Page 98 of Tasting Fire
“This is why I love this town,” she said. “Even with the things that have been going on, most people are caring and thoughtful. I need to call and thank them both.”
He put his hand over hers. “They know you appreciate it. You have more important things to do right now than play Emily Post.”
“Are we going to talk with the arson investigator?”
“No, I just told your mom I’m taking you to my house, and that’s exactly what I’m doing,” he said, backing out of the driveway. “I don’t lie to mamas. They see right through that shit.”
“I just realized… The tox screen report on Jesse Giddings. It was in my apartment. I guess you didn’t have time to pick that up while you were inside.”
The look Cash gave her was pure your-screws-are-loose. “You think? Gettingyouand the others out of there were much higher on my priority list.” His eyes narrowed. “Why? Did you find something in it?”
“Not really,” she admitted. “But I wanted to go over it again, just in case. Think we could get inside the apartment to—”
“No.” That one word was definitive and unyielding. “Everything is unstable and it’s an investigation scene.”
“Then I’ll see if Max can get me another copy of the report.” She pulled out the new phone to text him and a sudden thought occurred to her. “You don’t think someone set fire to the Murchison building because of that report, do you?”
“No one but you, the lab director, and I know you have it. Do you have any reason to suspect Max?”
She deflated. “No.”
“Let’s wait for the arson report to be finalized. Until then, I’m keeping you close. If the fire was set on purpose, Maggie will be on it like flies on roadkill.”
“And until then, we’re just going to sit around like good little townspeople?”
He chuckled and parked in his carport. “Like that would ever work with you.” But he turned toward her and pulled her in to rest his forehead against hers. “I was scared fuckless, Em. When I saw your mom, Kris, and Riley sprawled out on the floor, completely helpless, I almost lost my mind. But when I couldn’t find you, the panic I felt… I can’t even describe it. I almost heaved into my mask.”
That made Emmy smile because she knew Cash. He was cool and focused under pressure. His emotions might’ve been all over the place, but he was too good at what he did to let them interfere with his work.
“You got to us in time. And you proved once again that you are not only one of Steele Ridge’s finest, but that you arethefinest.”
He kissed her, the sweetest, most gentle touch of lips on lips. It made Emmy’s heart ache with a painful pleasure. His fingers brushed over the plain braid she’d secured her hair in before leaving the hospital.
When their lips parted, slowly, Emmy breathed out. “Yesterday, before we were interrupted by flames and fanatics, you said you wanted to show me something. About something still standing between us.”
“Not now, Em. You need to rest.”
“I have some things I need to tell you, too.” She hated to bring out the big guns, but today of all days, she deserved to get her way. “I could’ve died last night.”
“I know what you’re doing.” He shook his head and got out of the truck to come around and open her door. “We’ll talk. On one condition.”
“Agreed.”
“You don’t even know my condition.”
“See how accommodating I’m being?”
He grunted in answer.
Inside his house, he pointed toward a tweed sectional. “Curl up and I’ll be back in a sec.”
When he returned, he handed her a leather-bound journal.
“What is this?”
“Everything you ever wanted to know about Cash Kingston and a few things you didn’t.” He turned toward the kitchen. “I’m getting some much-needed coffee. You want a cup?”
“Yes, please.”
