That’s it. “I’ve told you everything and so has he. You clearly want to come up with a scenario that makes me responsible. I’m not answering anything else without a lawyer.” Lee gets to his feet when I do.
The marshal rises as well, gathering his notes together. “Your case will remain under active investigation. And the insurance company will be notified of the situation.” He closes his notebook with a soft thud. The sound feels louder than it should.
Air rushes out of me. I’m so screwed. They’re never going to pay my claim.
Lee’s parked beside me in the government center parkinglot. Neither of us say anything until we get to our trucks. “I’m sorry,” I blurt. “I’m so sorry they’re dragging you into this.”
He frowns, slides his warm hand over the back of my neck, and gazes down at me. “None of this is your fault. They’re fishing for a reason to make an accident into a crime. We aren’t giving them one. If they check your phone records, they’ll see they match our story. And a candle isn’t a smoking gun. They can’t prove intention because there wasn’t any.”
“I’m going to get a lawyer just in case.” It’s not like I can spare the money, but I’ll be anxious if I don’t.
He nods, pulling out his truck keys. “Are you headed home?”
What home? “No, I should get back to work.”
We part ways, and I give him a wave as he turns onto the road toward the lumberyard. I’ve been at the diner since early this morning, and I intended to stay all day, but my mind is scattered after that meeting. I’m not any help when I keep zoning out, redoing some of the same menial tasks over and over. When I’ve wiped the same spot for the millionth time, Camille leans on the counter beside me.
“It’s slow as hell and we’re overstaffed tonight. There’s no reason for you to pull an open and close. Take your ass home.”
There’s that word again. With a sigh, I toss the cleaning cloth aside. “I might just do that. How are the new baristas working out?”
“They’re great. I’m sure the Hot Pot is furious that you poached them.”
That puts a smile on my face. Both of my new baristasworked for the Hot Pot in the next county, a small coffee shop that paid next to nothing and often stole their tips. The girl, Patty, had come into the diner asking about a position, and when I hired her, she asked if I was looking for a second person. Her friend and coworker, Riley, was also happy to defect.
“They shouldn’t have made them risk their lives to come in during that shutdown storm last winter. That was their last straw.”
“Assholes,” she agrees.
It would be good to get back while there’s still some daylight for a change. After one more check that I’m not needed for anything, I head back to Lee’s. He’s not home, but there’s a hammering in the distance. I wonder if it’s him working on one of the cabins? It doesn’t matter.
I take a quick shower, pull my hair into a ponytail, throw on some sweatpants and a hoodie, then grab my headphones. The thriller books I recently picked up at the thrift store wait on my nightstand, and I choose a random one before going back outside. The sunlight is thin and sharp. It does nothing to warm the cool air. Fall might’ve arrived late but it’s here now.
The massive red maple tree is full of brilliant leaves, which also carpet the ground beneath it. I forgo the deck and lawn chairs in favor of sitting on the ground under it. Leaning back against the trunk, I put some music on, open my book and try to remember how to relax.
My brain won’t let me focus on the words. My mind keeps wandering back to the meeting today, and to the nightof the fire. Mom’s face drifts in too. She’d be pissed on my behalf if she were here. God, I wish I could talk to her just once more. Get her advice and find out how she dealt with the Matheson’s before. Because I doubt that’s a problem I’ve heard the last of as well. It’s all just so much.
It’s a useless effort to try to read. Instead, I lean my head back to rest against the tree trunk, turn my music up, and watch the scarlet leaves fall around me. The sun’s cutting rays weaken and fade. The clocks go back tomorrow night for daylight saving, and it’ll be dark even earlier. It’s a depressing thought to add to the pile.
It’s almost fully dark when Lee’s headlights strike me, and he walks over once he’s out of his truck. “Are you going to spend the night out here since we can’t put the tree in your room?” he teases.
“I thought about it.” I get to my feet, brushing leaves and dirt from my seat.
“I brought some barbecue for dinner,” he says, holding up the bag as we go inside.
“Thanks, but I’m not hungry.”
Nothing I do seems to pull me out of my mood over the next couple of hours. My mind won’t let all the worries rest. After changing into pajama shorts and a tee shirt, I grab some water and intend on going to bed early.
Lee intercepts me in the living room. He catches my wrist and looks me in the eye. “I know you’re struggling. What can I do?” If I let myself think for a second how sweet that is, I’m going to burst into tears, something I’ve narrowly avoided all evening.
“Fuck me until I can’t think.” The flippant response flies out of my mouth without me giving it a second thought.
His inhale is sharp and audible. “Silver…” My name falls out like a warning that I have no intention of heeding. His hands are already on my hips, tightening, pushing me back into the wall with a thud that sends shivers racing through me. He dips his head and his low voice rumbles in my ear. “If you didn’t mean it, say so now.”
I didn’t mean to say it, but I absolutely meant it. Instead of replying, I catch his lips with mine in a searing kiss. My fingers fist his shirt as I pull him as close to me as possible.
That’s all it takes. He moves fast once we break the kiss, dropping to his knees in front of me. My shorts are quickly slid down and tossed aside. His large palms travel leisurely up my legs, and my breath catches as his hands part my thighs. It makes me take a staggering sideways step. He tightens his grip, steadying me, keeping me exactly where he wants me.
