“Have you talked to Mom and Dad this morning?” Chase asked as he and Jason walked toward the fire chief.
“Yep. They’re on their way down, actually. What a week. I’m sorry your trip got cut short.”
Chase shoved his hands in his pockets. “Is what it is. Are you coming off duty or going on?”
Jason was still in uniform. “Coming off.”
They both jumped at a loud crack, and a yell went up from the firefighters as the roof of the second building collapsed.
Chase looked back at Annie, who was staring at the destruction, her hand over her mouth. “Damn it. They aren’t going to be able to save her shop, you know.”
“I know. As hard as this next little while is going to be for the Hudsons, the next several weeks will be harder for her,” Jason said. “I’m not sure your arrival this morning is going to help.”
Chase scowled. “What do you mean?”
His brother met his gaze straight on. “You two seemed awfully cozy when you showed up.”
“Excuse me?”
“Look, I love Annie to death. I’m glad you have whatever it is you have with her even though you continue to deny there’s anything there. She’s good for you, and I think you’re good for her, but I don’t want to see either of you hurt. All these months, you’ve been swearing there was nothing between you but friendship, but now? You show up here together, and it’s pretty obvious you both just rolled out of bed. If you think I’m the only one who’s noticed, you’d better think again. Take a look-see around.”
Chase did that, his hands on his hips, irritation building as he surveyed the people in the park. While most of them were watching the fire, more than a handful were keeping close tabs on them. “Ah, shit, come on. You know she’s been babysitting Murphy. Besides, it isn’t anybody’s business if she spent the night at my place or not.”
“I know that. But as much as we tease you and Annie about it, I know the gossip bothers you both.”
His gaze snapped back to Jason’s. “Why? What has she said about it?”
Jason grinned lazily. “Not a thing. I wanted to see how touchy you were.”
“Ass. Tell me this—why is our private life suddenly a problem?”
Jason grew serious. “It isn’t. I only wanted you to be prepared. Showing up here together like you did is probably going to start a new batch of rumors. And warn Annie, okay? Most everyone is watching you two with bated breath, enjoying the chase, if you will. But not everyone is pleased you’ve been so effectively taken off the market. For what it’s worth, I think the two of you are a good match and you should get on with the public romance already, before we’re all old geezers on walkers.”
“Off the market? What am I, a slab of meat?” Chase huffed, relieved to have his brother’s support even if he wasn’t willing to admit it. “And who says I’m off the market?”
Jason slapped his shoulder. “Oh, big brother, every move you make these days tells the world.”
When the second roof collapsed, Annie’s heart fell into her shoes.
“Oh, God,” she whispered. “It’s all going to go up.”
She made a concerted effort to tear her gaze away from the burning buildings, and when she did, she saw Charlie Clark jogging toward them, concern etched on his face.
She was still getting used to the idea of Charlie being her brother. He and Annie had only started talking since he’d become involved with Lauren. As Annie was the result of an affair their father had conducted with her mother while still married to Charlie’s mother, their relationship had been difficult in the beginning.
John stood. “I see Richard and Jackie. I’m going to go meet them. Hang in there and let me know if you need anything.”
“You do the same.” She turned toward Charlie as he reached her table, out of breath, his hair standing a bit on end.
“Thank God.” He enveloped her in a hard hug. “Are you okay?”
Tears pricked her eyes, and she had to clear her throat. “I’m fine. I don’t know about the shop. Lauren didn’t come down here, did she?”
He huffed and sat beside her. “No way. She wanted to, but I managed to talk her out of it… barely.” Lauren was eight months pregnant with their first child. As he spoke, his phone rang. “That’s her. Hey, honey. No, she’s right here. She’s okay. Hang on.” With a rueful smile, he handed Annie the phone.
“Hello?”
“Oh, Annie. Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m okay. I wasn’t home. I was still at Chase’s.” She didn’t miss the frown Charlie shot in her direction. “It doesn’t look good for the shop, and this whole block… it doesn’t look good.”
“That’s what I’ve heard. Janet’s on her way down to open The Brown Bag so we can get water and things to people.”
“I’m sure that’ll be appreciated, but I don’t know if the power’s still on. I imagine they turned it off.”
“Probably, but you know us—we have to try.”
They spoke for another minute, then Annie handed the phone back to Charlie. After he hung up, he held on to it, frowning, his eyes on Chase and Jason as they walked back toward the picnic table.
“When did he get home?” he asked.
“Very early this morning or very late last night depending on how you look at it,” Annie said. “Why?”
He scowled. “I just wondered.”
It took her a minute to connect the dots, and when she did, she gave him a gentle shove. “I’m a big girl, you know. I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing so for a number of years now.”
He made a face. “I know. I just… I guess I worry. You’re my sister. I’ve never had a sister to worry about before.”
“Chase and I are friends,” Annie said quietly. “That’s all.”
With a sigh, Charlie put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “That’s kind of a shame. I do like Chase. And I know it isn’t any of my business—I simply don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Chase and Jason reached them a minute later, as did their parents, Jackie and Richard.
“Oh, honey, I’m so glad you’re okay. How bad is it? Do they know?” Jackie asked as she hugged Annie, then turned to Chase. “When did you get in?”
“About three this morning. The chief says it looks like they’ve slowed it down, but you’re going to have some pretty heavy damage regardless, Annie.”
“How heavy?” she asked unsteadily. When Chase winced, she whimpered. “That bad, huh? Oh, God. I was afraid of that.” She drew in a deep breath, feeling sick. Charlie reached out to her, and she grasped his hand tightly.
Jackie perched beside her on the table’s edge, rubbing Annie’s shoulder. “Take some deep breaths, slow and steady. That’s a girl. However bad it is, we’ll work it out.”
Annie accepted the tissue Jackie handed her, straightening slowly. “Sorry about that.”
“Hush. You can come stay with us until you get things straightened out,” Charlie offered.
“Or…” Chase frowned when Charlie shot him a glare, then he continued asking his parents, “What about the guesthouse at your place? Now that Beth’s moved out, it’s just sitting there.”
Jackie agreed. “That’s exactly what I was thinking. You’d have privacy, and it’s furnished. No offense, Charlie.”
“None taken,” Charlie assured her. He turned to Annie. “I want to make sure you know you’re welcome to stay with us.”
Annie was touched. “Thank you, all of you. Charlie, I can’t move in with you guys. You’re getting ready to have a baby. You don’t need me there right now.”
“It’s a big house. There’s plenty of room.”
She turned toward Jackie. “Are you sure you’re comfortable offering the guesthouse? I’d pay rent like a regular tenant.”
“That’s not necessary,” Richard said. “Take care of the utilities while you’re there, and we’ll call it fair.”
She shook her head. “No. If I move in, I want to pay rent and have a lease. I won’t take advantage of you all like that. Chase, could you draw it up?”
He shrugged. “Sure, wouldn’t take that long to do. You guys settle the details and let me know what you want to do.”
“It wouldn’t feel right charging you rent,” Jackie said. “Not with you having to close the shop until it’s fixed.”
Annie wasn’t about to budge. “No. I have insurance, and I’m not a pauper. If I didn’t do things properly, I’d feel like I was sponging off of you guys.” She named a dollar amount. “We could do a month-to-month lease if that’s okay.”
Richard and Jackie exchanged a glance, and Richard lifted his hands, palms up. “Sounds like we have a tenant then. But knock a hundred off that rent.”
Annie started to protest, but seeing that he was as determined to have his way as she was, she gave in and stuck out her hand instead. “Sounds like you do, Dr. H.”
By the time the fire was under control two hours later, the damage to Annie’s Arbor was extensive. Contrary to the chief’s optimistic words, they hadn’t been able to stop it before it spread into her shop and apartment. Not long after, Lauren showed up, despite Charlie’s admonishments, and joined them in the middle of the square.
“Let’s get your stuff from Chase’s, and you come home with Charlie and me for a couple of days. Please?” Lauren asked.
“I don’t know. Do you really think you’re up for that?”
Lauren leveled a stern look at her. “Absolutely.”
“We’ll figure this out, kiddo,” Charlie said. “Let us take care of you for a day or two? Then you can go back to being stubborn and independent. What do you say?”
Annie whimpered. “I say get me out of here, please. We can argue about me staying with you later. Right now, I only want to curl up and sleep.”