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Authors: Susan Anne Mason

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Wayward Hearts (7 page)

BOOK: Wayward Hearts
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Steve threw him a dark look. “There'll have to be an investigation to know for sure, but it looks like…” He paused as if unsure to continue.

“Like what?”

“Possible arson.”

Jason's mouth fell open. “Arson?”

Steve nodded. “I've already called the inspector from Bismarck. He should be out here in the next couple of hours.”

Jason's mind raced, trying to make sense of the whole situation. Why would anyone want to burn down the North farm?

“Heard you were the first one on the scene.” Steve pushed his pen through the graying hair over his ear.

“That's right. I'm the one who put the call in.”

“According to the paramedics, you got the women out in good shape.”

Jason straightened his shoulders, not sure where Steve was heading with the conversation. “I did my best. They're both stable for now.”

Steve narrowed his eyes. “Good job, rookie. Tough thing to handle on your own. Even tougher when you know the people involved.”

“You have no idea.” Jason still grappled with his decision, whether he should've gotten Bernice out first because of her delicate health. But he'd gone with his gut, which usually ended up being the right call.

“I wouldn't go in the house right now unless absolutely necessary,” Steve called over his shoulder as he headed to his vehicle.

“I need to get Mrs. North's wheelchair and her medication. On the main level.”

“Make it quick.”

“Will do.”

Jason bounded up to the porch, through the door and into the hallway, where he careened to a halt. The smell of rancid smoke curled around him like phantom arms. The fear that had gripped him as he'd raced up those stairs, not knowing if Maxi was alive or dead, now roared back with the force of a bulldozer.

He could've lost her for good last night. He took a deep breath, steadied himself on the post at the foot of the stairs and determinedly squashed the uncomfortable sensation in his chest. Dwelling on what might have been was a colossal waste of time and energy.

Instead he focused on the task. In Bernice's room, he folded the wheelchair into a manageable position, grabbed the bottles of medication on the dresser, and headed back out. There was no point in trying to retrieve anything from Maxi's room. Everything would either reek of smoke or be water logged.

Jason stepped onto the porch and took a deep, cleansing breath. Shep raised his head off his paws and fixed Jason with a forlorn look. Poor dog had probably been outside all night.

“Come on, boy. You'd better come home with me.”

Shep stood up, gave a slight wag of his tail, and followed Jason to his truck.

Lack of sleep caught up with Jason as he steered his vehicle home, fighting to keep his lids from drooping. He hoped his mother would be awake. He needed to run his idea past her before he approached Maxi. Shep followed him up the walkway to the front door of the bungalow.

His mother stood in her blue bathrobe at the kitchen counter, pouring boiling water into the teapot. She eyed him and the dog and put the kettle down with a deliberate snap. “Why is there a dog in my kitchen?”

Jason smiled and bent to kiss her cheek without answering.

She frowned. “You look terrible. What happened?”

“Sit, have your tea, and I'll tell you.”

Ma took two mugs from the cupboard, poured the tea, and brought them to the table where Jason sat with his head in his hands. He took the cup, grateful for its warmth.

“There was a fire at the Norths' farm last night.”

“My goodness, no.” Alarm shot into his mother's eyes. “Are Maxi and her family all right?”

He nodded. “I got them out in time.”

“You got them out? You were on duty?”

“Actually, I was on my way home.” He explained what had happened and how Bernice and Maxi needed somewhere to stay for a while. “I was hoping you'd let them come here until the repairs on the house are done.”

“Of course. They're more than welcome.”

“The dog, too?”

She gave a mock scowl. “As long as he's house broken. And as long as you don't tell me there's a herd of cows needing shelter as well.”

Jason chuckled. “No livestock. The chicken coop wasn't touched, thank goodness.”

She smiled and laid a hand on his shoulder. “You're a good man, Jason Hanley. Now go get some sleep.”

“Thanks, Ma. Sleep sounds like heaven right about now.”

He'd worry about the rest when he woke up.

 

****

 

Maxi groaned as she attempted to get up to use the bathroom. Every muscle ached, and her chest wheezed like she'd been smoking for fifty years. She hadn't gotten much sleep with the constant whirring of machines, nurses coming and going, and checking her oxygen levels. But the doctor had been in to see her earlier and given her good news. She would be released later in the day—a fact that should be cause for celebration, but Maxi couldn't shake her unease. She'd feel better once she knew for certain her mother was out of danger. Now to figure out how bad the house had been damaged and whether they could go back there or not. She'd give her right arm for a cell phone right about now.

She'd returned to her bed and got settled under the covers when Jason poked his head around the doorframe. “You decent?”

“Aren't I always?”

He grinned and then stepped into the room, a huge bouquet of flowers in his arms. Maxi blinked, suspicion blooming as he handed them to her. Jason wasn't the flower-giving type of guy. He must have bad news to resort to this.

“OK. Give it to me straight.”

“What? Aren't you supposed to bring flowers when someone's in the hospital?”

“Save it for one of your girlfriends. What aren't you telling me?” She tried not to notice how good he looked, his chestnut hair waving over his forehead. And he smelled like he'd just stepped out of the shower. All fresh and spicy.

He grew serious as he pulled a chair over to her bed side and sat down. “The barn's completely gone.”

Maxi sucked in a breath. She hadn't really allowed herself to imagine what toll the fire might have taken. Then the irony of the situation struck her full force. How many times had she wished for this very thing to happen? That the farm would disappear. Now when she needed it in tip-top shape, a fire destroyed it. Was God trying to sabotage her life again?

“Hey, you OK?”

She pulled her attention back to Jason. “Yeah. What about the house?”

“There's some damage to the roof and the second floor.” He got up to take the flowers from her and set them on the windowsill.

“So we'll have to live on the first floor for now?”

“Not exactly.”

Her patience evaporated. “Spit it out, Hanley. Bottom line.”

He reclaimed his chair, his expression grim. “The house won't be livable for a while. So my mom wants you and Bernice to stay with us until the repairs are done.”

Instant panic rose in her chest. She could not stay in the same house as Jason. Sleep down the hall from him. Shower in the same bathroom as him. Not without her old feelings flaring up stronger than ever. “I'm sure Lily can put us up,” she said, not meeting his eyes.

“They're renovating the main floor, remember? Besides your mom can't do the stairs there. And I don't think Lily needs all the extra work in her condition. Nick's on her like a hawk about taking it easy.”

Jason watched her a little too closely. Could he sense her discomfort? When no other solution would come to her frazzled mind, she finally shrugged. “OK. Guess we'll be roomies for a while.”

His lip twitched. “Please, curb your enthusiasm. My ego can't take it.”

She hit his arm. “Cut it out. My life is in ruins, and you're making jokes.”

“Sorry.” With that glint in his eye, he didn't seem the least bit remorseful. “Look, we'll get the house fixed. I promise. I've already called a few guys about getting a team together to rebuild the barn. The only hold up will be the investigation…” He clamped his lips shut and looked like he wanted to bite off his tongue.

She stiffened against the pillows. “What investigation?”

Jason muttered an oath and dragged his hand over his jaw. “I didn't want you to know about that right now.”

“Too late. What investigation?”

He looked down at his hands and then raised his head and sighed. “There's a suspicion of arson.”

Maxi gasped. Her fingers plucked at the ragged neckline of the hospital gown, suddenly too tight on her throat. “Arson? Who would want to burn down our barn?”

“That's what I've been trying to figure out.”

Her head swam as she tried to comprehend the significance of this new turn of events. Then her blood ran cold as a sudden thought occurred to her. “What happens to our insurance if they find out the fire was deliberate?”

Her stomach sank when he didn't reply. The sympathy in Jason's blue eyes told her the answer. “They won't pay us, will they?”

“Probably not. Unless you can prove it wasn't anyone connected with the property who might have a stake in it.” His gaze seemed to ask a question. “There wouldn't be anyone like that, would there?”

Irritation rose up in waves. “You don't think
I'd
do something like that?”

“No, not you. Or Aidan.” He paused. “I was thinking of Cal.”

Anger lit a slow fuse inside her. Though she had issues with her oldest brother, it hurt that Jason would think him capable of such treachery. “I know my brother's no saint, but Cal would never do this to us. What reason would he have?”

Jason rose to pace the small space. “He's always hated that farm. Maybe he was afraid you'd expect him to move back and take over.”

She shook her head. “But Cal wasn't even here. He took off right after the funeral.”

“Who says he wasn't hanging around waiting for the right opportunity?”

Maxi pushed herself up in the bed and swung her legs over the side. “No. Cal would not set the place on fire knowing Mama and I were inside the house. I know my brother better than that.”

“OK. OK. It was just a thought.” With firm hands, he guided her back into bed, arranging the pillows behind her into a more comfortable position.

She scowled at him, pushing her lips together into a tight line to stop them from quivering. Tears brimmed, blurring her vision. She blinked hard to push them back. She would not break down in front of Jason. She needed time to think, to decide what to do next. Once she had a plan of action figured out, she'd start to feel steadier.

“I have to go into town for a bit,” Jason said, straightening to his full height. “But I'll be back later to pick you up.”

She nodded, her arms crossed tightly around her torso as if to protect herself from any further emotional blows.

Jason hesitated at the foot of her bed. “You want me to call your friend, Lance? Let him know about this.”

“No.” The thought of Lance smothering her with concern made her claustrophobic. “No sense in worrying him. I'm fine.”

“All right. It's your call.” He stopped at the door. “Try not to worry, Max. Everything will work out. You'll see.”

 

****

 

At the Kingsville Fire Hall, Jason found Steve Hamilton in his office finishing a hamburger for his lunch. The smell of barbecue and bacon made Jason's mouth water. His stomach growled, reminding him he hadn't eaten all day.

“Jason. You're not on the roster today, are you?” Steve waved him inside and motioned to a spare chair.

Jason perched on the edge of the seat. “No. I was visiting Maxi in the hospital and decided to drop by and see if the investigator turned up anything.”

Steve's weathered face seemed to close up. “You know I can't discuss the details of the case with you. Especially since you're a friend of the family.”

Jason hadn't really expected anything else. “Worth a try.”

Steve chuckled. “Guess I can't fault you there.” He threw a wrapper in the wastebasket. “I can tell you the investigator might be by later today with his findings. But I won't be able to tell you anything more then, either.”

“I understand. Sorry to bother you.” Jason stood to go.

“Hang on a minute.” Steve sobered. “Rumor has it you want to lobby to open a fire station in Rainbow Falls.”

Jason went still. He'd only told a handful of people about his dream, and he wasn't sure he was ready for Steve to know about it just yet. “Where'd you hear that?”

“Some of the boys talking around the station. Is it true?”

“It's an idea I've been kicking around. Once I become certified.”

Steve took a sip of his coffee. “What about funding?”

“I'm hoping there'll be support for my idea from the city council. Maybe if the town holds a fundraiser, it would feel more like a community project.”

“I like it. Why don't you put the proposal in writing, and we'll see what kind of backing we can get?”

Jason's eyebrows shot up. “Seriously?” He hadn't dared hope the fire chief would support his idea.

“Why not? I've always felt we could use a few more stations in the outlying towns. Might've been able to save that barn last night if we hadn't been twenty minutes away.”

Jason nodded, thinking grimly of another fire eight years ago with a much different outcome. One that still haunted him and Maxi to this day.

 

 

 

 

8

 

Maxi closed the door behind her as she left her mother's hospital room. Mama's coloring seemed better today, but the mild sedatives meant she slept a lot. Maxi didn't have the heart to tell her about having to move in with the Hanleys. Time enough for her to find out later.

BOOK: Wayward Hearts
5.56Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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