Page 27 of Fire Bear

The exhaustion she had been pushing away all evening was now asserting itself in full force. Her limbs felt heavy, her eyelids drooped, and the wave of emotional release from the shower and tears left her yearning for the solace of her bed. She stood, the floorboards creaking under her feet, and gestured for him to follow.

Her bedroom glowed with the faint light of a small lamp on the nightstand, a cozy space with pale blue walls and simple furnishings that had always given her a sense of security. Tonight, more than ever, she needed that feeling. She pulled back the blankets.

Without a word, they slid under the covers. She lay on her side, facing him, letting her cheek sink into the pillow. He shifted closer, resting a hand on her hip—a light but protective touch. Warmth filled her heart. She deeply appreciated that he was here, and that she did not have to face any of this alone.

Chapter

Nineteen

Eliana wokewith lingering images of the orchard fire in her mind. She rolled onto her side, spotting Ash’s form beneath the covers. He lay on his back, one arm stretched out, chest gently rising and falling.

So many times during the night, she had woken up in a start, convinced the orchard was ablaze again or that some new threat loomed. Each time, she had looked over at him and felt calmer. He was here.

Not wanting to disturb his rest, Eliana carefully eased the blankets aside. Her muscles still ached with tension, yet she forced herself to stand. She padded across the bedroom floor, the boards creaking under her bare feet.

It felt almost surreal that the previous day’s tragedy and chaos lay behind her, at least for now. The orchard had been spared further destruction, though not without losses. She wondered what the damage would look like in the light of day, but at the same time, she dreaded seeing it.

Stepping into the hallway, she glanced back at Ash, who had shifted slightly but remained asleep. The faint morning glow illuminated his hair. She felt a stirring in her chest, a mix of gratitude and sadness. He had saved so much, yet even his heroism could not stop all the flames that had ravaged her land. Her heart clenched at the memory of the outbuildings and forest reduced to blackened rubble.

She made her way to the kitchen, flipping on a small overhead light. She reached into the cupboard for the coffee. As she scooped grounds into the filter, her mind replayed the orchard’s near-destruction. The sickening smell of smoke still lingered in her nostrils.

But soon the rich aroma of brewing coffee filled the kitchen, providing a momentary respite. She stood there, hands braced on the counter, inhaling deeply as the machine dripped the dark liquid. Tension knotted at the back of her neck, so she tried rolling her shoulders to ease it.

When the coffee finished brewing, she poured the steaming liquid into a travel mug, filled it with cream and sugar, and took a sip. With a satisfied sigh, she hugged the mug to her chest and trudged to the back door. She slipped her feet into a pair of sturdy boots, though she wore only pajamas otherwise, pulling on a jacket to keep away the morning chill.

Outside, the sky was a soft wash of pale colors, promising a clear day. The orchard spread before her, rows of trees fading into the distance. At first glance, it seemed normal, a quiet scene of nature waking up. Then she reached the forest at the southern end of the orchard. That was where the flames had been fiercest.

Her coffee felt heavier with each step. The grass under her boots gave way to a stretch of scorched earth. Her heart hammered. Inthe light of dawn, the burned forest looked like an ugly wound. Two small outbuildings had been completely destroyed. She paused to stare at them, a lump forming in her throat.

She bit her lip, recalling how the flames had nearly leaped into the orchard rows. At least the majority of her apple trees had been spared. That knowledge gave her a tiny spark of relief.

Clutching her mug, she moved closer to one of the burned outbuildings, letting the reality sink in that this was not a nightmare she’d dreamed last night. It was all too real. She heard footsteps behind her, and when she turned, Ash was approaching, hair slightly mussed, his face reflecting concern. She felt a surge of warmth at the sight of him.

“Thought I’d find you here,” he said, stepping around a charred beam to join her. “I woke up and you were gone.”

She glanced at the remains of the outbuilding, then back at him. “I had to see it in daylight,” she admitted. “It’s… worse than I imagined, even though we saved most of the orchard.”

His gaze swept the burn site. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, moving closer. His arms enveloped her from behind, the heat of his body cutting through the chill in the morning air. She let out a slow breath, letting herself lean into him.

For a moment, they stood in silence. The orchard around them was still, the only sounds the distant rustle of leaves. She sipped her coffee, grateful to have him holding her.

Then her phone rang. Detective Parker’s name showed up in stark letters, and her pulse fluttered. She exchanged a glance with Ash and swiped the screen. “Detective Parker?”

“Good morning, Ms. Hampton,” came Parker’s calm, measured tone. “I’m calling because I’d like to review your orchard’s security footage from last night. Is now convenient?”

“Yes, of course.” Eliana swallowed, her mouth dry. “Now is fine. I’ll meet you at my office in the barn.”

“I’m on my way.”

“Parker wants to review the security footage,” she said, turning to Ash. She forced a tight smile. “Let’s hope we caught whoever did this on camera.”

They left the burned patch and walked back to her office. She tugged a chair away from the desk and sat down. Ash stood behind her, arms folded, but he kept close. She appreciated his presence—his silent offer of support.

She woke up her computer and brought the orchard’s security software up on her screen. A small box requested a password. Eliana typed it in, pressing Enter. The system took a moment to load, showing a grid of camera feeds from all around the property: the main orchard rows, the barn entrance, the storage sheds, the fence line.

Moments later, Detective Parker entered the office, wearing a light jacket, notepad in hand. His expression was subdued. “Good morning,” he said quietly. “Shall we take a look?”

Eliana nodded. “Yes, please come in,” she said, scooting the chair so Parker could stand beside her. Ash shifted closer too, completing a small circle around the desk. The detective’s sharp eyes flicked over the monitor.

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