Flirting with Disaster (13 page)

"Do you have any idea what happened?" I asked.

"Oh, no doubts about that," Charlie said shaking his head. "It's arson. Whoever did it didn't even try to make it look like an accident. My guess is that they poured some sort of solvent in the place and threw a match at it. I'll be able to tell you more tomorrow."

"What about the main building?"
 

"The fire didn't reach it but we'll need to check it out before we let anyone back in, and because of the smoke, we won't do this until tomorrow," Charlie explained. "I'm leaving a man here to watch the place for a few hours but if I were you, I'd look for some hired gun to keep the place safe until you close."

My head spun. The day was a blur. Only moments ago, Barbara's mouth was wrapped around my cock. Then the fire; it had already been labeled arson. I didn't know what the hell was going on. Had the world gone crazy? The only thing I knew for certain was I would be holding tightly to Barbara and not letting go. It went against everything...but I let the guilt wash away. The heart wanted what the heart wanted.
 

Who was trying to tear up the town? Who was so desperate they'd burn down the very foundation of almost all we had left? Was it anger, frustration, or to bring attention to the scene. Tony pulled up not long after. He came from another call and needed to be updated. He ducked through the police line and got the latest news from Charlie. Tony nodded at me, and then gave me a strange look while glancing at Barbara, who was standing by my side. We were standing closer than acquaintances. I was certain he noticed the intimacy between us. Why did I feel like I needed to explain? I didn't. I didn't owe anybody any explanation.
 

We rattled on about possible clues and suspects, but they couldn't say much until they gathered more evidence. I checked my watch. I'd have to pick up my father shortly. After Barbara asked a few more questions, we turned and headed back to my bike. I could feel Tony watch us as she climbed on the bike and held me tightly. It was not his business.
 

We rode off, Barbara clinging to me as we drove. I stopped to drop her at her house and promised to return later. She lifted off her helmet and I did the same. I accepted the sweet kiss she offered and then said good-bye.
 

I wanted to make sure Dad had everything he needed. I'd stop at the market and stock him up, so he could do nothing but rest for the next few days.
 

I needed to call my brother, unless Dad did. I was pretty sure he didn't. “No need to worry Hunter,” he'd say, but he had a right to know Dad's health was growing more fragile.
 

I gunned the motor and headed home to pick up my truck. It would be a more comfortable ride for my father. When I made it back to the hospital, he was in his street clothes and itching to leave. They'd given him a list of instructions. He also needed to follow up with his family doctor during the next few days. I'd be sure he obliged. My dad was a bull, stubborn as hell, and would have written them off if I wasn't there to hear them. "I'll make sure he follows through," I said.
 

My father groaned. "I'm fine. They checked me over."
 

"You'll go," I said firmly. I wasn't ready to lose my dad.
 

"Did you talk to the broad? How did she take it?" he grumbled as he gathered his papers. They wouldn't let him walk. He took offense to the fact they had to wheel him out of the hospital in a wheelchair. It was hospital policy. Even with his protests, he was forced to comply.
 

"She has a name," I corrected. "She understands and hopes you make a speedy recovery."

"What happened with the fire?" It was going to take everything inside him to stay put at his home and rest. If he had it his way, he'd be out investigating with the fire department. It was as if he thought he needed to handle every detail of everything that touched him. All it did was compound his stress. He'd always been a control freak. I was used to it.
 

I opened my truck door as they rolled the wheelchair onto the sidewalk. I'd parked at the patient pick-up area, so I didn't have to run to the parking lot. Getting out of the wheelchair, he climbed into my truck and then took a moment to thank the nurse for her time. At least he still had manners. I thanked her as well, before getting into the truck.

"You're sweet on her," he said while glaring at me.
 

"What? What are you talking about?" I denied it, wondering where the comment came from.

"The broad...since when have you cared if I called someone a broad?"
 

"It's not like that. She has a job to do. Her company sent her. She's not the enemy, even if it feels like she is." Here I was defending the woman closing the factory. It felt wrong, almost backwards. In any other circumstance, I'd be angry as hell. Instead, all I could think about was getting to her house and ravaging her body.
 

"I called your brother," he said.

"Wow, you did? That's surprising. I expected you to play it down." I was impressed. Dad wasn't one to talk about things.
 

He sighed. "I'm not getting any younger. I'd like him to come home and visit. Who knows how much longer I'll be around."
 

"Don't say that, Dad. It was a setback. You're strong. Just get through this, and you'll be as good as new." I wanted to soothe his anxiety, but he had every right to be worried. I was worried too. "I'm going to run to the market and stock up the pantry. Is there anything particular you want?"

"Don't worry about it. I can go to the store tomorrow," he answered, not wanting to be a bother.
 

I glared at my father. "Seriously, Dad? What part of rest don’t you understand? Rest! I'll pick up a few things and drop them off before heading to the shop. I have a carburetor to take care of."

"Fine, sure. Thanks," my father said. "You know I hate feeling helpless."
 

"You're not helpless. You need a break because your body is demanding it. Just get better, okay? Let me handle the details today," I answered, resting my hand on his shoulder. "I'm here if you need me."

"I could always count on you. I want you to know, I appreciate that you have my back. I don't say it enough. Maybe it's time." My father stared out the window, and then looked back at me.
 

When we got to his house, I gave him a hug, something he wasn't expecting. We weren't a touchy feely family, but the moment called for one. I think we both needed it.
 

After hitting the grocery store and dropping off the bags at my dad's house, I headed for the shop. I hoped I'd be able to do a clean-up and repair, but the throttle shafts were messed up and called for a replacement. I had work to do, but a part of me wanted to do it tomorrow. Do it later, do it another day. Tonight, I wanted to be back in Barbara's bed. I groaned knowing work came first. I'd play later. I'd play with her until she whimpered my name in exhaustion, and begged for more.
 

After Ryder dropped me off, time just flew by. I called the main office and filed the insurance claim.

Charlie's advice had been spot on. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that leaving the place unmanned would be inviting trouble. Someone had to be on duty 24/7.
 

I thought about offering the security job to one of the employees. Maybe the arsonist would think twice before setting fire to a building in which one of his co-workers was on guard duty. My problem was I didn't know who to offer the job to and the only person I could ask was Dylan Bishop.
 

So instead of calling him I searched for a local reputable security company with men available right away.
 

But once that was done, I became aware there was no way I could keep the place running without speaking to the man. Without him, how would I know who I could count on to replace him as foreman while he was away? I started making a list of all my questions. I would ask Ryder and if he didn't know, he would understand I had to speak to his dad.
 

Would he now?

One of the things I loved about this man was how fiercely loyal he was. Loyal to his friends. Tony and Charlie were still part of his life. Loyal to his town and to his father. Also surprisingly loyal to me.
 

For the factory staff, I was the enemy and yet, he had taken my hand in front of them when we reached the site. At some point he had let it go, but he'd stood so protectively close to me, his message had been clear. I was under his care.
 

In a town of this size where everyone kept their nose in everybody else's business, chances were the day’s event would be the main subject of gossip for days to come. They would all wonder what the deal was between Ryder and me.

That was an interesting question to which I had no answer.
 

It was a cliché, but the chemistry between us was undeniable. It was a case of fatal attraction. Since he'd touched me the first time, just looking at him took my breath away. Earlier on, standing close to him while talking to Charlie, I fought an overwhelming urge to reach out to him. It was as if I needed the connection, as if not touching him was painful.
 

My past experiences had been too few and far between to provide an appropriate scale to measure the way I felt. I knew for sure I was drowning in lust but that was not a problem. I could get over it if I needed to. Nothing like a cold shower to get the blood flowing in the right direction ... toward the brain that was. The real question was, was I also falling in love? That would be bad. Real bad because even if I did come back to take advantage of my house once it was fixed, there was no future in this town for me.
 

The phone ring jolted me out of my pity party. It was Brad returning my call. Since he'd made an offer on the building I'd left him a message letting him know about the fire.

"How bad is it?" he asked without even taking the time to say hello.
 

I sighed. Brad was two different men wrapped into one. He was the sweetest most attentive friend as well a ruthless business man. Until today, I had only dealt with the first. Of course, I'd watched from afar, Brad doing his worst but never had been on the receiving end before now.

"As far as I know it's the storage facility only," I said. "The fire department will give me a full report as soon as they have it figured it out."

"What happened?"
 

"They think it's arson, but like I said, I don't have a report yet."

"Okay fine, you need to keep me updated." He paused and for a moment I thought the call was over but he spoke again and his voice was softer. "How did it go?" The friend was back. It took me a second to realize he was no longer in business mode. "Sorry, stupid question," he said. "I'm guessing with the fire and all you two didn't get a chance to talk?"

Not elaborating on what the "and all" encompassed, I confirmed he guessed right.

"Listen, honey bunch," he said. "You're putting me in a weird position."

"How so?" I had no idea what he was talking about.

"Well, I usually never mix business with friendship," he explained. "That's the reason why, despite the fact I think you're top notch, I never asked you to work for me."

"Uh uh." I made a noncommittal sound. His reputation was so bad, I never contemplated the possibility of working with him, let alone for him.

"And I know for some twisted reason you feel you owe something to Ocean Crest."

Since he appeared to be waiting for me to say something, I obliged. "Maybe."

"So I have to give you a heads up, baby, if the fire department confirms it's arson, I may pull out of the deal."
 

I let his words sink in and tried to plead with him. "I think that would be a rash decision. You see, if it is arson, whoever did it was striking out blindly against DCD because all they see is a closing factory, but what if you made an announcement? What if your PR people make noise about this incredible project you have in Ocean Crest?"

"I'm listening." The cold business tone was back but I was ready for it now since I was in business mode too.

"Give the people of Ocean Crest a chance to wrap their minds about the idea the building is the key to a new birth for their city. They need to be educated, someone has to tell them that the incubator will bring in fresh blood. Of course, the start-ups will probably not hire anyone local but there would be a need for services giving the locals business opportunities, people looking for things to do. Restaurants would appreciate the new business and maybe the movie theater would reopen. I know it’s not perfect but their mere presence should boost all the local businesses and the real estate market..." I went on for a while until Brad ran out of patience and cut me off.

"You've given this a great deal of thought, I see," he observed.

"Yes, I have and I think this is one of those instances where a great business opportunity for you could have tremendous benefits for the community as a whole."

"I'll play with the idea more," Brad said. But if I were to go by the tone of his voice, next week I would probably need to start looking for another buyer for this property.
 

Ocean Crest was sinking. It was the ship I foolishly captained, and for some reason had chosen to stay onboard. With the factory closing, property values in the toilet and not much work for a mechanic when the population couldn't afford to pay, it was the first time I'd ever really thought about leaving the area. Unlike my brother, I couldn’t.
 

When I bought my house, I was so damn proud to have scraped together enough for the bungalow I picked out. The shack was small, but it was mine. I think it was truly the first time I'd felt like an adult. Signing those papers, buying my house, I knew I was there to stay. And yet, that same house, the one I'd scraped money together for, was worth even less today. It was barely worth pennies on the dollar. I had no idea the town would crumble. It was home, but there wasn't much left.