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firstborn son and a descendent of the first Blackwoods in Tanger, they carried the middle name of their ancestors. Dax was thankful his was Gideon. Clint was saddled with Cornelius.
    “I’m cooperating with the insurance investigator so we can get the money to rebuild the restaurant.” Dax wasn’t going to let anyone push him around, not even his cousin. “You got a problem with that?”
    “I got a problem with you hanging around with her. She burned her bridges, dude. Mostly on you.” Clint nudged Lucas. “Back me up here, bro.”
    Redheaded Lucas frowned. “We’re just looking out for you, Dax. It’s bad news to fall into old habits.”
    “She’s not a habit. She’s not staying.” Unless of course she went to the Triple B with him. They didn’t need to know all his business.
    “Ginger-boy is right. Don’t pick up with Miss Priss again. It’s bad news.”
    “That’s enough.” Dax’s temper bubbled up fast and hard. “This is my life and y’all have no right. I damn well did my best to get over what happened. It’s the past . Stop throwing it in my face like cold vomit.”
    Lucas held up his hands. “I’m Switzerland, man.”
    Clint stood up, scowling. “Family is more important than women. You can be pissed at me if you like but she ain’t worth your time.” He walked off toward his Jeep parked around the side of the building.
    When Sophie walked out, Lucas stood. He saluted Dax and disappeared around the other side of the pumper. His friend worked at the Triple B so he would no doubt see Sophie if she was there in the morning.
    It wasn’t something Dax was going to worry about. He was hungry and it had been a long afternoon.
    “Dinner is at six thirty. We’ll be late but if we leave now, we can get some hot food.” He opened the truck door. “And a shower.”
    Those were apparently the magic words. She climbed in and he shut the door behind her.
    He wondered if he’d just made the biggest mistake of his life.
     
     
    The ride out to the Triple B took about twenty minutes. Sophie spent her time counting the seconds, pressed up against the door and regretting her decision. Sleeping in a musty cot in a firehouse alone wasn’t a smart choice. Sleeping at the ranch was a dumb choice.
    She watched the town roll past, achingly familiar sights and new ones as well. Her parents had come to Tanger for her father’s job when she was a baby. As the only large animal vet within a hundred miles, in addition to a volunteer firefighter, he’d been busy constantly in and around the town. They had been killed in a car accident with a truck on the highway coming back from visiting her at college in Houston.
    In one tragic moment, she lost the family she loved and the stability she needed. Then she lost Dax, or perhaps she let him go. Her life wiped clean, leaving her with nothing but empty days and lonely nights. Moving to Houston gave her a chance to start again. She’d used her smarts and her skills, along with a sublet from a college roommate, to remake herself.
    She’d never doubted her decision was the right one. Until now. Until she sat in the same seat she’d occupied too many times to count, in the truck of the boy turned man who’d taught her how to love. Regret wasn’t something she would allow herself to feel, but damned if she didn’t feel melancholy for what she’d lost, what she’d given up.
    “What did you find at the site?” Dax’s voice startled her.
    “Site?” She had to pull her mind back from the memory lane that had captured her thoughts.
    “Cindy’s Restaurant? You’re investigating the fire.” His tone was amused.
    That rattled her cage. “You know I can’t share that information with you. I work for your insurance company, not you or the fire department.”
    “We fought that fire as best we could.”
    She didn’t reply. The truth was, she agreed with him. The evidence showed her they laid down a perimeter of water, as well as dug a ditch between the