Page 34 of To Match A Dragon's Fire

I finished loading the gun and gathered a bag of supplies just in case something happened.

We were fifteen miles outside of Christmas on dirt roads with no cell service and no one to call anyway if I got a flat.

So naturally, I was going by myself.

“Don’t touch Auntie Em’s bullets,” Willow scolded her daughter, glaring at me. “Never thought I’d have to say that.”

“But I was counting them,” Harper whined.

“She was working on math. Let the child learn.” I shouldered my backpack and handed the box back to Harper. She slipped under the table to resume her lessons.

Willow wrung her hands as she followed me to the door. “If I’d have known I’d be raising her in an armory, I’d have taught her more about guns.”

“She’s learning now, right Harp?” I asked.

“Eleven, twelve, fourteen, fifteen…”

I cringed. “Maybe teach her numbers first.”

“She just skips over thirteen sometimes.” Willow rolled her eyes. “But while we’re on the topic leaving things out, tell me again why you have to do this alone.”

I didn’t really have a good explanation besides not wanting Riley and Willow to witness me running into someone who’d be sure to dredge up the past.

Those two had been my rock for so long. I didn’t want to burden them with my bullshit again. It was bad enough that I’d put off coming back here for much longer than they’d wanted to.

Now look at the mess we were in––stuck with a squatter who built a whole freaking fortress on my front lawn.

“It’s safer for you and Harper to stay out here,” I explained, sounding a lot like Kieran did when he’d tried to warn me off my own hometown.

It wasn’t like the town itself wasdangerous.

I’d survived the rumor mill before.

“If it’s not safe out there, we should come with you.” Willow was like a dog with a bone, not letting this go.

“No.” I stood my ground on this one.

“Come on, Em.” Willow sighed. “You’re making me feel useless. Let us help. We were the ones who dragged you back here. Don’t go face him alone.”

“I’m not scared of him.” It was a partial lie. I was somewhat afraid of what I’d do if I ever came face to face with my ex-husband again, but I liked to believe I’d be the bigger person and keep my head high as I walked away. “I need to do this, alone, for me.”

“You’re always saying that.” Tears sprung to Willow’s eyes. “Why can’t I help you out?”

“Stop it.” I wrapped my arms around her. “You always help…” I panicked as she sobbed, trying to remember specific times. “Remember Jaxon?”

“The salmon fishing guide who lied to you about going bankrupt?” Willow reared back and wiped her nose with her thumb. “What about him?”

“You let me stay on your couch for three weeks after the breakup while you were pregnant and vomiting everywhere.” I laughed to myself, thinking of those miserable couple of months.

No wonder I kept swearing off men.

I sure knew how to pick the losers.

“You cleaned my bathrooms and—”

“Remember the fire at Eastern Terrance,” I cut her off before she could switch this argument in her favor. The lightness in my voice felt fake.

Talking about my past was really depressing.

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