“No.”
I didn’t question Mason’s answer. His time in the military had left him with stellar observational skills. “She definitely used it yesterday. She made cookies for Hannah and Jonah.”
“Someone must have snuck in overnight.”
I frowned. “I didn’t hear anything before I left for my run, and I was awake all night.”
“Do you remember what time you left the house?”
“I was gone a few hours, so subtract that from when I joined you and Declan in the kitchen.” I shoved my hand in my hair. “Around three, maybe?”
“I was up around five,” Mason said. “That leaves a couple hour window to get in and get out. Plenty of time to mess with the oven.”
“Still, it’s not easy to sneak into a house full of shifters.”
Mason nodded. “Whoever did this is a pro. They may even have known the smoke would cover up their scent. There’s no way we can track them.” He growled, a frustrated sound that resonated with me. “I’ll ask Luke to check it out, but even his wolf’s senses will probably struggle to pick up a trail.”
That only escalated my driving need to see Hannah. Mason was right that she probably wasn’t the saboteur’s target, but itdidn’t change the fact that having a saboteur on the ranch put her in danger. And Jonah.
“Go see your mate.”
“I can’t. I need?—”
“To see your mate.” Impatience colored Mason’s tone, catching me off guard.
Ever since he returned from the military, he had been a closed book, seldom displaying anything other than a measured steadiness. Whatever happened had changed him in more ways than just leaving him with a leg injury that had never healed properly.
He rubbed his thigh, massaging the muscles of his injured leg in a rare sign of vulnerability. His voice, when he spoke, was rough. “I can take care of this. Spend time with your mate.”
I stared at him, but his expression closed, and he was back to his normal demeanor. I wondered if he was longing for his own mate. If anyone could get him to open up, it would be her. I hoped he found her soon. I hoped all my brothers found their mates soon.
I was almost out the door when I stopped and turned back to Mason. “What’s the good news?”
His face was grim. “The fire could, and probably should, have been worse.”
My thoughts raced as I walked to Hannah’s cabin. Should I tell her what Mason had discovered? It would ease her worry that she’d caused the fire, but it might also make her want to leave. We had no way of knowing when the saboteur would strike again, and where.
“Someone looks deep in thought.” Chloe joined me on the path, her camera swinging from her shoulder. She nudged me with her elbow. “I’m guessing it’s about your mate.”
“Always.” I mustered up a grin.
“Want me to watch Jonah for a while so you and Hannah can have some time alone?”
“You don’t mind?”
“Not at all. I’m meeting Austin and Gabriel to take some pictures of them working the horses. Jonah can be my assistant.” She stopped, her hand on my arm to hold me in place. “I’m so happy for you, Ethan. I know how badly you wanted to find your mate. That it’s my friend only makes me happier. She deserves some fun in her life, and you’re just the shifter to give that to her.”
That settled it. Hannah didn’t need to know about the sabotage just yet. I couldn’t keep it from her forever, but I would at least give her the rest of the day. Then I’d explain what had happened, so she’d understand why I was going to be sleeping on their couch for the foreseeable future.
Hannah
Tank was bigger than I expected. When Jonah mentioned it was the horse he’d learn to ride on, I pictured something closer to a pony. This was a grown man’s horse. I watched as Ethan saddled Tank, wondering the entire time how I was supposed to get up there.
“Are you sure this is a good idea? I haven’t ridden in years.”
Ethan flashed me a grin. “Tank’s the best. He’ll keep you safe. And I’ll be right beside you.”
He tightened the last strap and laced his fingers, forming a step for me. “Up you go.”
