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“What are you doing here?” Josh asked.
“Keeping the citizens of Wildwood safe,” Lane retorted. “What are you doing here?” If the investigator was here then something was definitely up.
“Thought I’d check this one out. Fairly certain it wasn’t started by your resident arsonist, but better safe than sorry, you know?”
Lane did know. And he sort of hated that they were on the same page. “How did the fire start?”
“Not sure yet. I’ve heard a few stories. Nothing concrete.” The asshole smirked, clearly getting a thrill out of telling Lane squat. “Guess I’ll talk to you later.” Josh rolled up his window and took off up the road.
Lane muttered a few choice words under his breath, shaking his head. He didn’t like that guy. Worse, he didn’t trust him either and he was pretty sure the feeling was mutual. Lane wanted to help and the guy refused him every chance he got.
It sucked.
Frustration had been the name of the game so far this summer. He had been frustrated with his brother coming back home, though now he was glad to have West around. He’d also been frustrated with his feelings for Delilah, frustrated with his mother, his father . . . The only thing that didn’t drive him batshit crazy was his job.
&nbs
p; And if he was being truthful with himself, Delilah didn’t drive him crazy either. Well, she did, but not in a bad way. He needed to be honest with her, but that was easier said than done. Besides, he wasn’t sure how he could make it right between them again. Maybe he didn’t need to tell her with words how much she meant to him. He could show her just how much he needed her . . .
Damn it, he should just tell her. He cared about her. He—he loved her. He was in love with her. Had been in love with her far longer than he’d ever care to admit.
But what if she turned him away? What would he do then?
His phone rang and he glanced at the screen, surprised to see it was Wren calling. “What’s up?” he answered.
“Where are you?”
“Uh, working?”
She made an irritated sound. “I know that, but I haven’t seen you around town this afternoon.”
God, did they all keep tabs on him or what? “I’m at the bottom of Ridge Point, blocking the road because of the fire,” he explained.
“Oh. Were there evacuations?”
“Yeah, voluntary only right now but that could change. The fire is growing at a pretty rapid pace.”
“How awful,” she murmured.
“Yeah, so I can’t really talk.” He could, he just didn’t want to talk to Wren. She rarely called him so he figured he was in for something. “So what’s up?”
“Preliminary results are in from Mom’s series of tests.”
He held his breath when she hesitated, saying a quick prayer that everything was okay. “Yeah?”
“They believe it’s a thyroid issue. Nothing too serious, but they’re going to want to conduct more tests and her doctor recommended she see a specialist. She’s supposed to set up an appointment and I told her I’d help her.”
Relief hit him so hard he literally felt weak. “That’s good then, right? She’s going to be okay?”
“It’s good. She’s going to need to be put on medication but she’ll be fine.” He could hear the smile in his sister’s voice. “I wanted to let you know so you could stop worrying. And warn you that Mom is hell-bent on making that family dinner happen. Did you ever ask Delilah to go with you?”
“No.” Felt like a real jerk for that too. “We haven’t really been speaking lately.”
Wren blew out a harsh breath. “I usually try to mind my own business when it comes to your love life, but that’s one of my best friends you’re messing with. And I don’t like it.”
He steeled himself, prepared for the tongue-lashing Wren was so good at giving. “She’s a friend to me too, Wren. You know this.”
“I do, but you two crossed over the just-friends line a while ago. Don’t bother denying it. I think she’s in love with you, Lane. She has been for years.” She paused, letting her words make an impact, which they did. It was like his insides had just been stomped on. “If you don’t feel the same way, stop stringing her along. She’s a good girl. She has a lot to offer. If you’re not going to take her up on it, let her go so she can find someone else who deserves her.”
