time I was little. My dad was in and out of prison. Foster care was better, but I never had anything permanent. In eleven years, I moved thirty times. That’s thirty new homes and new families. It meant changing schools and adapting to other kids in the house. It was constant upheaval.”
Bennett was quiet. He kept the swing in motion, his hand wrapped around hers, gently urging her to keep talking.
“To survive, I kept moving forward. I blocked out or ignored anything that stood in the way of my goals. After the attack last year, I did the same. It seemed like the best way to get my life back.” She sighed, long and low. “Now I’m back here, surrounded by all the memories of what happened, trying to stop a new killer. It’s unchartered territory for me. I can’t block it out like I want to.”
She lifted her head from his chest and shifted on the seat to face him. “Bennett, I want to tell you I’ll be fine when this is done. But I can’t. After we catch this killer, my instincts are to turn around and never come back to this area of Texas again.”
“I don’t blame you.” Bennett reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “But I’ll be honest with you, Em. It breaks my heart to hear you’ve been going through this alone. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
Tears flooded her eyes, and Emilia blinked rapidly to keep them from falling. “Bennett, you have me crying again. Ugh, twice in one day.”
He took the mug from her hand and set it on the porch railing along with his. “Maybe you need to cry. A part of you must know I’ll catch you when you fall.”
“I do know that.”
“Then let me.” Bennett took her hands in his. “God puts people in our lives for a reason. You’ve tried going through this on your own. It hasn’t worked. Now try walking through it with me.”
She wanted to. She trusted Bennett with her life. The problem was her. She didn’t trust herself not to cut and run once the case was over. “What if I can’t stay? What if it’s too much for me?”
“Then it is.” Bennett squeezed her hands. “I want you to be happy, Em. I hope that’s with me, but I’ll understand if it’s not. There’s a lot of history between us, and most of it is wrapped up in serial killers. It’s not the most romantic beginning to a love story.”
“No.” She took a deep breath. “You aren’t scared?”
“I was, but not anymore. My sister gave me a good piece of advice. She told me to put my faith in God and trust that He will guide me to the right place.” Bennett cupped her face. “I’m going to do that. I hope you will too.”
He bent his head and kissed her. Bennett’s mouth was soft, his touch gentle, but it lit Emilia up within. She clung to his broad shoulders and let the world fade away. Here, in his arms, she was safe. She was cared for.
When the kiss ended, Emilia was breathless. She brushed his mouth with hers one more time before backing away. A light over Bennett’s shoulder caught her attention, but it was too bright to be the normal glow from a house, even with Christmas lights.
She frowned. “Is that a fire over there?”
She pointed and Bennett turned. He shot up from the porch swing. “That’s my neighbor’s house and, yes, it’s on fire.”
Bennett gripped the steering wheel as his tires bounced over the dirt road leading to his neighbor’s home. Emilia was on the phone with 9-1-1. The fire department was located in the center of town, a good twenty minutes away. Mark and Valerie were married with three young kids. Had they all gotten out of the house safely?
Bennett’s pulse roared in his ears as the house came into view. Flames shot up to the sky. The wind changed and smoke blew directly in his path, temporarily blinding him. He deviated from the unpaved driveway onto the grass.
Emilia hung up. “Fire trucks and EMS are on the way. Fifteen minutes ETA.”
His headlights swept across the yard as he pulled to a stop a safe distance from the house. Valerie, her face streaked with tears and soot, raced toward the vehicle. In her arms, she carried a crying infant. Two other children trailed her, wearing pajamas. Everyone was barefoot.
Bennett bolted from the vehicle and intercepted