Good question, Jax thought. Just as they were approaching the basement stairs, Madge appeared. Her jacket was open, just enough to display her ample cleavage.

  She simpered beautifully when she saw Jax. “I guess you’ll be needing to find somewhere to stay, Jax. I have an extra bedroom...”

  Lynn cut her off. “You’re making a fool of yourself, Madge. Leave the man alone.”

  Then she shouldered past Madge and started climbing. Jax smothered a grin and followed right after her as if Madge didn’t exist. He took some small pleasure in the moment.

  The walk to the house didn’t take very long. A couple of blocks. Lynn ate up the distance, her strides long, maybe driven by fear of what she would find, or perhaps by fury. Or perhaps by a determination to see the full dimension of the destruction she faced.

  They came around the corner and Lynn stopped so suddenly that Jax nearly bumped into her. “What?” he asked.

  She pointed and breathed, “Oh, my God.”

  He looked down the street and astonishment flooded him. A small lumber truck filled the street in front of her house, fully loaded. A dumpster occupied her front yard and men on ladders were tearing away the porch roof.

  “I can’t afford this,” she whispered.

  He studied the scene and felt an unusual warmth grow in old, cold places inside him. “Somehow I don’t think you’ll have to.”

  She looked sharply at him, then continued her march down the street. One of the men supervising from the sidewalk greeted her with a smile from beneath an orange hard hat. Tall and lanky with a weathered face, he wore jeans and a shearling jacket. Worn work boots encased his feet.

  “It’ll take a few days, Lynn, but we’ll get this fixed for you.”

  “But Len, how do I pay for all this?”

  “You don’t,” he answered with a shake of his head. “You’re one of my best customers, to begin with. Then a funny thing happened. A bunch of guys showed up and volunteered. Can’t do much about how this is making you feel, but we can fix the property damage.”

  Jax saw a tear run down Lynn’s face. “Oh, Len...”

  He waved a hand. “We all know how you feel. Just glad we can help. Now you go back to the church, eat something and stay warm. You’ll be surprised by the end of the day.”

  “I don’t know what to say,” Lynn said as she and Jazz walked back to Good Shepherd.

  “How about that sometimes people can be wonderful?”

  “They can, can’t they.”

  “I’ve seen the worst in people, but I’ve also seen the best. And the best is pretty amazing.” Which was true. When you saw a man give his life to save a buddy... Well, people didn’t get much better than that.

  * * *

  Lynn was still overwhelmed by the time they reached the church basement. Now Maude and her daughter, Mavis, had showed up with plenty of hot food.

  “Soup ain’t enough.” Maude sniffed as she thrust foam containers at the two of them. “Now sit down and get something warm inside you.”

  Chairs had been stacked along one wall, ready for meetings, and the boys had pulled a few off the stacks. Nancy sat on one of them, conversing with Barry.

  She looked up at Lynn. “It’ll be okay,” she offered quietly.

  Lynn swallowed hard. “Apparently so. Len Danvers is already out there with a crew, ripping out the mess. How did your knees survive the excitement?”

  Nancy smiled. “These boys of yours practically carried me all the way here. Remarkable young men.”

  All three looked uncomfortable at the praise.

  “You are remarkable,” Lynn told them. “All of you. And thanks for the warning last night.”

  “Lucky we were still playing video games,” Tom answered. He elbowed Will. “Except this sleepyhead kept dozing off.”

  “Did not.”

  “No, you just lost a thousand points without clicking a button,” Barry retorted. He and Tom both snickered, while Will looked embarrassed.

  “Eat,” Maude demanded, hands on her ample hips. “All of you. I didn’t carry all this damn food over here to have it ignored.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Barry answered meekly.

  Maude snorted. “You won’t sell me that attitude, boy.”

  Barry clearly tried to smother a grin.

  Nancy had opened her box and picked delicately at the mound of home fries. “How are you going to pay Len for the work?” she asked bluntly, heedless of who might hear.

  “Apparently I don’t have to.” Amazement touched Lynn’s face once again.

  Nancy nodded with satisfaction. “That’s the kind of neighbors I remember. I guess this town hasn’t changed all that much in nearly twenty years.”

  Lynn nodded, reaching at last for the omelet in her box. “I have a lot of good neighbors. It’s overwhelming.”

  She had finished half her omelet when Luke Macy showed up. Lynn felt Jax stiffen beside her and heard her mother mutter something.

  “Lynn,” he called from across the basement, hurrying toward her. “I just heard. My God!” He dragged another chair over so he could sit facing her. “I am so sorry!”

  “Sorry for what?” she snapped. “That your house is damaged?”

  “No, no,” he said hastily, reaching for her hands. She jerked them back and would have spilled the remains of her breakfast if Jax hadn’t snapped out a hand to grab the container and pull it away.

  “Lynn, please,” Luke said, looking wounded. “I just wanted to offer my sympathy. I want to help with the repairs.”

  Lynn had had enough. “Leave me alone, Luke Macy. And if you ever set foot in my yard again, you’ll be trespassing. Do I make myself clear?”

  “But Lynn...”

  Edith Jasper, who’d been over at the food table talking with Maude, spoke up loudly. “You, Luke. Yes, I’m talking to you. When a lady tells you to get lost, you’d better get lost. You wouldn’t know anything about that ugly rumor that started running around last week, would you? Because it’s got your fingerprints all over it.”

  “I never—”

  “You heard the lady,” Jax said, rising, towering over Luke. His voice was steely, his posture subtly threatening.

  Luke looked up at him and decided to skedaddle. Without another word, he strode away and up the stairs.

  “I can’t believe the nerve!” Nancy exclaimed.

  “Me neither,” Tom said. “Don’t you worry, Lynn. We see him in the yard, we’ll send him on his way, won’t we, guys?”

  The other two nodded.

  “What’s the rest of this rumor?” Lynn asked quietly. Another problem, another thing to worry about.

  “Pay it no mind,” Edith Jasper said. “We’re taking care of it. Aren’t we, Maude?”

  “Damn straight,” said the heavyset woman. “Sorry, I got to get back to my diner. I’ll be back with lunch, just before the fundraiser for the La-Z-Rest. What’s this town coming to?”

  With a shake of her head, she pulled on her coat and departed with her daughter, Mavis, on her heels.

  * * *

  Terri Albright wanted to throttle Luke Macy. Right on the spot and damn the witnesses. They were meeting in Mahoney’s bar and she’d insisted on a back booth. They were supposed to be acting like lovebirds, but at that moment she could barely control her face.

  “What do you mean you’re not taking me to the fundraiser?” she asked quietly.

  Luke looked startled. “What do you care about a stupid fundraiser?”

  She struggled to smile adoringly. “You said you’d help me meet people. There’ll be lots of people there.”

  “None I want to see.”

  She leaned forward, trying to appear girlish and disappointed. She hoped he couldn’t read murder anywhere in her expression. “You promised,” she pouted.

  “We can do other things.”

  “I don’t want to do other things. Just for a little while. Please?” Now she was wheedling and hated the sound of her own voice.

  He signaled for another beer. “Okay, what the hell. But I want you to spend the night.”

  More fury rose in her. This sleaze expected her to pay with her body for a small favor? He was lucky his beer didn’t wind up in his face.

  “We’ll see,” she said coyly, glad she didn’t have to try to blush. As if she could.

  “There’s no we’ll see about it,” he said flatly. “You’re playing me.”

  That was so close to the truth that Terri was astonished. The fool actually had enough sense to realize that? She couldn’t afford to lose him yet. Her mind swiftly calculated her next move.

  She summoned a hurt expression. “I am not,” she answered. “How could you even think that of me? Maybe I don’t want to go with you anywhere now.”

  That took him aback. “I didn’t mean... Oh, okay. We’ll go to this damn thing. No strings. But not for long.”

  “Thank you,” she cooed.

  And wished for a hot shower to wash him off.

  Chapter 17

  After the lads and Jax had folded up the cots and leaned them against the wall and had helped open the lengths of folding tables that nearly filled the basement, the fundraiser began.

  First came the men and women bearing delectable cakes, pies and cookies for sale. A ton of food. There were even crafts, hand-stitched quilts, knitted sweaters and scarves, and some very pretty handmade jewelry. Beautifully embroidered linens took up a large space on one table. Pastor Canton had offered a door prize of fifty dollars.

  Local businesses had leaped in to help as well, making every kind of donation from winter clothing to groceries.

  In fact, the long tables were loaded with donations, all proceeds to go to rebuilding the motel and helping its hapless owners.

  Quite a well-organized little do, Jax thought. He was surprised by the number of people who turned up, people more than willing to purchase a glass of hot cider on a cold day, glad to pay for a ticket for a free meal, or to purchase so many of the other donated goods.

  Purses and wallets opened easily among people he was sure didn’t have much extra money to spare. All for a good cause.

  Like Len Danvers busy working on Lynn’s porch.

  Jax hadn’t noticed anything like this when he’d lived here as a kid. In his isolation, it had all passed by him, escaping his awareness.

  God, he’d been bent.

  Lynn’s mood appeared to have improved, although he couldn’t tell if it was a front. If it was, she was doing a great job of it, constantly moving and smiling and helping where she could.

  Then Luke Macy arrived with that girl on his arm, the one with the black bob and purple streaks. That hair was memorable. He watched with interest as Luke guided her around the tables, as she cooed over things and managed to get him to buy her a few trinkets from the woman selling handmade jewelry.

  It seemed to Jax that Luke withdrew his wallet reluctantly. Tightwad.

  But as the couple left after only a short visit, he noted something in the woman’s movements.

  It niggled at him. Something upright in her posture when she escaped Luke’s arm for a minute. Something in the way she moved. Uneasiness prickled him even as he reminded himself he’d probably seen her before around town.

  He couldn’t escape the feeling there was something more.

  But damn it all if he knew what it was.

  * * *

  As if by magic, all the donations disappeared in around four hours and the raffle prize was awarded. Quite a few folks lingered for a while, chatting as they drank coffee or cider, some even eating their recent purchases. Molly Canton moved among them, smiling pleasantly, thanking them all for coming.

  Eventually, though, the inevitable cleanup began. Some people remained behind to help. Lynn, the students and Jax pitched in as well. Edith supervised, declaring that her age made her well suited to management. A lot of laughs answered her as good-humored people worked.

  Then the basement became a shelter again. Tables gone except for two with chairs around them. Cots once again ready to hold refugees such as Lynn and Nancy.

  “It went well,” Lynn remarked to Jax as at last they sat at one of those tables with fresh coffee and a large walnut coffee cake between them. “Unfortunately, I don’t know how much it will help the Blent family, the ones who own the motel.”

  He blew gently on his coffee, then sipped. “Every bit helps. Even if they had insurance, there are still the deductibles.”

  “I didn’t think of that.” She sighed, pushing a stray auburn lock behind her ear. “I suppose now I’ll have to think about deductibles, too. And I guess I’d better call my agent. Len’s a dear soul, but he shouldn’t have to bear that cost alone.”

  “I think Len’s more interested in getting things squared away as fast as possible for you, to allow you to go home again.”

  She smiled faintly. “He probably is.”

  Nancy joined them. Someone had even rustled up some tea bags for her. “Isn’t this cozy?” she remarked lightly. “A few curtains, a couple of easy chairs, some low lighting instead of that miserable overhead fluorescent tubing? It would be perfect.”

  Lynn nearly choked on her coffee. “Mom!”

  Nancy laughed. “Knew that would get you. It’s been an awful day in so many ways, but a good one, too, if you know what I mean. We had hundreds of people go through here this afternoon, and from what Molly says, many more dropped donations in the bucket just inside the church door. It’s always nice to see so many people pull together.”

  “It’s a good feeling,” Lynn agreed. But inwardly, she was still reeling. Her house was a mess, but that could be repaired one way or the other. It was the fire that bothered her more than anything else. Arson. Who the hell would hate her so much?

  The only person she could think of was Luke. But he wanted the house, too. Why would he set a fire?

  There was the motel fire, too. Maybe just an arsonist running around town? That was truly scary. Any of her neighbors and friends could become the next targets. And what kind of person got a thrill from setting fires, especially fires that could kill people?

  She didn’t want to ever know someone like that. But it could be someone she knew, even if only distantly.

  Through all the riot of emotions that had swarmed through her today, this was the first time she felt the icy trickle of fear.

  What next? Who next? Herself again?

  Desperate to escape this new anxiety, she rose. “I’m going to look at what Len accomplished today.”

  Jax stood immediately. “I’m going with you.”

  She was so grateful for his company and felt weak for wanting it. She could take care of herself. She always had.

  But something was different this time.

  Malice.

  * * *

  Terri wanted to ditch Luke, wanted badly to throw him into a ditch. Everything about him disgusted her, but his utter lack of loyalty, his utter lack of honor—these were intolerable. Luke was a man without purpose except his own gratification.

  He was a weak, selfish, childish man who used charm to oil his way through his petty cons. But that charm was only skin-deep. The man inside was a cesspool filled with snakes. And they weren’t even deadly snakes. The rub of it was that she’d need him at least a little longer.

  But he’d given her what she wanted. Recognized now by any who gave a damn, she was Luke’s new girl, able to walk around town as freely as anyone. And today’s trip to the fundraiser had given her an added bit of intelligence. Stone was joined at the hip with that Macy woman. She doubted she’d be able to separate them long enough to get him alone.

  She might have to kill them both. But this time the idea didn’t daunt her. Instead, it excited her.

  A new plan began to take shape in her head.

  * * *

  Luke was angry with Terri. She’d expected him to pay for her every drink, her every meal and now that ridiculous costume jewelry at the fundraiser.

  And that business about wanting to go to the fundraiser to meet people? She’d hardly talked to a soul.

  But she had clung to his arm and hung on his every word. He was mad that she’d refused to come home with him, but, he reminded himself, her reluctance would make the conquest all the sweeter.

  After a third beer, wondering where the hell the girl had gone, he had soothed himself. Having her hang on him like that, look up at him with adoring eyes for all the world to see...

  Well, that swelled his ego pleasantly. He’d never minded when someone had made him feel important, look important.

  Because somewhere deep inside, Luke knew he’d never been important.

  But he was important now. To Terri. And to Lynn, whether she knew it or not. He was going to enjoy seeing that house burned to the ground. No one would have it then, and destroying all her ridiculous hard work would only make it better.

  He wished that damn Marine would leave, though. It would make his life so much simpler.

  * * *

  Lynn and Jax walked toward her house. The evening wind had taken on a sharp bite as daylight began to fail.

  Astonishing Lynn, Jax reached for her hand and held it. All she wanted, she realized, was to be back in bed with him in her attic. Under the covers or in front of her electric fireplace, sharing some wine, maybe some cheese. Talking. Getting to know one another better. Finding heaven in each other’s arms.

  No. It couldn’t happen, and not only because of the fire. He wore a uniform. He could be called into danger at any moment, maybe never to return. Going to be a recruiter right now didn’t make him safe in the future.

  And Matt had taught her the dimensions of real loss.

  Seeking to corral her thoughts, she said, “You got that phone call yesterday. Or was it the day before? Everything’s running together.”