Boots in my lap.
I know I’m in trouble.
Because this man?
He’s dangerous.
Not in the way Dan was. Not with cruelty or temper.
Thatcher’s dangerous because he makes me feel safe.
Because I’m starting to hope.
And because, God help me, because he makes me want to stay.
CHAPTER 31
THATCHER
Fucking generator is a total loss.
But all I can think is—thank God I saw it go.
Thank God I was watching.
Thank God I got there in time before it spread.
Before it got inside that cabin.
Before she got hurt.
Just the thought of it—of Willow singed, scared, screaming—makes something in me go cold and wild at the same time.
Like I could tear through the forest and level every fucking tree between me and the next possible threat.
I scrub a hand down my face as Tim and I muscle the ruined generator into the truck bed, ready for the dump.
The new one’s ordered, should be here tomorrow if we’re lucky.
Still, nothing about this feels okay.
“Roof’ll need repairing, Boss,” Mack says, wiping snow off his gloves. “Not a total cave-in, but there’s damage. Snow got in.”
I nod, jaw tight.
I know.
I saw it when I checked the attic this morning. Insulation wet. Beams compromised.
The whole thing feels tainted to me now.
Like the place betrayed her.
Like it almost cost me something I can’t afford to lose.
I want to burn the damn thing to the ground. Start over. Build something better, stronger, safer.
I won’t.
