Page 143 of In the Air Tonight

“They did this because of me. What’ll they do next?”

He puts his hands on my shoulders and looks into my eyes. “I want you here with me where I can help keep you safe.”

I’m so torn between what I should do and what I want to do. Where else could I go that they wouldn’t find me? I’d be in the same situation if I stayed with my mother.

“It doesn’t feel right to stay here. Theyburnedyour property.”

“The arson inspector?”

“What about him?”

“He was a close friend of my dad’s. They went through the firefighting academy together. He’s excellent at what he does. He’ll figure out who did this and make them sorry they were ever born.”

“Your dad was a firefighter.”

“That’s right. He was medically retired as a captain after his diagnosis. Probably would’ve been chief if he hadn’t gotten sick.”

Jack puts his arms around me.

Snuggled into his embrace, breathing in the earthy, woodsy scent of him that’s become so familiar, I almost can’t recall why I thought it was a good idea to go. But then I remember the feeling that came over me when I saw him standing in the yard, fully exposed to anyone who’d want to do him harm to hurt me. “It’s not fair to you. I brought this madness to your peaceful home.”

He tips my chin up to kiss me. “That’s not all you’ve brought. Do you know how lonely I was before you showed up? I didn’t even realize how bad it had gotten until you were here to make it all better. And don’t go thinking any random guest could’ve done that for me. I’ve had tons of people stay in the cottages since I opened them last year. It wasyouwho changed everything for me.”

“You’ve done the same for me. I had no idea how lonely I’ve been, either, until I met you.”

“So then why in the world would we ever let them drive us apart when we’ve waited so long to find each other?”

“I don’t want you or Fenway to get hurt or your property attacked again.”

“The only thing Fenway and I truly care about is keeping you safe. If you want to leave here, we’ll go together, but there’s no way we’re letting you leave alone, unless you want to.”

“Of course I don’t.”

“Then let’s pack up and take off somewhere together until this is over.”

“But your work is here and—”

“I can work anywhere. Let’s get in the truck and just go.”

“I have one thing I have to do tomorrow.”

“Then we’ll go after that. The place is crawling with cops and firefighters. No one will come near us tonight.”

For the first time in hours, I release the deep breath that’s been stuck in my chest from the second I understood what was happening outside.

“Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not okay. None of this is okay.”

“Keep reminding yourself it’s temporary. Once you testify, it’ll be over.”

“Not if they somehow get to you or Fenway. It would never be over if that happened.”

“We’ll be fine, and so will you. We’ll make sure of it, right Fenway?”

The dog barks and then sits with a smile on her goofy face and her tongue hanging out as usual.

“See? It’s unanimous.”

---