No One But You (Silver Springs #2)(78)

“We need to hire an outside investigator to take a look at the fire evidence,” he said when they were talking about the problem over dinner. “Like I did with the forensic specialist who examined my parents’ bedroom.”

Sadie looked startled by the suggestion. “How? Hiring someone like that costs money, which is something I don’t have.”

“They don’t cost that much.”

“I’m sure they do by my standards!”

“But consider the possibilities.” Pushing his chimichanga platter aside the moment he finished with it, he spent some time on his phone, looking up crime scene investigators that included fire inspectors on the internet and showing those who looked to have extensive experience to Sadie. One of the most promising lived right in LA.

“There’s nothing to indicate rates,” she said as she passed his phone back to him and finished her margarita.

“Ed charged me two grand plus travel. Shouldn’t be more than that. It’s definitely cheaper than moving,” he pointed out. “And if we hire the guy from LA, there shouldn’t be much travel. Just a tank or two of gas.”

Now that Jayden was full and only playing with his bean-and-cheese burrito, she stacked the plates so that he’d have more room to finish coloring his paper place mat. “Still. Moving is later. When I’ve had a chance to save up. Hiring an arson investigator would require immediate money, and even $500 is a fortune to me.”

The waitress came by, so Dawson waited until their plates had been removed. “I’ll loan you what you need,” he said. “I feel that strongly about it.”

She dipped a tortilla chip in the salsa. “Like you loaned me the money for the clothes?”

Dawson had had two margaritas, enough tequila to feel loose and relaxed in a way he hadn’t been relaxed in a long time. The motel they’d rented was right next door, so they could walk over when they were finished, wouldn’t need to worry about driving, which was why he’d allowed himself to drink a little more than he would otherwise.

He gave her a lazy smile as he remembered the panty purchase—and the fact that he’d had the pleasure of removing those panties from her body later.

What he wouldn’t give to do that again...

“What?” she said when he didn’t speak.

He tried to steer his mind back to safer territory. “Doesn’t hurt to call and ask.”

“But how will we know the guy we choose to hire is any good? And even if he is good, what if he doesn’t find anything to prove Sly’s complicity? It’s a risk, you know?”

He straightened in the booth. “I believe we know who did it,” he said, in deference to Jayden.

“So do I,” she said without hesitation.

“Then let’s prove it. We can check with Ed Shuler, the specialist I hired. See if he has any recommendations. He’s an ex-cop, might’ve worked with someone he could suggest. If not, we’ll have to use one of the guys I’ve found here.” He gestured at his phone. “The one from LA.”

She turned her glass around and around on the table, making a solid ring out of the condensation.

“Unless you want to leave town.” He studied her. He was essentially asking if there wasn’t something in Silver Springs she liked and, when she glanced up, he knew she understood that.

“I did want to go,” she said. “I’ve dreamed about it for a long time.”

“And now?”

Her lips curved into a self-conscious smile. “I wouldn’t be in any hurry if...if not for Sly.”

Dawson scooted lower in the booth. “Good. Let’s do it, then. We’ll split the cost.”

She grimaced. “No. I can’t let you bear any of the expense, not when you have so much at risk yourself, what with the farm and your sister and everything. It’ll be a loan, nothing more—and only if you’re positive you can afford to lend it to me without ruining what you’re trying to accomplish.”

“I’ve got a little padding.”

“Okay. But it’ll definitely be a loan. I won’t accept anything else.”

He lifted his glass. “Fine, a loan, then.”

The check came, and she tried to insist on paying for half of it.

“We’re here on business,” he said, handing her credit card back before the waiter could collect the tray.

“Eating Mexican food and drinking margaritas is business?” she scoffed.

“I brought you to LA to meet Angela, didn’t I? I’m covering meals and expenses.”

“Okay. But this feels more like a vacation. I can’t remember a meal I enjoyed more.”

“You’re easy to please.” He liked that about her, liked that she was real and down-to-earth and sensitive to other people’s situations and not just her own.

Something passed between them. Dawson almost reached across the table to take her hand. He thought she might let him, but he resisted. He needed to move slowly, to give her time to acclimate to having a different man in her life. He also needed to be careful. He’d never really fallen in love, didn’t have a lot of experience with it, and he definitely didn’t want to start something if it wasn’t going to work out.

She helped Jayden finish his picture while Dawson paid. Then they walked over to the motel. There were two double beds. Sadie and Jayden would be in one; he’d be in the other. But, as tired as Dawson was, he wasn’t sure he’d be getting any sleep. Long after the lights were out and they were settled in for the night, he found himself staring across the space that separated him from Sadie.