Smoke (Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters Book 7)

by Ophelia Sexton

  “Justin may still be looking fine,” Evan said, “but what about Dane? I’ve heard rumors that Annabeth’s pastries are taking their toll, and he’s developing a ‘Dad bod.’”

  “He is most definitely not,” Annabeth said indignantly. “And he’ll look great in the calendar. Won’t you, my love?”

  Steffi smiled at Dane in triumph. “Sounds like you’re in.”

  Dane gave his pretty redheaded wife a wry look.

  “I guess I am,” he said in a resigned tone.

  “Good.” Steffi’s attention returned to Dimitri. “And you’re in too.”

  He opened his mouth to protest, and she added, “Resistance is useless. And don’t try to avoid me, Dimitri. I know where you live.”

  He sighed and threw up his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, I’ll do it.” Then his gray gaze sharpened. “Can I bring my pet boa constrictor?”

  That didn’t faze Steffi one bit. “Only if it’s a rescue. Was it a rescue?”

  Dimitri sighed. “No. I don’t actually own a snake.”

  “Knew it,” Steffi said smugly.

  “It was worth a try.”

  Dane bent and scooped up his giggling four-year-old son. “How about I pose with Matt this year? He’s cuter than a puppy.”

  “He sure is,” Annabeth agreed.

  Dane set the little boy on his shoulders, and Matt promptly grabbed onto his father’s hair. “Giddy-up, Daddy!”

  “I like that idea,” Steffi said with an approving nod. She looked around at her hapless victims. “Great. Let me contact the rest of the firefighters and work out a shooting schedule with my photographer buddy, and then I’ll be contacting all of you for with the date and time of the shoot. Say, Captain Dane, can we pose the guys in front of the fire engines again this year?”

  “Sure,” he agreed amiably, reaching up to capture the small, sneaker-clad foot kicking his chest.

  “I’ll bring coffee and pastries to the photo shoot if you let me stay and watch,” Annabeth said, coming over to take Matt from her mate.

  “If you’re going over to watch the shoot, then I’m coming too,” Mark’s mate Caitlyn said. “I feel the need to write an article about the calendar for the fire department’s blog.”

  “Hey, Steffi, stop these women, will you? No one said anything about the photo shoot being performance art,” Mark teased.

  “Dinner is ready,” Elle called.

  The little meeting broke up as everyone left the living room and followed the Swanson clan matriarch down the hall to the huge formal dining room in the back of the house.

  Like the rest of the house, it was decorated with nineteenth-century wallpaper and high molded plaster ceilings. A large bronze chandelier hung from the ceiling, with large, tulip-shaped frosted glass shades around the light bulbs.

  It wasn’t Tyler’s style, but he had a professional appreciation for the expert restoration that had been done on the house to bring back its former glory.

  A giant oval mahogany dining table dominated the room. The leaves had been inserted to stretch it to its full length, and it was set for ten adults with antique china and crystal wine glasses and matching water goblets. There were also a booster seat for Matt and a high chair for Ellie.

  Just like the last time Tyler had been here, all the guests helped to carry the serving plates and bowls of food from the kitchen, fill glasses from a pitcher of iced water, pour wine, or slice bread.

  In deference to the oppressive heat outside and the lack of air conditioning inside the house, Justin had brought large catering pans filled with a selection of smoked and barbequed meats from his restaurant, as well as macaroni and cheese, Texas-style coleslaw with a spicy lime vinaigrette, and cornbread.

  At Elle’s direction, everything was set up, buffet style, on the dining room’s long sideboard.

  Annabeth busily unboxed a selection of pies and fresh fruit tarts from a stack of bakery boxes labeled with the Cinnamon + Sugar logo and placed them in the center of the dining table to create a tantalizing display of desserts

  When everyone had had the chance to fill their plates from the buffet and seat themselves, Elle said, “In addition to welcoming Mary to our clan, there’s more good news. Dane and Annabeth?”

  Tyler figured that the announcement was for the benefit of the Ordinaries in the dining, room, since he and the other shifters already knew, thanks to their keen noses.

  “Dane and I are expecting a baby this autumn,” Annabeth said.

  “I’m gonna get a baby sister!” Matt announced from his high chair.

  “Or maybe a baby brother,” Dane said gently. “It’s too early to tell.”

  Mark raised his glass. “Congratulations, guys! Caitlyn and I are looking forward to another niece or nephew.” He grinned. “We’re still trying for a little sister or brother for Ellie, and we’ll let you know as soon as we have some good news.”

  Everyone lifted their glasses to Dane and Annabeth. Matt lifted his sippy cup.

  “Speaking of babies, when are Ash and Nika coming to visit again?” Tyler asked. “I’d like to meet little Dimitri.”

  “They’re calling him Mitya. That was my nickname when I was a kid,” Dimitri said. “Nika’s not sure when she’ll be able to get away, but Ash says he’s hoping to visit soon and bring Mitya with him.”

  “Oh, good,” Elle commented. Then her sharp brown gaze settled on her middle son Evan, who was seated across the table from Tyler. “And when are you and Steffi planning to give me a grandchild?”

  “When Evan stops spending all summer out in the field,” Steffi replied. “We’ve talked about starting a family, but my stint of caring for Olivia showed me how hard it was to take care of a baby on my own. Plus, my job with Ash’s company has just gotten a LOT busier, because the latest release of Hunter’s Blood is a runaway success so far.”

  “And I don’t want to miss out on any parental experiences because I’m away from home,” Evan added, serious for once. “I’ve just heard that the funding for that interagency lynx study that I’ve been on for the past few years will be ending next year. Steffi and I think that we might want to start our family after my final field season.”

  Thankfully, no one asked Tyler and Mary about their reproductive plans.

  Instead, Elle inquired, “So Tyler, what are your plans? I know that you’re currently working on your mother’s house, but what will you do after that?”

  “Well, I promised Mary that I’ll rebuild her house. We found some plans online that she really likes, so I’m planning to get started on her place as soon as I wrap up work on Mom’s place, which should be pretty soon. It’s basically down to painting and installing countertops and appliances now. I’m hoping to get her moved in before the end of the month.”

  “And then?” Elle pressed, and Tyler finally twigged to what she was really asking.

  He realized that Mary, seated on his right, had tensed up again. Yet another thing that we haven’t talked about.

  Tyler drew a deep breath and reached for Mary’s hand. “And then I’m planning to resign as CEO of Schaeffer Construction and sell my share of the company to my cousin Eddie. I’ve decided to start a new construction firm in Bearpaw Ridge.”

  Mary whipped her head around to stare at him. “We’re not moving to Portland?”

  Tyler shook his head. “I’m hoping that you’ll let me put a chef’s kitchen in that new house of yours,” he said. “I know we haven’t had a chance to discuss it yet, but I want to make a home here in Bearpaw Ridge, with you.”

  “I think that sounds like a great idea,” Elle said approvingly. “New jobs are always welcome in the county, and we could use another good general contractor in town.”

  “I sure hope so,” Tyler said. “I hear that Mary’s got a promising career in law enforcement here, and it would be cool to be the sheriff’s husband one day.”

  He saw a deep blush rise from Mary’s collarbones and roll over her face like a slow scarlet wave.

 
“You can add anything to the house you like,” she said in a choked voice and squeezed his fingers hard. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Thank you, Tyler.”

  * * *

  Tyler’s decided to rearrange his entire life because of me.

  That thought, flattering and terrifying at the same time, had dominated Mary’s thoughts through the rest of dinner and dessert.

  Despite her earlier nerves, Mary had ended up enjoying herself at Elle’s shindig. The Swanson gathering had the same warm, friendly vibe as the monthly pack meetings did, and she had grown up with Elle’s sons, so they already felt like family.

  Before tonight, she’d have bet that Tyler wanted to move back to Portland at the first opportunity.

  Mary had been simultaneously confused about his insistence on rebuilding her home and determined to avoid the unpleasant conversation about where they were going to live, because she had just assumed that being the head of a big, well-known construction firm would take precedence over her own hopes of becoming Bearpaw Ridge’s sheriff someday.

  Now the late summer dusk was smoldering over the jagged top of the nearby ridge, she was filled to the brim with Justin’s BBQ and Annabeth’s pie, and Tyler was driving them home.

  And it was time to have a serious conversation about their immediate future together.

  “So, um, Tyler?” she ventured, after both of them had been silent for a few minutes. “I was wondering…”

  She hesitated, not sure of how to phrase what she wanted to say.

  “Yeah?” he prompted after a long moment.

  “I really appreciate what you said at dinner, but I’ve been wondering. Um, did mating me throw a wrench in the works as far as your career goes?” she asked.

  She studied his profile as he drove, saw him start to speak.

  “Be honest,” she added.

  His expression changed. He nodded. “Yeah, okay, things have kind of turned upside-down on me this week,” he admitted.

  Ouch. But it wasn’t unexpected. “I’m sor—” she began, feeling sick to her stomach.

  She’d been giddy with happiness at dinner when he had declared his intention of making her new house their home.

  But had he just been saying what Elle and the others wanted to hear?

  “But it was the boot to the ass that I needed,” he continued, interrupting her attempt to apologize. “Don’t get me wrong. It’s been great to work at Schaeffer Construction, but it was and will always be Grandpa Rob’s baby. I’ve spent the past six months thinking about starting my own business but haven’t done jack shit about it, because I kept getting distracted.” He reached out and put his hand on her leg. “This thing between us—it’s really made me focus on getting my act together. And figuring out how to make living here work for me.”

  “I’d be willing to give Portland a chance,” she said, because it wasn’t fair to ask him to give up everything without offering a sacrifice of her own in return.

  Tyler’s hand tightened on her thigh.

  “I don’t want you to screw up your chance to become sheriff, Mary,” he said. “I know you’d be great for this town. And a good general contractor—which I am, by the way—can find work anywhere.”

  “Then feel free to add anything to those house plans that you want. I want it to be your home too.”

  “If you’re there, eating with me and sharing my bed, it’ll feel like home,” he said with sincerity.

  She felt like crying with happiness as they turned off the highway and drove into the neighborhood where she and Tyler lived.

  But as they pulled up to the house, they saw a police car parked in front. And the lights were on.

  “What the hell?” muttered Tyler as he steered his pickup into the driveway next to the house.

  “Maybe my uncle just dropped by for some coffee or something,” Mary suggested, but she didn’t believe it herself.

  No one locked their doors in Bearpaw Ridge, and if you dropped by someone’s house while they were out, most people expected you to come on in and help yourself to a cup of tea or coffee while you waited for them to return.

  This felt different, though. For one thing, she and the other officers on the police force never did a drop-in while they were in uniform, unless they had a warrant.

  Inside, Uncle Bill was seated at the kitchen table, waiting for them. And he was wearing his uniform.

  “What are you doing here?” Tyler demanded.

  Chapter 15 – Shattered

  Tyler glared at Uncle Bill. “You searched my place.” It wasn’t a question.

  “I have a warrant.” Wearing a grim expression, Uncle Bill took the document out of his pocket, put it on the dining table, and rose to his feet. “And I need you to come with me to answer some questions.”

  Mary’s stomach felt like she’d swallowed an indigestible lump of lead, cold and heavy.

  “Asshole!” Bogey was perched on the stand on top of his cage, busily shelling an almond that he held in one scaly foot. Uncle Bill must have let him out and given him a treat.

  “On what grounds?” Tyler crossed his arms over his chest, and Mary sensed a volcanic stew of rage just under the surface.

  “On suspicion of arson,” Uncle Bill said, sounding regretful.

  “Wait, you actually believe the bullshit that asshole Zack was spouting?” Tyler exploded incredulously.

  “We’ve got evidence linking you to the fire at Hawkins Hardware. That means I had probable cause to search your place and to bring you in for questioning.”

  “What evidence? I’m innocent!” Tyler snarled, taking a step towards Uncle Bill.

  Mary lunged for her mate and threw her arms around him.

  Uncle Bill looked at them and sighed. “Mary, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to believe Tyler’s an arsonist, but I can’t ignore evidence.”

  “Like what?” Tyler demanded. “What do you have?”

  Mary felt the rage vibrating through her mate.

  “Tyler, please don’t do anything stupid,” she begged.

  “Son, I just want you to come down to the station and answer a few questions,” Uncle Bill said, raising a placating hand. “I’m sure we can clear up any misunderstandings if you just tell me your side.”

  Oh, for goodness sake, that’s the oldest interrogation technique in the police handbook.

  “Tyler, don’t talk to anyone until I can get hold of Mark and hire him as your defense attorney.”

  “Mary,” her uncle said in a warning tone. “Don’t interfere.”

  She glared at him. “If you’re going to arrest him, then my mate is invoking his right to remain silent and to have counsel present when he does talk to you. Isn’t that right, Tyler?”

  He had stiffened with surprise when she began to talk, but he recovered quickly. “Yeah, that’s right. I want my lawyer present when you interrogate me.”

  “Interrogation? What interrogation? Stop being so dramatic, you two,” Uncle Bill said, sounding exasperated. “I just need Tyler to answer a few questions so that I can clear him.”

  You mean you want to ask him questions until you can get a confession out of him.

  Mary had been a cop long enough to have conducted her share of suspect interrogations. She wasn’t going to let her mate—whom she knew to be innocent—fall into that trap.

  “So does that mean he’s free to decline your request for an interview?” Mary challenged her uncle.

  Uncle Bill sighed. “No. I’m placing him under arrest.”

  “In that case, Mary, I’d appreciate it if you contacted Mark,” Tyler said, crossing his arms. He looked coldly at Uncle Bill. “And I’m not answering any of your questions until he arrives.”

  Mary sensed that her mate was still angry, but he was no longer teetering on the edge of an explosion. No, he was in control now, and his body language promised that he was going to use his anger to be extremely uncooperative.

  Good.

  “I’ll phone him right away,” she
promised, releasing her hold on Tyler. “No matter the temptation, don’t try to explain yourself until he gets there. And don’t sign any paperwork, got it?”

  “Whose side are you on, Mary?” Uncle Bill asked, with the same note of exasperation in his voice. “If Tyler’s innocent, he doesn’t need a lawyer.”

  “Everyone needs a lawyer when they’re being questioned by the police. You know that as well as I do,” she shot back. “And I’m on my mate’s side. I know he didn’t set those fires, and so do you.”

  She was angry and frightened enough not to care if Uncle Bill was angry at her for advising Tyler. Her mate needed all the help he could get right now.

  Uncle Bill didn’t answer. Instead, he motioned Tyler towards the door. “Let’s go.”

  Mary threw her arms around Tyler’s neck and kissed him with desperate passion, which he returned.

  When they broke the kiss, he said, “Take care of Bogey, will you?”

  “I’ll make sure he’s okay,” she promised.

  She’d have to search online for parrot care tips, but she was determined that her mate wouldn’t have to worry about his pet.

  “C’mon, Tyler. Time to go,” her uncle said.

  He put a hand on Tyler’s shoulder and steered him towards the front door.

  Mary felt a brief moment of gratitude that her uncle wasn’t going to put her mate in handcuffs.

  As the front door closed behind them, she heard Uncle Bill reciting the Miranda warning to Tyler. A few moments later, she heard the doors of the police SUV slam.

  “I’m sorry! I love you!” Bogey called frantically from his perch as the engine started and the headlights came on. “I’m sorry! I love you!”

  Mary stumbled over to the living room windows in time to see the SUV pull away from the curb and disappear down the street.

  Her stomach churned with shock, grief, and frustration, and she doubled over at a sudden spasm of nausea. She turned and sprinted for the bathroom, barely reaching it in time before she threw up violently.

  Mary knelt on the cool, hard marble tiles of the bathroom floor for a long time, alternating between sobbing and throwing up as her world crashed in around her like a burning house.