But then what?
LAUREN STEELED herself as they returned to her grandmother’s house. She wasn’t ready to see the fire damage, but she had no choice. The sooner she viewed the house, the sooner she’d be able to deal with reality.
Jason turned the corner and pulled into the driveway right behind a car she didn’t recognize. “Who is that?”
Jason shook his head and groaned. “No rest for the weary,” he muttered. “It’s my father and Uncle Hank. Are you up to dealing with them?”
The older men had exited the vehicle.
Lauren glanced down. She wore a pair of Jason’s drawstring sweatpants and a baggy sweatshirt. It had been borrow or wear last night’s dress. As it was, she had on a pair of stiletto heels. Yet she surprised herself by not feeling the least bit uncomfortable.
She faced Jason and shrugged. “I’m rested, I’m showered. I can take on the world.”
Or at least Jason’s part of it.
The worst had already happened. Between the fire and the general state of the house, she doubted it would sell on time. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t give it her all anyway.
Jason leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You’re amazing.”
His words warmed her all over. “You’re pretty amazing yourself.”
He’d stepped up and taken on her problems as if they were his own. He gave her a shoulder to lean on and he’d become her personal body warmer at night. In a short time, she’d grown accustomed to his strength and it scared her.
A knock on the windows jarred her and she jumped.
“You all coming out or do I have to come in after you?” Hank asked through the glass.
Jason rolled his eyes. “We’re coming!”
They climbed out of the car and met the men on the driveway.
Before Jason could say a word, Hank launched into a monologue first. “The one night I fall asle
ep early and don’t listen to my police scanner before bed, there’s a big fire. Here, of all places. And nobody called us!”
“You have a police scanner?” Lauren asked.
“From my days as a volunteer fireman,” Hank said proudly.
Thomas stepped forward. “His day as a volunteer fireman. Don’t let the old fool kid you.”
“Just one day? What happened?” Lauren asked, genuinely curious.
“Nothin’. A small difference of opinion, that’s all.” Hank flushed red in the face and glared at his brother.
Jason grinned. “Uncle Hank has a problem following orders, which happens to be a serious issue in the fire department.”
“Whatever,” Hank muttered. “Anyways, I still have my scanner-”
“He refused to give it back and nobody wanted to show up at the door and ask for it, not when he tends to greet unwanted strangers with an old shotgun,” Thomas explained.
“Unloaded shotgun, you ass,” Hank yelled at his brother. “I’d never hurt anyone.” He drew a deep breath and jerked around to face Jason. “When I listened this morning, they recapped last night’s fire and we came at once!”
“We’re fine,” Lauren assured the two men who, despite their bluster, looked genuinely concerned.
She couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. “Why don’t you both come inside? I’ll make some coffee and we’ll tell you what happened.” She waved toward the house. “The fire was in the back, so I’m sure the kitchen is fine.”
At her invitation, Jason shot her a grateful look.