Three Rules I’d Never Break by Remi Carrington

Chapter 24

As I pulled out of the gate, I thought through Eli’s schedule. He was supposed to be working today. Maybe someone had driven him to work. I couldn’t imagine why, but there was an easy way to find out. I’d walk myself into the station and ask at the front desk.

We could deal with the gossip after the fact, but right now I didn’t have a choice. I needed to apologize to Eli.

The sound of sirens snapped me out of my thoughts. The plume of smoke ahead was probably the reason. Grass fires weren’t uncommon during the summer. Hopefully, the fire wasn’t too close to my property.

I approached the bend on high alert, ready to slow down for emergency vehicles. When I saw the firetrucks at the end of my driveway, in front of my house, I slammed on the brakes. I launched out of my car and ran across the road, staying back to give the firefighters room to work. But it was obvious that no amount of water would make the house okay.

Smoke billowed from the roof and poured out of the windows.

It was completely destroyed.

With my arms wrapped around myself, I tried to keep what was left of me from falling apart.

Firemen shouted at each other as they dragged hoses around and doused the fire. Harper was out there, and he knew I hadn’t moved in. I scanned the area in front of the house. There were only firetrucks here, no other cars or trucks. That probably meant there were no workers on site. At least the firefighters didn’t have to be concerned about saving anyone from the fire.

Coughing, I moved so that smoke wasn’t blowing into my face, choking me and making my eyes burn.

I jumped when one side of the house collapsed. There went the perfect master bedroom and delightful craft room. I’d lost everything. There was plenty to be thankful for. My stuff wasn’t in the house. Tessa still spoke to me. And I still had a growing business.

Staring at my house as it turned to ash made me regret even more how I’d treated Eli. As horrible as it was to watch the fire, losing him hurt more.

More of the house collapsed, and all I could do was stare.

Warmth spread across my back as someone stepped up behind me. I could feel Eli’s quiet strength. He tapped out the secret knock on my hip, letting me know he was there. For me. With me. I leaned back against his strong frame.

“You didn’t answer the door.” I held out hope that maybe he could forgive me. Someday.

His whiskers brushed my cheek. “I wasn’t home. But I heard you stopped by.”

I tilted my head to look at him. “And?”

His arms wrapped around my waist. “I love you too.”

Someone—probably Joji—had filled him in on what I’d said.

“I owe you an apology.”

He pressed a kiss to my cheek. “We’ll talk about it later.”

We stood for a long time with his arms holding me up and neither of us speaking.

I hadn’t lost everything. The most important thing in my life—no offense to Sherlock—was with me when I needed him most.

Eli loved me.

* * *

Firefighters were cleaningup their gear when Tessa and Cami walked up. Word had spread. The sun sank toward the horizon, and now that my heart wasn’t pounding, exhaustion set in.

Cami wiped at tears. “I don’t know what to say.”

“There isn’t really anything to say.” I pulled Eli’s arms around me a little tighter. “I have insurance. The builder has insurance. It’ll get sorted out, and they’ll build it again.”

Tessa stood next to me. “I tried calling you. I’m so sorry.”

“My phone broke when I threw it against the wall last night.” I clasped her hand. “Thanks for being honest with me even when I was too stubborn to listen.”

She glanced up at Eli. “He has many flaws, and I’ll be happy to enlighten you about all of them, but cheating isn’t one of them.”

He rested his chin on the top of my head. “She’s right. Except about the many flaws. A few maybe, but many feels excessive.”

“Anything I can do?” Tessa squeezed my hand.

“Not really. There is nothing I can do right now anyway.” I glanced back at my car. “I don’t think I even turned off my engine.”

“I did.” Eli patted his pocket. “Your keys are here.”

“Want to stay at my place?” She raised her eyebrows. “I’ll make you something good to eat.”

“She’s staying at my house.” Eli snapped out the response, then looked down at me. “Aren’t you?”

“Yeah, but thanks for the offer, Tessa. Eli and I need to talk about some stuff.”

“That’s an understatement.” She winked. “Call if you need anything.” Tessa walked over to where Cami was talking to Harper.

I turned and faced Eli. “You aren’t mad at me?”

“Not anymore. I was, but I understand about your rules.”

I’d never told Eli about my rules. “How did you know about my rules?”

“Let’s grab dinner and talk at the house.” He laced his fingers with mine.

I scanned the road for his vehicle. His Datsun was parked behind my car.

“You got it running!”

“Yep. I took some vacation time and finished up the last few things. I was headed to your store to offer you a ride and demand—and then beg—you to talk to me.”

“I really thought you were lying to me.”

“Just because no one shops for their mother in a lingerie store? You underestimate my awkwardness. I had a gift certificate that Cami and Harper gave me for Christmas. What else was I supposed to do with it? Shop for you? I knew better than to do that. And just for the record, I had no idea what was in the bag. I was picking it up for my dad. He said he was too busy to make it over there, but I think he wanted to avoid walking into the lingerie store. No offense to your store.”

“I should’ve trusted you.”

“Yep.” He pulled my keys out of his pocket. “I have an idea. Tessa, Cami! Will y’all drive Delaney’s car to the goat farm? I want to show off my car.”

Tessa grinned. “Sure thing.”

Eli helped me into the passenger seat. “We’ll take the long way to go get dinner, and we won’t talk about rules until later. Deal?”

“Deal.” I kept hold of his arm. But the words I wanted to say didn’t seem sufficient to convey how I felt.

He squatted beside the car, then gave me a quick kiss. “Dinner first, then we’ll talk.”

“I love you. I’m not sure I could ever accurately describe how it felt to have you walk up behind me. I needed you, and you were there. Quiet and strong was exactly what I needed in that moment.”

“I can guess how it felt. When you leaned back into me, I knew we’d be okay. I know how much that house means to you and wish I could rebuild it with a snap of my fingers, but having you is so much more important to me.”

The disappointment made it clear what was most important. “I think the house must’ve already been on fire when I drove by on the way to your place. The firetrucks weren’t here yet. I would’ve noticed that I think. Maybe not. But the house was too far gone when I got here for it to have started only minutes before. I wasn’t at your place all that long.” I rested my head against him. “I was in such a hurry to see you and to apologize that I didn’t even look at my house. I just wanted to find you.”

He cupped my cheek. “I’m here.”

I kissed his palm. “Tell me about your car.” Talking about the house would only spawn tears.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Love wasn’t a mushy feeling anymore. It wasn’t butterflies flapping around in my stomach, tingles dancing on my skin, or a happily ever after. Love was patient and kind, even when I hadn’t been.