I feel my jaw drop.
“The local police and state police asked federal agents to give their opinion, too. We’re waiting on their verdict. But for now, we need to assume this person could be anyone, man or woman.”
“Any other information?” Mom asks.
“The person is between five-five and five-ten. Clothing and any other identifying markers are impossible to decipher. Maybe the Feds will do better.” He looks at me. “If you think about a woman starting the fire, does anyone come to mind?”
Gabriella.
But why would she?
Well… Why would she have sex with my ex-husband? Why would she tell me before he did?
The car fire occurred the day after she texted me. What if she was really in Whispering Pines when she texted me? What if she saw Mark and I together and got jealous? But how would that explain the first fire?
Was that to scare me off from here? Get me back to California? Like Mark wants? Was she working with Mark?
He’d never. Would he?
“I….” My voice fades on the syllable. “I just don’t know.”
Trey studies me like he’s waiting for more. “Well, think about it. Have you been in contact with your cousin, Tabitha and her boyfriend, Ollie?”
I nod.
“Do they have any ideas about who might’ve started the fire? As victims, they’ve got a stake in this.”
“They haven’t said anything to me.” I look at Mom.
“Me neither, and let’s hope there aren’t any more victims.” She frowns.
“That’s our hope, too.” Trey turns to me. “Have you been thinking about rebuilding the retreat? Is that still what you want?”
“I honestly don’t know. Am I insurable if I decide to open the retreat elsewhere? Like California?”
He nods. “You’re always insurable. But rates do fluctuate.”
The crunch of gravel sends my heart racing. I look in the rearview mirror and whoop at the sight of Brady’s SUV coming down the driveway. I get out of my car as he pulls up beside me.
He doesn’t bother opening his garage. Just grins ear-to-ear.
Relief pours through me. I didn't know if I was overstepping or would irritate him by showing up at his house after his shift. We went back-and-forth with dirty suggestions about how we’d reunite. I teased about showing up at his house to return the making-love favor. Then I thought,what the hell.
He scoops me into the air, swings me around, and sets me on the ground. “Best surprise ever.” Holding my face, he covers me in kisses. He smells like healthy sweat and fireman suits and a touch of oil and dirt. He’s all manliness, and his mouth is magical. Each touch of his demanding lips and roll of his tongue sends a cascade of tingles into my breasts and down to my pussy.
Whimpering, I run my hands under his soft T-shirt and over his hard abs. His chest is muscle covered in a thick layer of hair.
“I missed you,” I confess against his mouth, not wanting to end the kiss.
“I thought about you all the time.” He pulls me tighter and sends one hand down to my ass. He kneads my cheeks, murmuring about how much he’s missed my ass and how he wants me more than he’s ever wanted any other woman.
I’m numb with pleasure. My head is somewhere in the clouds, but my body is earth-bound and open. I feel a trickle of wetness dampen my panties.
“Let me take a shower,” he says. “Then I’m making love to you.”
I pout. "But I'm making love to you."
"That works."
