Page 44 of Moonlight & Matrimony (Oak Ridge #2)

Luca

? Fire and the Flood - Vance Joy

“ I vy, wake up!” Something is very wrong — I can feel it in my bones. After the encounter in her studio, Ivy and I stumbled back to my bedroom in a haze of lust where I took her every which way before collapsing into a deep sleep, only to wake up hours later to an uneasy feeling roiling in my gut.

“Mmm,” she moans, and the sound has my cock rising to the occasion. As much as I’d love to sink back into her right now, there’s a prickling sense of unease surging through me, and I need to find out why. I gently shake her shoulders, hoping to rouse her from sleep. “Ivy. Sweetheart.”

“What’s going on, Luca?” she mumbles, her glassy eyes slowly opening.

“I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out. I’ll be right back, okay?”

She frantically reaches out to snag my wrist. “No. Wait. I’ll come with you.”

“Stay. I’ll come back for you, I promise.”

Without further argument, she sits up, a look of concern etched on her delicate features. “Be careful,” she whispers, clutching my hand as if her life depends on it. I give her a reassuring squeeze before throwing on a hoodie and heading out the door.

The acrid stench of smoke laced with something bitter and unnatural permeates the air as I descend the staircase to the main floor.

Last night, Evelyn texted that Ry had fallen asleep in the truck and offered to let her stay at the ranch.

For the first time since they came to live with me, I’m grateful Rylin isn’t here.

When I round the corner into the kitchen, a flash of something blinding catches my eye through the windows to the backyard. “FUCK!” I shout, clamoring up the stairs as I pull my phone from my pocket.

“Ivy! The workshop is on fire. We have to get out of the house in case it spreads.”

Her eyes fly to mine with a look of sheer panic as she frantically stumbles to her feet, throwing on whatever clothing she can find. I take her hand, dragging her down the stairs behind me, dialing emergency services as we go.

As the line clicks over, I guide Ivy safely across the street to stand in front of the neighbor’s house as we watch the flames consume my workshop, the harsh flickering light of the fire illuminating everything in its path. “9-1-1, what's your emergency?”

“My name is Luca. I live at 542 Pinecrest Lane. My workshop is on fire.”

“Got it. How big is the fire? Is it spreading?”

“The entire roof is engulfed, but it hasn’t spread yet.” I glance over at Ivy in my oversized t-shirt — this isn't how I wanted to see her in my clothes for the first time. Her normally neat hair is a bit disheveled, and her hands are trembling slightly.

“Ok, Luca. Help is on the way. Are you and anyone else safely away from the building?”

“Yes. The workshop is in the backyard. Me and my wife are across the street.”

“Good. Sit tight. The fire department is on the way. Are there any hazardous materials in the workshop, like chemicals or propane?”

“Yes, I have stains and solvents in there.” Fuck. My mind immediately jumps to the very real possibility that the fire could spread to the house.

“Stay put and keep yourself and your family safe. The fire department will be there as soon as possible.”

Ivy’s face pales, her knees giving out as she collapses to the ground. “Luca. Chance, Sage, and Hazel are in the house.”

I let out a strangled curse. Covering my mouth with my hoodie, I rush back towards the house, Ivy’s cries carrying across the empty street, pleading for me to stay back.

As I enter through the front door, I’m engulfed in a cloud of smoke.

Keeping my head down, I venture down the narrow hallway to Hazel and Chance’s enclosure first.

Adjusting my shirt over my mouth and nose, I quickly open the pink travel crate that Ivy uses for vet visits, scooping each cat inside, not without protest from the furry creatures.

Once they’re both safely tucked inside, I walk over to Sage’s kennel next.

The whining pup is crouched in the corner with her ears pulled back.

“I’ve got you, girl,” I soothe, the sound of my voice muffled by my makeshift mask.

I clip on Sage’s lead and head back towards the front door, not stopping to check the state of the ever-growing fire still roaring in the distance.

“You fucking reckless, stupid, idiot of a man!” Ivy screeches as I meet her on the sidewalk. “You could’ve gotten yourself hurt or killed!”

“I’m okay,” I say, handing her Sage’s lead as I place the crate on the sidewalk.

Gently cupping the back of her head, I bring her cheek to rest on my chest, allowing her to feel my steady heartbeat.

“Everything is going to be okay,” I whisper, my voice horse from the smoke.

I don’t think I’ll ever get that smell out of my nose.

As the fire continues to rage, silhouettes of emergency vehicles start to appear, their flashing lights adding an eerie soundtrack to the chaotic scene. A familiar figure hops out of the truck. “Ivy, Luca. Everybody ok?” Liam asks. “Where’s Rylin?”

“She’s with Evie,” she says.

A look of relief flashes over his features as he secures his mask, then follows the rest of the crew into the fray. The sight of firefighters moving decisively towards the fire brings a small measure of relief amid the devastation.

When Liam’s not behind the bar, or pulling double duty at home with Aiden, he’s volunteering at the fire station. He’s a broody motherfucker most of the time, but he’s a good guy and an amazing dad.

“Luca. Your workshop. All of your projects.” Ivy’s face is etched with a heavy mixture of worry and exhaustion as she takes a seat on the curb.

“Everything can be replaced.” I keep my tone calm and reassuring, but inside I’m struggling to contain my devastation.

Questions swirl over how this could have happened.

Did I leave something plugged in? What if Rylin had been home, and we didn’t wake up in time?

Every possibility, every devastating thought races around in my mind as the firefighters work to control the blaze.

I sink down beside her as my phone chimes with a notification.

Cade: Are y’all okay? Heard there’s a fire in your area.

Luca: Workshop is on fire. Everybody is safe.

Paige: WHAT?! Why didn’t you call me?

Luca: Calm down, sis. I haven’t had a chance to do much of anything.

Dean: Do you need anything? What can we do?

Luca: Don’t know much yet. We’ll keep you updated.

What feels like hours later, Ivy and I are still perched on the curb, her head resting on my shoulder, eyes closed.

Liam’s sympathetic voice shakes me out of my thoughts.

“I’m sorry, man. It’s a total loss.” I nod, resignation flooding my veins.

“Look, I really shouldn’t be telling you this, but if it were me, I’d want to know. It looks like arson.”

Ivy’s head snaps up, a panicked expression on her face, and tension racks my body at the revelation. “What do we do now?”

“Fire and arson investigators will want to look into it. You’ll need to air out the house, but as far as I can tell, it’s otherwise unharmed. I’d give it a few days to clear out before going back in. Do you have somewhere you can stay?”

“Yeah,” Ivy says, cutting off my denial. “Evie and Russell wouldn’t mind lending us a cabin.”

“Ok. If I hear anything else, I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks, Li. For everything.”

“Sure. Y'all stay safe.”

Ivy

Less than 24 hours ago, I was damn near ready to open up my heart and let Luca in, but it’s like the universe knew and decided to remind me why I can’t let that happen.

We arrive at the ranch shortly after the fire trucks disappear down the street.

I call Evelyn on the way over, and she greets us with a tight hug and a watery smile.

Russell follows us to the guest cabin on horseback, pulling me into one of his signature dad hugs.

I hold him a little tighter than usual, soaking in his warmth to calm my frazzled state.

Once I get inside, the first thing I want to do is get the smell of smoke out of my hair and skin, but my efforts are futile. No matter how long I shower or how hard I scrub, the scent clings to me, stubborn and intrusive, like an unwelcome ghost.

Resigned to a restless night, I settle on the worn leather couch and send Luca off to the bedroom in hopes that maybe one of us can get some rest, but he returns an hour later and we sit in silence until the sun crests over the landscape, illuminating the breathtaking views of Whispering Oaks Ranch.

Luca’s presence is an unexpected comfort amidst the heightened emotions lingering from the night before.

Evie brings Rylin over after the farm chores are completed, and while it's a balm to my soul to have my girl in my arms, I can’t muster enough strength to explain the situation.

We tell her we’re going to have an extended sleepover with Gigi for a little while, but we don’t elaborate.

Thankfully, the idea of waking up at the ranch every day seems to appeal to her little 4-year-old heart, and the conversation ends there.

I know we’ll have to explain things someday, but I can’t even wrap my head around everything that’s happened, let alone explain it in a way that Ry could understand.

“Come on, lovebug. Let’s give mommy some time to settle in, okay?

” Evelyn guides Rylin back down the steps as I stare off into oblivion, and Luca follows them out, leaving me alone with only my thoughts for company.

No matter how much I want to give myself over to Luca, body and soul, I can’t.

And between the alleged arson and my ever-growing feelings for my husband, I’m drained. There isn’t anything left to give.