Tanner kicked at a frozen chunk of blackened snow, his temper smouldering like the jumbled pile of metal, wood, and hay in front of him. Two firemen and a constable were rummaging in the mess with portable extinguishers. The marshall was beside him, taking notes.

"So you saw the smoke, and grabbed the hose, but when you sprayed the flames, they spread faster?"

"It was like the fire had a mind of its own. It followed a path along the metal side of the building, and then the hay went up like a roman candle the minute it caught," Tanner said.

The early morning had yielded no new information as he had travelled back out to the site, other than the fire had given them a total loss. Jake was already onto insurance and finding a contractor to come clean up. He also said he would check in with Brady. Tanner was left to deal with the actual problem, which was how to find sixty five-footer round grass hay bales to make it to summer. The hay in the feeders that he'd put out yesterday would last a few days, and Harry was bringing up some of the smaller four-footers from the shed near the main barns, but they wouldn't last long.

It was a headache he didn't need.

The marshall furrowed his brow. "It sounds like there was an accelerant. Water won't do diddley if there's oil or gas under where the flame is. Similar to if you have a fire in your pan on the stove, you smother it. Water will just spread the burning droplets of oil."

"Shit," Tanner swore. "How was I supposed to know?"

"You don't use gas as a weed killer out here, do you?" the marshall asked, and Tanner glared at him.

"No, too close to the water source for the cattle. That would be dumb."

They turned at the sound of a truck trundling in, and Harry with a truck and wagon loaded with hay arrived. Tanner and the marshall met the truck as Harry killed the engine and leaned out the door.

"Got somethin' to show you," he said. His face was grim, and Tanner knew that look. Something had happened. He wasn't sure how much more he could deal with before he lost his cool, but he nodded curtly.

Harry strode around to the truck bed, and opened the tailgate. Three fire extinguishers, with foam-crusted holes exploding out their sides were in the back.

"Where were these?" Tanner asked sharply.

"At the road," Harry said, pointing back along the lane. "Saw 'em pokin' out of the snow on the turn."

The marshall turned one with the end of his pen, and sighed. "Mr. West, I think we might be looking at an arson investigation. Dammit."

"Arson." Tanner blinked. "Could that be why the damned hay went so quick? Doused in something?"

"Highly likely, given the means to put out the fire was blatantly taken and destroyed like this. Can I take these?"

Tanner gestured out. They weren't much use to him now. The marshall pulled out gloves from his pocket and hefted them over to his truck, setting them into the back. Tanner shoved his hands in his pockets and coughed, turning away to look out over the field. His fingers curled into fists, the impulse to find a crowbar and beat at something while howling making him clench his jaw shut to keep him from shouting obscenities in frustration.

Harry joined him, hands in his pockets, also scanning the field. "I think Brady's accident and this mess might be connected."

It made sense, if you looked at it. Yesterday's accident, and now this. Someone was targeting them. Why, and who was the question.

"Why the fuck would someone do this?" Tanner muttered. "What do they gain from it?"

"Dunno son, but listen. I'll ask around. People talk," Harry replied.

"I appreciate that. Be careful though. If this is someone local, and they get wind—"

"Will do," Harry said, and turned as the marshall rejoined them.

"I'll bring out the investigators, and we'll get started. I'll need to rope off the area. Your men can come to tend to the cattle but otherwise, stay out."

"Understood," Tanner clipped. "I think I'll head back. Harry, unload those over by the gate. We'll need to check our other outbuildings, make sure they've not been tampered with."

Harry saluted and made his way to the tractor that had been left behind last night. The marshall quickly spun out of the yard , and Tanner was left standing alone, the odd psshht noise from the crew still rummaging through what was left of the building harsh in the still of the morning air. Tanner eyed over the cattle nosing at the feeders, settled now that everything was calmer.

Thank God it hadn't been more cattle they lost, especially these ones, due to begin calving soon. Last year had been bad enough with the three that had been slaughtered right under their noses, but this was different. This was obvious, out in the open, and a blatant message. He'd been up here, they'd likely seen him, and had set the blaze when his back was turned.

He growled and kicked at another chunk of snow and stomped towards his truck, pissed off that he'd not been able to catch them. Hands on the wheel, eyes roving over the burnt remains, the thresher off to one side, he finally let out the scream he'd been holding in, pounding on the wheel. Last night was still fresh in his memory, and he slumped forward, hating the defeat running through him. He had been a stupid idiot, running into the building like that. All of them had. He coughed as he thought it. He still had tightness in his chest, like a vise around his lungs.

Starting the truck, he wearily waved at Harry as he turned and headed back out towards the ranch. He had a lot of shit to do, and he couldn't sit here wallowing, no matter how reluctant he was to actually move. It wouldn't change anything.

As he pulled out onto the road, Liana in her little red car sped past, giant sunglasses shielding her face, her hair wild around her head. He had half a mind to run her down, stop her and find out just what the fuck changed last night in the blink of an eye. She'd gone from open and soft to closed up, running from him. He'd given her the out, because the panic he'd caught in her eyes had stopped him cold.

He wasn't ready to admit how much it hurt when she ran from the room. What they'd started in the shower had shook him, because that had been one of the hottest hand jobs he'd ever experienced. She'd gotten him so worked up provoking him to tell her how much he wanted her, he'd blown his load in minutes, insulting his normal stamina. Not that he minded. It had eased every single cord of tension in his body.

Maybe he'd triggered memories he shouldn't have with the damned cream, but he didn't regret it. She needed to know he still cared, that what was happening between them wasn't just for fun. But he'd once again misread her completely, because she obviously wasn't ready to hear it.

He stayed put to watch the car disappear into the distance, and then turned his truck towards the ranch, deciding one battle was enough for the day. Today, the ranch was more important than his personal life. It irritated him, because for once, he was bucking against that idea that it had to be one or the other. It felt foreign, like something inside him was prying at a tiny crack to break it wide open.

If he gave her time to settle, maybe she'd come back. He could only hope because not having her in his life wasn't negotiable any more.

He pulled into the driveway at the house a few minutes later. As he parked, his father's old Lincoln pulled in behind him. Keith got out of the driver's side, and Caitlin and Brady emerged from the back seat. A wave of relief flowed through Tanner as Brady stood up, stretched, and when he saw Tanner, he waved.

One less worry with Brady being discharged and home earlier than expected. He wasn't due back until this afternoon. Tanner strode over and folded his brother into a hug, surprising himself with how much he needed the contact from him, to settle his up and down nerves.

"This is unexpected," Brady said, and patted Tanner on the back. "You okay?"

Tanner cleared his throat and stepped back, caught red-handed being emotional, and Caitlin set her hand on his bicep. "Tanner, we heard about the fire. I'm so sorry."

He looked down at the woman who had his brother's heart, and was now carrying their child, unexpectedly thankful for her, more emotion weaving into his head, making him uncomfortable. He nodded, and tried to smile.

"Been a zoo here," he clipped, and then coughed.

She gave him a strange look and leaned in towards him.

"Come see me once we have Brady settled. I want to listen to your lungs. Jake and Rowan too."

"Yes ma'am," he replied. Brady grabbed his duffel from the back and gestured towards Caitlin's house. "Let's go. I want to be stationary for a bit. The Lincoln is smooth, but the drive made my head swim. I'll come by the office later, you can fill me in, okay?"

"Only if you want to," Tanner replied. "Don't overdo it."

Brady paused. "I don't like this, Tanner. It feels wrong. The building wouldn't just go up on its own," he said as Caitlin put her arm around his waist. Brady wasn't stupid, and Tanner had never sugar coated it for him before.

"Might as well tell you now. The marshall thinks it was arson. Harry found the extinguishers blown out in the ditch up the road," Tanner said.

"Well shit, might mean the accid—" Keith asked, joining them.

"We don't know," Tanner cut Keith off before he said what he thought he might say, not wanting to upset Caitlin. "Investigators are on it. We just have to be more careful for a few days."

"Anything I can do to help?" Keith asked then, catching on.

"Can you check our other outbuildings today, and make sure the extinguishers are there? My crew is already at full speed today."

"Can do. I'll park this boat and get to it then," Keith said, and gave his son a pat on his arm. "Go get some rest, let this one mother you a bit, yeah?"

Brady laughed quietly and kissed Caitlin on the top of her head. "I don't have a choice in that. Thanks Dad."

Everyone left, and once again Tanner was standing alone. The urge to scream hit him—again. He had so much to do, but with his entire body aching and his thoughts racing a mile a minute, nothing felt right. He looked around him, and the stable door opened, a boarder leaving to get into her fancy car.

He strode towards the stable, frustration pulling him towards one of the only places he could let his thoughts out without anyone bothering him for something. He mounted the steps into the loft two at a time, grabbed the first square bale he could find, and threw it towards the loft chute with a muttered "fuck". Then he opened the end loft door, sat on his ass, breathed in the sweet scent of hay joining fresh, clear winter air, and let the tears come.

Tanner's phone pinged about a half hour later and he reluctantly descended from the loft. Liz was walking up the aisle and when she saw him she veered over and put a hand on his chest. Stopping him.

"You need to talk?" she asked quietly. "You look like shit, Tan."

"I'm okay. Needed a minute," he said, looking away from her. She stepped back, pinning him with one of her no-bullshit stares that was just like her mother. Tanner waited for the implied scolding he was about to receive.

"Caitlin's looking for you. I think she's going to poke you and then tell you what an idiot you were last night. She already worked Jake over. He may have enjoyed it a little too much."

"She just texted me. She doesn't understand the risks we take every day to keep this place goin', Lizzie. But I'll let her. Good to have someone who can patch us up when we need it, maybe."

"You'll need patching from the beating I give you if you ever do that again. Risks? Risks that you don't need to take, you damned fool," Liz shot back. "We could be visiting you in the hospital now, if Jake hadn't shoved you out the door when he did. As it is, he singed his hair and has burns on his arms."

"He does?" Tanner said. Jake hadn't said a word.

"The wall fell just as he pushed you, and he had to shimmy out from under it. He saved your ass and almost lost his, for fuck's sake."

Tanner coughed, tightness pulling across his chest again. Jake had put his life on the line for him, and that turned his stomach. His older brother had jumped into it more than once without thinking, but this time, he'd followed Tanner in and...

"He didn't say anything to me. I—" Tanner hung his head. Getting mad about it now wouldn't help.

"He'd do it again in a hot minute, Tanner. He loves you," Liz said, and poked him in the chest once more.

He frowned, and Liz tched under her breath.

"Not tryin' to make you feel bad, dammit. You're important, you know. To a lot of people."

"I know. Just been a couple of hard days. I—"

"Liana left in a hurry too. I watched her pile into her car and spray gravel as she left. You two have words?" Liz prompted and Tanner leaned against the wall of the stable and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. HIs head was starting to ache now too

"No. None of your business either," he replied. Liz thinned her lips, crossed her arms and then sighed, softening her stance.

"Fine. Don't let it fester. She cares about you, lord knows why. Now go see Caitlin before she sends out a search party."

Tanner turned and left. Wood shavings from the open bedding bag near Liz hit him in the back of the head with a paff, showering around him. He turned back to Liz with her tongue out at him. She was attempting to make him laugh and feel better and he appreciated it, even if it was childish. He ran his hand over his head to brush off the shavings, rewarded her with a quirky grin, and left before she threw anything else more noxious at him.

The steam from his breath followed him as he made his way over towards the cattle barn, the air cold, turning colder as the weather report had said. He enjoyed this weather normally, the crispness of the Prairie air was refreshing and invigorating. Today his chest hurt the moment he breathed.

The cattle barn was warmer, relieving the ache in Tanner's chest as he stepped through the side door. Bobby was singing to a song on the radio, Kevin beside him whistling along as they scrubbed feeder bins. Steaming water was sluicing everywhere, the dust from the grain mix slowly sliding like sludge towards the drains. Bobby was an enthusiastic, yet terrible singer. He scoffed and smiled. They were a pair, those two.

Tanner stuck his head in and they both stood straight, looking over at him, turning off the hose.

"Anyone check east feed lots today?"

"They're fine, boss, we sent the lads up earlier," Bobby said, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. "We might have extra hay up there if we need to transfer over to North pasture for the heifers."

"Do a count and let me know," Tanner replied, then stopped, eyeballing both men. They'd been with him awhile now, and both had come through last night. Bobby especially, helping them lift that damned door. He hoped no one else was hurt. He should ask Caitlin to look in on everyone who was there, but wondered if that would be too much to ask. She wasn't a staffer he could just order around. She was family, and one that needed to rest when she wasn't working.

"Appreciate your help last night. I know it wasn't easy," Tanner added. Both men bobbed their heads. "You both feelin' okay? No cough or chest hurting?"

"No, we're both fine. Do we know what it was that started the fire?" Bobby asked. "We were wondering why it seemed to burn so hot."

"I'll have more on that soon."

Tanner didn't want to give away any more than that, and spook the staff. Harry needed to know, and would gather his trusted men to go look around. But until they told the rest of the crew, he'd keep it quiet. The thought of someone targeting them, it made him worry about more attacks. It was a hassle, but a shed they could replace, hay they could buy more of. Hell, equipment was replaceable, like Liana had yelled at him last night.

But if anyone in his family was hurt by this, he'd never forgive himself.

"Alright then. Keep it up," Tanner said, and continued on. He texted Caitlin to meet him in his office as he walked, and then flopped into his chair behind his desk as soon as he crossed the room. Jake wasn't in yet, likely working on getting lunch together, and he revelled in the silence, the hum from the fluorescent tube light the only sound save the muffled banging of equipment from Bobby and Kevin. A grey striped barn cat with a broken tail popped up on the desk and meowed at him.

"Did no one feed you yet?" he asked the cat, and the cat sat down, licked a paw and blinked expectantly.

"Fine, fine," he sighed, hefted himself up, and dumped out some kibble into the dish just outside the door. The cat scampered out, his half-mast tail waving like a flag. Everyone needed something from him today, it seemed.

He hovered over his phone, trying to decide if he should text Liana, anxiety poking at him about her. Reminding himself he had too much to do to stew over her, he put his phone down and closed his eyes, leaning back. He was physically and mentally wiped.

The door creaked and the cat meowed at him again.

"I fed you, don't even bother," he muttered. Purring met his ears as the cat jumped into his lap and sniffed at his face.

"Go away," he added half-heartedly, eyes still closed, and the cat curled up on his lap. "I don't have anything for you." He didn't have the energy to move him, so he lowered his hands to the furry body and let out a sigh. The warmth felt nice, and he was so comfortable, he settled into his chair a little bit more.

A few minutes of rest wouldn't hurt before he had to get back to work.