Page 41 of Flashback

“My friend, Dakota. He’s a hotshot. He went in to check on Jen Haroldson. This is her place.” Hadn’t Ethan told them?

The firefighter shook his head. “Ma’am, are you sure? Someone already checked and said there’s no one inside right now.”

“He went in there! I saw him. You have to get him out!”

At that moment, fire shot out the front window, and glass shattered on the porch. Everyone ducked.

The other firefighter pulled Allie farther from the house. “You need to stay back. We’re getting water on it now. As soon as we can get inside safely, we’ll?—”

“No! That’s not acceptable!”

A warm hand on her arm held her back. “Allie.”

She spun around. Dakota stood there, ash smeared across one cheek. His eyes were red and his hair was mess, but she’d never seen him look better. “Oh my goodness!” She grabbed him in a tight hug. “You’re okay. I thought…”

She squeezed her eyes tight against the sting of tears. He smelled of smoke and soot, but she didn’t care. He was alive. She almost collapsed with relief.

“It’s okay. I’m here.” He whispered the words in her ear.

She blew out a shaky breath and forced her muscles to relax. Once she was certain she could stand on her own, she stepped back. “I’m sorry. I was…worried about you. But you’re okay?”

He smiled and she soaked it in. “Yeah. I’m okay.” He pulled her back against his chest.

For a moment he just held her close. His embrace helped melt away the icy tentacles of fear that had wrapped around her. He was solid and strong, and Allie couldn’t deny the appeal. His arms felt like home.

“How did you get out?” Allie asked.

“I didn’t stay long. I saw a blood trail leading out the side door and figured Jen got out.” Someone bumped into them. Dakota pulled back a little. “And it looks like you found her.” He pointed to the ambulance, where they were lifting Jen inside.

“The boys did. I’m not even sure how. But we should find them. Nolan’s been inconsolable.”

“Let’s take them to the hospital so they can see their mom. I’m sure we’ll have to wait while she’s checked out. Then we can ask them if Paulson is the same guy they saw in the forest. But first, I need to talk to the fire chief.”

“Why?”

“Someone set the fire on purpose.”

“How do you know?”

“There was an empty can of paint thinner on the kitchen floor.”

Allie gasped. Who would’ve set that fire? And Jen’s injury. What had happened to her?

Dakota left to find the chief. She longed for her dog, a steady and calm presence to reassure her. But at least Dakota was here and okay.

But Ray was somewhere out there too.

Maybe now Jen would listen and tell her what was going on in their home.

Dakota could still smell the clean citrusy scent of Allie’s shampoo from when she’d hugged him. Her arms had squeezed him tight. And when she’d pulled back, her eyes had been shimmering, like she’d been truly worried about him and a little teary.

Not that he should read anything romantic into it. Even though she’d agreed to go out with him sometime.

Still, he couldn’t deny how the heart in his chest swelled at the sight of her. Especially right now, as she held Ethan’s hand and they walked into the hospital emergency department for the second time today. Nolan rested in Dakota’s arms, his little body still shuddering every so often. Dakota tried not to cough all over the kid, but he’d inhaled too much smoke today. His side hurt like crazy too. But Nolan was tired and worried, and Allie shouldn’t have to carry him.

After settling the boys with Allie in the waiting area, Dakota went in search of sustenance. There had to be a vending machine somewhere. Once the boys had had something to eat and were calmer, he could ask them about Paulson. He wandered into a small alcove off to the side of the hospital gift shop, the fluorescent lights of the pop machine glaring.

Ethan and Nolan were good kids. So why did Jen stick around a guy like Ray? Because maybe if he could figure that out, he could understand his own mother’s choice to stay with Buck for so long. Maybe she’d thought she could change him at first. But after the first few times of striking her, wouldn’t it have been obvious? Some men didn’t change. He probably should be glad she’d left him eventually, but ten years under a man like that did a lot of damage. Had anyone reached out to his mom like Allie was doing for Jen? Offered her help or a way out? Would she have turned them down?

---