“Wherever you want,” I say, the only thing Jacob and I fully agreed on was allowing Ethan to decide where he wanted to stay and when. Sure, we had a routine of fifty-fifty, but if Ethan wanted to sleep over at his house on my day, I wouldn’t stop him and vice versa.
“Okay,” he says, running in the house. “Kallie, my mom said I could stay if I want.”
“Okay, honey.” I hear Kallie say from the kitchen. We walk down the hallway into the kitchen, and Kallie is cleaning up the dinner plates. “Hey, you guys.” She wipes her hands on the towel that is hanging on the stove handle.
I look at the counter and see a file that is open with the pictures of my bar. I walk over and look at the pictures of before and then after. “It’s all rubble,” I say, the sting of tears coming up as I go through all the pictures. “There is nothing left.”
“I know,” Jacob says, going to stand next to Kallie, and they share a look. “We just got the report back from Blake.”
“Really?” I say to them, excited that it is one less thing standing in front of me rebuilding. “That’s good news.”
“I don’t know about that,” Jacob says, and this time, he shares a look with Beau.
“What aren’t you saying?” Beau asks for both of us.
“Do you guys want something to drink or eat?” Kallie asks, but my stomach is in knots while I wait, so I just shake my head.
“They are reevaluating as we speak so it could change,” Jacob says. “They are taking everything into account.”
“Jesus,” I say, rubbing my hands over my face. “Would you just cut to the chase and tell me what Blake said?”
“You might as well be honest with her,” Kallie says. “Besides, Beau is going to get the report tomorrow anyway.”
“Fine,” he says. “But before I say it, I don’t want you to freak out.”
“Jacob,” I say his name with my teeth clenched.
“Blake says that it was arson,” Jacob says, and my legs give out.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Beau
I hear the words, and I see her going down, but I’m able to grab her before she hits the floor. “Oh my God,” Kallie says, rushing around the counter. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Savannah says in a whisper. “I just …”
“She’s in shock,” Jacob says and then looks at me. “Bring her to the couch.” I carry her over to the couch. Setting her down, I sit next to her.
“Here is some water,” Kallie says, handing me a water bottle for her. She tries to take it, but her hands shake. “I’m going to keep Ethan busy so you guys can talk.” She turns and walks away to the family room.
“Tell me everything,” Savannah says, and I move to sit on the edge of the seat, waiting to hear what he has to say. Today started as the second best day of my life. Well, maybe the third since the best day of my life was when we got married, followed by the day she told me she loved me. Going to the diner was a stupid move, but I didn’t even think. Her guard went up as soon as we stepped into the diner, and everyone looked at her, some with disgust. It made my stomach burn, but I wasn’t about to show them that their opinion matters, so I ignored it and sat down. Then Liam happened, and if she hadn’t put her hand on my chest, I would have throttled him from across the table.
“The fire started in your office,” he says, and I see the tears in her eyes. I lean back next to her and take her in my arms, kissing her head. “There was gasoline all over the bar.” She closes her eyes. “Blake thinks that someone spread the gasoline and let it sit before lighting it. We found ten gas canisters in your office.”
“Who would do this?” she asks. “Did you find any evidence?”
“Nothing.” He shakes his head. “I don’t think we will either.”
“Fuck,” Savannah says. “My insurance is going to be all over this. Already they didn’t want to cover the vandalism. I don’t even know if I have the money to rebuild the way I want.”
“We are going to figure it out,” I say, and she just shakes her head. “Tomorrow, we can call the insurance agent and talk to them.” She doesn’t say a word, and when we leave, she kisses Ethan goodbye and just leans her head on the window in the truck. When we pull up to the house, she gets out while I grab the bags and walk up the steps.
Unlocking the door, I throw down the bags and sweep her off her feet, and she gasps out in shock. “Got to carry you over the threshold.”
“You had to do this the night of the wedding,” she says, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I don’t think it matters now.”
“Our home,” I say, walking in. “We make our own rules.” She puts her head on my shoulder while I kick the door closed. “You hungry?”
“Not really,” she answers softly, and I know that the whole arson thing has thrown her for a loop. It’s thrown us all for a loop.
I carry her upstairs, and she doesn’t say anything for most of the night. The only time she comes alive is when I make love to her, and then she gives me everything she has. I wake up the next morning, and the spot next to me is empty. I sit up, and I have this sudden panic that she is gone until I smell coffee and bacon. I get up, grabbing my boxers to slip on, and then make my way downstairs to find her sitting at the island with papers in front of her. “Morning,” I say, kissing the back of her neck. “What time is it?”
“A little after seven,” she says, and I see her wearing one of my white robes. “I made breakfast, and it’s in the oven.”
“What time did you get up?” I ask, pouring a cup of coffee.
“I couldn’t sleep, so I’ve been up most of the night.” She shrugs. “I tried, but I finally gave up at around three a.m.”
“What is all that?” I point at the papers.
“This is me trying to figure out how I’m going to rebuild the bar.” She puts all the papers together. “It was worth some equity, but that is with the bar on it. Now it’s just land.” She blinks, and I see the tears in her eyes. “I’m going to go into the bank today and see what they say.”
“We can figure it out,” I say. “I have money. You know that.”
She looks over at me. “I’m not taking your money, Beau.” She shakes her head. “Not now, not tomorrow, and not next week.”
“Why not?” I ask. “I’m your husband.”
She avoids the question altogether. “What time do you have to go in today?”
“I should be in at around eight.” I let her avoid the question. “I have to attend an event tonight. Do you want to come with me? It’ll be at the mayor’s house with some of my donors.”
“Yeah,” she says and gets up. “I’m going to head into the shower.” She looks over at me and walks away, and I just watch her. “Are you not coming with me?” she asks over her shoulder, and she doesn’t have to ask me twice. I walk out of the house after eight thirty, leaving her with a kiss and splayed out like a starfish in the bed.