Firestorm. Kelly Riley Ann
go now,” she said, her voice muffled in his shirt, but he didn’t loosen his hold until she stood firmly in the middle of the path.
“Watch your step. I’m not really in the mood to fill out medical paperwork tonight.”
“I’m fine—thank you. Sorry about that…” She stepped farther away, embarrassment heating her cheeks.
She glanced at Tanner. He watched her with an amused tilt to his mouth. “Come by the station in the morning, and we’ll discuss your father’s case. There are questions you may be able to answer.” He turned and resumed his hike up the hill.
“Thanks, Tanner. You won’t regret it.” Her voice bounced off the massive boulders on the hill. His tall profile melted into the shadows as she rubbed her arms in the brisk air. Her heart still thudded painfully, but something told her it wasn’t just from the altitude. This tiny bubble of attraction to the man could be a problem. She should hate his guts for destroying her father’s reputation and memory.
The moonlight shone bright enough she found her way easily down the trail back to the cabin. Heeding Tanner’s advice, she found a plywood plank and nailed it over the broken window. She’d never been afraid to be alone in the cabin before, but tonight the shadows and quiet seemed ominous. After checking all the locks, she wandered into the living room and sank onto the sofa, too weary to attempt a shower. A cricket sang within the ancient log walls. Was it welcoming her home or warning her away?
She leaned back and studied her parents’ portrait over the fireplace. She’d never understood why her father kept the painting after the divorce. But then, she’d never understood a lot of things about Sam McGuire. Like what he’d been doing at Wildcat Ravine before the fire started.
She blinked rapidly as a fresh wave of grief engulfed her. She wasn’t going to cry. Tears didn’t do any good. She needed to concentrate on the case so she could leave the harsh memories behind and return to her real life. Not only would she run out of vacation pay, but she’d lined up job interviews for a position in arson investigation. A breakthrough here might help her chances to move up in rank.
A scratching noise drew her attention to the hole in the corner where her dad had designed a makeshift pet door to the crawl space under the cabin.
“Max?”
A soft meow answered, and the pet door flap lifted, revealing yellow eyes. The cat sprang through the opening and scampered to the couch. Kitty buried her face into the purring white fur. “I’ve missed you.”
The cat’s rough tongue swiped Kitty’s chin. Oh, how she’d wanted to take Max to the city with her after the funeral, but she knew he’d be miserable in a tiny apartment. Max was born a mountain cat and enjoyed roaming the woods. Thankfully, her neighbor Mrs. Oakley lived across the meadow and graciously offered to adopt Max and keep him fed. Apparently, he still liked to visit his old home.
Kitty pulled one of Nana’s knitted afghans over her legs. Max circled in her lap and settled into a vibrating tubby lump. Kitty rested her head on the cushion, but sleep evaded her as troubled thoughts swirled in her mind.
Her reaction toward Tanner disturbed her. Unfortunately, he hadn’t fit the profile of the inept dolt she’d imagined on the long drive up here. This man wouldn’t be easily swayed. His eyes held an unusual intensity and worldly intelligence that intrigued her but also warned her to be cautious. She couldn’t let a physical reaction cloud her judgment. She’d use him just like he’d use her to get the job done. Past experience had taught her well. Rule your life with your brain, not your heart. It was safer that way.
It was a mistake, Luke Tanner told himself for the tenth time as he charged up the steep, rocky hill. No doubt about it, he was slipping. How else could he have let the McGuire woman and her sick grandmother get under his skin so easily?
Three months retired from the Bureau and he’d already lost his objectivity. His research revealed Sam McGuire’s mother still lived in a nursing home, but Kitty, despite her innocent-looking blue eyes, could be lying through her pretty, pink lips. Her eighty-four-year-old grandmother might be senile and not even know McGuire had died. He’d been fooled before, and the process nearly cost him everything he loved.
He sprinted for the steps to his porch and leaned over, his hands on his knees. Living at seven thousand feet above sea level had some disadvantages—like less oxygen. If he hadn’t spent so much time in the Sacramento office the last couple months wrapping up loose ends, maybe he’d be acclimated by now. Jack panted beside him. Luke rubbed the dog’s soft ears. “Come on, let’s check on Michael.”
The dog raced ahead as Luke deactivated the alarm and climbed the stairs to the attic bedroom. The glow from the night-light illuminated the peaceful expression on Michael’s face, so unlike the surly one dominating it most days. Jack sniffed the boy from head to foot, and then lay on the rug, apparently satisfied no harm had come to his young charge.
Luke untangled the quilt from around the lanky ten-year-old body, gently tucking the ends under. “Thank you, God,” he whispered, awe in his voice. Even now, six months after the kidnapping, he found it difficult to believe he had Michael back safe and sound. Well, maybe not sound yet, but in time.
Luke smoothed a wisp of copper-colored hair off the boy’s forehead and then stepped toward the intercom that connected to downstairs and his father’s bedroom. “Dad? I’m back. Any problems?”
“Heard you come in.” His father’s gruff voice erupted from the small, black box on the wall. “Not a peep out of the kid.”
“Thanks for staying up. I didn’t mean to be gone so long.” He flexed his stiffening shoulders. What a night.
“No problem. With this contraption, I can hear a mouse tiptoe across a pile of pillows. It’s been a quiet evening, just what I needed to finish up this book on the John Muir Trail.”
“You thinking of taking a hike?”
James Tanner chuckled. “No, just wishful thinking. You know my old knees wouldn’t last five miles. You, though, work too hard and ought to take a vacation. Take my grandson camping like we used to do. Spend more time with him. A group from the church goes once a month in the summer.”
“I know. I’ll check it out soon.” Luke’s neck muscles knotted tighter. Finding the time for getting active in the church was another reason to get this case wrapped up fast.
“I’d lend you the book, but I need to return it to the library tomorrow.”
Luke smiled. He had a sneaking suspicion his father liked Miss Grant, the town’s kind, silver-haired librarian. When he wasn’t fulfilling his pastor duties at the community church or spending time with Michael, Dad hung around the library. Luke had mixed feelings about this possible romantic development. Logically, he wished his father happiness, but the thought of anyone taking his mother’s place twisted his gut.
First Mom, then Miranda. Too much heartache in the last three years. He didn’t know how he could’ve gone on if he’d lost Michael too.
“Night, Dad.” Luke switched off the intercom. He gestured to the German Shepherd.
“Come.”
The dog followed him down to the kitchen where Luke scooped out dry dog food. Jack stared at the bowl until Luke remembered to give the command to eat, a safety precaution to prevent poisoning. His father had thought Luke overly cautious by purchasing the specially trained dog for Michael’s protection, but having Jack gave Luke more peace of mind. And Lord, you know I need more peace.
Still too keyed up for bed, he trudged onto the long deck that hugged the length of the house. The crisp, mountain air soothed his hot skin. He leaned on the redwood railing and gazed down at the quiet town huddled next to the lakeshore. Pine Lake boasted clean air, good schools, small-town values and even an active church congregation.
After the horror of their last year in Chicago, the secluded valley seemed like the perfect place for Luke and Michael to start a new life. Luke hoped that with love and