Chapter 35
CADEN
“Tell me again,” Grae demanded, practically bouncing in the passenger seat.
My lips twitched. “Clive said it was the best executive retreat he has ever been on, and he wants me to plan the one for next year.”
She let out a squeal and stamped her feet against the floorboards of the SUV. “I told you.”
I glanced Grae’s way for a moment. “You did.” I forced my gaze back to the road. “I really liked doing it, too. Thinking about how to break down people’s walls so they can connect.”
“Maybe that’s something you could turn into a full-time gig. Helping people get back to their roots.”
“Maybe.” It had been a rush to think that way and make sure everything was executed perfectly. And I’d been wracking my brain for options that would keep me in Cedar Ridge if I did leave my parents’ company.
Grae squeezed my hand. “You’ll figure it out.”
My thumb tracked back and forth across the back of her hand. “We’ll figure it out.”
She grinned at me. “I like being a team with you.”
“So do I.”
“And you’re team chauffeur?” Grae teased as I made the turn onto Main Street. “I do have a brand-new SUV now. And you should really be prepping for the gala tonight.”
“I like driving you,” I said, lifting her hand to my lips.
“Don’t turn me on before I have to go to work,” she grumbled.
“Maybe I want you thinking about me all day long.”
Grae shifted in her seat. “If I have to suffer, then so do you. I’m going to text you the dirtiest things I can think of so you have blue balls right along with me.”
I choked on a laugh. “Vicious.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
I followed Main Street to the edge of town where Jordan’s house stood. I pulled to a stop in front of the two-story Craftsman just a couple of blocks from Grae’s old place. Sliding out of my SUV, I rounded the hood and opened her door.
“I see the gentleman is back in full force this morning.”
I arched a brow. “And what was I before?”
Her eyes danced with mischief. “I’d say last night you were a little bit of a devil.”
I hauled her to me, kissing her deeply. “I think you liked the devil.”
Grae bit her bottom lip. “I wouldn’t mind a repeat performance.”
“I’ll certainly never look at that counter the same way again.”
She laughed and wrapped her legs around me, brushing the hair out of my face. “You’re fun, Caden Shaw.”
A throat cleared behind us, and Grae dropped from her spider monkey hold.
Ramirez, the fire chief, stood on Jordan’s front porch, and Rance stood next to him, glaring daggers at us.
Grae squirmed in place, and I took her hand, tracing comforting circles on her skin.
“Grae,” Ramirez said with a nod.
“Sorry. I didn’t see you there,” Grae mumbled.
Rance scoffed. “Sure you didn’t.”
Ramirez sent him a quelling look. “We wanted to stop by and let you know that your house has been cleared as of last night. I apologize that processing it took so long.”
“What does that mean? I can go inside?”
Ramirez nodded. “I can recommend a couple of local fire restoration companies. The majority of the actual fire damage is in the bedroom, but I’m afraid there’s smoke and water damage throughout.”
“Is it safe to enter?” I asked.
“Yes. We’ve done a structural assessment. But it’s a mess, and there could be damaged items you could hurt yourself on, so I would leave the rehab to the professionals,” Ramirez urged.
I shifted to look at Grae. “Do you want to take a look and call someone before work?”
“Did you not hear us?” Rance clipped. “You need to leave it to the professionals. But you probably think you can handle anything.”
My gaze cut to him. “I wasn’t suggesting we try to fix anything. But we need to get an idea of the damage to tell the fire restoration company.”
My voice was calm and even, but anger flickered deep down. Rance was acting like a spoiled toddler who hadn’t gotten the toy he wanted.
Lawson had questioned him after the office fire.
Patrons at Dockside had seen him at the bar most of the night, but no one could give an exact recounting of the time because they’d been too distracted by the band and spending time with friends.
Lawson had also tried to have another conversation with Gabe, but my brother had told him to go through his lawyer from now on.
Ramirez squeezed Rance’s shoulder. “There’s no harm in them having a look.”
“Whatever,” Rance said, shaking off the hold and stalking toward a truck on the street.
Ramirez let out a sigh. “I’m sorry about that. I should’ve told him to wait in the car. I thought maybe his temper had cooled.”
“It’s okay,” Grae said. “I know things are a little awkward right now.”
Ramirez nodded. “Look, I know Law talked to him about these fires, but that’s not Rance. No matter how mad he is, he wouldn’t do something like this.”
Grae bit her lip. “I can’t see it either. Even though he hates me right now, I’ve never seen him knowingly hurt another person. My brother is just covering all his bases because it’s his job, and we have no idea who this is.”
Ramirez’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “It’s good to hear you feel that way. I’m so sorry this is happening. I want to catch this asshole as much as you do, so let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
“I will. Thank you for everything.”
He gave me a chin lift and headed for the truck.
I studied Grae for a moment. “You really don’t think it’s Rance?”
Grae sighed. “I just don’t see it. Maybe it’s because I’ve known him for so long, but I just don’t.”
I wrapped her in a hug. That was Grae through and through, always seeing the best in people.
“Is Captain America gone yet?” A voice came from inside the screen door.
I chuckled as Eddie popped his head out. “Captain America?”
He rolled his eyes. “Rance has become a piece of work. He thinks he’s God’s gift to anyone in danger. He came in and basically started lecturing us all on fire safety.”
Grae groaned. “I’m sorry.”
Jordan came through the door and patted her shoulder. “Not your fault.”
Noel followed. “I don’t know. If I had to listen to another story about how he prevented imminent disaster, I might start blaming you.”
Grae grimaced. “I’ll bring coffee tomorrow to make up for it.”
Eddie looked instantly hopeful. “And scones?”
“You drive a hard bargain, but yes.”
The amusement fled Jordan’s face. “Your house is cleared?”
Grae nodded. “Do you mind if I walk over really quick and check it out?”
“Of course not. We’ll come with you.”
“You don’t have to—”
“We’ll come with you,” Jordan insisted.
I wrapped an arm around Grae’s shoulders. “Come on. Let’s get it over with, and then you can get to work.”
She nodded again, but I saw the apprehension in her eyes.
“Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it. We’re a team, remember?”
“Okay,” Grae breathed. She stretched up onto her tiptoes and brushed her mouth against mine. “Thank you.”
“Always.”
Eddie made a gagging noise. “Can we cut the ooey-gooey stuff short?”
Grae reached up and flicked his ear.
“Hey! That hurt,” he whined.
Jordan just shook his head. “Children, let’s get this show on the road.”
We headed down the walkway, and the squad car that had followed us rolled down its window. Clint stuck his head out. “Where are you headed?”
“They cleared Grae’s house, so we need to take a quick look. Then we’re heading back.”
He nodded and climbed out of the car.
“You don’t have to come,” Grae assured him.
He gave her an indulgent smile. “G, your brothers would have my balls if I started slacking.”
She huffed out a breath. “Fine. School field trip I guess.”
Clint laughed. “You’ll be real happy when this is over, and you have some alone time again.”
“You have no idea,” she grumbled.
We made our way the two blocks to Grae’s cottage. It didn’t look that bad from the outside, but I wanted to eat those words the moment we made our way inside. The scent of smoke still clung to the walls, and soot and water damage were everywhere.
Noel let out a low whistle. “Shit, G.”
She slowly walked through the living area to the hallway, grief making itself at home in her expression. “I can’t imagine it ever smelling right again.”
I took her hand and squeezed. “We’ll figure it out.”
I’d pay any price to make sure she felt at home wherever she wanted to be.
Grae headed in the direction of her bedroom. “I need to see the worst. Just get it over with.”
“Okay.” We’d rip off the Band-Aid and then start the healing process.
Black streaks coated the walls as we approached what was left of her door. When we got to the entryway, Grae pulled up short, gasping.
It took me a moment to realize what I was seeing. Black-and-white photos covered the space. Ones of Grae. Of the two of us. Intimate ones of her changing, of us embracing. And coating all of them was what looked like blood.