Joe blew out a breath and slowly, carefully sat up. “How long have I been here?”

“You don’t remember?”

The last thing he remembered was passing out in Summer’s arms. Had she really said she loved him? Or had that been just another fantasy? “Fill me in.”

“The cottage is gone. A complete loss.”

“Damn.” Joe shook his head, then groaned and held it on his shoulders. “Note to self, don’t move.”

“Not with your concussion, I wouldn’t.”

“We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

“We? I’ve already started, on the way over here. Did you know the cottage was Tina’s? Not a business property either, but personal.”

Joe went very still, mostly out of necessity, but some out of shock. “Summer told me the place was Chloe’s roommate’s. I assumed it was owned by the roommate’s family.”

“Nope.”

“Shit.” It all clicked into place with a ferocity that made his head spin. His heart began to pound. “Where’s Summer?”

“Camille and Tina showed up just as you were being forced into the ambulance kicking and screaming.”

“Very funny.”

“Well you didn’t exactly go graciously. They were going to bring her here. They haven’t shown up yet.”

“How long ago?”

“Twenty minutes.”

Joe shoved his sheet aside.

Kenny leaned forward and put a hand on him, holding him down. “What are you doing?”

“Gotta go.”

“Whoa. The doctor said—”

“I’ve figured this thing out.” Joe put his good foot to the floor. “Crutches.”

“Your ass is hanging out—”

“Jesus! Get me some clothes then. Just hurry.”

To Kenny’s credit he did just that. “We’re going to have to break you out of here, you know that, right?”

“Did you hear me say I figured this thing out?”

Kenny handed him his crutches, his face impassive. “Yes.”

“It’s not Camille.”

Kenny stared at him, then let out a slow breath. “I knew that.”

“Get me out of here and I’ll tell you on the way.”

“On the way where?”

“To save Red’s life.”

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

How ironic was it that she’d finally told Joe she loved him and he’d passed out before he could hear it? Summer couldn’t believe it. She had to see him, but she looked out the window of her aunt’s car and frowned. They were pulling into the burned-out warehouse instead of heading toward the hospital. “Where are we going?”

Tina got off her cell phone with Bill, turned off the engine, looked somberly at her sister riding shotgun, and then at her niece in the backseat. “I want to finish this first.”

“Finish what?”

“Bill suggested I do it here, and I think he’s right. Everyone out.” Tina shut the door and walked toward the burned warehouse. As they hadn’t yet decided whether to rebuild or lease something else, no work had been done yet.