Page 21 of Moonlight Over Montana

“It’s confirmed. The fire wasn’t an accident. The heavy metal door in the back had been jimmied open and the fryolator was the source of ignition. They also found traces of evidence there were accelerants used in the front of the diner. Most likely to draw attention and then once the grease from the deep fryer caught, it was out of control quickly, burning hot and fast.” She wiped her cheeks with the back of her free hand. “Who would want to deliberately burn it down and with Susie and I upstairs? We could have died if you hadn’t been in town.” A shudder racked her body. “We came so close to—”

He tugged at her hand. “I was there, and you and Susie are both safe. That’s all that really matters in this moment.” Jed had a ton of questions about suspects, and he still wondered about whatever he had tripped over in the alley and Tye had said he’d let him know. Could that have been a contributing factor too? He replayed the events over and still couldn’t remember seeing a person lurking about. Whoever it was must have retreated to a safe distance and just watched.

“The upside, if there is one, is that Tye doesn’t believe it’s the work of a serial arsonist. I was targeted.”

“What makes him suspect you were the target and it wasn’t random?”

“He didn’t say, but I bet it has something to do with that guy who’s been hanging around the diner—the one I fed a couple of times. We’ll know more once we stop at the sheriff’s office when we get back to town.” She gave him a tight smile. “I’m sorry to keep dragging you into my drama.”

“Look at it this way… You’ve turned the heat up on my days.” He cringed. That was either a come-on or a joke and in very poor taste.

Giving him a thoughtful glance, she said, “Yeah, I guess it’s time to poke fun at the situation. I’m certainly not going to change it by being all maudlin.”

Well, that was a relief—sort of. She thought he was jesting about the fire. They needed to get on a safe topic before he put his boot in his mouth again. “Did you look online to see what SUV you want to test drive?”

“I did and it looks like Johnson Ford has some good options so I’d like to start there first. If I can’t make a deal happen, we’ll head over to the Chevy dealer. My plan is by the end of the day to hopefully have bought a new vehicle and stop borrowing yours.”

He admired her independent streak, but this was an extenuating circumstance. “Yeah, it’s been a real inconvenience when I’ve been riding Tonks to not have my truck sitting there just waiting for me.” For good measure, he gave her a slow, saucy wink.

Poking him in the bicep, she laughed. “You’re such a smart aleck and I like this side of you. You don’t let it out often.” Her face fell.

“What are you thinking about?”

“I sell pies and other baked goods around the holidays and I’m going to have to contact everyone and tell them I can’t bake this year. With any luck, they’ll come back with orders next year since the diner should be up and running again.”

“Before you do that, talk to Annie and Quinn. See if there is any way you could use the ranch’s kitchen. It’s got all the equipment you’d need, and Quinn isn’t cooking twenty-four hours a day.”

She gave him a sharp look. “Have you forgotten how protective Quinn is of his domain? Yes, he asked me to bake a few pies this weekend for Saturday dinner but I can’t see him agreeing to let anyone cook in there unsupervised.”

“You’re forgetting Annie owns the kitchen and I’m sure with a few nice words from Polly, who Quinn thinks of as his sister, he’d see things differently. Don’t forget underneath all the gruff, he’s got a good heart. Now, you might need to agree to add a few pies to the list so he can serve them to the ranch hands or maybe some of those famous sweet breads you bake up.” He smacked his lips for good measure. “My favorite, for the record, is the pumpkin chocolate chip.”

She looked out the side window and after a few long seconds, she said, “I’ll think about it, but you have to do me a favor and not mention this to Annie or Quinn. If I decide to ask, I want it all to come from me. Understand, cowboy?”

He grinned as their eyes connected with a jolt. “Completely, and I do like your saucy side too. In fact, you inspire me to come up with better one-liners.”

She groaned as she laughed. “Heaven help us.”

11

Maggie hurried up the wide cement steps into the sheriff’s office. Jed was beside her and it gave her the courage to face whatever she was about to learn. He pulled open the heavy glass and metal door for her and she stepped inside. The smell of old coffee and someone’s lunch lingered in the air. She approached a desk with a man behind it; his badge read Deputy Barker. He looked up and she noticed his buzz-cut hair which reminded her of someone in the military. Since she hadn’t seen him before, he must be new to the area.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m Maggie Brady and this is Jed Steele. We’re here to see Sheriff Blackstone about my diner.”

He nodded. “Ma’am, sorry about your business. I’ve heard the food was some of the best around.”

“Thank you, and I’ll rebuild so make sure to come by when I reopen.”

He gave her a smile. “I like your attitude. I’ll let the sheriff know you’re here.” He pointed to a couple of chairs on the opposite side of the small room. “Have a seat. It might be a couple of minutes.”

They sat in two hard straight-backed wooden chairs. Maggie leaned into Jed and whispered, “These are a good deterrent against crime. I wouldn’t want to have to sit here long.”

He grinned. “I agree.” Nodding in the deputy’s direction, he said, “He must be new around here if he’s never eaten at your place.”

His loyalty was commendable and she gave him a shoulder bump. “It’s not a requirement to eat at the Filler Up if you live in the county.”

With a chuckle, he said, “It should be.”

---