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lifeline Tom had just tossed. “It might not have anything to do with Jeremy.”
    Liz placed her hand gently on Sal’s arm. “I know you’re upset. But you saved me.” She smiled into his eyes. “Thank you. You are a dear friend.”
    Their eyes locked and silent messages flashed between them.
    An embarrassed flush, probably caused by his emotional overreaction, covered Sal’s neck. She knew he was trying to save face when he nodded and started to turn away.
    Suddenly, a deafening roar filled the air. The ground shook from the force of the explosion and a fireball shot at least fifty feet into the air.
    Even though Liz stood on the ridge, she could still feel the heat from the bright orange-yellow flames that were turning her patrol car into liquid metal and ash. Thick, black, acrid smoke billowed through the air, filling her lungs, burning her eyes and causing her throat to spasm with violent coughs.
    Grateful that she had been pulled from the vehicle in time, she couldn’t help but wonder if her luck would hold next time. That uneasy sixth sense she’d come to rely on over the years sped along her nerve endings and twisted her gut into painful knots. Liz was certain that it wasn’t if there’d be a next time—but when.

FIVE
    “L izzie.”
    Strong hands spun her around and she found herself cradled against a broad, rock-solid chest. She breathed in the tantalizing mix of spicy aftershave and maleness.
    “It’s going to be all right.” Adam’s voice rumbled against the top of her head and when he spoke his breath fanned through her hair like a welcome summer breeze.
    For an instant, Liz allowed herself the luxury of accepting his comfort. She burrowed deeply into the warmth of his arms as if it were a restful cocoon from all harm. For just this one precious moment, she wasn’t Sheriff Bradford needing to organize a crime scene. She wasn’t a woman living with past hurts and unanswered questions. She was simply Lizzie—a woman cradled in the arms of a man who had once laughed with her, protected her and loved her.
    His arms felt so good. Her cheek pressed against his chest reminded her of teenage years where a hug could last for hours and a kiss… She didn’t think she would ever be able to forget the tenderness or feel of his kiss.
    Then the moment passed. Time to come back to real life.
    Gently, but with determination, she pushed against his chest and stepped back. “Adam, I’d appreciate it if you’d check on Jeremy. He needs you right now.”
    She didn’t wait for an answer or dare to look into his golden-brown eyes for fear she might not have the strength to turn away. She had loved this man with her whole heart—and he’d shattered it into a thousand pieces. She had no intention of giving him the chance to do it again.
    She took a second to size up the situation, noting the fire trucks and additional state troopers who had arrived on the scene, the gridlock of parked cars as their occupants stood on the edge of the chaos, watching. She took control and stepped back into sheriff mode as if she hadn’t missed a beat.
    “Tom, I just saw Davenport pull up. I’ll brief him on the current situation. I’d like you to start making your way through the crowd and see what you can find out. Maybe someone noticed someone running away from the scene.”
    “Yeah, let’s hope they were carrying a high-powered rifle when it ain’t hunting season. That would sew it up for us nice and neat.”
    “You never know who saw what until you ask, right? Go work your magic and I’ll meet up with you later.
    “Darlene, leave me your car. You can grab a ride back to the office with Sal. I want you to start going through the files and make a list of all our unhappy customers.”
    “That’s going to be an awfully long list, Sheriff. I don’t think any of our customers are too happy when we arrest them.”
    Liz smiled. “Granted. But I want you to pay attention to anyone we arrested that was particularly