In Safe Hands (Search and Rescue #4)(69)
“No.” Ian had barely gotten out the offer before Chris sharply shut him down. “Don’t talk to Early about this yet.”
His eyes narrowing, Ian leveled a hard glare at the deputy. “You think the chief’s involved?”
Pacing parallel to the table, Chris shoved a hand into his hair and tugged. “Honestly, no. This whole thing is making me doubt everyone, though, so I can’t discount the possibility. I just would rather you not tip him off that we’re looking for a connection between the arsons and the Gray case. Not until we get a better handle on this.”
After a pause, Ian gave a tight nod. “Fine. For now. I don’t like keeping things from the chief, though.”
“I know,” Chris said. “So thank you.”
“It’s probably best if we don’t share this with anyone beyond this room, then,” Lou said. “You know how fast gossip spreads around here, especially among the emergency services groups. If this leaks out, the chief will definitely hear about it.”
Ellie looked around their circle and snorted. “I think we have the only nongossipers in Simpson here.”
“I’m probably the loosest lips of all of us,” Lou agreed, “and I can keep my mouth shut.” Callum gave her a teasing look of doubt, and she smacked his arm. “I can!”
“You know I won’t be blabbing to anyone,” Daisy said dryly. “Except for my dad, you guys are pretty much my entire social circle.”
“Not for long.” Lou bounced a little in her seat. “You already have one of the locks undone. Pretty soon, you’re going to be visiting me at The Coffee Spot.”
“And you can come to the range at my shop, so we don’t have to shoot out of your upstairs window,” Rory added.
“Road trip to Denver!” Ellie almost shrieked, flushing when everyone stared at her. “Sorry. I got excited.” With a small smile, George rubbed her back.
Hearing the possibilities out loud made Daisy simultaneously terrified and thrilled. It could actually happen. Until she’d made a step toward going outside, she hadn’t realized how resigned she’d been to never leaving the house again. With that one tiny unfastened lock, she’d relit a flame of hope in her chest. Daisy rubbed the spot, almost feeling the physical burn, and jumped when a hand landed on her shoulder.
“You okay?” Chris bent over so he could speak quietly in her ear.
She nodded, feeling the fire in her chest growing stronger. “I’m wonderful.”
When everyone gathered by the door in preparation for leaving, Ellie pulled her back. Surprised, Daisy allowed the other woman to tow her to a corner of the kitchen. After a quick glance at them, George kept his distance, even if that distance was only ten feet.
“I just wanted to tell you how brave I think you’re being.” Ellie rushed the whispered words, as if she knew they’d have only a minute of privacy before someone crashed their conversation. “When George has to go on a search and rescue call during the night”—she took a quick glance over Daisy’s shoulder, presumably to make sure he wasn’t in hearing distance—“I get so scared when I’m alone out there, even with a deputy sitting in a squad car outside. Instead of sleeping, I prowl around the house, checking the door lock for the millionth time. George doesn’t know it bothers me. If I told him, he wouldn’t leave, and then whoever was lost in the wilderness wouldn’t get George’s help. They might die, all because I’m a chicken.”
Daisy had no idea what the right thing to say was. It wasn’t like she was the best person to be giving advice about anxiety. “I’m sorry.”
Her mouth turning down at the corners, Ellie admitted, “I didn’t used to be like this. I used to love being alone, until…” With a small shrug, she gestured toward the center of her chest.
“You were shot,” Daisy said. “I think you have the right to be scared.”
“I just wish they’d catch him. Not knowing if he’s in Mexico or watching me from the trees outside my bedroom window is making me crazy.”
Grabbing her hand, Daisy gave it a comforting squeeze. “I never sleep.” When Ellie just blinked at that, she clarified, “I mean, I have insomnia. Next time George has to go on a call at night, give me a buzz. If you think it would help, I mean. That way, we can talk about something completely unrelated to murder or gun-toting psychos. Okay?”
Ellie’s eyes got a little glassy with tears, but she smiled. “Okay. That sounds…good. There’s something about being up at two in the morning that makes me feel like the only person on Earth, you know?”
“Oh, I know.”
When Ellie focused on something over her shoulder, Daisy knew their private time was done. This was confirmed by George’s rumbling voice.
“Ready?”
Her smile broadening, Ellie nodded. “Bye, Daisy. Thank you.”
“Anytime.” As she followed them to the door, Daisy tried to analyze the odd—but good—sensation she was experiencing. She finally realized that she felt helpful. It had been so long since she’d offered a hand, rather than always being the one accepting it. Excitement fizzed through her, carbonating her blood. It almost felt like she was floating.
Everyone made their way through the interior doorway, chatting and shouting final good-byes to Daisy.