Burn You Twice - Mary Burton Page 0,15

toward the stone firepit with armloads of wood. Both worked together to place kindling in the bottom and build a tripod of wood over it.

“My father says any self-respecting cowboy knows how to handle a fire.”

Shifting away from the subject, she asked, “Is Nate really ready for high school, let alone college?”

“Intellectually,” she said. “He’s still a kid, and I’m trying to give him as normal a life as possible. But he needs the academic stimulation, so he’s auditing a class this fall to keep him engaged.”

“Clarke on board with this?”

“He’s for whatever is good for Nate.” Ann set her napkin down by her half-empty bowl. “It’s nice outside tonight. Let’s have another glass outside.”

Joan ate the last of her buttered biscuit. “I shouldn’t, but I will.”

Ten minutes later, they were on the porch, and she was sitting in a wooden rocker. Nate and Kyle’s logs would have made any Boy Scout proud. Ann handed a flint lighter to each boy and took a step back, watching closely as they lit the kindling tucked in the center. The blaze caught quickly among the carefully placed logs.

Joan eased back in her chair and firmly planted her feet on the ground. Tension rippled up her body as the heat from the flames warmed her.

Ann took the chair beside her. “You okay?”

“Sure, I’m fine.”

“Joan, I’m a psychologist,” she said softly so Nate couldn’t hear. “You’re uncomfortable.”

“I’m tired. Been burning the candle at both ends, no pun intended.”

“Can I get more wood?” Nate asked.

“Sure,” Ann said. “But we won’t be out here more than an hour. It’s been a long day.”

“Understood,” he said before the boys set off in search of wood.

Ann watched as Nate and Kyle vanished into the shadows. “We’ve never talked about the College Fire.”

“It was a near miss for us both. We should count our lucky stars.” She tucked her feet in, trying to be relaxed and casual as the fire consumed the wood. She was not in the mood for a counseling session about PTSD or phobias.

“Fire makes you nervous,” Ann said.

“No wonder, given my history,” Joan said.

“I didn’t notice it in college, but Clarke did. He said you always kept your distance at the bonfires.”

“We all have our quirks.” She heard the boys arguing about which types of wood to collect. Kyle’s theories about the proper wood-to-burn ratios were as strong as Nate’s. “They’re having fun.”

“Nate hasn’t seen Kyle all summer, and he’s missed having his cousin around. The other boys at the elementary school tease Nate about leaving them behind this fall. Some are intimidated by his intelligence, but Kyle doesn’t seem to care.”

“He has the Bailey good heart.” Joan drew in a few breaths, feeling her throat tighten and her palms sweat. “I wish them both happiness.”

“I doubt Gideon really has been happy since you left.”

Joan stared into her wineglass and the play of light from the fire. “I don’t believe that.”

“He’s always felt like he failed you, Joan. Wished he had tried living back east with you.”

Joan had realized her mistake two months after the fire. She had called Ann, fear tangling with hope as she’d asked about Gideon.

“He’s married, Joan,” Ann had said.

Joan had gripped the phone, certain it was a bad connection. “What?”

“He married Helen. She’s pregnant.”

Joan had sat down, her head spinning. “What?”

“She’s eight weeks along, and before you say anything, Clarke and I are also married. I’m pregnant, too.”

Now, in the distance, an owl hooted and brought Joan back to the present. She cleared her throat, hoping she sounded steadier than she felt. “I’m not sure I can make anyone happy. I’m moody and difficult on my best days, and if you hadn’t noticed, I’m a workaholic.”

“I hadn’t noticed,” Ann said, smiling.

Joan allowed a small smile of her own. “Yep, it’s true.”

They sat in silence for a moment before Ann asked, “What do you think you’re going to do about Elijah? He’s served his time. He’s free to do whatever he wishes.”

“I thought about that on the plane. There’s nothing I can do legally, but I feel in my bones that he has a bigger agenda.”

“What kind of agenda?”

“You told me how angry he was after his conviction and how he still insists he’s innocent. He’s back in Missoula because he wants something. You think it’s revenge?”

Ann paled. “I don’t know what Elijah wants.”

“If he and I can build a rapport, maybe he’ll reveal himself to me. Secrets always have a way of coming out. The trick is to be on