Page 70 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

The sound of sirens snapped me out of my thoughts. The plume of smoke ahead was probably the reason. Grass fires weren’t uncommon during the summer. Hopefully, the fire wasn’t too close to my property.

I approached the bend on high alert, ready to slow down for emergency vehicles. When I saw the firetrucks at the end of my driveway, in front of my house, I slammed on the brakes. I launched out of my car and ran across the road, staying back to give the firefighters room to work. But it was obvious that no amount of water would make the house okay.

Smoke billowed from the roof and poured out of the windows.

It was completely destroyed.

With my arms wrapped around myself, I tried to keep what was left of me from falling apart.

Firemen shouted at each other as they dragged hoses around and doused the fire. Harper was out there, and he knew I hadn’t moved in. I scanned the area in front of the house. There were only firetrucks here, no other cars or trucks. That probably meant there were no workers on site. At least the firefighters didn’t have to be concerned about saving anyone from the fire.

Coughing, I moved so that smoke wasn’t blowing into my face, choking me and making my eyes burn.

I jumped when one side of the house collapsed. There went the perfect master bedroom and delightful craft room. I’d lost everything. There was plenty to be thankful for. My stuff wasn’t in the house. Tessa still spoke to me. And I still had a growing business.

Staring at my house as it turned to ash made me regret even more how I’d treated Eli. As horrible as it was to watch the fire, losing him hurt more.

More of the house collapsed, and all I could do was stare.

Warmth spread across my back as someone stepped up behind me. I could feel Eli’s quiet strength. He tapped out the secret knock on my hip, letting me know he was there. For me. With me. I leaned back against his strong frame.

“You didn’t answer the door.” I held out hope that maybe he could forgive me. Someday.

His whiskers brushed my cheek. “I wasn’t home. But I heard you stopped by.”

I tilted my head to look at him. “And?”

His arms wrapped around my waist. “I love you too.”

Someone—probably Joji—had filled him in on what I’d said.

“I owe you an apology.”

He pressed a kiss to my cheek. “We’ll talk about it later.”

We stood for a long time with his arms holding me up and neither of us speaking.

I hadn’t lost everything. The most important thing in my life—no offense to Sherlock—was with me when I needed him most.

Eli loved me.

* * *

Firefighters were cleaningup their gear when Tessa and Cami walked up. Word had spread. The sun sank toward the horizon, and now that my heart wasn’t pounding, exhaustion set in.

Cami wiped at tears. “I don’t know what to say.”

“There isn’t really anything to say.” I pulled Eli’s arms around me a little tighter. “I have insurance. The builder has insurance. It’ll get sorted out, and they’ll build it again.”

Tessa stood next to me. “I tried calling you. I’m so sorry.”

“My phone broke when I threw it against the wall last night.” I clasped her hand. “Thanks for being honest with me even when I was too stubborn to listen.”

She glanced up at Eli. “He has many flaws, and I’ll be happy to enlighten you about all of them, but cheating isn’t one of them.”

He rested his chin on the top of my head. “She’s right. Except about the many flaws. A few maybe, but many feels excessive.”

“Anything I can do?” Tessa squeezed my hand.

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