Christmas Up in Flames

by Lisa Harris

  “Reid...” Claire slid off her horse a dozen feet from him.

  “I’m okay. Get that fire out.”

  She secured the reins to a tree and ran toward the fire spreading across a pile of dry brush. By the time he managed to stand up, she’d doused the small fire with fresh snow. If this had been summertime, things could have ended differently. All it took was a few sparks and a whole section of the ranch could have been on fire. But a flame-shooting drone? Why would anyone do that?

  “What about the drone?” he asked, brushing off his pants legs.

  “It’s gone.”

  Reid frowned. It might be gone for now, but someone had been behind the attack. He took a step and felt his leg give way. She ran toward him and grabbed onto his arm, ensuring he stayed upright. He was going to be sore tomorrow.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked, searching his expression. “Nothing broken?”

  “I don’t think so. Just a few bruises.”

  She grasped his hand and turned it over. “You’ve got a burn.”

  “It’s just a singe,” he argued.

  “At least I know now you’re still both tough and stubborn.”

  Reid shrugged. “I figure I wouldn’t be much of a bodyguard if I’m injured. Unless you’re trying to get rid of me.”

  Her laugh eased the tension hanging in the air but couldn’t erase the seriousness of the situation. Still...

  He couldn’t help but smile back at her. “Though this is a new one for the books.”

  She let go of his hand, no longer any sign of a smile on her lips. “You know this was no coincidence.”

  “Yes, but why? Why come at me with some...some fire-breathing drone? We know that whoever was flying that drone could see exactly what was happening. They shot those flames precisely where they wanted them to land. They weren’t coming for you this time.”

  She shook her head. “I agree, but I don’t know why.”

  “Me neither, though what I do know is that it’s going to be dark soon. We need to get back to the house.”

  “And we need to go talk to Griffin.”

  “Yes, but I also need to find my horse. More than likely she didn’t go far.”

  She glanced at her horse, still tied to the tree. “Care for a ride?”

  “Yeah...that would be great.”

  He managed to get up onto the horse, then pulled her up behind him. She started to put her arms around his waist, then pulled away.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine. Really.”

  He felt her arms wrap back around him as they headed in the direction the horse had gone while the sun continued to drop deeper into the horizon. A part of him wished she wasn’t so close, while another part of him—his heart—wanted to turn around and kiss her like he hadn’t done for years.

  “I see her up ahead. You were right. She didn’t go far.”

  Her statement pulled him back into the present where he should be—not lost in a pile of broken dreams. He studied the tree line and saw the mare standing in the shadows.

  He got down off the horse, then helped Claire, ignoring her closeness as her hair brushed his shoulder.

  “Can you ride her back to the house?” she asked.

  “I think she’ll be fine. She’s just a bit spooked.” He patted the mare gently, wishing he had a treat for her.

  “I was actually asking about you.”

  “I’m fine. Really. But you look cold.”

  “Just a little bit.”

  He pulled off his scarf and dropped it around her neck before she could say no. “Maybe that will help.”

  “Reid...” She looked up and caught his gaze. “I have to admit it’s good to be back, but nothing’s changed. And nothing can change between us.”

  He knew she was right. He shouldn’t want to kiss her, but untangling the feelings he had for her wasn’t something he knew how to do. Still, her wishes were clear, and he had no plans to deviate from them.

  “I understand. And I promise I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”

  She hesitated again as she turned to watch the pinks and purples of the sunset shift above the mountains before disappearing. It was a sight he never grew tired of. This ranch was where he’d grown up. Where he’d learned to ride a horse and rope a cow. And where he’d spent hours with Claire.

  But that had been another time. Another life. And maybe seeing her again and being reminded that there was no chance of their getting back together would motivate him to start looking for someone else. To stop comparing every woman he went out with to Claire.

  They started back to the house by the light of the moon. He tried not to let his thoughts linger on how good it was to be with her again, and how much he’d missed her.

  “I’m trying to figure out what just happened,” he said. “It’s like someone is trying to scare us away from investigating.”

  “I don’t know, because it doesn’t make sense. Finding a way to take either of us off the investigation wouldn’t solve anything, because in the end, someone else would simply take over. It’s not as if the investigation is simply going to go away and we won’t find whoever is behind this.”

  “I agree,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense. I want to talk to Griffin about what just happen, but no one else for the moment.”

  The ranch house appeared in the distance, shrouded in darkness except for the rays of moonlight peeking out from behind the clouds. A vehicle was driving up, and he recognized his brother Liam’s SUV.

  “Are you ready for this?” he asked.

  “I’ll be fine. I always loved your family. Don’t worry about me.”

  But that was easier said than done. He knew his brothers. They were going to make the assumption Claire had stepped back into his life, something he’d have to rectify as soon as possible.

  A minute later, he was introducing Claire to Liam’s wife, Gabby, their three-year-old, Mia, and two-month-old son, Ethan.

  “Claire, it’s so good to see you.” Liam pulled her into a hug. “I can’t believe how long it’s been four...five years?”

  “Almost six, actually.”

  “It’s wonderful to meet you, and we’re so glad you decided to have dinner with us,” Gabby said. “It’s going to be a houseful, but it should also be a lot of fun.”

  Claire had just shifted her attention to Mia and the baby when a second car pulled up with Griffin and Tory, and Caden and his fiancée, Gwen. Reid tried to gauge Claire’s reaction to seeing everyone at once, but from the outside she seemed completely composed and relaxed, which didn’t surprise him at all.

  “It’s good to see you again,” Griffin said, stepping out of the car. “Now you can finally meet my fiancée, Tory.”

  “So you’re the one I have to thank for the clothes,” Claire said, giving Tory a hug.

  “I hope you don’t mind the Christmas theme,” Tory said as a blush swept across her face. “I thought it might cheer you up.”

  “I love it,” Claire said, holding open the jacket, so everyone could see the Christmas tree T-shirt. “Congrats on the upcoming wedding, and on your engagement, Caden and Gwen. There must be something in the air here.”

  “You might be right.” Tory laughed. “And we’re actually getting married here on the ranch.”

  “Wow... That’s going to be beautiful.”

  “Do you remember the small chapel my grandfather built on the property?” Reid asked.

  “Up on the ridge?”

  He nodded as another memory surfaced of showing her one of his favorite views on the property.

  “That will be stunning,” Claire said. “I remember the stained-glass windows and the views from the front of the building.”

  “We heard about the fire at the B&B.” Gwen tugged on the end of her ponytail. “I’m glad you’re okay,
but that had to have been frightening.”

  “It was, but thankfully, there were no injuries.”

  A bell started ringing from the porch.

  “That’s mom’s signal that dinner is ready,” Griffin said. “We probably should go. She made brisket, mashed potatoes, homemade yeast rolls...”

  “I haven’t forgotten what a great cook your mother is,” Claire said.

  “Don’t worry about the horses,” Caden said, pulling out his cell. “You can leave them where you have them tied, and I’ll call Bruce and have him get them settled back into the barn.”

  Reid touched Claire’s arm and caught her attention before she turned toward the house. “I’m going to talk to Griffin now, okay?”

  She nodded. “Of course. I’ll be fine.”

  Reid pulled Griffin aside and waited until the group was out of earshot, thankful Claire didn’t seem to mind him leaving her on her own for a few minutes. But they both knew they couldn’t ignore what just happened.

  “What’s going on?” Griffin asked. “Or can I assume this has something to do with Claire?”

  Reid frowned. “For one, she’s already made it clear that she’s not interested in reliving the past and rekindling anything that might have been between us. Not that I was looking to do that, but two, I’m under orders to keep her safe. Nothing more.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Griffin shoved his hands into his front pockets. “I was always convinced she was the one for you.”

  “So was I, at one point, anyway, but I was wrong. This has nothing to do with Claire.”

  “Okay.”

  “It’s possible that someone jammed her door shut the night of the fire, though we’re not sure how or why. There’s also evidence that points to the fact that the Rocky Mountain Arsonist was involved in the fire.”

  “Captain Ryder mentioned that possibility.”

  “And that’s not all. The two of us went riding a few minutes ago, as you know, and there was a drone out there—a flame-throwing drone. It spooked my horse and I was thrown.”

  “What? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “I wish I was. I’m not sure what’s going on at this point, but this has to be tied to the investigation somehow.”

  “I guess it’s possible, but tracing a drone...that won’t be easy.”

  “I know. But I’m worried. I might not have feelings for Claire anymore, but I still don’t want anything to happen to her.” Reid blew out a sharp breath of air. “And someone seems willing to do anything to stop this investigation.”

  SIX

  Laughter erupted around the dining table of the O’Callaghan ranch house, as Caden told the story Claire had heard more than once about a rubber snake left in Griffin’s boot back when the four brothers were boys. The sense of familiarity she felt sitting at the table surprised her. It was as if Reid had never left her. But that wasn’t true. She was a different person than when he’d broken up with her all those years ago. Thinking she could step into Reid’s family without it digging up a bucketful of memories had been a mistake.

  Gwen, Caden’s fiancée, scooted back from the table a couple of inches, laughing so hard tears were falling down her cheeks. “I never get tired of these stories, though I have to say, boys, your mom and dad deserve medals for raising you.”

  “We could go on all night,” Liam said, while patting Ethan on the shoulder. “Remember the caramel-covered onions?”

  “What about that mustache we drew on you, Reid?” Griffin said.

  Reid rolled his eyes. “With permanent marker, no less.”

  “My favorites were the mashed potato and black bean cookies Reid concocted,” Caden said, “and locking Liam in the bathroom using pennies.”

  Pennies to lock a door?

  Claire glanced at Reid. Had she mentioned the penny she found outside her room?

  Liam tried to frown, but there was still a gleam in his eye as the conversation continued. “That one wasn’t funny.”

  “Oh, it was funny,” Griffin said. “What about substituting horseradish for whipped cream?”

  “Wait a minute.” Gabby grabbed another roll, then turned to Marci. “I want to know how you survived their childhood.”

  “It wasn’t easy. You think your little ones are sweet at this age, but just wait. The day will come when you will have to question your sanity. Of course Reid was the most laid back of the four of them. Always content to just hang out.”

  “Don’t try to paint him as innocent,” Griffin chuckled.

  “I’m curious about the pennies...” Claire set down her fork, trying to keep the fear out of her voice. “How do you lock someone in a bathroom with pennies?”

  “It doesn’t work with every door,” Griffin said, “but it is possible—we’ve proved it. You jam pennies between the door and the hinge, which in turn prevents the door from opening from the inside.”

  Claire caught Reid’s gaze for a moment, before looking away. She slid her hand into her pocket and fingered the penny she’d found on the floor outside her room. She’d tried to convince herself that all of this—the fire and the door jamming—were nothing but coincidences. That she wasn’t a target, because that didn’t make sense. She didn’t want that to make sense. But the drone that had attacked them tonight had changed everything.

  Marci stood and started gathering plates. “I have a feeling that the four of you could go on with these stories all night, but how about some dessert? I made apple pie.”

  “I can help.” Claire jumped to her feet and started picking up dishes. She needed a distraction, something to stop her mind from heading in the direction it was going. That someone was after her. That someone might even want her dead.

  “You need to sit down and enjoy yourself,” Tory said. “You’ve had a rough twenty-four hours, and from what I’ve heard, you’re supposed to be resting.”

  Claire forced a smile. “I don’t mind. I feel fine.”

  Ignoring the concern, she grabbed a few more plates before escaping to the kitchen, while trying to keep her panic from escalating.

  “I really do wish you’d rest.” Marci followed her into the kitchen with another handful of dishes. “Reid told me what happened at the bed-and-breakfast. That had to be terrifying.”

  “Your son saved me.”

  “Something like that can happen in an instant and before you know it, everything’s gone. I need to go see Mike and Sarah. I heard they’re staying with her sister for now. I’m guessing it’s going to take quite a bit of reconstruction.”

  “It will, but at least no one was hurt. It could have been so much worse. And while there was a lot of damage to the downstairs, hopefully they’ll be able to reopen before too long.”

  Marci took some small plates from a cupboard and set them down on the counter before turning to her. “I’m grateful, as well, but I do feel like I owe you an apology. My invitation to you for dinner was purely selfish. I always enjoyed being around you and was excited to hear you were back in town, but if I overstepped my bounds and put you in an uncomfortable situation—”

  “No. It’s fine. I wanted to come because no matter what happened between Reid and me, I love your family and have so many great memories of this place. And while I’ll admit things are a bit awkward between the two of us—at least, they were at first—our romance was a long time ago. I think we’ve both made peace and moved on. It was good for me to come.”

  “I’m glad you did.”

  Claire glanced at the decorated Christmas wreath hanging on the window and breathed in the smells of apple pie and cinnamon. She remembered how much Marci loved holidays and decorated for every season. And how much she’d loved being a part of their holidays when she and Reid were together.

  She headed back into the dining room for another stack of dishes from the table, guilt looming inside her. While it was good
to see Reid’s family, the truth was that this wasn’t her family and it never would be. Her mother was right. Telling the truth about Owen was only going to hurt everyone. And even if she’d been wrong about Reid’s reaction, after all this time, he was never going to be able to forgive her for betraying him. No...for everyone’s sake—especially Owen’s—it was better to keep the past in the past and move on.

  Gabby came into the kitchen behind her, carrying Ethan.

  “He’s such a sweet baby,” Claire said, stacking up the dirty dishes.

  “Thank you. I’m doing everything I can to soak up every stage, but time seems to be flying by so quickly.”

  “I heard you’re moving to Texas,” Claire said.

  “Please don’t remind me.” Marci put her arm around Gabby’s shoulders. “I’m going to have to start making frequent trips down there.”

  “That has to be a lot of changes for you, Gabby,” Claire said.

  “And for the grandma too.” Marci started slicing the pie. “I was hoping I could keep all my grandkids close by, but I guess that’s not realistic the way people move these days.”

  “It’s definitely not realistic when it comes to the army,” Gabby said. “But we’ll be back often. I promise.”

  Tory stepped into the kitchen, carrying the rest of the dishes and laughing about another story that had just been told. This was what Claire had always wanted. A big family with lots of cousins and laughter getting together for holidays and enjoying shared memories.

  But right now the noise was pressing in around her. Too many voices. Too many questions over past decisions, and a new fear that someone was after her. She needed to leave, but if she did that, everyone would worry about her. The bottom line was that she never should have come here. She would go to Reid and tell him she had a headache and needed to go check into a room at the hotel she planned to stay in tonight.

  She forced a smile as Marci handed her a bucket of ice cream and a scoop. She couldn’t tell him she had a headache. Then he’d start worrying that she was having symptoms from the fire and he’d insist on getting her checked out again at the hospital. Which really meant that she was stuck here until he was ready to head back to town.