He wanted that life with her but he knew he was going to have to convince her. She would think he was grateful for what she’d done for Noelle. It was probably running through that brilliant brain of hers right this second. He was about to cross the street when the door to Dixie’s café opened and Dixie walked out, frowning.

“Hey, Sheriff. Are you going into the clinic?” Dixie asked. “Mabel closed it up over an hour ago. She mentioned she had a little cleaning up to do, but she was supposed to pick up her to-go order twenty minutes ago. It’s not like Mabel to be late taking Dale his supper. He called looking for her because she’s not answering her cell. I called the clinic line and it went to voice mail.”

It was supposed to go to either Lila’s cell or Mabel’s, unless neither of them was picking up. He glanced over and the lights were all off. “I’ll go check. Lila only left the therapy gym about fifteen minutes ago. She might be trying to avoid me, so I’m hoping she didn’t hop in her car and drive off.”

“I haven’t seen her car. She parks around back, but she drives by to get out to Guidry’s. I could have missed her, but I don’t think so. It’s been slow.” Dixie started to walk across the street. “Something’s wrong. I can feel it.”

He didn’t like the fact that no one was answering the clinic line. He jogged ahead of Dixie and looked through the glass doors.

And immediately took a step back because a fine cloud of smoke was rising from behind the reception desk. He tried to get the door to slide open, but it was locked down and he didn’t have a key card. The glass was thick, far too thick for him to break without some serious equipment. It would take too long to get through that door. Panic started to bubble up inside him. The front reception area was dark with the exception of a glow coming from behind the desk, faint at first and then the whole thing caught fire.

“Call the fire department, Dixie.” He was already starting around the back. It was a simpler lock and he should be able to get through it. “Then call the station house and watch for my daughter. If you can, call Tanya and get her to hold Noelle there. Tell her to lock everything down.”

Because he had no idea who was in there or who would come out.