But that hadn’t been the case, and I needed to accept that the past was just another chapter in my story.
I leaned against the wall, watching her sink into the couch, pale but safe. The chaos of the fire still clawed at me, but seeing her here, surrounded by my family, eased something I hadn’t realized was wound so tight.
“Do you need anything from your place?” Chloe asked.
Lila shook her head. “I’m not sure there’s anything left.” She sniffled. “I didn’t have time to grab anything. Sage said she’d bring a change of clothes by tonight.” I didn’t miss the way her voice cracked.
“We’ll go tomorrow,” I said quietly. “See what needs to be done.”
Her eyes flicked to mine, searching, and I held the stare until she nodded. Silence settled for a moment, broken only by the tick of the old clock and the rain against the windows. Maggie’s gaze darted between us, her lips twitching like she was trying not to smile. If I had to guess, Maggie already knew that I had my eye on Lila. She wouldn’t be sorry there was another reason for me to stay.
“You know,” she said, eyes twinkling, “since you’re here, you could give me hints for next month’s book. I could get ahead of Janice. Read ahead, you know.” She gave us all a knowing look.
That earned a watery laugh from Lila. “Not a chance, Maggie.” She gave me a glare. “No hints.”
“Good girl. Got to keep your chin up.” Maggie’s eyes lingered on me, sharp. She didn’t have to say what shewanted me to do. I already knew what my job was. I needed to protect Lila.
And I would with every damn thing I had.
When the house quieted, Chloe led an exhausted Lila upstairs to the guest room.
I sat at the kitchen table long after everyone else had settled, waiting for Sage. My clothes still smelled of smoke, but I couldn’t shake the image of that little blue cottage in flames.
Maybe I hadn’t done relationships in the past, but I would damn well try for her. She was worth it. Forty-five minutes later, a sleepy Sage dropped off a duffel of things for Lila. They were close enough in size. They didn’t always wear the same style, as Sage favored skirts and flowy tops, but she was still practical at heart, having grown up working on the farm. I was sure she’d thought ahead.
“Thanks for bringing these for her. Any news on the fire?” I knew she’d probably hung around a little longer than she should have. Maybe I should be more concerned about her proximity to Lila and Lila’s house now that we know for sure that some asshole is targeting her. Fear gripped me. “You need to be careful, too, Sage. For all we know, whoever this is might know Lila stayed with you. I do think it’s a good idea to stay out at Kipp’s or here.”
“I can take care of myself.” She huffed in annoyance. “But I’ll think about it,” she added when she saw that I was about to say something else. “Everything is here that she might need, and I’ll go open her shop for her in the morning with Mia. I already talked to her about it. We canrun an abbreviated menu. I have someone coming in tomorrow to run Wild Bloom.”
“You’re the best.” The relief I felt I channelled into a hug, squeezing her tight. “I want you to be careful. If you see anyone suspicious, you call Wade. Promise.” She rolled her eyes.
“I promise, big bro. I’ll even drive tomorrow.” She turned to go, then stopped, her hand resting on the doorjamb. “Wade says that someone is coming tomorrow from his friend’s company. He sent you a text. Apparently, he’s calling in the cavalry now. Rhodes can’t come himself, but he’s sending someone.” Sage gave me another hard look. “By the way, if you hurt my bestie.” She drew a line across her throat. “Dead meat.”
“I got it. Loud and clear.”
“Good.” She gave me a cheery wave, then headed to her car, giving me a little heart symbol once she got there.
Watching her for a few minutes, I thought about the events that had led up to tonight, the person who’d been in Lila’s house, the fire. I wasn’t sure what that meant. If someone were trying to kill her, what were they trying to gain? I kept coming back to her ex. Could their relationship have been that bad?
