35. Lassie Come Home

Hailey would have shrieked if every last drop of air hadn't escaped her lungs. Instead, she stood frozen to the ground, unsure which way to flee as the sound of two animals tearing into each other filled the night.

Though the clash was mere yards away, she could only make out dim shadows striking one another in a violent, vicious confrontation.

The sounds of the struggle began sorting themselves. A feline snarl. A canine yelp. A hiss. A growl. Claws lashing at flesh. Teeth sinking into muscle.

Hailey backstepped and nearly tripped over a rock. Crouching, she hefted it. Whichever animal emerged the victor might come after her next.

The battle ended as startingly as it began when one beast crashed through the underbrush, leaving the other animal panting and whimpering.

A chill raced through her limbs. She recognized that whimper.

"Chance?" she whispered into the dark.

He answered with a pathetic yip.

"Buddy!" Tears choked her as she approached the silhouette, her arm flailing toward where he stood.

When she reached him, she dropped the rock and wrapped her arms around his furry neck. Chest heaving, he leaned heavily against her. "Oh my God, it is you!"

She pulled away and ran her hands over him. He gave her face a lick even as warm, sticky fluid covered her palms. He collapsed on the hard ground.

"Oh no, oh no! Hang with me, bud. Neve will fix you up, but you gotta stick with me."

She hauled him onto her lap and held him, stroking his fur, reassured every time he inhaled or expelled air. "It's gonna be okay."

The world went silent as their harsh breathing settled. Then came a growl in the dark. Every muscle in her body coiled. The animal that had tangled with Chance was back to finish the job.

Oh God!

She slid her hand over the rock and grasped it, pulling it close. The rumble continued, and she canted her head. The sound was distant and held a steady rhythm.

That's not an animal. That's an engine!

She heaved Chance off her lap, and he stood, swaying on his legs. "C'mon, fella. That vehicle is going to lead us to a road. If we hurry, we might be able to flag it down. Even if we miss it, another one might come along."

Urgency seized her. Did Chance have the strength to keep up? She pulled the dog along, though she was unsure which way to go. One moment the buzz came from one location, and the next moment, it seemed to reverberate from the opposite direction.

Chance came to a halt and cocked his head. Just as she expected him to drop from his wounds, something seemed to click into place, and he trotted until he reached a narrow trail. Hailey was right beside him, picking her way to keep from stumbling for getting smacked across the face by a branch. Chance seemed to tap into an extra reserve, and he loped ahead of her. She followed, trying not to think of how much blood he might be losing. He gained speed, leading her toward a break in the trees where a hazy light glowed.

The vibration grew louder. The vehicle was getting closer.

In the same instant she realized Chance had led her to a road, he launched himself through the trees. Tires squealed and kicked up dirt as a large vehicle came to a grinding halt. She broke through in time to see Chance lower himself gingerly on his haunches in a truck's high beams, his tongue lolling as he panted. A large man jumped from the driver's side.

"Jesus Christ, dog!"

She lurched onto the asphalt. "Charlie?" she croaked.

He rounded the hood. "Hailey Bailey?"

Sobs bubbled up, and she couldn't hold them back. He ate up the distance between them and flung his arms wide. As she ran into Charlie's embrace, Chance thudded onto the asphalt.

"I've got Hailey and Chance! They're right here!" Charlie whooped in the truck cab as he sped down the highway. "It's a fucking miracle!"

"Hailey?" Noah's worried voice drifted through the speakers.

"I'm here," she rasped. Tears wadded in her throat and stung her eyes, and her body began to shake at the sound of that velvety baritone she knew and loved.

"Sweetheart, tell me you're all right."

"I-I will be. I'm not so sure about Chance, though."

The dog was wrapped up in a blanket and wedged on the front seat between her and Charlie.

"Charlie, drive straight to the clinic," Neve's voice commanded.

"You got it. We're about fifteen minutes away." The connection crackled and soon disappeared. Of course it did.

Charlie glanced at the dog. "He has a thing about running in front of pickups, doesn't he?"

Hailey swiped away the moisture on her cheeks. "It paid off once. Hopefully it works a second time."

When they reached the vet clinic, the lights were on inside. The glass door flew open at the same moment Hailey's feet hit the pavement, and Noah bolted toward her and skidded to a stop. Two emerald orbs stared at her. A single teardrop slipped over his long, dark lashes and tracked down his cheek.

"I thought I'd lost you," he whispered.

Her voice came out strangled. "You don't get off so easy, barkeep."

"Thank the god of mud pies for that." Suddenly, one of those strong hands was cradling the side of her head while those wonderful lips pressed themselves against hers. He rested his forehead against hers and smiled. "Hey, surfer girl. Welcome back." Then he drew her against his solid warmth and held tight. Love and safety wrapped around her like a warm blanket.

I'm home.

In the background, Chance whined as Neve and Charlie maneuvered him out of the front seat. Noah lifted his head. "I need to go and—"

"Yes, go. Chance really wants his dad."

Minutes later, they stood together in the sterile exam room while Neve checked Chance. She'd given Hailey a quick once-over and declared her sound but warned she needed a more thorough assessment. Hailey quickly reassured her, then forked over her independent-woman card and burrowed into the sanctuary of Noah's strong arms. He seemed as reluctant to let go of her as she was of him, banding his arms tightly around her and dropping kisses on her head. Charlie's expression and gestures were pure animation as he filled them in on how Chance had darted onto the road, how Charlie had nearly run him over, and how Hailey had followed on his heels.

A chuckle rumbled through Noah's chest. "Where have I heard this story before?"

Charlie gawped. "Seriously, what were the odds they'd be right there when I came along?"

Hailey lifted her head from Noah's chest. "I think he recognized the sound of your truck and knew you were our best chance. He has some kind of doggy sixth sense."

"For which I am extremely grateful," Noah added. "Not to mention he's a total badass. Any idea what he tangled with, Neve?"

Neve pulled out the stethoscope's ear tubes and lowered the instrument to her collar. "Judging by the puncture marks and some of these lacerations, I'd guess it was a juvenile mountain lion, but there's no way to be sure. What I do know is he fought hard, and he needs to be cleaned up, get some stitches, and start on antibiotics."

"But he's going to be okay?" Hailey sniffled. "There was so much blood."

Neve gave her a reassuring smile. "Not all his. He's going to heal, and he'll be fine."

Noah quirked an eyebrow. "Kinda like last time."

"Yes, but less severe and better in one sense because he sustained these injuries protecting Hailey. They weren't inflicted by a human who was supposed to take care of him."

Fresh tears spilled from Hailey's watery eyes. "He saved my life." Her voice broke on the last words.

Chance thumped his tail, and Hailey left Noah's side to run a light hand over the dog's furry flank.

"All right, folks. Everybody out so I can take care of our pooch." Neve glanced up at Charlie. "You're good at fixing things. Care to help me sew him up?"

Charlie's complexion took on a green hue. "I think this goes way beyond our plus-one arrangement. If blood is involved, I'm out."

"You big sissy. Can you at least help me get him back to the operating table?"

Charlie slid Noah a look. "You two okay to hang out for a minute before I drive you home?"

"I'm not sure where home is right now," Noah admitted.

Hailey laced her fingers with his, trying to siphon off some of his distress. "How about you buy me a cup of coffee, and we'll figure it out together? Amy should be opening about now."

"Are you sure you're up for it? We'll need to walk. It's cold."

"It's only two blocks away, and I bet you can help me stay warm."

After thanking Charlie and Neve, Noah continued clutching Hailey to his side as he steered them both through the clinic's entrance and into the crisp dawn. The sun hadn't cleared the peaks yet, but it cast enough weak light that they easily navigated their way toward Mountain Coffee.

She looked up at him, squinting against the brightening light as they strolled along the sidewalk toward the coffee shop. Her mind reached out for normalcy. "How did it go up at Silver Summit?"

Noah peered down at her. "Me first. What happened last night?"

She stopped them in their tracks, slid her arms from around his waist, and dropped her head in her palms. "I'm so, so sorry."

Alarm pitched in his voice. "What for?" His hands stroked her arms as agitation rolled off him in waves. "Sweetheart, what is it?"

When she peeked between her fingers, he was bent at the knees, his head canted to look her square in the eye.

"I chose Chance over the tavern," she whispered. Between fresh sobs, she told him about Chance's strange behavior, the going back and forth, and finally the fire at the back door. "I should've gone back inside and grabbed an extinguisher, tried to put it out while it was small." She'd had plenty of time to agonize over her decision as she'd run frantically through the woods, sure the tavern had burst into a conflagration behind her. "I know how much you love that building …"

A big hand caressed her back. "Stop. You made the right call. It's what I would've done too—well, after I equipped myself for chasing down a dog in freezing weather in the dark."

She dared look at him fully, relieved that a grin quirked his lips. "You would have?"

"Of course. You and he mean more to me than anything, including the Miners Tavern."

"But the bar … that beautiful building … they're gone."

He gave her shoulder a gentle shake and pointed down the street. "No, they're not. Look."

Her eyes widened as they landed on the barely visible top of the old brick structure. "It didn't burn?"

"The back door needs to be replaced, and the place stinks of smoke, but that's it. The bar's gonna be fine."

A thought lit her up like a beacon. "Do they know what caused the fire?"

He gusted out a sigh. "Yeah. C'mon. Let's get that coffee. I need to sit."

Inside Mountain Coffee, Amy stopped mid-yawn to rush around the counter and hug Hailey in a death grip.

"We heard you were all right, but I was afraid to believe it until I saw you myself!" Tears sparkled in her dark eyes.

Hailey gaped at her. "You knew already? How? I just got back to town."

"Well, Charlie told Noah, who told Dixie, who told Dewey, who told Micky, who told me." Amy grinned at her. "It's the Fall River coconut wireless—faster than the speed of any other sound. Now, what can I get you early birds? Or should I say late birds? Whatever it is, it's on the house."

Hailey protested. "You don't have to—"

"I know I don't, but I want to. Micky and I looked but couldn't find you last night, so this is my way of easing some of my guilt." When Hailey opened her mouth again, Amy held up a staying hand. "Nope. We may be partnering on this coffee-and-book venture, but you are not the boss of me, Hailey Bailey, and I'll damn well give you and Noah free coffee if it pleases me. Never mess with a bitch who hasn't had her caffeine, I always say."

Hailey burst out with a laugh. "Well, okay, then. I'll have my usual, and you get yourself some caffeine while you're at it. You're scary when you're decaffeinated."

She and Noah settled at the mosaic table while they waited for their coffee and pastries. Noah rested his hand on the tabletop, palm up, and she slid hers into his firm grasp.

"I can't stand it any longer, Noah. What started that fire? It wasn't something I did, was it?"

His green eyes popped open. "Hell no!" He leaned in conspiratorially. "It was—"

The front door banged open. Deputy O'Brien filled the frame and acknowledged them both with a head bob. "Hunnicutt. Hailey." Removing his hat, he waltzed over, helped himself to one of their empty chairs, and parked his butt at their table.

Hailey reined in her frustration at one more interruption.

Shane looked from her to Noah. "Did you tell her?"

Noah's mouth thinned. "I was trying to before you came over and helped yourself to the conversation," he gritted out.

"This is something I need to hear." Hailey whipped her head toward another voice. That voice belonged to Reece and resembled more of a growl. Where had he come from? Didn't matter. He was here, like the rest of town … for her.

As Reece seated himself in the only empty chair remaining at their table, Noah muttered a string of curses and dropped his head into his free hand. But Hailey's fatigue, which had nearly stretched her patience to a snapping point, melted away as warmth spread through her chest. She had never had an entire town care about her before.

Noah lifted his head and dragged his hand roughly over his beard. For fuck's sake, would these people go away already? All he wanted was five minutes alone with Hailey. Five. Well, he wanted more than that to show her how goddamn ecstatic he was that she whole and that she was his. When he'd first laid eyes on her outside the clinic, a wave of emotions had washed over him, pushing aside the all-consuming fear and anger, nearly bringing him to his knees. Relief, gratitude, love. So much love. What would she think of him when she learned the truth, though? He needed to get it out there before someone else did.

Bright with expectation, three pairs of eyes rested on him. Shane and Reece leaned in. Obviously, they were inserting themselves into the reveal and leaving Noah no choice but to include them.

"Why don't you guys go order a coffee on me?" he suggested. The two men exchanged skeptical glances.

Outside the window, nearly two blocks away, he spied fluttering fabric in loud colors as someone hurried toward the coffee shop, forcing Noah to abandon his plan to get rid of his brother and the deputy. Oh, what the fuck! Shane already knew, and Reece would know soon enough.

Noah had a mere minute before Dixie in all that bright garb flew through the door. He squeezed Hailey's delicate hand, still cradled in his, and pulled in a silent, steadying breath.

"His ex-girlfriend did it," Shane blurted.

Hailey reclaimed her hand as confusion knotted her caramel brows. "Which ex did what?"

Noah threw a glare in the deputy's direction before turning to Hailey. "Sandy was the one who—"

"Left the notes," Shane interjected. "Started the fire. Shit, I should have added ‘allegedly,' even though we caught it all on tape." He shook his head but quickly recovered. "And don't worry. We tracked her down and locked her up. Oh, and we found another note on your windshield that said, ‘You're toast.' Kinda the final nail in the coffin."

Reece sat ramrod straight, his head on a swivel. "You mean it wasn't Keating? And who's Sandy?"

Noah ignored the questions, his attention focused solely on Hailey's wide glacier-blue eyes. Her free hand flew to her mouth. "I thought it was Cliff!"

Dixie heaved herself through the door. "Boss! That little chippy who came looking for a job's the one who tried to burn you out!" Her eyes shot to Hailey. "Oh my God! It's our own little china doll!" Dixie ran—actually ran—to the table and shoved Reece out of the way in her eagerness to get her arms around Hailey's shoulders. "Are you all right, little girl? I mean, you look all right, but you might not be all right. I've got you some more blue MMs, and you know what? They do taste better. Oh. Except now they might smell like smoke. Where's our dog?" The woman was practically panting.

Noah tapped her elbow. "Dixie, take a deep breath." And calm down before you keel over from a heart attack.

Reece pulled over another chair, but she took his instead, wiggling as close to Hailey as she could get while resting her arm along the back of Hailey's seat.

Hailey patted her thigh and offered her an indulgent smile. "Thank you, Dixie. I'm fine, and Chance is going to be fine." She gave Dixie a brief version of the night's misadventure, drawing Amy over. Micky let himself in through the back door, and Dewey came through the front door with Luanne. Practically the entire town crowded around them. Noah loved that they were there offering support, but damn, he wanted to talk to Hailey without an audience.

He tried to catch her eye. Worry gnawed at him. He had to know if the truth about Sandy had driven a wedge between them.

Micky piped up during a lull. "Do we know who tried to torch Noah's place?"

Shane grabbed his spot in the limelight. "We have a suspect in custody."

Noah cringed. Sandy being there, endangering Hailey and Chance—hell, the entire town!—was his fault.

Hailey reached across the table and, as he had done earlier, held her palm out in invitation. He didn't hesitate to place his over hers and weave their fingers together. She jerked her head toward the door. When he leaned in to hear her above the din, she whispered, "What do you say we go check on your dog, barkeep?"

"You mean our dog, don't you?"

She flashed him that special smile she saved for only him, chasing away his doubts. His heart lifted, and his chest filled with something as powerful as it was warm and gooey.

Love.