Free Nobody's Child by Austin Boyd Page B

out here. Let’s go clean you up.” They both sported black from head to foot where they’d poked about the edges of the barn after the main fire died, searching for some clues. In the deputy’s opinion, the transformer started it. No amount of evidence, whether visible footprints or Ian’s game-tracker logic, could change the deputy’s mind.
    Laura Ann nodded at Ian’s recommendation. “I smell like an ashtray.” The first glimmer of predawn lit up the eastern sky. She tugged at Ian, leading him into the house. “You can shower here and change into some of Daddy’s things.”
    â€œThanks for the offer, but your power’s out. Remember?”
    Her shoulders slumped for a moment, then she brightened and pointed to the back door. “We can draw water at the hand pump in the barn. I’ll heat you up a bath the old way.” She gestured toward the gas stove.
    Ian nodded. “I’ll get the water. You rest a minute,” he said, pulling a kitchen chair in her direction. On the way out he stopped at the back door and tested the lock but it spun free. “You still can’t secure the house?” he asked, spinning it again.
    â€œNever needed to. Until now.”
    Ian patted the doorjamb. “You sit tight. After we get cleaned up, I’ll fix this door.” He paused, watching her. “I think I should stay—if you don’t mind.”
    Laura Ann smiled. “I don’t mind at all,” she said, pointing at the busted lock. “I was hoping you’d ask.”
    An hour later, Laura Ann lay curled up next to Ian on the sofa of her tiny living room. He wore a set of Daddy’s overalls, freshly pressed. “I never expected to see these on anyone else.”She chuckled, pointing to the frayed knees. “Looks like you’re ready to work, Officer Stewart.”
    Ian squeezed her shoulder, pulling her closer to him. He swallowed hard, gritting his teeth.
    â€œWhat?” she asked.
    â€œI am,” he said, hesitating. “I mean, I
am
ready.”
    Laura Ann tilted her head to one side, raising an eyebrow. “Thank you, Ian. For everything.”
    â€œRest up, Miss McGehee. I’ve got your back,” he said with a playful pinch, then added, “and there’s no place else I’d rather be.”
    Laura Ann let those words ring in her ears for a long moment, then repeated after him. “No place else?” She raised a hand to his face, her fingers lingering on the line of his jaw, his breath moist on her cheek.
    â€œNowhere — but here.”
    She felt his jaw move under the tips of her fingers. Laura Ann shut her eyes, in wonder. Floating in a dream. She imagined she could hear him breathe, his heart pounding in her ears.
    As her eyes closed and heart raced, her lips parted of their own volition. A gentle warmth descended to meet her face, his lips brushing against hers, tentative, then pressing again with a tender confidence.
    She melted into him.
    Laura Ann padded into the kitchen a few minutes before ten, rubbing at the grit in her eyes. The world looked so different this time of morning. Most of her life she’d been awake before the sun. Not today. Ian greeted her from a seat at her breakfast table.
    â€œHello there, sleepyhead.” He stood and grabbed a chair, pulling it out for her. Laura Ann couldn’t remember the last person who did that. She yawned and plopped into the seat.With two of the gas burners aflame on the old Tappan range, the kitchen was toasty warm. Ian opened the door of the old white gas oven, a pan of fresh biscuits browned and ready.
    â€œYou cooked these?” she asked, diving into the pan with the spatula that he offered. Ian set a jar of pear preserves on the table and brought over a pot of coffee. She waved off the drink.
    â€œSuit yourself.” He freshened up his own cup and sat down. “The calf is feeding,” he said, sipping coffee and