by Melissa Ford
She'd finally stopped gasping for air. Her face was covered with black smudges and bits of straw stuck out from her hair. He wanted to ask her everything; like what was she doing in the hayloft? How had the fire started? Did she realize how badly she'd scared him when he saw her doubled over? But when he gazed into her eyes and saw fear, he kept his mouth shut.
* * * *
LOUISE WANTED TRENT to stop staring at her and put his arms around her. Fear churned through her, even though she was safe. What would've happened if he hadn't come by? She was thankful he had, but hated that she'd put him in danger.
Trent's coughing finally stopped. “You okay?” he asked.
Louise reached for his arm. “They already checked me over. I'm fine thanks to you. You saved my life."
He shook his head. “No, Louise. The firemen would've gotten here in time.” He turned toward the firemen putting away their equipment. “Let's not talk about it."
One of the men came over, knelt between them, and pulled off his hat. “Not much damage, really."
Trent pointed at the barn. “But there was so much smoke, I figured the whole place was going up."
The fireman shrugged. “The hay that caught fire was wet. That'll make a lot of smoke.” He looked from Trent to Louise. “You two okay?"
"I'm fine,” she answered with a nod toward Trent. “Thanks to him.” Out of the corner of her eye she saw him turn away.
The fireman nodded. “You're a lucky girl, that's for sure.” Then he laid a well-aged hand on Trent's shoulder. “You okay, son?"
His face was solemn. “Yes, I think so. Thanks for your help."
When Louise echoed Trent's appreciation, the fireman brushed off the thanks the same way Trent had pushed away her gratitude a minute ago.
"You folks take it easy tonight. Tomorrow will be soon enough to take care of the mess. I'll be by in the afternoon to check on things.” With that he pushed himself up and headed to his crew.
The men moved swiftly, efficiently packing up their equipment. Within a few minutes they had everything back on their truck and were pulling out of the stable yard. The people who had gathered by the fence to watch the excitement wandered off.
The silence that settled around them seemed strange in the wake of the chaos. Aside from the lingering odor, the only thing that remained as evidence of what happened were the tire tracks criss-crossing the yard.
Trent smacked Louise's leg in an uncharacteristically playful gesture. “You thinking about where the insurance papers might be?"
After a few muddled seconds, Louise chuckled. “No, I wasn't. Really."
He shook his head, to tell her he didn't believe her. “Okay. You were thinking about how long the clean up would take."
She smacked him on the leg. “I wasn't.” But now that he brought it up she was curious. “Let's just go have a quick look."
He hauled her to her feet. Once up, he took her hand as though it was the most natural thing in the world and led her across the yard.
* * * *
TRENT STAYED BESIDE Louise. Most of the smoke had blown off but the stench still lingered. Fear showed in Louise's eyes, in her walk. She was obviously trying to ignore it, but her panicked reaction made her stall by the door.
He moved closer and wrapped his arm around her trembling shoulders. “You're fine now, honey,” he encouraged. “I'm here."
The muscles in her back softened and she let him take her into the barn. They stepped down the aisle in silence and stopped when they reached the doorway of the small hayloft at the end.
The stink of burned hay and puffs of smoke remained in the air. Black smudges covered the walls and the feedbags. Trent scanned the room. Where had the fire started? He couldn't make any sense out of the scene before him. He would ask the fire chief for the details tomorrow.
Only a short while ago, the room had been filled with black clouds. Illuminated now by a bare bulb hanging behind him, it looked bleak but hardly life threatening.
"The fireman was right. There isn't much damage. We'll have it cleaned up in no time.” He gave Louise's shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Tomorrow."
He reached up and pulled a few pieces of straw from her golden hair. A single tear rolled down her cheek. The desire to comfort her took over and he wrapped his other arm around her shoulders.
She sobbed and leaned into him. The pressure of her body as she sagged against him made his muscles tense. Her sweet acceptance of his comfort tugged at his heart. Throwing all his intentions to keep his distance from her, he pulled her closer kissed her.
She clung to him. It was as though, for that moment, he was the most important thing in her world. She wanted him. More than that, she needed him. A current of some nameless emotion surged through him and he felt powerfully alive.
Trent reveled in the sensation. Her acceptance of him was so complete, it went straight through to the darkest parts of his soul. There in the burnt mess surrounding them, he gave a little of his heart to her and she tenderly accepted it.
Chapter Seven
LOUISE CLUNG TO Trent. The warm caress of his lips eased away what had moments before been unrelenting panic. Never could she remember being more terrified or longing to be held by someone so desperately. The need frightened her almost as much as the fire. The tears she'd been holding back flowed freely down her cheeks.
Trent pulled back to wipe them away with his thumb. “Everything's going to be fine, sweetheart."
She let out a shaky breath. “I know, it's just that, it happened so suddenly and—"
"How did it happen?” He settled his hands on her waist.
With a sigh she curled into him. Of course he wanted to know what happened. His business almost burned down, so he had every right to ask questions. But she really didn't want to talk. “Do we have to talk about it right now?"
"No. Not now.” He placed a short kiss on her forehead then stepped back to take her hand. He led her out of the barn, across the yard, and through the gate. She followed along silently, glad to be near him.
Still holding her hand, he guided her down the sidewalk. It didn't take Louise long to realize he was taking her to Sally's. Even though she wasn't ready to be alone, she didn't do anything to stop him. The horrible event had taken all her strength, and it was all she could do to keep her feet moving.
* * * *
LOUISE AND TRENT reached the pretty white gate that surrounded the rooming house. Much to her relief, he passed Sally's porch. They wandered to the dark shoreline and continued past the tall grass that grew in the sand. After a moment Trent stopped and she recognized the spot as the same one where she'd watched the couple stroll hand in hand only two days ago. She wasn't about to fool herself though. She and Trent were nothing like them. That couple had been in love.
The splendor of quiet lapping the lake water as it rolled onto shore mingling with the night breeze was wasted on them. Just like the beauty of the white and yellow boat lights blinking far out in the lake. The delicate wind carried music to her ears. The soft romantic song made her feel even worse, if that was possible.
Trent had drifted away to stand farther down the shoreline. The moonlight highlighted his tall, lean silhouette and she unwillingly remembered how safe she felt wrapped in his arms. The distance between them felt like miles rather than feet. It was better that way.
Having an affair with her boss was a one-way trip to failure. Especially this boss. He was so confused about his father he'd closed off his emotions. As if that weren't enough, he didn't understand her, didn't support her goals. She wanted, no needed, to make Hawk's a success. That was her ticket to happiness. Not a messed up, short term relationship with Trent.
As though he felt her stare, Trent turned and smiled. Logical thought and good sense evaporated. He took her breath away. The tiny crack in her heart spread wider. The anguish sliced straight through her soul. How could he smile now? At a time like this?
Before she could answer, he pulled her into his comforting arms
. She should've held back to protect herself, but she didn't. She stepped willingly into his embrace.
It was amazing to feel protected and safe. She pulled in a long breath and savored the scent of him.
"I'm glad you're all right, Louise. For a few minutes I thought you were going to be, well, sick, or worse...” He gazed over her shoulder at the rippling water. “I was scared to death. I don't want anything to happen to you."
Louise swallowed against the rush of unexpected emotions swirling inside her. “I, you—"
He hushed her with a kiss. This one wasn't reassuring like the one in the barn. It was possessive and demanding.
With the warmth of his body surrounding her, she matched his passion with her own. It made no sense, letting herself go. But then she reasoned, her reaction to him was because of what happened in the barn and how frightened she'd been. Nothing more. Any other woman would've needed reassurance, too. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held him as tightly as he held her.
Trent's world narrowed to include only the woman in his arms. Even beneath the smell of smoke and the smudges of soot, Louise was beautiful. Strangely enough, he had the fire to thank for it. It was realizing how terrified he'd been that something might happen to her that made him understand the depth of his emotions. The fire forced him to accept the feelings he'd been burying along with everything else he didn't understand about himself and his life.
He eased her back to gaze into her eyes. She looked as dazed as he felt. Uncertainty clutched his heart and pulled hard. Maybe he was letting his over-stressed mind play tricks on him, but something about her worried expression didn't make sense.
"Tell me what you remember before the fire started,” he asked.
She eased away from him and let out a sigh. Disappointment? Or something else?
"There's not that much to tell. I went down to Hawk's to check things over one last time.” She grinned at him. “To be ready for tomorrow."
Of course. “I figured that much. How did you get up in the hay loft?"
Wind blew over from the lake. She reached up to push her hair back and chuckled. “I climbed up the ladder, same as you."
He almost rolled his eyes. “I meant why did you go up in the hay loft."
She lifted her eyebrows. “To get a kitten,” she whispered sheepishly.
"A kitten?"
She nodded. “I heard the tiny mewing and couldn't leave her up there."
"You risked your life for a cat?"
"It was perched on the edge and looked so scared. I haven't seen a mama cat have you?” She lifted her chin. “I didn't notice the smoke until I got up there."
He ignored her question and groaned.
"I realize now it was a stupid thing to do. As soon as I got up there the little critter ran into a corner. I chased after it, but it got even more scared and leapt down by itself."
He threw his hands up. “Figures. This isn't getting us anywhere. Did you see or hear anything that might help us figure out how the fire started?"
Louise turned her head as if to study him. “You think someone started the fire?” She backed away. “You think someone did it on purpose?"
"It's a possibility we have to accept."
"Who, Trent?” She folded her arms across her chest and shook her head. “Why would someone want to do that?"
Trent peered at Louise. The outline of her hair glowed in the pale yellow moonlight. She looked soft and delicate. He fought against the desire to protect her, to keep her safe. Caring was too dangerous. He had to stop fooling himself. Putting emotion into a one-way relationship was too painful an experience to repeat.
When he kept staring at her, she frowned.
"Why would anyone care about Hawk's?” she asked. “It certainly can't be a matter of competition. From what I can tell the other stables on the island are doing great."
Louise wanted to take Trent's arms and wrap them around her again and feel the comfort they offered, but she didn't. He was concerned about the fire, so she'd tell him what she remembered. “When I first got to the barn all the outside lights were off, so I didn't see anything. I went inside and checked on things in the rental office. After I was sure that everything was in order, I checked on the tack.
"Then I went down the main aisle to look over the horses. I don't know why I went into the feed room. I guess I, well, that doesn't matter now.” She knew exactly why she'd been wandering around, but she didn't want to tell Trent he was the cause of her restlessness.
When Trent muttered something Louise couldn't understand, she tried not to react. Naturally he was upset about what happened. His whole business could've burned to the ground.
"Anyway, I heard the kitten mewing.” She lifted one hand. “You know the rest."
"You didn't hear anything odd while you were in the hay loft?"
She shook her head. “I'm sorry. I know that's not much help."
"That's okay. We'll find out more tomorrow.” He reached for her hand. “Had enough for tonight?"
As soon as he asked, she realized that she had. She nodded, but hesitated. “Sally's probably heard about the fire by now."
"I'm sure,” he agreed. “News travels fast among the locals."
Louise looked at her fingers wrapped in his. The touch seemed so natural and right, yet so at odds with everything. Maybe she wasn't ready to go back to Sally's. “She'll have a hundred questions."
Trent chuckled. “I'll take care of her. You need a hot shower and a good night's sleep."
With that he pulled her across the tall grass toward the rooming house.
* * * *
THE LIGHTS FROM inside glowed into the night and cast a golden haze over the porch. Trent and she climbed up the porch steps and Louise wondered if he'd kiss her again. Louise gazed into his expressive eyes and knew that she wasn't going to be disappointed. He brushed his lips across hers then placed a soft kiss on her neck. The contact was too short.
Without saying anything, he pushed his shoulder against the door and gently pulled her inside. In seconds, the older woman was there, pulling Louise into an embrace.
"Louise, honey, are you all right?"
She smiled weakly. “Yes, Sally, I'm fine. Just a little...” She glanced down at her clothes. “Dirty."
Sally moved Louise away to study her at arm's length. “I can see that. My goodness, you're a mess."
Trent stepped forward. “She's going right up to take a shower and get into bed."
"Yes, of course she is,” Sally said.
Louise said goodnight and headed up the stairs. The hushed conversation below followed her all the way to her room.
* * * *
AFTER LEAVING SALLY'S, Trent went to the stable. Plagued by questions, he was too restless to sleep. Going back to stew in his hotel room was pointless. Maybe he'd be able to get some answers from the burned-out mess waiting for him at Hawk's.
Once he reached the stable, he scanned the exterior. The old buildings loomed quietly in the darkness. Other than the track marks of the fire truck, there was no indication that barely an hour ago the stable had been in chaos.
He leaned on the wall outside the wide doors and listened to the night. When he'd been given the deed to Hawk's he'd had no idea the place would cause of so much grief and confusion. With a shove he pushed himself off, went inside and headed to the feed room without even bothering to flip on the light. A soft sound caught his attention. He paused. That stupid kitten.
He switched on the bare bulb hanging in the center of the small room. The tiny cat studied him from its perch in the hayloft. It mewed again and he climbed the ladder a few rungs and to reach over and scoop the little thing into his hands.
It purred and sniffed at his fingers.
"Do you know how much trouble you caused?"
Back down the ladder, he put the cat on the floor, but it didn't budge. “Go on,” he gave it a tiny nudge with his foot. It blinked at him and sat.
As if I don't have enough trouble al
ready. With a resigned sigh, he scooped it up. He grabbed an old towel, shook it out with a few swift jerks, and flipped off the light with his elbow. He'd be back tomorrow to look for something that might give him an idea about how the fire started.
With the ball of fur tucked in the crook of his elbow, he crossed to his office to get an empty box for a bed. A cardboard box lined with a towel wouldn't be as good as a mama cat, but it was the best he could do. He sighed. Then he'd have to see about food and water.
Halfway down the aisle, he heard the sound of voices coming from the office. The noises were so soft he couldn't make them out, but he was fairly sure it was two people. A man and a woman?
He peered through the blackness, but saw nothing. The hair on the back of his neck itched. While his heart thudded in his chest, he strained to listen. The kitten in his arms chose that moment to yowl and leap from his arm. The irritating fur ball scurried through the barn, meowing as it went.
Trent resisted the urge to chase after the cat. Instead he waited, hoping the voices would resume. He stayed in the dark aisle, listening, but heard nothing.
Silently, he moved to the office. Just before he peered inside, he paused, listening for the voices. Still none came.
He swung into the office to find it empty.
Night air scented with early lilacs drifted in through the open window. The desk chair sat under it. Trent slumped against the wall with a groan. Maybe he should nail that window shut.
Someone had set that fire. But who? And why? Was someone trying to scare him off? Trying to force him to sell? Or keep him from selling? For the hundredth time, Trent cursed his father for dumping the mess in his lap as he headed into the night.
Chapter Eight
LOUISE WOKE UP early on Monday. Her shoulders were stiff, but other than that, she felt fine. Or so she told herself. She took a quick shower to wake up and then tiptoed downstairs. With some luck, she'd get out before being spotted by Sally or one of the other guests.
Describing the fire would take time she didn't want to spend and relating the story would lead to describing her rescue by Trent. Of course she'd never tell anyone what happened after the fireman left, but retelling the beginning would mean reliving the end.
