Death and Her Devotion (Rogue Vows #1)(21)

She was bent over, speaking to her mother and clasping her hand. Patsy was perched on a parking divider with Brianna clutched tightly in her other arm. Zane sucked in a deep breath, feeling his stress lessen at the sight of the three of them.

“Is anyone inside?” he gasped as he came to a stop at their group. He glanced behind him as the fire engine’s big tires crackled on the gravel as it turned into the driveway.

“No. I’m sure it’s clear,” said Stevie. Anger flashed in her eyes. “Mom and Brianna were the only ones inside. I was passing by on my way to the rehearsal when I saw the smoke. The two of them had just dashed out the door when I arrived.”

“Someone threw a bomb through the window,” Patsy stated with fury in her voice.

“A bomb?” Shock rocked through Zane. This fire was intentional? And could have killed Patsy and Brianna?

“It sounds like a Molotov cocktail–type thing,” clarified Stevie. “Two were thrown through the windows while they were working inside.” Her clipped words did not bode well for the person who’d nearly harmed her family.

“The glass broke and then fire exploded inside,” added Brianna. “The tablecloths and tulle immediately caught fire.” Tears filled her eyes as she looked at Stevie. “I don’t think it can be fixed, Aunt Stevie. Everything was burning. All your beautiful tables.”

Zane squeezed Brianna’s shoulder. “The important part is no one got hurt. That stuff can all be replaced. You and your grandma can’t be replaced.” His voice cracked on the last word. They were safe. But heaven help the person who’d started that fire. Zane wouldn’t stop until he had them behind bars.

“But her beautiful dress was in there . . .” Brianna’s lip trembled.

Zane glanced at Stevie.

The muscles in Stevie’s throat flexed as she swallowed. “Carly’s and Brianna’s dresses were in there too. We were going to get ready in the big dressing room tomorrow before going to the church. I’d just dropped off the dresses this morning,” she said softly. “But it’s not important.”

Zane turned back to the building, studying the flames and smoke. He knew the dressing room was at the far end, and the flames were primarily toward the front. “I can—”

“Zane Duncan, don’t even think about it!” Stevie snapped. “It’s just a dress!”

“But you searched for months—”

“I don’t care! No one is going back into that building for any reason.” The fury in her eyes made her position clear. “We need to focus on who did this.”

“You didn’t see anything?” he asked Patsy and Brianna. Both shook their heads, and he turned his attention to the growing crowds, pleased to see that Kenny and Carter had already created a perimeter and were speaking with observers as the firefighters pulled out their hoses. “We’ll start canvassing the crowd. Someone must have seen how it started.”

Patsy pointed at a pair of teenage girls in extremely short shorts and thin tank tops who were watching the fire with a growing group of people. “Ask those two girls,” she ordered.

“Did they tell you something?” Zane asked.

“Ask them,” she repeated.

Stevie gave a one-shouldered shrug as he looked at her. “I’ll come with you.”

The two of them headed toward the group. “Looks like tonight’s rehearsal is on hold,” Stevie said lightly. She couldn’t hide the worry in her voice from Zane. Her chin was up, but he knew the fire had rattled her.

“What about the reception tomorrow?” He glanced back at the fire. “We’ll need a new location.”

Stevie didn’t say anything, but her step faltered. He took her arm and pulled her to a stop. Despair filled her eyes.

“I know our wedding isn’t important in light of the fact that someone just tried to kill two people we love, but what do you want to do about tomorrow?” he asked.

“I don’t know.” She looked at the burning building. “Is that some sort of cosmic sign?”

“That we’re not supposed to get married? Hell no.” A slow burn of anger started in his gut, directed at the fool who’d started the fire and messed with Stevie’s head. “I know we’re supposed to be together. Your mother, who is the most cosmically connected person I know, has said we’re meant to be. Don’t let this horrible attack affect what’s important to us.”

“I want to marry you. But maybe the cosmos is telling us that right now isn’t the right time.” Her confused brown eyes met his gaze.

He took both her hands, not caring who saw them on duty. “I love you, Stevie Taylor. No arsonist is going to stop our day. I’m marrying you tomorrow, and I don’t care if you’re wearing cutoff shorts and flip-flops. Now tell me you’ll be at the church at one tomorrow.”

“But—”

“No buts.”

She studied him for a few seconds. “I’ll be there. I have no idea what I’ll be wearing.”

“We’ll figure it out tomorrow. Tonight is about finding out what happened here. Let’s see why your mom thinks these girls know about the fire.” His heart pounded as the two of them continued toward the girls. Is Stevie really having doubts?