Fragile Sanctuary (Sparrow Falls #1)

by Catherine Cowles

My fingers itched to pull out my phone, text Shep, and make sure Rhodes had locked her damn gate. I didn’t even want to think about her doors.

My phone rang from the nightstand. The first tone had my blood turning to ice. The device rarely rang, and sure as hell not at three in the morning. I grabbed it, jerking the charger cord free. Seeing Shep’s name on the screen only drove my panic higher as I struggled to hit accept. “What happened?” I demanded. “Need you at Rho’s.” I heard the strain in my friend’s voice. He was trying to hold back whatever emotion was trying to break free. “Talk to me,” I ordered but was already moving, pulling on joggers and a tee. “There was a fire at the Victorian.” “Tell me she’s okay,” I growled. “She’s fine,” Shep assured me. “It didn’t get close to the cottage. The fire department has it out now. It was pretty contained to the part of the house that was burned before, so it didn’t spread.” My footsteps faltered as I reached for my keys. It was hard to get something that had been burned before to burn again. It didn’t make any sense. And that had my gut churning. “Be there in ten.” I hung up before Shep had a chance to answer. Slipping on my sneakers, I jogged out to my truck. I made the typically fifteen-minute drive to Rho’s in eight. Fire trucks were everywhere, along with sheriff’s department vehicles and Shep’s familiar silver pickup. I parked next to him, jumped out, and slammed the truck door behind me. Striding across the gravel drive, I ignored every firefighter and cop, searching for one person only. The moment my gaze locked on her, all the air punched right out of my lungs.

Anson took a step toward me. “But until you get one hell of a security system in here, you’re not staying alone.”

My hand tightened on the paper towel. “What. Did. He. Do?” “Anson.”

“What the hell is going on?” Trace barked. That had me whirling on him. “Don’t speak to her in that tone.”

“Can’t handle being away from you,” he croaked. “Especially not when you’re hurting.”

“Your beauty scalds, Reckless. Anyone who’s ever had the pleasure of looking at you will never be the same.”

“I worked for the FBI. I think I could evade you.” Rho arched a brow. “You don’t know my skills. I found out my college roommate’s boyfriend was cheating on her five states away with nothing more than a first name and the color of his car.”