Gold in the Fire. Margaret Daley

animals, especially dogs, so when this opportunity came up, he encouraged me to do it. Arnold and I went through some extensive training, but it’s been worth it.”

      “Heard you helped solve the Wright case a few months back.” With narrowed eyes, Shamus stared at the butter dish sitting next to Lizzy’s plate and just out of his reach.

      “Wright case? What happened?” Darcy watched the silent exchange between her father and Lizzy—a battle of gazes. In the end her father turned his attention to Joshua. Darcy’s mouth almost fell open.

      “It was a warehouse fire in Lexington that spread to some other buildings. It was arson. We were lucky and apprehended the man responsible.”

      “Who?”

      “An employee who had been fired and was angry at the owner.”

      “I came up with another name of someone you could check out,” Shamus said, lifting his water glass to take a big sip. “I’d forgotten I had to let Mike Reynolds go a couple of months ago.”

      “He was your assistant farm manager, wasn’t he?” Joshua asked, peering at Darcy.

      Did he notice the stiff set to her shoulders and the tight grip she had on her glass? she wondered.

      “Yeah. I didn’t like his methods.”

      “He’s working at the Colemans’ farm now.”

      “That’s what I heard.”

      “Dad, I think—”

      Shamus swung his sharp gaze toward his daughter, a challenge in his eyes.

      Darcy stiffened even more. “I don’t think we need to discuss this at the dining room table.” She glanced toward her son.

      “Aw, Mom, I know about the fire.”

      “You know, Lizzy, I have to agree with Darcy. You’re a terrific cook.” Joshua took another bite of his spaghetti. He wished he could ease the heavy tension in the room.

      The vulnerability he glimpsed in Darcy’s eyes melted through his defenses. He found himself wanting to help her through the pain he knew she was experiencing. Her smile touched his heart, urging him to comfort. After Carol’s betrayal he hadn’t thought that possible, and was surprised by the feeling.

      Lizzy blushed a nice shade of red, her eyes twinkling. “You always do know just the right thing to say, Joshua Markham.”

      Shamus snorted but continued eating.

      Sean added, “He’s right. I love your spaghetti.”

      Darcy slid a glance toward Joshua. Her smile reached deep into her large brown eyes, fringed in long, black lashes. The beat of his heart accelerated. He gripped his fork tighter.

      “I agree with my son, Lizzy. But if I remember correctly, you make a great lasagna, too.” Darcy’s shoulder-length blond hair fell forward and she pushed it behind her ears.

      With the conversation turning to favorite foods, Joshua sat back, watching the exchange at the table. The lively gleam in Darcy’s eyes made her whole face light up. He tried to picture her breaking in a yearling, but couldn’t. She was petite, not more than five foot two.

      When Lizzy served sliced peaches and ice cream for dessert, Sean snapped his fingers and said, “I’ve got the perfect name for the new filly. Peaches.”

      “Not a bad name, son.” Shamus frowned at Lizzy, who had handed him a bowl of peaches without the vanilla ice cream.

      When Joshua’s cell phone rang, everyone shifted their attention to him.

      “Sorry.” He retrieved his phone from his pocket and checked the message. Tension whipped down his length as he surged to his feet. “I have to leave. There’s a fire at the Coleman farm.”

      Darcy’s eyes widened and she came to her feet too, her napkin floating to the carpet. “A barn?”

      A new tension descended in the room. “Yes,” Joshua said as he headed toward the door.