Chapter 87

“Whoa there,” he said, holding up his hand. “They want to check your oxygen levels again before releasing you.”

“Where’s Lance?” Wade demanded.

“Calm down. He’s with the horses. He’s been a big help. I just got off the phone with Roger from Marsh Ranch and they’re bringing their trailers to transport our horses there. Can’t keep them in our barn, clearly.”

Wade sat down. Knowing Lance was safe was a huge relief. “Hell of a thing to happen on Christmas Eve.” He eyed the barn, now covered in foam and snow, while the firemen checked for areas that might still be burning. “I can’t believe how fast they put the fire out.”

“Yeah. The heavy snowfall helped, not to mention the ranch hands who had started tackling the blaze before the firemen arrived. They’re all pretty freaking amazing. And at least half of the barn looks salvageable.” He rubbed a hand over his face and looked Wade in the eyes. “I talked to the captain. It was definitely arson.”

Wade wasn’t surprised. He knew exactly who was responsible, too. 21

Lance

Christmas Eve had been a blur of activity. The fire, getting the horses corralled and into the Marsh Ranch trailers, and Wade’s dash into the burning barn—it had all happened so fast, Lance’s head was still spinning.

What had started out as a relaxed holiday evening with his new family—one he’d hoped would become an annual tradition—had turned into chaos. Lance had just focused on helping in any way he could and getting through the crisis, because if he let himself think about what Wade had done, he’d have ended up screaming like a crazy man.

When Wade had run into the burning barn, his heart had fallen to his feet. Frozen to the ground, he’d watched in horror as the man he loved risked his life. It had taken every ounce of willpower not to run after him. Rationally, Lance knew Wade wouldn’t have gone in if he’d felt it was too dangerous, but Lance also knew how much those horses meant to him and he might have thrown caution to the wind. Lance had kept his thoughts to himself, though, assisting as best he could while trying to keep an eye on the barn at the same time.

The snow had been coming down so hard, it was difficult to see what was happening at the barn door, but the flames had still been visible. When a horse had come bursting out toward Lance, he’d run for the reins, his heart racing at the sight of Stardust. He’d glanced over at the door to see two men running out and instantly knew Wade was one of them, even if they were too hard to see through the snow.

As he’d tried to soothe Stardust, Casey had given him a quick update. Wade was being looked over by the paramedics, but that he seemed okay.

“I know you’re worried, but I need all hands on deck, Lance.”

He nodded at his best friend. “I know. I’m here to do whatever you need.” As long as I know Wade’s all right, I can do anything.

Lance spent a large chunk of time trying to get the frightened horses loaded into the trailers, which was no easy feat. The horses were having none of it and they spent a long time cajoling them and tugging on the reins. When the last one had finally been secured, he’d made his way to Wade.

Lance had found him sitting at the back of the ambulance, his legs dangling over the edge, and grasped Wade’s hand, letting the tears well up in his eyes.

They’d stayed that way, silent among the chaos, until the paramedic had released him. Once the fire department left, and the horses were sent to Marsh Ranch, everyone had headed inside to bed. Allyson and Lorna had cleaned up everything in the great room and the family evening was forgotten.

Lance and Wade had showered and climbed into bed, too exhausted and dejected to do anything more. They hadn’t talked about the fire yet—it was just too much to handle at the moment. They would have a lot to discuss in the morning.

Wade had lain back and Lance had rolled into his open arms, letting Wade’s strong limbs hold him tight. Tears came and went between them, as they shared gentle caresses, soft kisses, and warm embraces. In that moment, it had been enough just to be together. To know they were okay. To know they’d survived something that could have been more tragic than they allowed themselves to imagine.

Instead of focusing on the awfulness of the situation, they reveled in being close and fell asleep in each other’s arms.