“No, thanks to you. Good job. This corner is where old equipment and some supplies are stored. The front is the work area and showroom. She’ll have some cleaning and we’ll get the team out here to get the wall repaired.”
He stared into the distance and continued, “Sheriff is on the way along with the state fire marshal.”
“I want to help in any way I can, repairs, clean up, just watching over the place, whatever. Count me in. I’ll do what I can today, so she doesn’t have to worry.”
He nods. “Appreciated.” Then he glances at my left forearm and side to the blotchy burn scars that puckers my skin. “I’ve got some T-shirts in my truck, you want one?”
Shit. She doesn’t need to see this if her husband died in a fire. “Please.”
“Come in tomorrow and we’ll get you set up with personnel. I’m going to talk to the chief to get you started as soon as possible. Good job, man. Welcome to the team.”
He slaps my back and I follow him to his truck. Then he heads over to the widow to give her a hug.
I call Jax to let him know what’s going on. He’s on his way after waiting for the sitter to come watch the kids until Maura gets home.
Pulling on the long sleeve T-shirt, I cross to the front of the house. By this time Sheriff Clay Harker has arrived. He turns tome. “Rourke, good to see you again. I hear you’re the one who saved the studio.”
“Caught sight of the smoke at the right time.”
“Glad to hear you’re on the team now.”
“Thanks.”
The fire marshal pulls in and is directed to me as first responder.
Hours later everyone has their pictures, their sample, their testimonies. I have a headache and I’ve seen Grace rubbing her neck and forehead for the last hour. I’ve had enough.
“Gentlemen. Do you think we could be finished? You’ve got recordings, you’ve got pictures, you’ve got soil and wood samples that will prove gasoline was used. Grace is exhausted. How about we take a breather. If we have your permission, Jaxon and I will board up the hole until permanent repairs can be made.”
Everyone nods and Jaxon walks with Clay to his squad car.
I cross to the porch where Grace stands at the open door and hold out my hand. “This seems a little backward, but I’m Caleb Rourke. Jaxon and I served together in the Rangers. I moved here a couple years ago. I’m with the local Hotshot Firefighters. But I’m off for the next three months and staying at his house up the mountain from you. Sorry we met this way.”
“Please don’t be. You saved my workshop and studio. I was supposed to be at work today, but they asked me to swap for tomorrow at the last minute.”
Her weary smile tears at my heart. “May I wash my hands?”
“Please come in.”
CHAPTER 2
Grace Holloway
He saved what little I have left of Guy. The studio.
Itwasour happy place where we laughed, joked and worked together. We were best friends. Lovers. Husband and wife. All I have left is the space we shared, a few of his creations, and the memories.
I just don’t understand why someone would deliberately set fire to it. If I hadn’t smelled the gas myself, I wouldn’t have believed that someone had deliberately tried to burn it down.
“You haven’t seen anyone lurking around? Out by the studio?” He asks, drying his hands on a paper towel.
“I’m sorry. No.”
“Clay said they found a gas can in the woods, but getting fingerprints is questionable.”
I nod, dropping into the chair at the table. I... I don’t know what to do. I overheard Caleb asking the sheriff if he thought I was safe here. It’s my home. It’s all I have. It’s all I have left of... I’m not leaving. I know they want me to, but I’m not.
“I see you have tea and coffee brewed,” Caleb says. “Which can I pour for you?”
