“They split. Don’t you ever read my emails?” Eric sliced a look at his sister.
“Of course I read them.” Brooke leaned against a countertop with her arms crossed.
“Then you’d know Megan’s out and Lainey is in.”
“Lainey and I are friends, that’s all,” Cam interjected before Eric got carried away. “She had a scare and Buck Towers, he’s with the police department, recommended she not stay alone at the house.” Cam started to say more until the sound of his phone interrupted him. “This is Cam.”
“It’s Buck Towers. There’s a fire at Lainey’s—”
“What? Where is she?” Cam threw the dish towel at Eric as he dashed toward the door.
“She wasn’t in the house, Cam. She’s with me a block away. It started in the storage shed. Fire crew is here, but I thought it best to call you.”
“I’m on my way.” He shoved the phone in his pocket then turned back to Eric and Brooke. “There’s a fire at Lainey’s. I’m heading over there. Let the family know.”
“Hey, do you need help?” Eric called as Cam dashed through the door to his truck.
“No. I’ll call if I need anything.”
******
It took Cam almost thirty minutes to get to town, wind his way through the crowd gathered on surrounding streets, and make his way to the police barricade.
“Buck Towers called me. I need to find him.”
The young officer pointed toward a car near Lainey’s house.
Cam sprinted down the street, glancing to his side to watch as the crew started their cleanup efforts. It appeared the fire had been contained to the storage shed and one side of the old garage near the back of Lainey’s property.
Lainey saw him approach and started forward. “I’m sorry to drag you back out here…”
Cam pulled her into him, ignoring her apology, relief flooding through his body as he realized she wasn’t hurt. She wrapped her arms around Cam and buried her head in his shoulder.
“Looks like the shed is the only casualty. Don’t know how it didn’t jump to the house.” Buck stood next to Cam, arms folded as he surveyed the damage. “They do know it was arson. Apparently whoever did this made no attempt to make it look like an accident. The fire chief said it appears the arsonist poured gasoline around the shed and back fence. This fire isn’t a coincidence, Ms. Devlin.”
“Not around the garage?” Cam asked.
“That’s the strange part. They’ll be back tomorrow to check further, but for now, it looks like only the fence and shed were targeted.”
Buck’s words confirmed what Lainey had already guessed. Lainey pulled back from Cam. “I guess I’d better check it out.”
“I’m coming with you.”
They walked around the property, keeping out of the way as the cleanup crew finished their work and loaded equipment into their waiting trucks. The heat from the embers could be felt yards away, soot still drifting in flakes to the ground as smoke clung to the air. They stood several feet away, scanning the area for anything salvageable. Cam could see the remains of Lainey’s bicycle in the rubble. Other than that, everything was a mass of twisted metal and ash.
“Get your things. You’re staying with me tonight.”
“No. I’m staying here. The house will be destroyed if he comes back and no one is home.” She started toward the house, determined not to let the arsonist drive her away.
Cam gripped her arm, spinning her to face him. “Listen to me, Lainey. You can’t stay here. The person doing this can’t be in their right mind, which means no one can guess what he’ll do next. Buck is sending cars around every fifteen minutes, plus your neighbors will be on alert. Don’t be obstinate. Your life is worth more than this house.” His gaze held hers, a sense of urgency and fear flickering between them.
“I’m not trying to be obstinate.” A sigh escaped her lips, her chest heaving at the reality of what she faced. She ran shaky fingers through her hair then took a deep breath.
“You don’t have to stay with me, but you need to get away from here. Is there anyone else you can call?” Although his words were calm, reassuring, he didn’t want Lainey staying with anyone except him.
“There’s just Mark and he’s still in Idaho.”
“My place it is. Get what you need for a few days.” He held up his hand when she started to protest. “Just in case you need to stay longer.” Or want to stay longer, Cam thought as he followed her inside the house.
******
He peered around the corner from his hiding place. No one had noticed him wander toward the street along with the other neighbors who watched the fire. Lainey had dashed right past him, unaware he’d been the one to start the blaze. It had been easy. Most people in the neighborhood worked during the day, making it possible for him to approach from the alley in broad daylight, pour some gasoline around the shed, strike a match, and disappear within minutes.
She’d walked up to the policeman who stood by his car a few yards from her house. It seemed obvious from her posture and gestures that the fire rattled her just as he’d hoped. Good, perhaps now she’d understand the threats were serious.
He watched as she and the guy from the night before disappeared inside then returned a few minutes later with a small duffle bag and computer case. She was leaving.
The arsonist let out a breath. He didn’t want to harm her, or anyone else, even though he would if needed. No, he’d target others until she got the message that Fire Mountain wasn’t safe any longer.
******
“The guest room is down the hall on the right. My room is on the left. We share a bath, but it’s a good size—almost as large as my bedroom.” Cam tossed the bag of takeout on the counter and made coffee while he spoke. Lainey hadn’t eaten since lunch, and even though she had no interest in food, he knew the effects of the fire would wear off and she’d be famished.
“Nice place. Have you lived in it long?” Lainey had changed into jeans and a snug fitting t‑shirt. He watched her stroll around the room, looking at the few pictures he’d hung and photos of his family.
“Since I arrived from San Francisco. Heath built several of these cabins within a couple miles of the main house. Eric stays in one of them.” He glanced at the compact kitchen that opened into the dining and living rooms. “I like it. Besides, it comes with my job, which is a heck of a deal compared to the rent I paid in California.”
She looked up, a vague smile curving her lips. “The family rate?”
“Perhaps. I’ll tell you, though, Heath doesn’t make allowances for any of the family members, including Jace, who is his brother, part owner, and senior vice president. I’ve no doubt he wouldn’t hesitate to call us out if we didn’t produce.”
Lainey eyed the bag of takeout and felt her stomach rumble.
“Sounds like you might be a little hungry,” Cam smiled before grabbing a plate and silverware. “Here you go. Dig in.”
They sat across from each other at the small table, Lainey doing her best to finish an oversized burrito with salsa while Cam sipped his coffee.
Lainey crumpled her napkin and threw on the plate. “Thanks.”
“For what?”
“Being there tonight, letting me stay here, the food,” she eyed her empty plate then took a long swallow of water.
“You must be exhausted after everything that’s happened.” Cam pushed from his chair, picked up her plate, and carried it to the sink. “What about tomorrow at the preschool? Do you need to go in?”
“I don’t have a choice. The parents depend on me and I have just two helpers this week. The third one is visiting relatives in Texas for a few more days. I’ll see if there’s a chance I can get away around lunchtime and have someone else close up. I need to meet the insurance adjuster at the house sometime tomorrow, plus an arson investigator is supposed to call. Sergeant Towers said they usually come up from the valley.”
Cam handed her coffee with cream and some sugar, the way he’d seen h
er make it at the coffee house he’d taken her to weeks before. It seemed like a lifetime since that night, their kiss, and his decision to call it off with Megan. So much had happened yet he and Lainey were still treading lightly, afraid to push their tentative friendship too far.
“I may need to find a substitute for a few days. Don’t know how easy it will be to find someone.”
Cam’s eyes shot to hers. “I have an idea.” He grabbed his phone. “Hi Caroline, it’s Cam. You wouldn’t want to pinch hit at a preschool for a few days, would you?” A few minutes later he set the phone back on the kitchen counter. That’s when he noticed Lainey’s stupefied expression.
“And that was…?”
“My aunt, Caroline MacLaren. She used to teach preschool before she and Jace got married. She’s mentioned a few times how routine her life has become, and I thought this could work out for both of you.”
“You sure she’s fine with it?”
“More than that. She sounded excited. She’ll meet you at the school tomorrow morning at six-thirty.”
Lainey stared at him, confused by why he kept helping her, yet not knowing what she would have done without him.
“It seems like lately I’m always thanking you,” she murmured as she rinsed out her coffee cup then placed her hands on the counter, her eyes riveted on his. “I don’t understand. Why are you helping me?”
He’d hoped she wouldn’t question his motives, dig too deep into why he couldn’t let her walk through her troubles alone.
He shrugged his shoulders. “You’re my SAR partner, at least until you get settled in.”
Her eyes never wavered from his. “And you’d do this for any partner?”
“Possibly. Probably.”
“I see.” She’d hoped for a different answer, one that would let her know she mattered to him as more than a partner or acquaintance. No matter what she’d told herself the last few weeks, she wanted Cam and hoped at some point he might want to see if anything between them could work.
Lainey checked the time. “It’s pretty late. Guess I’ll turn in.” She started for the hall, then called over her shoulder. “Thanks again, Cam. You’ve been great.”
Well, damn, Cam thought as she disappeared down the hall. He had hoped she’d relax, keep him company for a while, and show an interest in rebuilding what they’d lost when he’d failed to tell her about Megan. At least she had agreed to stay, and that in itself said something.
Cam turned off the lights and headed to bed. He’d just closed his bedroom door when he heard the shower start up. Images of Lainey, stripping out of her jeans and t-shirt, stepping under the warm spray, and letting the water sluice over her body assailed Cam. He groaned as his body tightened at the vision his mind formed. What he should do was get undressed, slide into bed, and get a good night’s sleep. What he wanted was something different.
He stripped down to nothing except his boxers and lay across his bed, an arm resting over his eyes, and tried without success to rid his mind of Lainey and her activities across the hall. It couldn’t be healthy, the kind of pull she had over him, almost as if she was sucking him into a place from where he’d never return. Yet the more she was near, the less resistance he felt, and the more he wanted to be drawn into her life, and not as just a friend.
He heard the shower stop and a few minutes later heard the bathroom door open and close. His turn. Cam glanced down the hall. She’d disappeared into her room. He stepped into the bathroom and walked toward the shower to turn on the faucet. He’d just reached for the light when Lainey walked in, wearing nothing except a bath towel which wrapped around her body and tucked in at the front.
She gasped and stepped backwards, knocking into the door frame, and almost unhinging the towel that had loosened from the rapid movement. “I’m sorry…I didn’t see you…” Her gaze locked on his. She could feel her face redden and dropped her eyes to his muscled chest, sprinkled with crisp, blond hair. Her heart pounded erratically as an image of the two of them together took hold. She turned toward her room, then felt Cam’s gentle grip on her shoulder stopping her retreat.
He didn’t say a word, simply turned her toward him, and let his gaze wander from her face, down her still damp arms and legs, to her toes, which were painted with soft pink polish. He lifted a hand to stroke his knuckles down her cheek to her jaw, then ran a finger along the soft column of her neck.
Lainey stood motionless, knowing she should return to the shelter and safety of her bedroom. Her obstinate legs wouldn’t obey. They stayed rooted in place as her body reacted to his touch. She gazed up into warm brown eyes that had turned a deep chocolate. She moistened her dry lips, unaware of the effect the small action had on Cam. He let his hand move around to the back of her neck, drawing her toward him, lowering his head until their lips were a breath apart.
Cam searched her eyes then lowered his mouth to hers, running his warm lips over hers before pulling her tight and taking what he’d wanted for weeks.
Lainey’s body heated, warm currents flowing from her toes to her face. She grasped his arms, her heart hammering as her body arched into his.
Cam’s urgency slowed and his hands moved over her damp shoulders, down her body to rest on her towel-covered hips. He pulled her close, never breaking the contact of his lips on hers, and let her feel how she affected him.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, a soft sigh escaping at his gentle yet firm touch.
“Cam,” she breathed out when he pulled back to look into her passion-filled eyes. The want and need she saw scared and excited her. She lifted her hand between them, tugged gently on the small knot, and let the towel drift to the floor.
Cam’s mouth went dry. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen and he wanted her with a desperation he’d never felt before.
“I want you, Cam.” Her soft words penetrated his senses and in one, smooth motion, she was in his arms. His mouth found hers as he carried her across the hall and into his bedroom, closing the door behind them.
Chapter Fifteen
Lainey felt warm fingers run down her back and startled at the touch. They’d made love over and over until each gave into their body’s need for sleep.
Cam placed soft kisses on her neck and down her shoulders, sending shivers through her body, and causing heat to once again flash through her body. She should have been spent from their long night. Her thoughts drifted for a brief moment to her house and the fire, before Cam’s kisses caused her to lose all coherent thought. She gave in to his continued caresses, and on a sigh, turned into his arms.
An hour later Cam followed her to the preschool. She’d be a little late, but in Lainey’s mind, it was worth it. They’d lingered in bed, talking, trying to make sense of what each felt, and finally deciding to take it a day at a time. Neither regretted their night together and neither wanted to walk away.
Lainey had called her neighbor, Pete, before leaving Cam’s house. Pete sounded like he hadn’t slept all night, and he probably hadn’t. He’d watched the street from his large picture window and checked outside several times until dawn. Everything had remained quiet.
Caroline waved when she saw Cam’s truck pull into the lot behind a red SUV, which she figured to be Lainey’s.
“You must be Caroline,” Lainey called as she jumped out of her car. “I’m Lainey Devlin. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No problem at all.” Caroline turned as Cam walked up beside her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Thanks, Caroline. It’s great of you to jump into this without notice.”
Caroline laughed. “Are you kidding? Life around Jace and Heath is always unpredictable, so I’ve become an expert at spontaneity. Well, let’s get started.”
******
Lainey met the insurance adjuster a couple of hours later. The back area of the property looked worse in the daylight, with charred wood, ash everywhere, and debris that hadn’t been destroyed yet no longer held a useful purpose.
; “Any idea of the value of the shed’s contents?” The female adjuster asked as she snapped a few more pictures.
“The bicycle cost six hundred dollars new about two years ago. The tools and most everything else in the shed couldn’t have been worth much, maybe two or three hundred dollars at most.”
“Have you gotten an estimate on rebuilding the shed and fence, and replacing the siding on your garage?”
“No. The fire just happened last night. How soon do you need it?”
“Within a few days. It’s up to you. The sooner I have all the information, the sooner we can release the funds so you can start rebuilding.” She snapped her notebook shut and handed Lainey her card. “Call me when you get the estimate.”
Lainey pulled out her phone.
“Cam Sinclair.” The sound of his voice caused butterflies to form in the pit of her stomach.
“Hi, Cam. It’s me, Lainey.”
Cam sat back in his chair, a broad smile breaking out across his face. “Hi. How’d it go with the adjuster?”
“Okay, I guess. I need an estimate to replace the shed and fence, plus the siding on the garage. I didn’t realize it had been scorched until I saw it this morning.”
“No problem. I’ll contact our contractor, Seth Garner. He can probably have someone out by this afternoon.”
“That would be great.”
“What are you doing for lunch?”
“No plans. I guess it depends on what time the contractor can come out.”
“Drive out toward my office. There’s a great lunch place about four miles from your house.” He gave her the address. “Noon work for you?”
“That’s fine, unless the contractor calls and needs to stop by then.”
“I’m sure he’ll work around it. See you at noon.” Cam clicked off, leaving Lainey to wait for the call from the contractor, and looked forward to lunch.
It amazed Lainey how things had changed in the last twenty-four hours. Nothing about yesterday or last night could have been anticipated when she got out of bed before sunrise. Just one day later, everything was different.
One More Day: MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary, Book Three (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary series 3) Page 12
