Lily and I exchanged a glance. They’d tried to shield Bertie from the worst of it, but not only was she smart, there was a horse sized grave under a tree that she insisted on visiting almost every day.
“Yes, baby,” Lily answered carefully. “The sheriff is going to help find who did it.”
“When they do, can I kick them in the shin?” Her little face was serious and determined. “I mean Uncle Wilder said to kick him in the nu?—”
“No!” Lily put a hand over her daughter’s mouth. “I think we’ll forget Uncle Wilder’s advice and let’s just leave it to Daddy and your uncles, okay, baby.”
Despite everything, I couldn’t help but smile. It was good to have some brightness amid the fear and sadness.
The men began walking back toward the house, and I could tell from Gunner’s stride that the meeting hadn’t yielded much. His jaw was set in that stubborn way that meant he was containing his frustration.
As they reached the porch, Nash lifted Bertie into his arms and dropped a kiss on Billy’s head and then one to Lily’s lips. He breathed them all in, his eyelashes shuttering closed for a beat. It had all taken its toll on him that was for sure.
“Hey sweetheart.” Gunner’s hand went to the small of my back, drawing me close. “You okay?”
Nodding, I stroked his face, searching his eyes. “Anything?” I asked.
“They’re looking at everyone who might have a grudge against us,” he said, keeping his voice low.
“That’s a damn long list,” Wilder muttered moving toward one of the rocking chairs.
“Language.” Bertie chimed, watching us all with keen interest.
“Hey, munchkin,” Nash said, setting her down. “Why don’t you go and see if Ruby needs help with lunch? I think she was making those cookies you like.”
“Adults are so boring,” she said with a heavy sigh. “I’m just glad cookies were the bribe.” She skipped away singing about blessing a beautiful hide, the front door slamming behind her.
As it did, Nash continued. “They’re looking into anyone connected with the development who might have wanted to send us a message.”
“The sheriff asked for the names of anyone we’ve had conflicts with,” Gunner added. “Which means they’ve got nothing solid.”
“I mean I gave them Dad’s name,” Wilder quipped from his perch on the rocker. “But he didn’t think it was a great lead.”
“Joking apart, it’s the kind of thing he’d do.” Nash moved to lean against the balustrade of the porch, reaching out for his son. “He did poison the creek for his own ends, so it’s not a stretch to think he’d set the stables on fire.”
“Is there any footage at all, you know from security cameras of nearby properties?” Lily asked. “Or traffic cameras?”
“Nothing,” Gunner’s frustration was palpable. “The closest camera is at the main road, too far to catch anything useful.” He took my hand and pulled me to another of the chairs, sitting and then patting his lap for me to sit in.
“The new security system is being fitted tomorrow,” Wilder said. “I know it doesn’t find who did it, but it’s something.”
When Nash’s phone started to ring, Lily took Billy from him so he could get it from his pocket. He pressed the screen. “Yep…fantastic…I’ll tell him but I’m sure it’s okay…yeah, okay, thanks for that.” When he pushed his phone back into his pocket he turned to Gunner. “That was Markus. He says they’re ready to pour the first concrete for the foundations. He’s going to wait until tomorrow to let the ground settle. You okay with that?”
“Sure, no problem,” Gunner replied, snaking his arm around my waist.
“He also asked if, while the excavator is here, you want to start on the foundations for the camp building?”
The boys had decided that instead of using the existing barn a new building would be built for the kids camp. They’d employed an architect who had come up with a design that made it look as rustic as possible while being as safe as possible.
“Damn right I do,” Gunner said firmly. “I’m not letting whoever did this think they’ve won anything.”
“The hands still on rotation watching the place?” Nash asked.
Wilder nodded. “Twenty-four seven. Nobody’s getting near them.”
“Good.” Gunner’s hand found mine, squeezing it tight. “I need to check on Dream Maker before lunch. Tally said he’s been even more skittish since the fire.”
“I’ll come with you,” I offered.
