Chapter 36
Thirty-Six
“ T hanks for getting here so quickly,” Ethan said, shaking Scotty’s hand firmly. The fire department had made sure all the embers were completely extinguished while thin tendrils of smoke spiraled up into the cold, dark air.
Tanner and Leah reluctantly left a little while ago. They were distraught and wanted to stay to support Jane, but she insisted they leave since Tanner had an early morning milking and Leah had to be at the diner by 5a.m. Jane assured them she would be fine, but Ethan wasn’t so sure.
The fire trucks departed a few minutes ago, leaving a deafening silence. The darkness enveloped the remnants of smoke, leaving behind only the acrid scent of burnt wood and ash.
Ethan’s eyes stung from the ash floating in the air as he scanned the dimly lit yard for Jane. He spotted her sitting on the ground by the chicken coop, her knees drawn up to her chest, looking small and fragile.
The chickens were finally quiet. They’d been disturbed by all the noise—men shouting, the fire crackling and sirens blaring. Thankfully, the sheep were in the far field away from the fire. She heard the occasional bleating and would check on them later.
Ethan walked over to her, his boots crunching on the gravel. “Come, sweetheart. Sitting on the cold ground isn’t doing you any good,” he said softly.
She looked at him, her eyes red and swollen, her face smudged with ash and dirt. “I want to see how Bucky is doing.”
It angered him that she looked so vulnerable at this moment. He reached out a hand to help her up, her grip cold and trembling. After she stood, he pulled her into a hug, feeling her stiffening at first and then melting into his chest. “I’m so sorry this happened to you,” he murmured into her hair. “I’m going to hunt down who did this and…”
He stopped. And what? As a lawman, there were limits to what he could do and lines he couldn’t cross. But as a man who cared deeply for Jane, he wanted to beat the shit out of who did this.
Jane let out a sigh as she pulled away. “This has to be connected to the note and the break-ins.” She wiped away a tear that smeared the ash on her face even more. “Someone wants me out, and they just may get their wish. Today it was Bucky. Tomorrow it could be me, and the next time someone might lose their life.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened. Anger surged through his body. That was so not happening on his watch. Tonight, they’d check in at the hospital, see how Bucky was doing before he brought Jane back to his house. There was no way she would stay at her farm alone. Tomorrow, he planned to call in his deputies and go over every detail once again. He needed to get in touch with Sean and have him install security cameras around Jane’s farm.
The evening had started off so well—they were laughing and joking around, things he hadn’t done in so long. Every minute he spent with Jane, he could feel himself getting closer to her.
“Come on. Get in the truck and we’ll go to the hospital,” he said gently. He opened the truck door, helped her inside, and got behind the wheel.
The ride to the hospital was quiet except for the hum of the engine. Ethan had no idea how to make things better, and Jane stared out the window, lost in her own thoughts. He wished there was something—anything—he could say to make it better.
As they drove into town, the familiar sights of Beaver Creek passed by. Ethan couldn’t help wondering what evil had settled in his peaceful town. They passed the police station, which looked quiet, and the firehouse, where the firefighters were hosing down the truck, and waved. The Harvest Moon Diner was closed up tight, its windows dark, and the streets were empty except for the few people walking around. He turned onto School Street to the hospital straight ahead.
The modest multilevel brick building had been a fixture in Beaver Creek since 1925. A new atrium had recently been added to the back.
Ethan pulled into the emergency room parking lot at the back of the hospital. He helped Jane out of the truck and walked into a fairly quiet reception area. The murmur of voices and the smell of antiseptic greeted them. He asked where Bucky was, and the nurse directed them to a room at the end of the hall.
They passed several areas where sick and injured people were resting on beds. Harsh fluorescent lights cast an unforgiving glare on them. When they reached Bucky’s room, Ethan peeked inside and motioned for Jane to follow. She hesitated, then stepped inside.
Bucky lay still on the bed, his eyes closed. His hand was connected to an IV drip, and a bandage wound around his head.
“I don’t want to wake him,” whispered Jane. “Perhaps we should find a nurse…”
Bucky’s eyes fluttered open. “I’m awake,” he said weakly.
“Oh, my goodness. Bucky. I’m so sorry,” Jane said softly as she took his hand and held it.
“Not your fault,” he mumbled.
Ethan wanted to get Bucky’s statement, but the man looked drained—pale and weak. “Jane, we should leave and let Bucky get some sleep.” He glanced at the man, who was already closing his eyes. “We should let him rest.” He gently placed a hand on Jane’s shoulder. “We can come back tomorrow.”
Jane nodded reluctantly, giving Bucky’s hand a squeeze. As they left, they spoke briefly to the nurse.
“He probably has a concussion. We’ll keep him here at least overnight, and then he’ll need someone to watch over him for a couple of days.” She cocked her head and looked at Jane. “Does he have someone to stay with?”
“Yes, he can stay with me,” Jane volunteered quickly.
Ethan stared at Jane, concern swirling in his chest. Was that safe?
“Okay then, give the nurse your information on the way out,” the nurse said before walking away.
They walked down to the reception desk, and Jane left her name and phone number. They stepped outside into the dark night with only the dim overhead lights casting long shadows in the parking lot, then got into Ethan’s truck. He turned to face her. “How are…”
He never got to finish. Jane raised her hand to stop him.
“Don’t go there,” she said. “Bucky got hurt on my property and has no one to take care of him. I bet he doesn’t even have insurance. This is the least I can do.”
Ethan felt if he didn’t already care for Jane, he could right now. The woman was strong but most importantly, kind. However, she wouldn’t be in the house alone with Bucky. He’d be right there, too.
The drive back to Jane’s house was equally quiet. When Ethan pulled into her driveway, he turned and said, “Pack a few things. I’m taking you to my house.”
She closed and then opened her eyes. “Ethan, thank you, but no.” She opened the door, stepped out, and turned to face him. “I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future, but I will not be driven from my property until I’m ready.”
Damn. That wasn’t what he expected to hear. However, if Jane thought she was going to be by herself, she had another think coming.
“No problem,” he said, getting out of the truck and coming around to talk to her. “I’ll be sleeping in the other room.”
“Ethan. You don’t have to do that. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
She looked all fierce and determined. Ethan almost smiled. “Yes, you can. But whoever did this is increasing the violence. You can either come to my house, or I’ll stay here. There’s no other option,” he said. Then thought about it. “Well, I could take you down to the jail and lock you up.” He shrugged. “Your choice.”
“Ah, I’ve done nothing wrong. You can’t arrest me.” She put hands on her hips, frowned and poked him in the chest with her finger.
Ethan smirked. “I said nothing about arresting you.” He pulled her in for a hug. She resisted for a few seconds, then put her arms around his waist.
“Jane, I care about you. I won’t let anything happen to you that I can prevent.” He rested his head lightly on hers. “Please, let me help,” he whispered.
She stared up at him, searching his eyes. Ethan thought she might argue or push back, but she sighed and nodded. “Fine.” She pulled away from him. “You can stay here. But only because you asked nicely.”
Ethan felt an immense weight lift off his shoulders. That was all he needed to hear. He grabbed his go-bag from the backseat and followed her into the house.
He stepped inside the house and saw Jane standing in the dim light, her hair disheveled, her face smudged with dirt and ash, and he knew he wasn’t ever going to let anything happen to her again as long as he was around, and he planned on being around for a long time.
Whoever was behind this was going to feel the full extent of the law and the McQueeney promise of justice.