He raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Remember. You asked. Someone tried to kill me last night.”
He watched half a dozen emotions chase one another across her expression as the fingers of her right hand played with the zipper on her jacket.
“Someone tried to burn you up?”
He nodded. “The confession is a lie. The fire was a trap.”
“That somebody must really not like you. Deciding to burn up a person is hate on a very personal level.”
“Let’s say I agree. Now about my dog.”
She shook her head. “He’s in my custody now, where I know he’ll be safe.”
“Seriously? You’d take an injured man’s dog from him?”
“I saved his life. He belongs to me now.”
He smirked. “You saved my life, too. You know what that means?”
Her lids lowered again. “I have an underdeveloped sense of self-preservation.”
He smiled finally, letting it come despite his attempt to hold it back. “I like you. You’re brave. You’re smart. You’re a good—”
“Don’t say it.”
“—person. No, a Good Samaritan.”
“Damn.” She jackknifed away from the door. “I promised God last night that if He got us out of that inferno, I’d go to church every Sunday for the rest of my days.”
“I wouldn’t recommend what you did, but I’m grateful. Truly grateful.”
She stared at him. “You would have died. And you didn’t mean to. Do you have family? A wife? Kids?”
“Yes. No. A son.”
“Where is he?”
“With my folks. He’s four. My wife walked out on us shortly after he was born. My job is too crazy to allow me to rear him alone.”
“So you let your parents do that job?” Again, disapproval of his conduct in her tone.
He hesitated. He seldom talked to anyone about his home life. But maybe he owed her this pound of flesh as proof of his desire to stay alive. “I’m home with him as often as I can be.”
“How often is that?”
“Most nights.”
“So, you live with your parents?” A smile teased her mouth.
“They live with me. Moved in after my wife left. That’s all the speed-dating questions I have time for now. Show yourself out.” He picked up the bedside phone again. “I have some things to take care of.”
“I see. Well, good luck with that.” She opened the door.
“His name’s Harley.”
She looked back and lifted a brow as if she didn’t know who he was talking about. “Who? Your son?”
“My arson dog. Harley Davidson Brown.”
“Why Brown?”
“Seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“You’re a strange man. Does your son like HD Brown?
“Harley? Adores him.”
“He would.”
His smile turned very persuasive. “So you’ll give Harley back?”
She rolled a slim shoulder. “I don’t know any Harley.”
“Look. I need to know. Is my dog okay? If he needs to go to the vet, please take him. I’ll pay.”
He thought he saw her gaze soften, but her frown didn’t clear. “Wherever this Harley is? He’s fine. Safe and fed. Promise.”
“But how did you—?” Before he could finish the sentence she slipped out.
Noah stood staring at the door after she was gone. He wasn’t certain what had just happened, but he knew he’d lost the match. And he wanted to go another round with her. Badly.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Carly adjusted her hard hat as she stood in the midst of Flawless. Nothing was burned. Nothing was even singed. But everything, everywhere she looked, was ruined. The sprinkler system had done its job, soaking every surface to prevent the fire from spreading. And then the firefighters had come in to make certain the sprinklers had delivered enough water to keep any embers from reigniting. And the smell of smoke permeated everything, even with the door flung open. The space had been pronounced as safe to navigate, but her eyes were reddened by the fumes still lingering in the air.
She picked up one of the handmade silk cushions that had bled their vegetable colors into one another. The painted concrete floor had disappeared beneath the debris of collateral damage. Racks of accessories that looked as if they had been pushed aside by busy hands, lay trampled. Other items drowned in the funky water that smelled of smoke sloshing at her booted feet. Water might not have ruined everything, but then the ceiling had fallen in, heavy plaster smashing counters, tables, chairs, whatever broke its fall.