Page 76 of Flare
Emily watched Ward’s expression shift from relaxed to alert, his jaw tightening as he listened.
“When?” he asked.“And where? Okay. Yeah, I’ve got Emily with me. We’ll be careful.”
He ended the call and turned to Emily, his earlier ease replaced by tension.
“What is it?” she asked, though she already suspected the answer.
“One of the ranch’s trail cams caught a large male grizzly patrolling the fence line,” Ward said, his voice carefully neutral.“Uncle Dane wanted to give us a heads-up.”
Emily felt the happy bubble of their day together burst. Reality rushed in like icy water.“It’s Andrew, isn’t it?”
“Maybe. Cade’s driving over there right now to check it out.”
But Emilyknew.
It wouldn’t take long for Andrew to figure out she wasn’t staying at the ranch anymore. He was still in the area, testing boundaries, and looking for her.
“Hey.” Ward pulled her against his chest, his arms strong around her.“I won’t let him hurt you.”
Chapter 21
Fire Call
Wednesday, May 20
The next day, Emily woke up before her alarm went off. She opened her eyes and saw the morning sun shining through the curtains in Ward’s bedroom.
She still had time before she had to get ready for work. She turned to face Ward, and leaned in to brush her lips lightly across his. Kissing him was so much fun.
He stirred. His sinfully long lashes fluttered, and a smile ghosted over his mouth just before he opened his eyes.
“Morning, beautiful,” he husked. His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer.
He raised his head and their lips met again, deeper this time, in a kiss slow and warm and full of promise.
And then the harsh blare of Ward’s first responder app split the air. Emily stiffened, startled.
Ward groaned and let his head flop back against his pillow for a beat before he rolled away, reaching for his phone on the nightstand.
“What is it?” she squeaked.
“Fire department.” He was already throwing back the quilt and reaching for his phone. He scanned it, frowning.“Someone reported a barn on fire just outside of town. I need to go.” He rolled out of bed in one smooth movement and grabbed a soft, charcoal-gray T-shirt from the chair beside the dresser. He tugged it over his head as he stepped into a pair of lightweight sweatpants. Thick wool socks followed.
Even in the rush, his movements were those of a man used to going from sleep to action in seconds.
Emily sat up, clutching the quilt to her bare chest.“Be careful.”
Ward leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead.“You too. If I’m not back in time, ask Violet to walk you to work. Don’t go anywhere without your panic button.”
And then he was gone.
∞∞∞
Andrew crouched in the shadow of a woodshed across the street from Ward Swanson’s decrepit old house. In the distance, a thick plume of dark smoke stained the otherwise perfect blue sky—evidence of his handiwork from earlier that morning.
Andrew’s lips curled into a self-satisfied smile. The volunteer firefighter had taken the bait, exactly as planned.
Andrew adjusted his position, careful to stay hidden despite the deserted street. Most of Bearpaw Ridge’s residents were at work or school on a Tuesday morning, a detail he’d meticulously factored into his plan. Minimal witnesses, maximum opportunity.
