After thanking Charlie and Neve, Noah continued clutching Hailey to his side as he steered them both through the clinic’s entrance and into the crisp dawn. The sun hadn’t cleared the peaks yet, but it cast enough weak light that they easily navigated their way toward Mountain Coffee.
She looked up at him, squinting against the brightening light as they strolled along the sidewalk toward the coffee shop. Her mind reached out for normalcy. “How did it go up at Silver Summit?”
Noah peered down at her. “Me first. What happened last night?”
She stopped them in their tracks, slid her arms from around his waist, and dropped her head in her palms. “I’m so, so sorry.”
Alarm pitched in his voice. “What for?” His hands stroked her arms as agitation rolled off him in waves. “Sweetheart, what is it?”
When she peeked between her fingers, he was bent at the knees, his head canted to look her square in the eye.
“I chose Chance over the tavern,” she whispered. Between fresh sobs, she told him about Chance’s strange behavior, the going back and forth, and finally the fire at the back door. “I should’ve gone back inside and grabbed an extinguisher, tried to put it out while it was small.” She’d had plenty of time to agonize over her decision as she’d run frantically through the woods, sure the tavern had burst into a conflagration behind her. “I know how much you love that building …”
A big hand caressed her back. “Stop. You made the right call. It’s what I would’ve done too—well, after I equipped myself for chasing down a dog in freezing weather in the dark.”
She dared look at him fully, relieved that a grin quirked his lips. “You would have?”
“Of course. You and he mean more to me than anything, including the Miners Tavern.”
“But the bar … that beautiful building … they’re gone.”
He gave her shoulder a gentle shake and pointed down the street. “No, they’re not. Look.”
Her eyes widened as they landed on the barely visible top of the old brick structure. “It didn’t burn?”
“The back door needs to be replaced, and the place stinks of smoke, but that’s it. The bar’s gonna be fine.”
A thought lit her up like a beacon. “Do they know what caused the fire?”
He gusted out a sigh. “Yeah. C’mon. Let’s get that coffee. I need to sit.”
Inside Mountain Coffee, Amy stopped mid-yawn to rush around the counter and hug Hailey in a death grip.
“We heard you were all right, but I was afraid to believe it until I saw you myself!” Tears sparkled in her dark eyes.
Hailey gaped at her. “You knew already? How? I just got back to town.”
“Well, Charlie told Noah, who told Dixie, who told Dewey, who told Micky, who told me.” Amy grinned at her. “It’s the Fall River coconut wireless—faster than the speed of any other sound. Now, what can I get you early birds? Or should I say late birds? Whatever it is, it’s on the house.”
Hailey protested. “You don’t have to—”
“I know I don’t, but I want to. Micky and I looked but couldn’t find you last night, so this is my way of easing some of my guilt.” When Hailey opened her mouth again, Amy held up a staying hand. “Nope. We may be partnering on this coffee-and-book venture, but you are not the boss of me, Hailey Bailey, and I’ll damn well give you and Noah free coffee if it pleases me. Never mess with a bitch who hasn’t had her caffeine, I always say.”
Hailey burst out with a laugh. “Well, okay, then. I’ll have my usual, and you get yourself some caffeine while you’re at it. You’re scary when you’re decaffeinated.”
She and Noah settled at the mosaic table while they waited for their coffee and pastries. Noah rested his hand on the tabletop, palm up, and she slid hers into his firm grasp.
“I can’t stand it any longer, Noah. What started that fire? It wasn’t something I did, was it?”
His green eyes popped open. “Hell no!” He leaned in conspiratorially. “It was—”
The front door banged open. Deputy O’Brien filled the frame and acknowledged them both with a head bob. “Hunnicutt. Hailey.” Removing his hat, he waltzed over, helped himself to one of their empty chairs, and parked his butt at their table.
Hailey reined in her frustration at one more interruption.
Shane looked from her to Noah. “Did you tell her?”
Noah’s mouth thinned. “I was trying to before you came over and helped yourself to the conversation,” he gritted out.
