I shake my head, the tears beginning to stream. “After what I’ve been through this past year, I highly doubt it.”

His expression falls, but he tries to comfort me in any way he can.

On the way over, I text Lexie to let her know what’s going on and ask if she knows anything.

After fifteen minutes, she still hasn’t texted back, and I’m convinced more than before that something bad has happened.

Chapter Twelve

ARCHER

I’m trying my best to keep Everleigh calm, but it’s nearly impossible when her shop could be in ashes. I hope that’s not the case and am grateful the fire department is there. When she answered the phone, I knew something wasn’t right. I’ve seen that expression on her face a few times and hope I never have to again.

While I drive, she logs into her security app and rewatches the last clips of video footage. I can see her growing more frustrated than she already is each time she starts them from the beginning.

“Baby, it’s going to be okay,” I tell her, though I have a nagging feeling that this could be linked to Krystal... “I’m here for whatever you need, okay?”

She sucks in a deep breath and finally looks at me. “I can’t imagine dealing with all of this alone. I have thousands of dollars invested in my shop, and it might all be gone. And now I feel guilty as hell for not sending Katie off and rushing out without hugging her goodbye.”

“Katie loves you, and she’ll understand. Don’t worry, she won’t be upset that you left. If anything, she’s worried for you too. ”

“You’re right.” She blows out a breath.

When we finally make it to the outskirts of Lawton Ridge, the traffic grows thicker. The main intersection is shut down, and a cop is directing traffic around the area. I roll down the window, and the smell of burning wood wafts through the air. Everleigh’s tears fall more steady, but I also see the anger behind her gaze.

“Thank God,” she says when her phone buzzes. “It’s Lexie.” Everleigh picks up the call and explains everything she knows so far. After another minute, the call ends.

“Lexie said everything seemed normal when she locked up, and she went through the closing duties and double-checked all the doors were locked.”

When we’re closer to the shop, I see the parking lot is full of emergency personnel. They’ve roped off and blocked the entrance with barricades. Luckily, I find a place to park on the street, and as soon as the car stops moving, Everleigh bolts out toward the building.

I lock the car and chase behind her.

The fire chief stops her before she can get any closer. “Hey, Everleigh.”

“Chief Porter. What happened?”