Outback Blaze by Rachael Johns Read Free Book Online

soon there were only a few stragglers left, aside from the police, her parents, The Ag Store’s employees, the volunteer firies and Frankie and her crew of kitchen helpers.
    Ruby didn’t feel tired, adrenalin seemed to be keeping her awake, but she stood in a trance watching as the last of the flames were extinguished. When the firefighters were done, all that was left of The Ag Store was a sorry sight of soggy construction material, ash and broken glass. Ruby closed her eyes and tried to remember what the building once looked like and more importantly picture what it would look like again. Hard as it was, she knew the importance of remaining positive. Her parents were savvy business people and their insurance would be up to date. It would take time but they could rebuild.
    And the wonderful thing about a country town was that people were loyal. They might have to shop for their farm supplies elsewhere for a short time, but they would come back.
    â€˜Hey, how’re you doing?’ Speaking in unison, Frankie and Simone closed in on either side of her.
    She tore her gaze away from the desolation. ‘I’m okay,’ she said, feeling anything but. ‘This is bad but it’s not the end of the world. No lives were lost and that’s what matters. Thank God for the volunteers who contained it just to us.’
    Simone rubbed her back. ‘It’s okay to cry you know.’
    â€˜I know. And I probably will, but right now, I need to look after my folks. Thanks for all you both have done tonight.’ She pressed her lips together, sensing that those tears Simone had given permission for were not at all that far away.
    â€˜I’ve asked the firies to come to the café for a proper feed,’ Frankie said, gesturing to the men who were now coiling up hoses and doing whatever other stuff they did after putting out a blaze. ‘You and your parents are welcome too.’
    â€˜Thanks. I’ll ask them. I think the police might want to talk to us first.’
    Frankie grinned. ‘With any luck you’ll get Constable Spunky to interview you rather than Sergeant Grump.’
    Ruby had to smile. And she couldn’t help hoping the same.
    The women stood there in silence watching a little longer, Ruby wishing she could do more to help but knowing she’d probably get in the way. When the fire engines were all packed up, O’Leary called to her.
    â€˜Ruby. You and your parents can go home. We’ll be round first thing in the morning for a chat and then you’ll be able to have a walk through and assess the damage.’
    She frowned, thinking that if this was arson, shouldn’t they leave the building as untouched as possible until the investigators got there? That’s what Drew had indicated.
    As if reading her mind, O’Leary said, ‘Ryan’s found the culprit. Looks like another one of those boys’ stupid attempts at a Molotov cocktail. They broke the side window and threw it in.’
    â€˜Oh.’
    His phone started to ring and he turned away to answer it but she wasn’t alone for long. Ryan and Adam, still decked out in bright yellow protective uniforms, trekked over to her, their faces expressions of solemnity.
    â€˜Hey Rubes.’ Adam shook his head as if he couldn’t think of any words. She understood.
    â€˜It’s a mess, Ruby, I’m really sorry,’ Ryan added.
    â€˜You two are the last people who should be sorry,’ she said, a tear trickling down her cheek. Adam reached out and wiped it off, then cursed.
    â€˜Ah, dammit, sorry, now I’ve gone and made you all grubby.’
    â€˜Stop apologising, would you.’ She laughed when she felt like crying and launched herself at both of them, wrapping one arm around each. Their heads came to rest on her shoulders and it didn’t feel wrong to be this close. Pity it had taken disaster for her to be able to reach out to men again. ‘Thank you both. You