Chapter 14 #2
Before she can argue, a convoy of trucks pulls up. Construction vehicles, dozens of them. Kane gets out of the lead truck, followed by Sawyer Gallo and what looks like his entire construction crew.
"Heard you needed help," Sawyer says simply.
"I can't afford—" Kendall starts.
"Not asking for money," Sawyer interrupts. "Asking where you want us to start."
"Sawyer, this is too much—"
"My company has resources," he says. "William Thornfield tried to destroy our town. We're going to rebuild it. Together. Besides, I’m looking into getting some properties in Hibiscus Harbor. My brother isn’t the only real estate developer in the family." He winks at her.
More vehicles arrive. The Walking Ladies pull up in their Buick, trunk full of sandwiches and water bottles. Hudson arrives with Kate and her catering truck. The Bad News Babes show up with cleaning supplies and determination.
"What is happening?" Kendall whispers.
"Hibiscus Harbor is happening," I tell her. "This is what we do."
Chance Carter approaches with his arson investigation team. "Ms. Greene, I need to tell you something. We found evidence that William had tampered with the original building inspection reports. Made it look like there were code violations that didn't exist."
"What does that mean?"
"It means your insurance company has no grounds to deny coverage. The building was up to code. The fire was criminal arson by someone with no connection to you or the property management."
The insurance adjuster reappears, phone in hand, looking defeated. "My supervisors have reviewed the case. We'll be covering full replacement cost."
Kendall cries. Not the sad tears from last night, but relief.
"Additionally," the adjuster continues, clearly reading from notes, "given the circumstances and media attention, we're expediting payment. You'll have initial funds within 48 hours."
As he leaves, Kendall turns to me. "Did you threaten them?"
"I made them aware of their options," I say innocently.
"The entire town shows up to help, and suddenly insurance pays out?"
"Coincidence."
"Right." She kisses me right there in front of everyone. "Thank you."
"Get a room!" Kane shouts from where he's directing equipment.
"We had one," I call back. "It had cameras in it, remember?"
Everyone laughs, even Kendall. It's the first genuine laugh I've heard from her in days.
The cleanup begins in earnest. It's organized chaos—construction crews clearing debris, volunteers sorting salvageable items, the Walking Ladies keeping everyone fed and hydrated. Even Mrs. Parsons shows up with Gertie, brought by the memory care facility staff.
"Gertie wanted to help," she tells Kendall, and sure enough, the goat is there, wearing a little vest that says "Emotional Support Goat."
"Is that legal?" I ask.
"Reid filed the paperwork," Kendall says. "She's officially a therapy animal now."
Gertie immediately tries to eat someone's blueprint, because of course she does.
By afternoon, the site is transformed. The debris is sorted; the foundation is being evaluated, and Sawyer's architects are drawing up plans for a better building.
"Modern safety features," Sawyer explains. "Sprinkler systems, fire-resistant materials, better evacuation routes. If anyone tries this again, the building will survive."
"I can't pay for all that," Kendall protests.
"Insurance will cover basic replacement. The upgrades are on Gallo Construction. Consider it an investment in the community."
Ian Gallo appears with Mia. "The Gallo Foundation will cover temporary housing costs for all displaced residents. No one loses their home because some asshole." Ian's expression is cold. "She chose to participate in William's scheme. But the community takes care of its own mistakes."
Captain Ramirez calls me aside. "We have a problem. William made bail."
"What? How?"
"Hidden accounts we didn't know about. Two million dollar bail, paid in full from his Cayman accounts we hadn't found yet," Captain Ramirez explains.
"The FBI is tracking the rest, but he had more hidden than we initially discovered.
The man's been planning this for years. At least he's out with an ankle monitor. "
"He's a flight risk—"
"Judge didn't see it that way. William's lawyer argued he's too old and sick to run."
"That's bullshit—"
"I know. We have surveillance on him. But technically, he's free until trial."
I look at Kendall, laughing with the Bad News Babes about something Gertie did. She doesn't know yet. But she doesn't need to know yet, either. Let her have this moment of peace.
But I double-check my weapon and text Declan to increase patrols around all of Kendall's properties.
As the sun sets, the work continues. The whole town has shown up now—business owners, residents, even people from neighboring communities who heard what happened. The news crews are here too, broadcasting the story of a community refusing to let domestic terrorism win.
"Look at this," Kendall says, showing me her phone. The headline reads: "Florida Town Unites to Rebuild After Arson Attack."
"You did this," I tell her.
"The Gallo’s did this. The whole town."
"No, I mean you. You've spent years taking care of these people. Now they're taking care of you."
She leans against me as we watch the construction lights come on so work can continue into the night.
"Jax?"
"Yeah?"
"Move in with me. Officially. Not just for protection."
I turn to look at her. "You sure?"
"My apartment might have cameras in it—"
"Had. We removed them all."
"—and one of my buildings burned down—"
"Being rebuilt."
"—and I'm probably going to be dealing with insurance and construction for months—"
"Years, probably."
She laughs. "You're not helping me sell this very well."
"I'm saying yes," I tell her. "To all of it. The chaos, the construction, the goat-related disasters that will definitely happen."
"Gertie's a saint," she protests as the goat walks by dragging someone's entire tool belt.
"She's a menace. But she is cute in a weird, goat sorta way."
Hudson approaches with Kate. "Hey, we're organizing shifts for overnight security. " You can't be too careful with William out on bail."
The mood shifts immediately. "He's out?" Kendall asks.
"As of two hours ago," I admit. "But he's being watched, and he’s wearing an ankle monitor. You don’t have to worry."
"He burned down my building!"
"And he'll pay for it. But right now, we focus on rebuilding."
She wants to argue; I can see it. But then Mrs. Parsons walks over with Gertie, and the goat immediately tries to eat Kendall's clipboard.
"Gertie says it's time to go home," Mrs. Parsons announces. "She has a strict bedtime."
"Of course she does," Kendall says, scratching the goat's head. "Thank you for coming, Mrs. Parsons."
"Oh, I wouldn't miss it. Harold always said you were special. Said you'd take care of everyone." She pats Kendall's hand. "He was right."
As the memory care van takes them away, Kendall wipes her eyes. "I'm not crying."
"Of course not. It's just construction dust."
"Exactly."
The crowd thins as night falls, but the core group remains—our friends, our chosen family, the people who've been there through everything.
"Tomorrow we start actual construction," Sawyer announces. "Eight AM sharp."
"I'll have breakfast ready," Kate promises.
"The FBIs will provide security," Gladys adds, still wearing her plastic badge.
"That's really not necessary—" Captain Ramirez starts.
"It's happening," all four Walking Ladies say in unison.
He gives up. We all learned a long time ago that arguing with them is pointless.
As everyone disperses, Kendall and I stand looking at the cleared lot where Building 3 will rise again.
"It's going to be better," she says. "Stronger. Safer."
We drive back to her apartment—our apartment now—and for the first time since this all started; it feels like things might actually be okay.
Well, William's out on bail, but he's contained.
Morrison and Brad are in custody, Valerie's cooperating with authorities, and the town has rallied in a way that makes me proud to wear this badge for this town.
"Thank you," Kendall says as we pull into the parking garage.
"For what?"
"For being you. For choosing us this time."
"Every time," I promise. "From now on, every time."
Tomorrow there will be more paperwork, more investigations, more challenges. But tonight, we're home, we're safe, and we're together.
And for now, that's enough.