Since arson is suspected, the emergency cleanup crew had to wait until the detectives had completed their preliminary investigation to begin. Once they arrive, Dylan and Rudy walk over, and Dylan holds out his hand for me.
I take it and stand. “How’s it going in there?”
“They’ve got the fans going, but it’ll take a while before the air is clear enough to hang around,” Dylan says. “Let’s get out of here. This can’t be good for our lungs.”
“I can work on some of this stuff at home,” Rudy says, looking at the long list of instructions from the adjuster. “I’llcome back and check on things later…see if the air feels any different in there.”
“Let me know when you’re coming, and I’ll meet you here,” Dylan says. He looks at me. “We could use a nap.”
Just hearing those words makes me yawn, and Chloe doesn’t even make a single protest about taking a nap.
“Yep, I’m taking my girls home,” Dylan says, chuckling.
My girls.
My heart curlicues all over this beach.
We pack up our things and tell Rudy bye. Dylan carries Chloe to the car and gets her buckled in. Then he bops her nose, and they both laugh.
I can’t believe this man is still so easygoing about everything. His beloved shop went up in smoke, yet he’s still calm and finding things to laugh about. I’ve done my share of bawling since yesterday, but it’s hard to stay down when Dylan is around.
On the way to his house, he rests his hand on my thigh. My hand is over his.
I clear my throat. “I think I should go see Christian…after the nap.”
He blinks. “Okay.” He pauses, and I start to get nervous. “But hear me out. I think the police should deal with him first, and depending on what they find out, then we proceed.”
I lean my head on the headrest and nod. “Yes. You’re right. That’s wise.”
“And I want to go with you.”
“Okay.”
It’s a surprise when we pull into Dylan’s driveway, and Christian is standing there, leaning against his sports car.
“What is he doing here?” I say under my breath.
I’m about to hop out of the car, my anger threatening tobubble over the surface, when Dylan puts his hand on my arm.
“Hold on. Do you think he’s safe?”
“I think so.” I shake my head. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”
“Should I call the police?”
“He wouldn’t do anything to physically harm Chloe.”
“Okay.” He takes his hand off my arm. “I’d like to be out there while you talk with him. Not because I need to listen in, but because I just don’t trust the guy right now.”
“Yes, please. I want you there.” I look back, and Chloe is asleep. “I’ll leave her in the car while we talk.”
Dylan leaves the window down.
When we step out of the car, Christian’s eyes flick to Dylan, his expression guarded.
Christian swallows hard when he sees us. “I heard about the fire.”
His voice is quieter than I expected.
