“Rough night?”
“House fire,” I explained. As the sheriff, he probably already knew about it, but I hadn’t seen him at the scene. Johns had been there instead. “Mom and two kids got away with minor smoke inhalation, but the dad suffered some pretty extensive burns.”
“I’m sorry, Sutton.”
I merely nodded, eyes falling closed. I needed a few hours of sleep to get myself back on track.
Lifting the mug to my lips, its scent wafted up to my nose, and I realized it wasn’t coffee. The mug dropped back to thecounter with athunk, some of the hot, golden liquid spilling over the side. I blinked up at Lane.
“Did you make metea?”
He shrugged. “Didn’t think coffee was smart when you’re about to go to bed. It’s just this vanilla chamomile blend my mom swears by. Thought it might help you sleep.”
I had nothing to say to that, no response that didn’t make me sound like an epic simp, so I filled my mouth with a sip. It was fragrant, soft and floral while also layered with something sweet.
“Is there honey in this too?”
Lane nodded. “Mama’s homemade honey, to be exact.”
Shaking my head, I chuckled. “Your family is so impressive.”
“Speaking of,” he started. “Trey’s team is playing in the state championship game up in Boise tomorrow, right?”
“Yes…”
I might’ve been caught up in my own shit, but I didn’t live under a rock. Dusk Valley High was my alma mater too, and it was impossible to miss the “GO SPUDS” posters and general uptick in school spirit all over town.
Trey had been the head coach of the team for a few years now, and this season was the best they’d had since Owen and he had led the Spuds to back-to-back state championships in their respective senior seasons.
“Well, Mama got it into her head to host a big tailgate party at the ranch tonight. The entire town is invited. There will be food, drinks, and music. Would you want to come with me?”
“As roommates, right? Maybe…friends?”
I didn’t know why I felt the need to qualify it, todownplaythe connection between us.
Lane blinked slowly, seeming to weigh his response, then said, “Sure. As friends.” Clearing his throat, he added, “I just can’t in good conscience let you sit here alone with your Kindle and your cat while the rest of the town is partying.”
“Hey! I love my Kindle and my cat.”
Myroommateorfriendorwhatevergrinned. “I know you do, but getting out of the house will be good for you.”
Honestly, getting out of this house for a reason other than work was more than a little appealing. Plus, if the whole town was going to be there, I wouldn’t have to suffer the awkwardness of being in the company of only the Lawless family all night.
“Okay,” I agreed.
Lane grinned, rapping his knuckles on the counter happily. “Great! We’ll head over there around four. I promised Mama I’d help set up tables and chairs in the barn.”
“Sounds good,” I said, then got to my feet. “I’m gonna head to bed now.”
“Right! See you later, then.”
“Yep, later.”
Lane hadn’t been lyingwhen he said Birdie invited the entire town. Though Dusk Valley was small, with fewer than two thousand year-round residents, the community showed up for each other in a big way.
And the Spuds about to play in their first state championship game in nearly twenty years was abigdeal.
Lane and I parted ways when we arrived, before the masses had descended. He’d gone to the barn to help his brothers and the ranch hands set up the tables and chairs, and erect the tent as promised. I’d headed into the big house, where I’d found Birdie, Aspen, and Reagan in the kitchen, up to their elbows in prep. Without a word, I’d jumped into the fray, helping where I could.
