Page 57 of Burn With Me

For the first time in years, I thought I could open my world up to more than work and the few friends I have, and then this happens.

Maybe it’s a sign I’m not ready to start a relationship because now my days and nights will be filled with not only making sure this stays an isolated incident but also trying to figure out what’s causing this. Just the thought of not being able to figure out what’s wrong brings tears to my eyes.

This is what I get for thinking I can be happy.

“Whatever you need, we’re here to help. You and Kristen can teach us what we need to know, and between all of us, we can help clean up and test the rest of the water,” Abby says.

I shake off the anxious thoughts and direct everyone as to where to help.

Sam comes strolling in and pulls me into a hug. “I let Penny out to pee and put her back in the office. Now let’s figure out what’s going on.”

Face in his chest, I nod because I’ll cry if I talk right now.

Once I see they have it under control and I don’t feel like I’m going to burst into tears, I pull Kristen into my office.

“Do you have any ideas?” she asks.

“None. I mean, the levels have been all over the place, but none of the fish have shown any signs of actual disease. Have you noticed anything, or do you have any ideas?” I ask.

“I’ve been thinking since I got the text from Pam. You’re right, none of the fish have shown signs of being sick. The only problem is that while it’s a mostly controlled environment, the public section is the least controlled. Maybe a kid dropped something in there by accident,” she says with a shrug.

“Maybe.” I pause because it’s possible. “Maybe they were overfed and it caused the ammonia spike in that tank, but that doesn’t explain the higher ammonia levels in the tanks outside of the public section. It’s also never the same tank twice.”

“That was my thought exactly. I agree that until we can get the pH levels under control again, we shouldn’t open up to the public. Or at least find a workaround so they can still come get the produce, but they can’t come in the greenhouses,” she says.

Someone knocks on the door, and we turn toward it.

Luke pops his head in. “Hey, sweetness, we’re all done with the tasks you set out for us. But while Sam and I were double-checking the doors, we noticed something.”

Kristen and I start to walk toward the door. “What do you mean? What did you find?” I say, my voice at a higher level than normal.

I swear to all that is holy, my blood pressure cannot take another panic attack today.

“Come on, I’ll show you,” he says as he grabs my hand and twines our fingers together.

He leads me to the door that separates the new construction section and the public greenhouse portion.

Sam is leaning by the door, texting on his phone, and I know it’s bad because Sam is never the serious one. But right now he looks ready to punch something.

“Well, out with it,” I say as I pull my hand out of Luke’s and put them on my hips.

“I already sent Noah a text because I think this is something he needs to look at, even if not in an official capacity.” Sam looks me dead in the eyes and takes a breath. “Luke and I were putting things away, and I noticed a gap in the door. At first, I didn’t think about it because I know you’re adding on to the back side, but then I went to close it all the way and realized the door has been tampered with.”

“Maybe it was an accident? Construction started last week, and it’s possible something happened when they were setting up,” I counter.

“Am, you have no idea when this happened, and I’ve been here when Wayne was working on this place. He would never damage a door and not tell you. I’ve been telling you for years that you need a full alarm system here, but you insisted you didn’t,” he snapped.

“Because Idon’t. It’s a farm. If someone needs food, they can justtake it,” I yell.

“Yeah, but now they are more than just taking . . .they are destroying. And you haveno ideawhat is happening,” he says, throwing his hands up in the air.

“Watch it, Sam. You don’t get to talk to her like that,” Luke growls behind me.

Sam and I just stare at each other when I hear someone behind me.

I break eye contact first and run a hand down my face as I take a deep breath.

My fight is not with Sam . . . Breathe in . . . Breathe out . . .

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