Quinn (24 page)

Quinn and Josh hurried over to replace Cole and Cheyenne, using their combined strength to move the spray slowly and carefully over the roof and entire back wall of the barn until it had been thoroughly saturated.

When they were satisfied that the fire had been completely extinguished, they moved inside the barn to check for hot spots.

“With the last of the winter hay, this place is a tinderbox,” Quinn muttered as he and the others climbed a ladder to the hayloft.

Armed with flashlights and fire extinguishers, they went over every inch of the interior, spraying foam along the wall, wherever they found it warm or smoking, until they were satisfied that there was no chance of the fire springing up again.

When they descended the ladder, Jake stood holding the charred remains of what appeared to be a pitchfork.

The others gathered around.

“This has all the makings of a torch.” He pointed to the grooves burned into the wood. “Looks like there was something here, maybe plastic strips that would have melted in the fire, used to hold some rags in place. If the fire hadn’t been extinguished so quickly, this would have been consumed by it, and no one would have been the wiser.”

“We’ll save this for Everett Fletcher,” Big Jim muttered. “Whoever tossed this had given it some careful thought. By torching the back of the barn, the fire should have been full-blown before it would even be spotted by anyone in the house. If things had gone according to his plan, the fire would have been too consuming to be stopped and we would have lost the entire barn and our stock before we even knew there was a fire.”

He turned to Quinn. “It’s a good thing you were still awake.”

Quinn’s face was grim. “Whoever did this wasn’t counting on anyone being left awake.”

Jake turned to his grandfather. “What about the horses? Should I bring them back to their stalls?”

He shook his head. “I’d rather they stay in the holding pen. It’s only for a night, and I’ll feel safer with them out there.” He paused meaningfully. “Just in case.”

Jake nodded.

Cheyenne stared around at the serenity of the night. A half-moon glowed bright orange in the midnight sky. Snowflakes drifted down, frosting their hair and parkas. A snowy owl hooted in a nearby tree, and overhead a hawk glided soundlessly. Except for the acrid odor of smoke that hung on the air, there was no sign of the tragedy that had almost occurred this night.

Cole’s tone was weary. “Let’s get inside out of the cold.”

They followed his lead, removing boots and gloves and parkas in the mudroom and washing the grime of the fire from their hands, arms, and faces before stepping into the kitchen.

Phoebe and Ela turned from the stove. The wonderful fragrance of freshly brewed coffee filled the room with warmth and cheer.

The table had been set for a meal. Plates heaped with cinnamon toast had been placed on either end of the table, along with a platter of scrambled eggs and thick slices of ham.

It was obvious that the two women had hurried from their beds at the first sign of trouble and had set to work immediately in the kitchen.

The family took their places around the table.

As she circled around, filling mugs with steaming coffee, Phoebe laid a hand on Cole’s shoulder. “Are you all right?”

Instead of a reply, he merely patted her hand and lifted his cup to drink.

Quinn glanced toward Cheyenne, who stood alone in the doorway, looking close to tears. From the look in her eyes it was obvious that the enormity of what had just happened was descending upon her like a dark cloud of doom.

“Hey, Cheyenne, what’s wrong?” He started to scrape back from the table when her words stopped him in his tracks.

“I’m so sorry. I never intended this to happen.”

“What…?” He glanced around the table, where their food lay forgotten as his family stared at her in silence.

“You’re such good people. You don’t deserve this. And it’s all my fault.”

“You’re not making any sense, girl.” Big Jim started toward her, but she held out an arm.

“Don’t you see? It’s just like before. I can understand him wanting to hurt me, but I had no right to bring this to your doorstep.”

“Him?” Big Jim looked toward Quinn. “What’s this about?”

“Deke Vance.” Quinn’s tone was flat as he fought to keep the anger from his voice. “When Cheyenne and I stopped in Paintbrush today, there was an ugly confrontation. Deke found out from Austin Baylor that he was a suspect in the fire at Cheyenne’s ranch. He was furious that it was made public knowledge, and told her she’d be sorry.”

Cheyenne stood very straight and still, fighting to keep her tenuous emotions in check in front of these people. “And now I’ve made all of you a target of his anger, as well.”

“You haven’t done anything. This isn’t your fault.” Big Jim crossed to her in quick strides. He took both her hands in his and held them tightly when she tried to pull away. His voice lowered with feeling. “We’ll turn this over to Everett Fletcher and let him take it from there.”

She shook her head. “You’re a hundred miles from town. Chief Fletcher can’t be here to see that it doesn’t happen again.”

“No, he can’t. That’s our job. The chief’s job is to find out where this Deke Vance was tonight. If he doesn’t have a clear alibi, the chief can let him know his little game is over.”

Quinn’s voice was low with fury. “This was no game, Big Jim.”

“It is to the guy who tried it. Whoever decided to play this sort of deadly game has to be out-of-control crazy. Crazy enough to think he can win.”

The old man led Cheyenne to her place at the table. Beside her, Quinn caught her hand, holding it firmly while the others began passing the platters of food.

She felt the warmth of his touch and was oddly comforted by it.

As the others ate she sipped strong, hot coffee and willed herself to relax and let go of the ripples of tension that still throbbed at her temples.

“You haven’t eaten a thing, Cheyenne.”

At Phoebe’s words she gave a shake of her head. “Sorry. I’m not hungry.”

Quinn spooned a small helping of scrambled egg and ham on her plate. “A little food will settle the nerves.”

“You think so?” She managed a weak smile.

“Yeah. Now eat.”

“Yes, sir.” In silence she managed a few bites.

Though she was reluctant to admit it, the food helped. Her energy was restored, and with it a renewed sense of purpose.

It would be, she realized, a relief to report this to the police chief and let him deal with it.

While she ate, the others talked in low tones about their plans for the coming day. It seemed to ease tensions around the table to consider it as just another workday.

Cole glanced at his family. “I think it’s time we all try to get some sleep. We’ve got a full day ahead of us.” He pushed away from the table and the others followed suit.

Quinn, Josh, and Jake held back for a moment. After a whispered conversation, Quinn caught Cheyenne’s hand and walked with her up the stairs.

At the door to her room he opened it, then paused. “Are you going to be able to sleep?”

“I’ll try. What about you?”

“I’ll be fine.” He brushed a quick kiss over her mouth.

For a moment he seemed about to gather her close and draw out the kiss. Just as quickly he took a step back.

When she walked past him, he pulled the door shut.

She listened to his receding footsteps and told herself that she wasn’t disappointed. What they’d shared earlier had been spontaneous and wonderful. And though she was greedy enough to wish he would have wanted to stay long enough to offer her the warmth and comfort of his embrace, she knew it was best this way. They both needed time to clear their minds.

Though the Conway family had been vehement in their argument that she wasn’t responsible, a lingering trace of guilt remained.

She shivered and hugged her arms about herself as she paced the length of the room and back.

The fire at her ranch could have been an accident. But a second fire was no coincidence.

She thought about the things her father had said after Deke was caught with the money in his pocket. There was a fine line between love and hate, and the ones we trusted the most were also the ones who could cut us deeply by betraying that trust.

Today in Paintbrush, Deke’s anger had been palpable. He’d been humiliated publicly in front of friends and neighbors. That would cause anyone to want to lash out.

But to burn a neighbor’s barn? A neighbor whose only offense was to offer her shelter? That was much more than simple betrayal. This seemed more an obsession. A deep and abiding hatred.

Was Deke capable of such searing, hateful emotions?

He had been Buddy’s friend and had been welcomed into their home like a member of the family. He had also, when they had been much younger, let her know that he’d wanted more than her friendship. When she’d gently told him that she didn’t feel the same way about him, he had accepted her rejection like a gentleman.

At least she’d believed so at the time.

Had this all been building inside him? Was that why he had betrayed her family by stealing from them?

And now this.

She paused, staring into space, before coming to a decision. First thing in the morning she would have to tell Chief Fletcher about her latest suspicions. It didn’t seem possible that a long-ago teenage crush could escalate into something so hideous, but until this was resolved the police had the right to know everything.

Because the thought of lying quietly in bed wasn’t possible, she continued pacing while her mind worked through the various knots and tangles tormenting her.

Quinn descended the stairs in the dark and made his way unerringly to his father’s office at the far end of the house.

Inside, Josh and Jake were waiting. Without a word the three brothers headed toward a locked cabinet, where they removed rifles and ammunition. In the mudroom they dressed for warmth before heading out to the barn.

Once inside the barn Quinn withdrew a coin from his pocket. “Call it.”

“Heads,” Josh said.

Quinn flipped the coin and the three of them stared.

Josh climbed to the hayloft and took up a position beside the tiny window that overlooked the snow-covered range. From there he had a clear view of anything that dared to move across the far side of the ranch.

“Again,” Quinn said tersely.

“Tails.”

Quinn flipped the coin a second time, and Jake climbed to the rafters, settling himself beside the window overlooking the foothills of the Tetons.

Quinn closed the big barn door, leaving it open just enough to give him a view of anyone approaching from the front.

With their rifles cocked and ready, the three brothers were prepared to watch and wait throughout the long, dark hours until morning light.

As the silence of the night stretched on and on, Josh’s voice drifted down from the hayloft.

“ ”Okay, Bro. So what’s with you and Cheyenne?”

“Yeah.” Jake’s voice sounded even more distant. “The two of you are looking really cozy.”

Quinn sucked in a breath. “I don’t know how to answer that.”

“You want me to make this simple?” Josh’s voice was warm with laughter. “Do you like the way she looks?”

“What’s not to like?”

“I’ll take that for a yes. Your turn, Jake.”

Their younger brother’s voice drifted down. “Do you like her personality?”

“She’s funny. She says what’s on her mind. She knows her way around a ranch. And she’s sexy as hell.”

“Another yes.” Josh paused. “Okay, we know you like her. The question is, do you more than like her?”

“I think so.”

“You think so?” Jake’s voice sounded incredulous. “We’re talking the
l
word, Bro.”

That had Quinn snorting with laughter.

“Don’t laugh. I’m serious. Do you love this woman?”

Quinn went perfectly still. “I hadn’t planned on it. But now…” He shrugged, determined to deny what he was feeling. “We all know I’m a loner. My lifestyle doesn’t exactly lend itself to being half of a couple. I’d say it’s way too soon.”

“Too soon for what?”

“Hell. We haven’t known each other long enough to even learn our favorite colors, foods, hobbies. I don’t think it’s supposed to happen this way.”

“Maybe it runs in the family.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Josh’s voice drifted down from the loft. “Jake’s right. We’ve all heard the story about Pa and his Seraphine. He took one look at this exotic dancer, and said it was all over. He’d never be able to look at another woman. And he never has.”

“Yeah.” Quinn gave a snort of disgust. “Well, if it runs in the family, we’d better run the other way.”

Josh shifted in the hay. “Okay, so they didn’t get their happy ending. But I’m just saying, it was love at first sight, and I doubt that either of them would have it any other way.”