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“Virgil’s over there.” Sam pointed before running toward him. She didn’t have to look over her shoulder to know the others followed. “What happened?”
Virgil swiped an arm across his forehead. “We don’t know. One of the guests spotted it. Wyatt contacted the fire department. They’ll be here soon.”
Jake stood beside Virgil, watching the ranch hands work to put out the fire. “What do you want me to do?”
“Right now, stay back and wait. Wyatt is directing the ranch hands. Barrel is helping him. They’ve already put out the majority of it.”
Sam watched the ranch hands spray water on the blaze. “Good that it’s one of the smaller barns.”
Virgil nodded. “Glad we put in the additional water spigots last fall.”
The sound of sirens cut through the sounds of the fire. Jake ran toward the fire truck, motioning where they should park. Two sheriff department vehicles pulled in several feet behind them. Sheriff Garth Duggan exited one while Deputy Aiden Winters got out of the other. Both men ran toward Virgil.
Garth shoved his hat back from his forehead. “Do you know how it started?”
Virgil shook his head. “No. Has the fire investigator been notified?”
“The fire captain usually contacts them when they get the call for help. I have no idea how long it will take for him to get here.”
Beth spoke to Abbie. “Let’s make coffee and put out sandwiches for everyone.”
“I’ll help.” Sam followed them to the kitchen.
Logan watched her leave, wondering at the strange emptiness in his chest. The feeling confused him, but this wasn’t the time to think about the odd sensation.
No one noticed the slender woman, her blonde ponytail swinging, as she ran toward the group. “Virgil?”
“Mrs. Maddox. What can I do for you?”
Those who worked on the ranch knew the young widow had booked three consecutive weeks. She’d arrived alone with more luggage than necessary, even for an extended stay.
Glancing around the group, she spotted the sheriff and the deputy who’d introduced himself to the guests a few days earlier. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she forced herself to explain.
“I may have seen who started the fire.”
This caught everyone’s attention. Aiden studied her face before stepping forward.
“Laurel Maddox, right?”
“You have a good memory, Deputy Winters.”
Aiden shot a look at the sheriff, who motioned for him to go ahead. “Let’s talk over here.” He motioned for her toward the lodge’s front porch. Once there, he took out a pad and pen from a pocket, holding them to his side. A reminder of how he still clung to a few old-school habits.
“What did you see?”
Worrying her lower lip, she glanced toward the fire before meeting his questioning gaze. “I believe someone started the fire.”
“All right. Tell me what you saw.”
“Well, I was sitting on the porch of my cabin. I’m in number five, which gives me a great view of the barns and corrals. I’d just made tea, and…” She shook her head. “Sorry, you don’t care about that. Guess I’m nervous.”
“Take your time, Mrs. Maddox. We have plenty of it.”
“Please, call me Laurel.”
“All right. Laurel it is. Tell me what you saw.”
“A man went into the barn. But it was more the way he went inside.”
