My clothes are ruined. My throat is raw. I could sleep standing up.
“Is that a good idea?” I croak.
“Yes,” he clips.
“I don’t know.”
A new fear gnaws at me. If I talk to Marnie Evans, how much worse does this get? They tried to kill me tonight. They killed Cade’s Angus. What if they come after Evie?
Maybe I could stay at Kincaid Farms—but then I’m putting them at risk, too.
“What’s there to know?” His voice frays. “You. Are. Not. Safe.”
“What if I put you and yours in harm’s way by being at Blue Rock?” I rasp.
Cade turns, fury sparking. “If you think I’m gonna let you handle this alone, you’ve lost your fuckin’ mind.”
I roll my eyes and look away. I don’t need a macho man right now.
“Hey.” He grips my chin, turning my face so I have to look at him. “You’ll never do anything alone again, Dove.”
I arch a brow. “That sounds a lot like stalking.”
His expression softens; amusement flickers—exactly what I was aiming for.
He brushes his lips against mine. It’s a shock and a relief. I don’t stop him—I don’t know how. I’ve loved Cade my whole adult life. I came back ready to kick his ass if he came near me. But his sincerity, his pain, his promise to carry part of this burden—it undoes me.
Still, survival mode kicks in. “Cut it out,” I snap, then cough.
“Be quiet, Dove, and save your breath,” he says gently, pulling me against his shoulder.
I don’t resist. It’s nice to be held when the world comes apart. I’ll take the comfort tonight. Tomorrow I’ll remind myself I’m alone. My therapist says that’s a crappy way to live. I say it’s the only.
Half an hour later, we’re ushered into the fire chief’s office. Hugh is already there.
The chief, Archie Marnhardt, has a facecarved by smoke and sun. His shirt is streaked with soot. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
I shake my head at the same time Cade says, “Hot tea. Her throat’s killing her.”
Geez. Give it a rest, alpha male!
Archie grins faintly, pokes his head out, orders tea and a pot of coffee. “We’ll need it,” he mutters.
Then he goes blunt. “This wasn’t an accident.”
Tell me something I don’t know.
“We found accelerant in three different spots,” he says, eyes hard. “Whoever lit it knew exactly what they were doin’.”
“I haven’t told Archie anything you told me,” Hugh says, meeting my gaze. “But he needs to know. With your permission?—”
“Tell him,” I cut in.If I’m going to tell the world, does it matter if Archie knows?“But it doesn’t go beyond you two,” I add quickly.
Cade frowns. “Dove, when you talk to the reporter, everyone will know.”
“Or maybe I won’t talk to the reporter,” I mutter.
“What?” Cade’s chair scrapes hard as he shoots up. “Are you outta your mind? You have to talk to the damn reporter. You can’t let him get away with?—”
