But it doesn’t help my worry. There’s a lot of wood in there, which can make a fire big enough to engulf the whole inn, but Keith’s next words have my core rattling with fear.

“Autumn was in there…checking some inventory.”

“No!” A sharp burst of pain hits my chest.

“Lukas, don’t worry, Gavin is there. He’s working with the fire department. As soon as they can get inside, he’ll make sure she’s safe.” Connor’s words reach my ear from someplace far away.

She’s in there.

She’ll be there until they can get inside.

My feet hit the floor, and my grip on my helmet tightens as I run toward the parking lot.

“Lukas!”

“Spencer.”

Keith and Connor call out to me, but I can’t bother with them. She’s there, and I have to reach her.

All through the ride, as I snake past traffic to reach Autumn, I can’t stop thinking about what a moron I’ve been over the past few weeks. I’ve finally found the one person who was willing to love me even after knowing my truth, and I was keeping her away.

I always thought my mom was so naive to love someone unconditionally, especially someone who could never return her love, but I’m a bigger fool. In my efforts not to become like my mother, I’d become like that sperm donor.

I was so busy in self-preservation that I became blind to Autumn’s unconditional love. Instead of thanking her and being grateful for the gift life had given me, I chose to reject her.

My hands tighten around the handlebars as I pray for the first time since my mother’s death.

God, please don’t take her away from me.

I stop outside the inn’s main gate, where a fire engine’s parked, before making a run toward the back of the building.

I pass by the kitchen staff and Suzie to reach the flaming entrance. Mr. Big is wiping his forehead with a cotton handkerchief, probably sweating both from heat and fear. Chiara has tears rolling down her cheeks. Unlike the wedding day, her gaze doesn’t throw daggers at me, but the accusation is still there. Jasper is holding Laura close, and she’s hiccuping between sobs.

Without wasting any more time, I walk close to Gavin and the firefighters.

“Why’s no one going inside?” I bellow over the noise of crackling fire and the hoses spraying water and foam.

“With this much fire, it’s impossible,” one of the firefighters replies as Gavin makes another unsuccessful attempt to get in. “We need to bring down the fire first.”

“I’m going in.” I pull the collar of my jacket up.

“It isn’t safe.” Gavin grabs my arm and tilts his head toward the men working. “Let them clear the entrance.”