Love Inspired Suspense December 2015, Box Set 2 of 2 by Margaret Daley Read Free Book Online Page A

eating away at the door, any second bursting into the room.
    He pulled slowly at first, and then the second her hips cleared, she slipped out easily, almost toppling into him.
    After moving away from the house, he gathered her into his embrace and held her for a few seconds. “I thought I’d lost you when I saw the house on fire.”
    She nestled against him, relishing the warmth of him and the sense of safety she felt. In that moment she never wanted to leave the shelter of his arms.
    â€œAre you okay?” he murmured against the top of her head.
    She nodded against his chest, then turned within his arms and looked at the cabin nearly consumed totally by the flames. “This was no accident. The fire was at the back and front exits. Even the windows we could have easily been able to escape through were consumed with flames.”
    Her face ashen and wearing Jake’s coat, Aunt Linda stepped closer. “Someone wanted to destroy Betty’s house. Why?”
    â€œGood question and one I intend to find out. No one goes after you two without answering to me.” Jake’s arms cuddled Rachel even closer. “I don’t want to go through that again.”
    â€œNeither do I,” Rachel whispered, her throat raw.
    â€œI’m taking you to town to report this to the police and see the doctor.”
    Not wanting to leave his arms, Rachel glanced over her shoulder. “Take us home. We’ll call the police and report the fire.”
    â€œNope. You need to have Doc look at your injuries.” He released her and examined her right side. “You’re bleeding. Let’s get to Gramps’s car. He has some towels you can place over the wound.” Jake looked at her aunt. “Are you okay? I didn’t see bleeding.”
    She nodded.
    As flames engulfed the cabin, they hurried to the SUV, the sound of sirens filling the air.
    A police car came down the long drive followed by the fire department. There wasn’t anything that could be done for the cabin. With only a light breeze and a snow-covered ground, hopefully the blaze wouldn’t spread.
    â€œSee? Now we don’t have to go to town.” Rachel took the clean towel from Jake and pressed it into her side.
    â€œYou’re still going to see Doc.” Jake started the car and turned the heater on, then he climbed from the vehicle.
    â€œWait,” Aunt Linda said. “Take this.” She shed his coat and tossed it toward him.
    He caught it and walked toward Chief Quay as he got out of his cruiser.
    Rachel watched the conversation between them with Jake gesturing toward the house, anger creasing his forehead as he spoke to the chief.
    â€œJake saved us,” her aunt murmured.
    â€œI know.” Since he’d come home, she felt as though she’d been on a tilt-a-whirl, spinning out of control. And yet, seeing him again renewed feelings she’d kept buried—conflicting emotions from anger at him leaving to happiness he was here.
    As Jake returned to the SUV, the firefighters hooked up their equipment. “Let’s go. Randall will come out to see you later after you’ve seen Doc.”
    â€œHow did he find out about the fire since we couldn’t call it in?”
    â€œGramps saw the black smoke when he returned from plowing the Andersons’ drive down the road. He went home, placed the call and then was going to come over. Randall told him that he just received a report from another neighbor and he would take care of it.” Jake backed up, then made a turn and headed for the highway.
    * * *
    Jake opened Linda’s door to greet his grandfather and Mitch. “Thanks for bringing him over. Randall should be here soon to interview Rachel and Linda.”
    â€œThe cabin must have gone up quickly.” Gramps entered while Jake petted Mitch.
    â€œProbably an accelerant was used. One of the firefighters has experience in determining arson.”
    â€œThat makes