Mark shrugged. “Like I said, it could have been an accident.”
“It wasn’t an accident. I saw someone near the greenhouses,” he lied, figuring it was close enough to the truth. “Pretty sure it was Rod. I skedaddled back to the beach to grab my things and get out of there—”
“Was your fire still burning?”
“No, it’d been out for hours,” Liam said, his temper rising. “When I got to the beach, I smelled smoke and looked for the source. When I saw the blaze by the bridge, I tried to put it out with the hose connected to the lodge. It didn’t work, so I got out of there.”
“What about Rod?”
“I didn’t see him again. Didn’t see anyone on the drive into town, either, until I passed you guys.”
“Do me a favor, and stick close to home for a while. Someone will probably be by to ask more questions.”
Noah would have something to say if an inspector came looking for him. So would Uncle Jed. He was beginning to regret the subterfuge. The minute anyone started to poke around, they’d discover Tory had been with him. He’d probably just made things worse instead of better for both of them. “I can’t believe I did the right thing and now I’m being blamed for the fire!” Liam knew he should pipe down, but the truth was he was pissed that his time with Tory had been cut short. He was on edge because of her run-in with Rod. And then the blaze—
“I’m doing my job,” Mark said. “Don’t fly off the handle. If your story holds up, you’ll be fine.”
“Listen.” Liam thought fast but realized it was time to tell the truth. “I left something out.”
“Hell, Liam. What is it?”
“Tory Cooper. She was here with me. She’s the one who saw Rod. She’s the one Rod went after at Thoughtful Coffee. Her family and mine—well, let’s just say there’s history there. We were hoping to keep this on the downlow.”
Mark laughed. “Since when has anyone in Chance Creek County managed to keep anything on the downlow?”
The fire chief was right. Liam didn’t know what he’d been thinking. “Would appreciate it if you can keep her out of this.”
“I probably can’t,” Mark said, “but I’ll do what I can to keep the gossip to a minimum. Rod went after her, huh? There’s been bad blood between the Coopers and the Silver Falls people for some time. Thought that all ended when Dale died. Guess I’ll have to check it out.” He heaved a sigh. “First I need to track down the Hunts and tell them the news. Time they got back here and either reopened or sold the lodge anyway.”
“Seems a shame to let it fall apart,” Liam agreed. “Can I take off now?”
“Go ahead. I’ll come find you if I need anything more.”
Liam texted Tory to let her know what had happened before he drove home. Tried to keep you out of it, but in the end I couldn’t, he told her.
It’s okay, she texted back. Got a ride back from Megan Lawrence. Thanks for the getaway.
He wanted to say he’d like to do it again sometime, but that seemed like pushing it. In the end, he just texted, See you soon.
He got a smiley face back. What the hell did that mean?
By the time he reached the Flying W, he was too frustrated to relax. He hoped to drop off his gear and get to his chores without running into anyone, but Noah was in the barn when he entered it.
“You’re back.”
“That’s right.”
“You ready for the certification people?”
“Just about.” He should probably mention what had happened at Runaway Lake, but that would lead to a lot more questions. Questions he didn’t want to answer right now.
Noah’s eyebrows lifted. “I figured you’d be all set before you went on a camping trip.”
“I am all set—just about. Look, I’ve had a crap morning, all right? Give me some space.”
“I’m just making sure you don’t—”
“What? Screw this up? You want to take it over?” Why was Noah so sure he was right all the time?
Noah lifted his hands as if to ward off the idea. “No. I don’t. Got enough on my plate. But Mom’s got a real bee in her bonnet about getting her share of the cash from this ranch.”
“She needs to get her ass back to Ohio—”
“My ass is staying right here, thank you very much.” Mary stepped into the barn. “And Noah’s right—I do have a bee in my bonnet. I’ve been here long enough to see the way you’re struggling. If I wait until you’re ready to sell, my share won’t be worth half what it is today.”
“Times are hard—” Noah began in a tone that said they’d had this conversation already.
“Exactly. They are hard. Land here is selling for a pretty penny right now, but if this community can’t even hold on to its hospital, then prices will tank. I was talking to Leslie Falk the other day. She’s already planning to move, even though she hates the thought, because soon there won’t be a dialysis unit in town. We have to work fast. I can get an estimator out here tomorrow. Get the process started.”
“There isn’t going to be a process,” Liam said. “The Flying W isn’t for sale. Dad left it to us, not you.”
“I don’t have to stop at an estimator. I can bring my lawyer into this, too.”
Liam had never felt so far away from his mother, even during the years he’d barely seen her.
“Fine. Do that,” he said. “And I’ll bring mine.” Liam went back the way he’d come and slammed the door behind him. If his mother wanted to profit from the ranch, she could do the chores. He didn’t want to listen to another word she had to say. He didn’t want to do chores or work on the certification paperwork, either. All he wanted was to be
