Ignite (Wildwood 1)

“I guess?” West hadn’t meant for it to sound like a question, but he really wasn’t sure how he felt about being in Wildwood. His father hadn’t seemed thrilled at his return and he figured the old man would give him endless crap for coming back. So far, they hadn’t talked much.

Just the way West liked it.

“I think I get what you mean. There’s nothing to do here. I’m not even from this silly little town.” Tori shrugged, casting her gaze about the restaurant with a critical eye. “I mean, really. A Bigfoot-themed restaurant? How lame can we get?”

“They have the best fucking burgers in town. Hands down,” Jon said firmly, interrupting their conversation like he’d been listening the entire time. Nosy little fucker. “So quit your complaining. It’s not our fault you’re a vegetarian.”

“Lay off,” West said to Jon, his tone a warning. Though he couldn’t believe what Tori said. Who knocked the BFD? Granted, the walls were covered in various Bigfoot sightings articles and even the metal napkin holders had a Bigfoot-walking silhouette on top of them, but it was Rebecca Hill’s restaurant, one that she’d created in her late husband’s honor. No one from Wildwood mocked the place.

Hell, even the tourists loved it. The place was packed, even at two in the afternoon.

Tori sent Jon a condescending look before turning toward West, a smile curling her lips. “I’m not really a vegetarian. I just don’t eat beef.”

He could really not care less about her eating habits, but it was noted just the same. They all took their turn cooking. Now he knew not to expect a juicy steak on Tori’s kitchen shift. “Got it. No beef.”

Her voice dropped and she leaned in close. “I heard there was a fire a few nights ago that was possible arson.” She paused, her eyes meeting his. “Is it true?”

West knew nothing about it. And even if he did, he wouldn’t discuss it like two kids gossiping in the cafeteria at school. “I only just got here so I don’t know.” He shrugged.

She breathed deep, glancing around. “I overheard Tate talking about it. Maybe I was mistaken.”

“Maybe.” West tried his best to remain neutral and made a mental note to ask Tate. Deep down, he was immediately filled with worry. If it was true and there really was an arsonist in Wildwood, he needed to know about it. He didn’t like the idea of his hometown at risk. The town was surrounded by towering pine trees, many of them dead or dying because of the ongoing drought. This place could go up in flames easily, putting everyone at risk.

“So. Is it true that Harper Hill broke up with her boyfriend?” Tori waggled her brows at West’s confusion.

She knew how to change the subject whip-fast. And why was she suddenly bringing up Harper? He’d forgotten just how small the town was. Everyone knew each other, even if only in passing.

“Talk about gossip,” she said. “They were solid. Everyone thought they were getting married. Figured you’d have the lowdown on what happened, considering Harper’s best friend is your sister.”

“Harper and I aren’t that close anymore.” Kissing-close, but that was years ago and didn’t count any longer. “I know nothing.” Even if he did, that would be his automatic defense. No way would he spread any rumors or speculation about Harper. “What do you know about the boyfriend?” He wanted to kick himself for even asking.

Tori’s waggling brows stay up, like she was surprised by his question. “I don’t know much about Roger. He was quiet and kept to himself. Harper’s always friendly, but she never really reveals herself to anyone.”

Odd. He remembered Harper as being overly friendly. But then again, he wasn’t a stranger to this town like Tori, not really. He’d known Harper since she was little and felt like he knew everything about her, even when that wasn’t the case. “We grew up together,” he said carefully, not wanting to say too much. What if Tori really was a friend to Harper and she’d tell her everything he said? Forget that. Hell, he was walking on shaky ground just by asking about Roger the boring ex. “But we haven’t really stayed in contact since I left.”

“I heard you didn’t stay in contact with anyone after you left.”

He said nothing, could only figure Holden told Tori that, which seemed like a pretty intimate thing for his brother to tell some random chick he worked with.

When he said nothing more, Tori sighed and gave up a little more information. “Roger wasn’t from around here either. He’s an accountant, bought the old H&R Block a few years ago and started his own business. Good-looking in that bland, I’ve made appearances in a Sears catalog way, if you know what I mean.”

Scarily enough, West knew exactly what she meant.

“Nice enough, but boring.” Tori shrugged. “You don’t know him?”

“I haven’t been back here in years, remember?” West prodded.

“Yeah, Holden had mentioned that once or twice.” Her cheeks were a little pink. “We used to talk a lot, but not so much anymore.”

The waitress suddenly appeared with a tray of drinks, and West got distracted by his growling stomach and the promise that food would be coming soon. And once the burger baskets finally arrived, everyone was so ravenous all conversation was forgotten as they stuffed their faces.

It wasn’t until he pushed his empty basket away and wanted to groan over all the food he ate that he finally looked around once more for Harper. But there was no sign of her. Damn it, was she really at the restaurant now? Because he swore he could feel her presence—and that was insane. He had no business going in search of her. He was on duty, for Christ’s sake. Though everyone was still eating and the radio attached to his belt was quiet, indicating that there weren’t any calls.

Stretching his arms above his head, he braced his hands behind his neck, going for nonchalance. He hadn’t spotted her grandmother either. Maybe he should go ask if Harper was in.

Would he look too eager? Yeah, probably, but he sort of didn’t care. He wanted to talk to her. See how she was doing. They’d been interrupted at the bar last Saturday night and they’d never really had a chance to reconnect.

He needed to change that. Was curious to see how she treated him without their friends or family around. It probably wasn’t right, seeking her out, trying to get closer to her, what with her recent breakup, but he couldn’t help himself. The urge to see her smile, smell her intoxicating scent, was strong.