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“Shit.” Wilder ducked, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. “He’s right there.”
“You really think he’s capable?”
Wilder scratched his scruffy jaw. “He hero worships King. If King wasn’t setting the fires, he was responding to them and getting lots of praise in the process. Praise that eventually could trickle down to the best buddy.”
“That’s sort of crazy.”
“I said it was a long shot.”
“No, I mean it in a good way. That’s his car, huh?” She pointed at the nondescript grey Civic.
“Guess so, why?”
“I saw that car. It was acting weird, sort of casing me out one night, but I chalked it up to my imagination. Le
“So he set a fire in your house, hoping King would rescue you, and—”
“That I’d fall for him.”
Le
“Whoa.” Qui
“He needs to be caught in the act,” Wilder said, waiting for Le
Wilder made a quick call to Sawyer. “He’s going down Main and taking a left on Laurel Street. Shit, he’s turning into an alley. I can’t follow without alerting him but that’s right near the town square. Where there’s smoke there’s fire, man. I think we’ve got our boy.” Wilder nodded a few times. “Got it. Yep. Agreed.”
He did a U-turn and headed back toward Main Street.
“What’s the plan?”
“I’m not law enforcement so can’t go all vigilante on that asshole. We’re going to the square. Have to leave this to Sawyer and Kit.”
She rubbed his stiff shoulder. “This is killing you a little, isn’t it? Not being involved?”
Wilder’s muscles loosened. “Yes and no. You and Sea Monkey are my priority.”
“Sea Monkey?” She wrinkled her nose. “That’s what you are calling the baby?”
“I have in my head, but can stop if you don’t like it.”
Qui
“I’m thinking about something. I won’t do it if you say no.”
“Lay it on me.”
“What Sawyer said about the fire investigator position opening up . . . How would you feel if I went for the job? I have good savings, but I can’t live on them forever. Now I’ve got you and Sea Monkey to take care of and—”
Qui
He grimaced. “I’m no genius. Remember, I suspected King first.”
“You saw a link with Garret that no one else did. That’s a start. You said yourself that catching an arsonist is like finding a needle in a haystack.”
“You won’t mind if I get back into fire?”
She gave him a sympathetic smile. “That is always going to be a part of you, Wilder. But this is a way to move forward. This way you’ll be helping protect people.”
“I don’t have the job yet.”
“Maybe not officially, but you do in my mind. They’d be crazy not to want you.”
“Speaking of crazy . . .” Wilder yanked the wheel toward the curb and hit the brakes. Le
Before Qui
The smaller man pulled up short, chest rising and falling from exertion. “Get the hell out of my way, freak,” he snapped, glancing over his shoulder at the approaching law enforcement.
“No. I don’t think I will.” There was a crunch as Wilder’s fist made contact with Le
Sawyer approached, shaking his head. “I’d lecture you on slugging a suspect but if I gave Archer a pass last summer, guess you get one too.”
“He’s out cold,” Kit said, nudging the unconscious man with his boot. “You pack one hell of a punch, dude.”
“What happened?” Wilder asked.
“He had emptied the milk and filled it with gasoline, stuffed a sock in just like you said. We surprised him when he was sneaking over to the generator box.”
“Son of a bitch,” Wilder spat.
“An S.O.B. that’s going to wake up to a world of hurt and a shitload of trouble,” Sawyer said, hauling Le
“Thank you,” Qui
“Yeah, you did, Trouble.” Wilder planted a kiss square on her forehead. “You’re safe now, and I’ll keep you safe forever.”
“You two get a room,” Kit said as Sawyer began hauling Le
“Nah, I’m taking her to watch the Christmas tree lighting,” Wilder shot back. “That is, if you’re in the holiday spirit.”
“You know what?” Qui
It took another hour for the square to fill and the sun to drop behind Mount Oh-Be-Joyful. The sky turned as red as a poinsettia while the Brightwater Children’s Choir sang “Little Drummer Boy.”
Qui
It was crowded with residents bursting with festive holiday cheer. Red Rudolph noses, antlers, and Santa hats abounded. Qui
Disappointment tugged at her while they walked but at the same time, she couldn’t expect him to change who he was. She had to love him with eyes wide-open.
He pulled up short. “Close your eyes.”
She cocked her head. “What is going on?”
“Please?” He fidgeted. “It’s a surprise.”
“I never thought I’d say it but I might be a little surprised out.”
“You’ll like this one,” he murmured.
“Okay.” She closed her eyes and waited.
The mayor finished giving his speech and the crowd began to count down, “Nine . . . eight . . . seven . . . six . . .”
Wilder kissed her, soft, gentle, and with a sweetness that made her rise up on her tiptoes as he slowly withdrew.
The people around them began to clap as the holiday lights turned on, illuminating the big tree. A woman shouted, “Atta girl.” Qui
“What was that for?” she asked dreamily as the choir broke into “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
“Thought it was obvious. For having the most kissable lips in the town.” He gave her chin a playful chuck. “And look up.”
Overhead was a sprig of mistletoe dangling from a red velvet ribbon.
She gri
Epilogue
IT HAD BEEN a long, hard winter but Wilder barely noticed. Qui
A baby shower.
What a difference three hundred and sixty-five measly days made. Qui
“This is absolutely adorable,” she said.
“I had to pick green since you won’t find out if it’s a boy or a girl.” Grandma tried to grumble but it was hard to do when a huge smile tugged the corners of her mouth. He and Qui