Gabe left to let the contractors in.Now she saw the upsideto having him around.Gabe was a take-charge kind of guy, and while she wouldnever let him take the lead on something she knew well, she was perfectly happyto hand this over to him.It was his area of expertise.And it gave her thechance to cuddle against Keane.
His arms went around her the second she was close.“Goodmorning, gorgeous.”
He kissed the top of her head and hugged her.
That felt way better than it should.It felt like safety andwarmth and desire.But not a jangly “I hope he wants me as much as I want him”feeling.There wasn’t a ton of insecurity in it.Keane felt solid.Like thekind of man one built a foundation and a future with.
Miranda sighed, looking at them with a smile.“That’s sosweet.You know all you’re missing is a lawyer.”
Keane chuckled.“The lawyer is getting ready for work.Hesnuck back to Livie’s place where all our clothes are.”He looked down at her,heat in his gaze.“He’s probably still in the shower, and you need to get inthat shower and explain why the big guy is here.”
Oh, she could do all of that.Her damn nipples immediatelyperked up, and she felt a tug at her core.“We should go get the sausage.”
Gigi snorted.“Only one kind of sausage you’re getting,girl.And don’t take too long.I have to be out at the resort in a couple ofhours to give CPR classes.I even brought along my own dummy.I call him CarlPeter Rong.”
Gigi was a weirdo, and she loved her for it.Olivia pulledback and took Keane’s hand.“Don’t wait for us.We’ll get breakfast at the caféif we need to.Keane’s going to have to drop me and Garrett off at the officein town.”
Where it wouldn’t be a terrible thing if they happened toscrew right there on her desk.It would definitely put her in a better mood.She had to deal with Scott today.She could use more stress relief, and herguys knew how to give it.
“Livie,” Gabe began as he approached the kitchen.“The copsare here.Something happened.”
Keane’s hand tightened on hers, and she knew she was goingto need way more stress relief than she counted on.
Chapter Ten
Keane frowned as the deputies pulled up to thecharming building that housed the business offices of Barnes and Fleetwood.Heknew Jack Barnes had an office back at the big ranch house, but this was whereOlivia worked and met clients and suppliers.This was where she spent a lot ofher time.
And it had been lit on fire.
She stared up at the ruined building with a look he’d seenbefore in foster kids who couldn’t quite believe what was happening to them.
Garrett stepped up, taking his place on the other side ofOlivia before turning to the police deputies.“What do we know about whathappened last night?I assume there’s a security system in place.”
Olivia’s eyes closed as if she was in pain.“It went out theday before the wedding.We’re getting a new one installed on Wednesday.Well,we were.Have you called my father?”
“You’re the contact when it comes to this building,” thedeputy said.“From what I hear your parents are on some kind of vacation, andthe sheriff doesn’t want to bother Jack.He was real certain of that.He saidyou’re technically the name on the insurance, so we should go through you.”
She nodded.“Good.I don’t want to have to bother myparents.How bad is the damage?”
It looked pretty bad.The building was standing, but thesecond-floor windows had been blown out.
“You can go in if you’re careful, but I wouldn’t goupstairs,” the deputy replied.
“All the important things are upstairs.”Her hand slippedinto his.
He squeezed it to let her know he was there.“Your recordsare on the second floor?”
She nodded.“I have most of them on my laptop, but there areolder records that are…were only on paper.And there’s a desktop with a lot ofinformation.My dad doesn’t trust the cloud.I think he actually believes it’sa cloud.I’ve never been able to fully explain it to him.”
“Do you have a preliminary report?”Garrett asked.He was insweats and a T-shirt and sneakers, but he was fully in attorney mode.Hehandled the police back at the ranch, convincing them she needed to see thedamage for herself.
The deputy nodded.“Yeah.We think this happened in theearly morning hours.The fire department got the call at four a.m.We attemptedto call you.”
She winced.“I left my phone at my place and stayed in themain house.I’m sorry.I should have had it.”
The deputy looked at Keane and then Garrett and slowly said,“Well, it’s obvious you were busy.”
Keane felt a flash of anger go through him.“What is thatsupposed to mean?”
