Rhea walked up to a line of yellow tape that had been put up around the building. She watched an older man in dark pants and a white shirt sift through some of the debris and take a few pictures of the walls and the remains of what was left of Morgan’s studio. She guessed this guy must be the fire chief. “Hey, how do things look?”
The man looked at her and nudged a piece of twisted metal with his boot. “Are you the one that pulled those tanks?” he asked.
Rhea was too tired to be defensive, and it wouldn’t do her any good to be evasive if she wanted answers. “Yes, sir.”
“You must be crazy,” he said and grinned at Rhea.
“So I’ve heard.”
“Good thing. This whole building would have been a complete loss if those tanks had blown.”
Rhea shuddered. “Any idea what caused this?”
He walked across the rubble to a twisted and charred hunk of metal in the corner. “Do you know what that is?”
Rhea tried to make out what the misshapen mass might have been. It didn’t match any of the pieces she remembered Morgan displaying in the studio.
Rhea shook her head. “No. What is it?”
“That there used to be a kerosene heater.”
Rhea tried to put the pieces together but couldn’t make sense of what it all meant. “Do you think that’s what started the fire?”
“That’s what it looks like.”
“How can you tell?”
The chief pointed to the blackest part of the wall behind the heater. “See that V shape on the wall? That’s a burn pattern. It tells me this is where the fire started and burned the hottest.”
Rhea thought for a minute before asking her next question. “What would cause it to blow up like it did?”
The chief scratched his chin and eyed Rhea. “Well now, that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? I have some more tests to run, but it’s possible someone put gasoline in the fuel.”
Rhea had a bad feeling about where this was going.
“I’ll have a report ready in a few days. You need to be careful using these old stoves—just a little gasoline in those can be disastrous.”
Rhea thought about the explosion and something didn’t add up. “Chief, wouldn’t the heater have to be on for this to happen?”
“Under the right circumstances, this thing could blow just from the ignition switch turning on, but yes, there would have to be contact with a spark.”
“Well, this can’t be right then. The heater wasn’t on. Morgan was just coming into the building when the place blew.”
The chief scratched his chin again and looked thoughtful as he studied the area around the stove. “Hmm. I guess I’ll do a little more digging around. We’re just looking for hot spots right now to make sure the fire doesn’t start up again. I’ll stick around for a while and look around more when things cool off a bit and the light is better.”
“Okay,” Rhea said, but something was telling her there was more bad news to come. She waved good-bye and headed toward the cabin. She was eager to get home and check on Soldier. He had been through just as much as she had, and she wanted to make sure he was okay. He’d put a lot of stress on his wounded leg, and she was afraid there would be more damage. She smiled when she heard his bark long before she reached the cabin. The sure, strong sound of his voice was like a beacon bringing her home. It had been a long night, and she was mentally and physically exhausted.
Soldier met her at the door. As soon as she came inside, he stood on his hind legs, put his good paw on her shoulder, and sniffed every inch of her face.
Rhea was certain she knew for the first time in her life what it was like to be loved. After the reunion, Soldier wanted to follow her every step as she went through the morning chores and made sure all the animals were fed, but she could tell his leg was bothering him. She could tell he was tired, but she didn’t have the heart to leave him alone in the cabin, so she put him in the ATV and rode him around so he didn’t have to walk. When she was finally done, he lay beside the tub while she showered.
Rhea sat on the bed exhausted. She thought of Morgan in the hospital and imagined how hard it must be for her to be away from home and the animals she loved and cared for like they were her family. Morgan had trusted her with everything that was dear to her. She was grateful for that but wondered what it cost to have that kind of trust in another person.
Rhea patted the bed with her hand. “Come on, boy.”
Soldier jumped onto the bed and stretched out beside her as if he always slept in her bed. She sighed and rested her hand on his head for comfort. She couldn’t stop thinking of Morgan and how fragile she looked in that hospital bed, covered in only a hospital gown and bandages and a thin sheet. The image had shaken her and in that moment she had realized how fragile life was and how much she had grown to care for Morgan.
A troubling thought needled at the back of her mind. How would gasoline get into the kerosene heater? There was no way Morgan would be careless enough to let anything like that happen. Rhea groaned and sank farther into the bed and closed her hand into a fist. The same way lead pellets got into a locked office and horse feed got scattered across the floor. Someone put it there. Her gut twisted. But who would want to hurt Morgan? She rubbed her hand through Soldier’s fur. Maybe the same person who shot her dog.
Rhea was frustrated and scared. She wanted to ask Morgan about what had gotten her attention moments before the explosion. If her gut was right, someone was out to get Morgan, and so far they were doing a good job of making it look like it was her. The bad feelings she had about the situation were getting worse, and she had learned a long time ago to listen to those warnings. In prison her gut had been as good as an alarm system, and right now it was on full alert.
Rhea looked at the clock. How long would it be before Morgan would be home? She rested her hand across Soldier’s chest and focused on the beat of his heart and the rhythm of his breathing, allowing his warmth and presence to lull her to sleep.
Chapter Fourteen
Morgan crawled out of J.J.’s car and stared at the carnage of what used to be her studio. She was numb, as if something inside her was broken. She’d lost a lot in the fire. Her drafting table, display tables, and most of the artwork she kept on display were all destroyed. Many of the tables had been passed down to her by her grandfather and those could never be replaced. The brick walls and heavy metal doors she had made did a good job of keeping most of the fire confined to the studio, so she hadn’t lost her forge or her tools. That was a relief at least. It would have taken forever and more money than she wanted to think about to replace all that. As it was, it would take months to get the studio rebuilt.
How had this happened? Why?
J.J. slid her arm around Morgan’s waist. “I can’t think about what would have happened if you’d been in there.”
Morgan nodded. “Yeah.”
“Come on, sweetie, let’s get you inside.”
Morgan sighed in resignation. She’d have plenty of time to look around later. Right now she didn’t need to give J.J. any more reason to worry.
“Good idea,” Morgan said as she slid her arm across J.J.’s shoulders. Cheerful barking drew her attention, and she looked around to see Soldier hobbling toward her and Rhea coming out of the barn. Soldier’s tail was on high speed and swirled in circles as he did his best to wag his tail and keep his balance on three legs. Morgan smiled. It was good to be home.
Soldier went to Morgan but didn’t give her his usual hug, choosing instead to lean against her leg. As if he could sense her injuries, he sat in front of her with his big tongue lolling to the side of his mouth in a toothy grin. Morgan laughed and reached down and rubbed his ears. “Hey, buddy.”
Rhea arrived a moment later. She looked at Morgan with an uncertain smile and stuffed her hands in the pockets of her jeans. She looked as if she didn’t know what to do. She looked innocent and concerned and awkward. She looked beautiful.
Morgan drew
in a deep breath as if she could draw Rhea into herself. She wanted to touch her. She wanted to hold her until all the pain in her eyes melted away. She wanted her. “How’s everything?” she asked.
“Good,” Rhea answered. “Everyone’s been fed, the stalls are clean, and I put the goats in the pen.”
“Thanks.” What would she have done without Rhea? She had no doubt Rhea could handle the farm on her own, but that wasn’t what she had been asking about. She wanted to know if Rhea was okay. “And you? Are you okay?”
Rhea shifted on her feet and dug her hands deeper into her pockets, obviously uncomfortable, but she never took her eyes off Morgan. “I’m good. It’s good to have you back.”
Morgan smiled and nodded. She turned to J.J., suddenly aware she was watching the exchange. “How about lunch? I think they try to starve people at that hospital so they’ll leave.”
Rhea ran up onto the porch, unlocked the door, and opened it. She stood still as J.J. passed her and went inside. She smiled and handed Morgan the keys.
“Thanks for taking care of everything,” Morgan said as her fingers closed around Rhea’s hand. Her skin was warm and soft, and the touch was like a lifeline, grounding her. She didn’t want to let go. Rhea’s cheeks were red from the cool air and hard work, and Morgan wanted to run her thumb across the delicate line of her cheek and brush her fingers through her hair. Morgan let her gaze fall to Rhea’s lips and the pull between them was electric, and a bolt of heat shot through Morgan’s veins. She wanted to kiss her.
Rhea smiled up at her, and Morgan was relieved she didn’t pull away. Instead she held Morgan’s gaze with a pleased expression that made Morgan’s pulse race.
Morgan sighed and let go.
Rhea took a step back. “Let me know if you need anything.”
Morgan frowned. “Aren’t you going to have lunch with us?”
Rhea shrugged and glanced inside to J.J. “Soldier and I can grab something at the cabin. I still have some things I need to do, and he needs his meds.”
Morgan touched Rhea’s arm, letting her fingers slide down the line of muscle in her forearm. “I’d like you to stay. Soldier is welcome too, of course.”
Rhea glanced inside to J.J. again. “I’ll let you two get settled, but I’ll come back in an hour or so.”
Morgan was disappointed. She didn’t want Rhea to go yet. She needed her close as much as she needed to take her next breath. She couldn’t believe how close she’d come to losing her. But she also knew that Rhea did things in her own way, and Morgan respected her needs. “Okay, but I really need to talk to you later.”
Rhea nodded and turned away. Morgan watched her bound down the steps and walk across the lawn with Soldier limping dutifully by her side. She didn’t take her eyes off Rhea until she disappeared inside the workshop. The instant she lost sight of her, loneliness pinched at her heart. She sighed. She’d been kidding herself for weeks about her feelings for Rhea and now the truth stared her in the face.
Morgan closed the door and slid the jacket J.J. had lent her off her shoulders. She tried to wiggle her fingers in the cast, but the resulting pain signaled that wasn’t a good idea. She kicked off her boots and turned to find J.J. watching her, her arms folded across her chest. Morgan imagined this was the same look she gave the boys when she discovered them doing something, and she didn’t approve.
Morgan ignored J.J. and walked into the kitchen. “What’s for lunch? I’m starving.”
J.J. followed her. “What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
J.J. scowled. “Don’t give me that innocent crap, you know what I’m talking about. What’s going on with you and Rhea?”
Morgan rummaged through her cupboards, putting bread and cheese on the counter and selecting a can of tomato soup. “Nothing’s going on.”
J.J. took the can of soup out of Morgan’s hand. “Sit down, and I’ll cook while you tell me what’s up with you.”
“I told you, nothing’s going on. We’re friends. Didn’t you expect that when you pushed me into letting her stay and work here?”
“Don’t try to put this off on me. I’m not talking about you being friendly. I saw the way you were looking at her and I know you, Morgan, and that was a little too friendly.” J.J. put the pan down on the stove with a clang and turned on Morgan. “I like Rhea. I wouldn’t have suggested she stay here if I didn’t, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea for you to get involved with her.”
Morgan sat down at the island and cradled her injured hand close to her chest. Her head was starting to hurt again, but it had nothing to do with the lump on her head. “I already told you, I’m not involved with her, but what’s the big deal if I was?”
J.J. sighed and shook her head. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt again. You’re just starting to come around again and with all that’s happened…I just don’t want to lose you.”
Morgan grimaced. She didn’t want to talk about Ashley, but she knew where J.J. was going. “This isn’t like before.”
“So there is something going on with you and Rhea.”
Morgan was getting frustrated. “J.J., I love you, but I’m not having this conversation with you.”
J.J. plated a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup and placed them in front of Morgan. “You never talk about what happened with Ashley, and now you won’t talk about Rhea, and you expect me to believe I shouldn’t worry?”
Morgan bit her lip to keep from saying something she would regret. “There isn’t anything to talk about.”
J.J. placed her hand over Morgan’s. “There wasn’t anything you could have done to save Ashley. Her death was tragic on so many levels, but it wasn’t your fault.”
“Make your point, J.J.”
J.J. sighed. “Rhea’s troubled. Her past isn’t something anyone can go through and not have some serious issues. She’s already thinking of leaving. I know you, and I know you’ll want to save her. But this isn’t your battle, Morgan. She has to do this on her own.”
Morgan drew her hand away and pushed her chair back. What did she mean Rhea was thinking of leaving? Morgan couldn’t think straight. “Don’t worry, I have no illusions about saving anyone. That’s not my job anymore, remember? I’m tired. Why don’t you go home and get some rest and spend some time with the boys. I’m fine here.”
“Morgan…”
“Go home, J.J.,” Morgan said and walked out of the room. She knew she was being harsh, and J.J. didn’t deserve her anger, but she didn’t want to hear any more about Ashley or any of the many reasons why her feelings for Rhea were a bad idea. J.J. wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t already know.
*
Rhea stomped her boots on the mat outside Morgan’s door and tried to calm the nervousness in her stomach. Her hands were sweating and she was jittery like when she drank too much coffee, only she hadn’t had any coffee all day. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. She just wanted to check on Morgan. She’d been relieved to see J.J. leave earlier, making it easier for her to keep her promise. She didn’t know why, but J.J. made her nervous. They got along well enough and J.J. had been awesome at the hospital, but she was still her parole officer. Besides, if she was honest, she just wanted to see Morgan alone. She soothed herself by playing with Soldier’s ear while she waited.
Morgan looked frustrated when she answered the door. Her face was red and her brows were drawn together in a frown. “Hi, Rhea, good timing. I could use a little help.”
Rhea was surprised by the greeting and was immediately on alert. Was Morgan hurt? Was she sick? Had something happened? “What’s wrong?” Rhea stepped inside and looked around for any sign of a problem. Soldier was immediately on alert at the sudden change in her mood and pushed in front of her with his hackles raised.
Morgan blew out a breath. “Nothing, really, I just can’t get this sling off to change this bandage.”
It took a minute for Rhea to register what Morgan said and to acc
ept that there was no danger.
Morgan smiled sheepishly. “Sorry. I’m not usually so dramatic.”
Rhea laughed, completely disarmed by Morgan’s apparent embarrassment and frustration. She guessed it wasn’t often Morgan admitted she needed help for anything. She was so relieved Morgan was okay that she went to her without thinking and began undoing the buckles that strapped her arm in place. “Tell me what else you need me to do.” Morgan tried to help with the straps, and Rhea pushed her hand away. “I’ve got this. Let me do it or you’ll just end up hurting yourself.”
Once the straps were loose, Rhea helped Morgan shift out of the sling, careful not to bump her hand or brush the bandages covering her burns.
Rhea let out a sigh of relief when the sling was finally off. “What now?”
Morgan shrugged. “I need to get this shirt off.”
Rhea blinked. Had she heard right? She watched as Morgan tugged at her shirt with her one good hand. Rhea stared as the buttons snapped open one at a time as Morgan pulled against the fabric. Rhea’s mouth went dry, and she couldn’t move.
Morgan struggled to get the shirt off her shoulder. Rhea snapped out of her dream when Morgan winced in pain.
“Sorry. Let me get that.” Rhea slid the shirt off Morgan’s shoulders and slowly worked the fabric over the cast covering her hand. When she was done, she took a step back, clutching the shirt in her hands, relieved to see Morgan wore a dark gray tank top. Her heart lurched at the sight of the bandages covering Morgan’s neck and part of her shoulder. The surrounding skin was red and swollen, and Rhea remembered Morgan’s coat on fire.
Morgan pushed tentatively at the bandages and hissed. “Ouch. That’s tender.”
“Stop poking it then,” Rhea snapped. She hated seeing Morgan in pain. “Just tell me what you need me to do already.”
Soldier whined from his spot on the floor at Morgan’s feet.
Love’s Redemption Page 17