On A Night Like This (Callaways #1)

fire, smoke and water, and the adjacent rooms had also suffered. The entire downstairs would need work, new carpets, new paint, new flooring. The enormity of the devastation blew her away. She'd never imagined an unattended pot could ignite such a big fire. Her father was going to have a heart attack when he came home. His neat and tidy house was in complete disarray – much like the state of her life.
    She'd had such high hopes for the weekend, imagining them finally reconnecting and breaking down the walls between them. But when he'd come out of surgery, he'd barely acknowledged her presence. He was in a lot of pain and groggy from the drugs, but really his behavior was no different than it had been before the fire.
    Maybe she should just accept the fact that they were never going to be more than strangers to each other. In fact, maybe she should start the acceptance process now. She could go back to New York, to her apartment, to her job. But she'd never been a quitter, and while she'd taken a long break from her father, she was here now, and she wanted to make some kind of change.
    Her father would be in the hospital for several days. Then he would be off his feet for weeks after that. He would need help getting this house back together. Maybe she could get the process started.
    "Sara?"
    The sound of a familiar female voice drew her away from the devastation. She walked out of the kitchen and through the dining room to find her childhood friend, Emma Kane-Callaway standing in the entry. Emma wore dark jeans tucked into black boots, and a cream-colored sweater under a black leather jacket. A hazel-eyed blonde who barely reached five foot two, Emma was still a force to be reckoned with. An athlete, and a bit of a tomboy, Emma had always been brimming with courage, confidence and drive, making her more than capable of keeping up with her five brothers.
    "Sorry for walking in, but the door is busted," Emma said, waving her hand to the door that was hanging off one hinge.
    "Aiden kicked it in when he rescued us."
    "I heard he arrived just in time. Aiden was never one for finesse."
    "No, but he saved my father's life so I'm very grateful." She paused, a smile spreading across her face. "It's so good to see you, Emma."
    Emma smiled back. "You, too. I wish it was under better circumstances." She opened her arms to give Sara a hug. "How are you doing?"
    "I'm hanging in there."
    "Tough day, huh?" Emma asked, sympathy in her gaze.
    "It wasn't great."
    "You won't want to stay here tonight, Sara. It stinks. Why don't you come next door? You can share my room the way we used to when we were kids."
    "We're a little old for that, aren't we?"
    "It will be fun, and my mom will love it. She's been complaining that the house is too empty these days with only three of us kids living at home, although Aiden is back now, so that makes four." Emma paused, giving her a sharp look. "And if you're worried about Aiden, he's in his old room over the garage. So I doubt we'll see much of him."
    "I'm not worried about Aiden," she said quickly. "Why would you think that?"
    "Oh, maybe because something went down between you two a very long time ago and no one ever told me what it was," Emma complained, her sharp gaze resting on Sara's face.
    "You always had a big imagination, Em. By the way, I like your short hair," she added. Emma's silky straight blond hair had been cut at an angle, the ends framing her face. "It brings out your eyes."
    "Thanks. It's easier to wear under my helmet. And you just changed the subject," she said pointedly.
    "I did, didn't I? How is it being a female firefighter?"
    "Actually, I'm an arson investigator now."
    "Really?"
    "Yes. I always liked a good mystery, so it's the perfect job for me. What about you? You're a lawyer, right? Your dad must be proud you followed in his footsteps," Emma said.
    She shrugged, doubtful he cared one way or the other.
    Emma frowned. "You look exhausted, Sara. There's nothing more you can do here tonight. Let the house air out, and you can tackle things in the morning. My mom made lasagna, and she has a plate for you in the oven. What you need right now is a good meal and some peace and quiet."
    Her stomach growled at the thought of Lynda's lasagna. "I am hungry. I'll take the lasagna and figure out where I'm going to sleep later."
    "Good idea."
    As they walked past the broken front door, Sara paused. "I need to get this fixed. I can't leave the house open all night."
    "I'm sure one of my