Page 84 of Sunshine
Not all the cameras were destroyed. I’d moved one—to keep an eye on Tessa’s place when I was worried someone was stalking her. And it has a clear view to my place, although, it would need enhancing to see well enough to ID the perp.
“Do you want to get that?” good cop asks, pointing to my chirping pocket.
I do. I definitely do. Pulling out the phone, I open the app, ignoring the current notification, and instead scroll to the ones from earlier in the morning. It only takes a glance to see it’s not Tessa at the side of the house collecting the cans. The cottage is dark, and the person at the side of her house is short—too short, too thin and too flat-chested to be my neighbor. No, it isn’t Tessa that set the fire, but I know exactly who did.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tess
“What the hell kind of person would I have to be to do that?” I blurt, more to myself than anyone else. Emotion, like a battering ram, pummels against my chest and rises like bile in my throat.
“A spoiled brat who thinks of nothing and no one but herself. I know women like you. Out for number one at whatever the cost.”
My gut sinks.
Mack’s mouth twists in an angry frown before he speaks again. “He almost let Reece sleep in the playhouse last night. He would’ve left her there to sleep when he heard you scream and…” He swallows hard, before narrowing his eyes. “I can’t even go there.”
“I wouldn’t do this. I’m not a monster.”
Mack huffs, rolling his eyes. “Honestly, I came over her to give you hell, but now I only want to get Reece, and to tell you to stay the hell away from him. The cops can deal with you.”
“I don’t know who set the fire, Mack, but I would never do something like this.” I’m distraught, and even though I don’t need him to believe me, I defend myself. I’ve never cared allthat much what people thought of me. Like me, don’t like me, I’ll live either way. But as I stand here I do care. Because this is my home. This is my place in the world. And no matter what happens today, I’m not leaving it. I wasn’t in my right mind when I thought I could leave before.
I can’t. And I won’t.
“Bullshit.” Mack shakes his head, his jaw ticking as if he has a lot more to say but holds it back as he sees Reece come into the room with Paige.
“Hi, Uncle Mack! We were just about to make cookies for you and Daddy.”
He scoops her up. “Maybe you could do that later, pumpkin. Your dad asked me to bring you back. He misses you.”
Her smile is wide, but then she looks at us. “I’m sorry Tess, but Daddy needs me. Can we make cookies some other time?”
“Of course, honey. I made some a few days ago, they’re in the tin on the counter. Why don’t you bring them with you? I’m sure your dad is hungry. And I ate way too many already.” I puff out my cheeks and put a finger over my lips and groan.
She laughs. “You must be so nauseated!” She wiggles out of Mack’s arms and runs to the kitchen.
“Grab them and head back to your dad, I’ll catch up,” Mack says with a smile that looks rusty from lack of use.
As soon as she’s gone, I speak. “Check the cameras. You’ll see it wasn’t me.” I hear the scape of a chair being moved, probably so Reece can reach the counter and my heart warms despite the accusations and my hurt over Case’s betrayal. That’s not Reece’s fault and she’s the sweetest kid.
“Can’t, but you know that, don’t you?”
My brow furrows as my gaze swings to his narrowed eyes.
“You destroyed them.”
The horror of a blaze that sizeable hits me hard. Not just because it could’ve come across the field and taken away all Ihave left of Gran’s and the only place that ever felt like home, but for Case and all he’s lost. And both him, and his sweet little girl, could’ve died. The sudden realization steals my breath, and I double over, sitting on Gran’s crocheted foot poof.
“The fire was that big?” My eyes wide, I stare off in horror.
“Oh, that wasn’t your intention? Maybe you just wanted a little fire? Something to teach him a lesson?” His words are so filled with hate, I feel sick.
The back door opens with a creak and slams shut a second later.
“Should she be going alone?” I ask, concerned.
Mack curses. “Changing the subject won’t save you, Tess.”
