He reached over and squeezed her forearm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
She placed her free hand over his, dipped her head a little, and looked him in the eyes. “No. I’m sorry. I let my frustrations get the best of me.”
They sat in silence, watching each other for a few seconds before she pulled her hand away and shook his from her forearm.
He missed her hand. It was like her touch calmed something deep inside him. His pains were eased, and all he could focus on was the warmth of her hand.
“What about you? Did Joe email you?” She picked up her bottle and took another drink.
“Not as of this morning. I checked my email while waiting at the diner. We both know he wouldn’t have been able to afterward.”
She winced. The sliding glass door opened behind them. They both turned to face Mrs. Stevenson.
“Excuse me, dear.” She wiped her hands on an apron she must have donned after he and Quinn had stepped outside. “The police are ready for you.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Quinn stood from her seat atthe patio table and walked on unsteady legs to the front door. The police were done and would be letting her in to get stuff. She wasn’t all that sure she wanted to.
“Ms. Matthews.” Detective Jacobs nodded as she met him at the front door. “We’re done with the house for now, and we’re fixing to seal it up but wanted to give you a chance to grab some things before we did.”
“Thank you.” She swallowed around the lump in her throat.
“Follow behind me and watch your step. We’ve got a pathway marked out for foot traffic.”
The smell of smoke mixed with burnt wood still lingered in the air. She crossed the threshold of her house, and her gaze traveled to the spot where JJ had been when the window broke. The carpet was charred where he had been sitting. Her son had come so close to being hit. Their lives could be completely different right now. JJ could be fighting for his life, or he could even be dead. Her knees buckled, almost sending her to the floor.
A warm hand rested on her shoulder and gave it a small squeeze. “He’s okay,” Reid whispered behind her. He must have known where her mind had gone. The what-ifs. She couldn’t live in a world of what-ifs. They would tear her down. The important thing was that JJ was unharmed and sitting next door with Mrs. Stevenson.
She took in the living room. The damage was extensive. Burn marks raced up the wall and covered the ceiling. Her couch was nothing more than a charred wooden frame. Soot covered the remaining portions of the downstairs.
She took a deep breath, calming her racing heart, and followed Detective Jacobs. He led the way to the base of the stairs. The fire had been contained to the living room. The only signs of the terror that had been in the house hours earlier were the smell of smoke and broken windows.
“Get what you need for a couple of days. I’m not sure how long until you’ll be able to get back in.” Detective Jacobs stopped in the hallway.
She went to her room first, while Reid stayed in the hall. She grabbed a duffel bag from the closet and packed the essentials—a first aid kit, clothes, and toiletries to last for a few days. The last thing she picked up from her room was her Bible. She placed it on top and zipped her bag. Now, for JJ’s stuff. She crossed the hall, squeezing past Detective Jacobs and Reid, who had been having a steady, quiet conversation.
“Quinn.” Reid stopped her with a hand to her forearm. “Let me take that.” He reached for her duffel bag.
She handed it over. It wouldn’t hurt for him to hold it while she was busy with JJ’s room. Following the same pattern in JJ’s room, she grabbed several pairs of clothes—more than she had grabbed for herself. Boys could be messy. She packed a few books, toys, and DVDs to keep JJ occupied. As she was leaving the room, her gaze settled on JJ’s favorite stuffed animal. He always slept with the stuffed alligator. She couldn’t leave without it. The stuffed animal hugged to her chest, she stepped out of the room and joined the men. “I’m ready.”
They walked down the stairs and out to the porch in single file. She turned to shut and lock her front door like she always did when leaving but remembered she wouldn’t be the one locking up.
“Thank you,” Quinn said.
“You’re welcome. I’ve got your contact information. I’ll let you know if anything develops and when you’ll be able to get back in the house.” Detective Jacobs held out his hand. She shook it.
“You’ve also got my number,” Reid added as he shook the detective’s hand.
“Yes, sir.”
She walked back into Mrs. Stevenson’s house. JJ was seated at the dining room table with a cup of milk and a plate full of cookies situated in front of him. He looked up and caught sight of her carrying his stuffed alligator, and his countenance brightened. He was a little self-conscious about needing the stuffed animal to sleep.
“Sit, sit. Eat a few cookies.” Mrs. Stevenson pulled a chair out for her. “I’ll run upstairs to get the keys to the cabin.”
Quinn took the proffered chair and reached for a cookie. Melted chocolate oozed from the bite, and gooey chocolate dripped onto her chin. Chocolate chip cookies straight from the oven were the best. She used her index finger to wipe the chocolate from her chin.
Reid sat across from her, next to JJ. “That good, huh?”
