Into the Fire Read Online Free PDF Page B

will be able to step up.”
    “I don’t think that’ll be a problem after today,” Chris said, reaching into his back pocket. He took out a folded-up newspaper clipping. “This was on the front page of today’s paper.”
    She reached out and took it. It was a picture of the two of them, standing and staring at the burned-out building just before she’d left last night. It was easy to see she’d been crying, and she looked a fright, while Chris was tall and clean and gorgeous. But his face was troubled as he stood just behind her. Anyone with long memories would be commenting on them being in the same picture together, wouldn’t they? But it didn’t seem to matter. Seeing the damaged building in the photo made the feelings of despair come rushing back all over again.
    She scanned the article, which talked about the devastating fire, the ongoing investigation into the cause, the animals killed and the challenge of what was next for the animals saved. Her gaze darted up to Chris’s. “There’s a fundraiser on the go already?”
    “One of the guys at work has a kid in 4-H. They’re going to have some sort of bake sale. I heard about it first thing this morning. And there’s been a donation account set up at the bank to cover the vet bills and other expenses.”
    She put her fingers to her lips. “I don’t know what to say.”
    “People believe in what you were doing, Ally. You belong to this town. Didn’t you think they would help?”
    “But it was so hard to get sponsors when I started. I never thought…”
    He put a hand on her shoulder. “You never thought they’d believe in you, is that it? But you proved yourself. You made it work and people saw that. And now they’re lining up to support you when you need it most.”
    It was hard to take in. “I don’t know what to say.”
    “Give yourself some credit. Yesterday was a terrible day, but the upside is seeing a community pull together. Now what can I do to help?”
    “Nothing. You’ve done so much already,” she answered, folding the article and tucking it into her pocket. She still couldn’t quite believe it.
    “I’m sure something will come up.” He dropped his hand from her shoulder. “Let me know. You know where to find me.”
    She certainly did.
    “The board is having an emergency meeting in an hour or so,” she said, stepping back. “I’ve got to go get ready for that. Just let me know if the investigation turns anything up, okay? That’s the best thing you can do for me right now.”
    She took another step backwards.
    “Ally? About last night—”
    “Let’s just forget about that.” She pasted on a smile even though she knew forgetting it was about as impossible as forgetting her own name. The truth was nothing had been the same since she’d broken off their relationship. No one had ever made her feel fireworks like Chris, made her come apart with complete abandon. And it had only taken his hands . She wasn’t quite comfortable admitting that to herself, and she sure as hell didn’t know what she wanted to do about it.
    “Forget about it.” His expression grew cold. “If that’s really what you want.”
    “I think so. Emotions were high, that’s all…” She had to get away now before she started stammering and said too much. “But thank you, Chris. For bringing me my bag and for the article. I’ll see you around.”
    She grabbed for her purse and turned around, hurrying back to the sidewalk and safety.

Chapter Three
    In the seventy-two hours since the fire, it amazed Ally how much could be accomplished. Her heart swelled when she thought of how the community had rallied around what her father called her pet project . He always laughed when he said it, chuckling at his own pun. But Ally had always felt the sting. She knew her parents were disappointed she hadn’t finished her degree. They’d had high hopes for her. Working for a hair over minimum wage in retail pretty much guaranteed that she couldn’t afford