She’s spiraling.
“Hey,” I say, voice low as I glance over. “You alright, Baby Girl?”
“What?” Her head jerks up like I caught her somewhere far away. “Oh. Yes. Sorry. I was just thinking about the cabin.”
Shit.
Of course she is.
I grit my teeth and feel about two inches tall. She lost her home last night—even if it was a temporary one.
And I’ve been sitting here thinking about getting her out of her clothes again like an absolute goddamn caveman.
“I’ve got Tim on it already,” I tell her, adjusting my grip on the wheel. “He got out there this morning. Assessed the damage.”
Her hands still.
She looks at me, hope flickering and fear written all over her face.
“The good news,” I continue, “is the fire never made it inside. It stayed contained around the generator unit. Bad news is that side of the roof took some heat. And with all the snow, there’s some water damage where the weight pushed through a softened spot.”
“Oh no,” she whispers, voice breaking around the edges. “I’m so sorry.”
And that?
That hits me straight in the fucking chest.
I frown, glancing at her like she’s speaking a language I’ve never heard before.
“Why are you sorry?”
Her shoulders curl in the tiniest bit, like she’s bracing for impact.
“For the damage. I don’t know how, but I’ll repay you.”
“What are you talking about? You didn’t do that, Willow. That wasn’t your fault.”
“But maybe I- I used too much hot water, or had the lights on too long, or I don’t know. Maybe I overdid something. Tripped something.”
“What?” My voice sharpens. “Hell no.”
I pull the truck off the road at the next turnout, throw it in park, and turn to face her fully.
Her eyes are wide.
Too wide.
Like she’s used to being blamed.
And now my gut is burning.
“What happened with that generator wasn’t your fault,” I say firmly. “You didn’t cause shit.”
“But—”
“No.” I cut her off, softer this time but still fierce. “Baby, listen to me. That building, that wiring, that whole system? It’s mine. The sawmill’s my responsibility. Every bolt, every roofline, every fucking volt of electricity running through that place—that’s on me. If something goes wrong, I’m the one who fixes it. I’m the one who keeps everyone safe.”
Her lip trembles just slightly.
