She felt Hank turn, and the shade of the trees made the air cooler around them.
The sound of a truck came barreling toward them. “Are we hidden far enough in the trees? Where’s Ice?”
“He’s still on your left. We’re good. Hecan’t see us from the road. I can’t hold on any longer. Remember what I told you,” Cherise said weakly.
“We’re all right. Get down, and then I’ll slide down. I have Rocker’s gun. Hopefully, we can hold him off if he sees us,” she said.
“I’m shot,” Cherise confessed. “I’ll get down. Hank will most likely take off at the smell of blood. When I drop, you be ready.”
“Where did you get hit?” Scarlett asked.
“In my shoulder, I believe. My arm’s going numb. Here I go,” Cherise said, sliding down. Hank’s head bobbed, and he dug into the ground.
“Easy, boy,” Scarlet soothed as she threw her leg over and jumped down.
Hank shot off through the woods, leaving the two women and Ice alone.
“Cherise?” she called softly.
“I’m to your left. If you can help me up, we’ll hide behind the trees,” Cherise slurred.
“Stay with me. We have to wait for Ty and Leo’s men. Maria will get them.” They heard the truck door slam shut as Jeremy got out.
Scarlett called for Ice and held him by the collar. She buried her nose in his fur. “Please don’t leave me,” she pleaded.
She pulled the weapon from her waistband and unlocked the safety. “Cherise, tell me when you see Jeremy. I need his location.”
“I see him. He’s searching for us,” Cherise whispered. “Take Ice and run.”
“No. He killed my friend and shot three more. I’m not running,” she snarled.
Cherise gripped her hand. “You’re exactly what I wanted in a daughter. We may have to remedy that someday.”
Scarlett nodded as she pointed the weapon, recalling what Ty and Rocker taught her. She closed her eyes, listening to the air move through the trees, the rippling sounds of the lake, and the footsteps closing in on her and Cherise. Refusing to let the bastard win, she whispered. “Tell me when he’s about a hundred yards out and where he’s at.”
“You’ll need to concentrate. He’s to your left, searching inside the brush. I’ll let you know when he gets closer, ” Cherise said, leaning against the back of the tree.
Scarlett inhaled and exhaled. Then she waited.
CHAPTER 39
The adjuster shook his head.“I’m sorry, Ty. The fire inspector listed this as arson. I don’t know when the company will cut you a check. They’ll request their own investigation, confirming you weren’t involved,” he said, tearing a sheet of paper from his notebook. “I’ve listed the wiring damage, the roof will have to go, and the replacement of the supplies, equipment, and smoke damage. They’ll consider this a complete loss.”
Ty ran his hand through his hair and held on to the back of his neck, taking deep breaths. With his outflow of expenses, the idea of waiting months for a check put him in a bind. He wanted to purchase the other parcel of land and avoid having his employees search for new jobs. His team worked in sync, and he didn’t deal with much drama. Kassie and Scarlett’s proposal seemed like his only option, unless he chose to wait a year to reopen, which meant missing out on purchasing the land.
Leo pulled into the parking space in front of the rubble. Ty waved him in while taking the paper from the adjuster. “Thanks, Tom. Keep me posted.”
Leo waited until the man got into his car and handed him a cup of coffee. “Bryanna sent Saint with donuts and hot beverages to relieve the team. How bad did it go? Saint told me their insurance company won’t pay out right away because it’s an arson claim. Since they haven’t caught the suspect, they’re investigating.”
“Yeah, I got the same spiel. I can’t afford to wait months for a payout. Covering the cost of the building supplies will eat into my savings, which I’ve set aside for the adjacent land. I hate to let my employees go, but I can’t afford to keep paying them.”
“Bryanna feels the same way. Saint used his bonus to buy her the van for deliveries. They have a new baby, and Bryanna’s income no longer exists to keep her employees,” Leo said, shaking his head and kicking a rogue brick with his toe.
“Did you take the night shift?” Ty asked, scanning the small town’s main street.
“I went in at 0200. Michael’s determined to catch the bastard because of Debbie. He’s volunteering for shifts, in addition to his practice. I know he wants to catch this guy, but we have to go by the books. I’m giving him enough to make him feel like he’s contributing, but I understand how he feels,” Leo frowned, picking up a half-burnt menu. “It’ll suck if you close down. Everyone enjoys your food.”
“I hate it, too,” Ty said quietly, viewing the remains of his once-favored restaurant.
