Free Hearths of Fire by Kennedy Layne

morning when I got the paper I left it unlocked,”
     Charlotte replied, not moving from where she sat. He could join her at the table and
     maybe she could finally say what she wanted to. “I was here, so it wasn’t like someone
     was going to come in and rob the place. This is Hearth, remember?”
    “You now live where a cult is residing, so I think that changes things. As for a key,
     I took the spare that your parents always kept in the side table.” Neal closed the
     distance and joined Charlotte at the table, causing her to realize that his demeanor
     was more serious than last night. She wasn’t sure how that was even possible, but
     his features seemed to be set in stone. “I spoke with Sheriff Plinkton. You were right
     about the livestock going missing. Unfortunately they can’t tie the stolen animals
     to Ashes to Dirt.”
    Charlotte felt an uneasy feeling settle around them, pushing aside what she’d wanted
     to discuss. Mandy’s safety came first and it was sounding like what Neal had discovered
     wasn’t in favor of that. She needed to do something with her hands, so she rose from
     the table and went about pouring him a cup of coffee.
    “Does he think they are sacrificing them?” Charlotte asked, not really wanting to
     know the answer. The thought of what might have happened to those animals made her
     sick. “Has he sent anyone out to their property?”
    “Yes, but unless they have probable cause he or his deputies can’t get a warrant from
     the county judge to search the property.” Neal gave Charlotte a half smile when she
     handed him the cup. At least he didn’t seem as uncomfortable with her as he did last
     night. She backed up a few steps to lean against the counter, thinking over their
     options. “Which is why I’m heading over there now. I also shared with the sheriff
     what Becky overheard yesterday and he’s going to pay a visit on her today.”
    “I’m coming with you,” Charlotte stated, feeling better about the situation now that
     she was helping. She turned and reached for her cell, which had been on the counter.
     She’d never formally met Garreth’s parents, although she’d seen them once or twice
     around town. She ignored the trembling in her fingers at what their first encounter
     might entail. “I’ll call Pam at the shop and make sure she—”
    “Char, you’re not going with me.”
    “Yes, I am.” Charlotte whipped around to find that Neal was standing directly in front
     of her. His intensity caused her voice to catch, but if he thought for one second
     that he was going out to that property without her he was sorely mistaken. “This is
     my sister, Neal. She’s been dating this boy for almost two months and I’ve never met
     his parents. What happens when you leave? I’m left here to deal with them by myself
     and I think it’s best I meet them with you by my side.”
    Charlotte cringed at how her last sentence must have sounded to him. It wasn’t like
     they were married and while she had every intention of addressing what had happened
     back then, it didn’t change the fact that he would leave come tomorrow. What clearing
     the air would do was give her the closure she hadn’t even realized she’d been missing.
     First they needed to get through this day and she did her best to stare him down.
     It wasn’t easy when his green eyes practically penetrated her soul.
    “Fine. We’ll go together, but I do the talking,” Neal warned, turning and taking those
     couple of steps back toward his seat. “The drive out there will also give us time
     to figure out dinner this evening. There are some things I’d like to cover with you
     before I start asking Garreth some questions. Is Mandy around?”
    “She went to take a shower,” Charlotte answered, watching Neal as he sat and dug into
     the breakfast she’d made. At least someone would enjoy it. She rejoined him at the
     table, reminding herself she still needed to call Pam. “So what