Ch. 25

After the show, Randy took Katelyn to dinner at a quiet romantic Italian restaurant. He couldn't help smiling when the waitress finished taking their order and Katelyn slid closer to him in their cozy booth. He wrapped his arm around her looking into her tired eyes.

"Someone is sleepy," Randy smirked caressing her cheek.

"It's a good tired love that you woke me early for our sweet amazing date," she smiled looking up into his eyes seeing the dark circles under them. "I'm not the only sleepy one."

"Oh well, we can catch up on sleep over the break."

"I love spending time with you but I need to get back home and take care of my business. I can't keep hiding from Wade," she said making Randy's whole body tense up.

"I'll come home with you."

"You're more than welcome to come with me but when you go back on the road I have to stay home and work," she stared into his eyes seeing his disapproval.

"All you have to do is stay safe," his tone got very serious.

"I can be safe at home and work."

"True it's safe if I am with you," he sternly said.

"You can't babysit me 24 x 7."

"Oh yes I can, Barrett is not getting near you again," he raised his voice slightly making her frown and look away from him.

"He will get over me and move on," she softly said.

"Well until he does, I'm going to watch over you whether you like or not," he said making her huff and move away from him. He let out a deep troubled sigh realizing he was being too pushy. "I'm sorry Katy," Randy kissed her forehead pulling her back against him. "I didn't mean to snap. I just don't want anything to happen to you. I can only trust myself to keep you safe."

"It's ok Randy, relax we will figure things out so we are both happy," she ran her fingers lightly along his neck.

"You know you drive me crazy in so many ways. I care about you so much," he softly spoke holding her gaze for a moment before kissing her deeply. She kissed him back making all his tension and worry go away.

Katelyn's phone started ringing breaking their moment. She looked down surprised to see Jessica, one of her neighbors, was calling.

"Hi Jessica, is something wrong?" she answered resting her head against Randy's shoulder.

"I'm so sorry to tell you this. Your house is on fire," the woman's voice trembled as Katelyn turned white as a ghost. "The fire department is trying to put it out but it looks bad."

"I'll be home as soon as I can. I'll call you right back," Katelyn hung up the phone dropping it on the table.

"What's wrong?" Randy asked feeling her shake against him.

"My house is on fire. I have to go home," she mumbled running her fingers frantically through her hair. "They are trying to put it out. I have to call Chris. I have to call my neighbor back. I have to get my things and get to the airport right away."

"Come on darling, I'll take care of everything. I'm going to give Chris a call on the ride back to the hotel. I'll call your neighbor too. We will grab our things head to the airport. Everything is going to be ok," Randy tried to reassure her as he helped her up. Katelyn couldn't stop shaking and praying her home would be ok.

Wade stood across from Katelyn's home with a wicked smile watching the flames rip through her roof. He watched as the fire fighters tried to get the flames under control hoping most of her home would be destroyed by the time they did. Part of her roof collapsing in made him grin even more. He hoped there would be no signs of him messing with the gas hot water heater and moving a few of her storage boxes closer to it to start the fire in her basement.

"My plan will work. She is going to need me to help her pick up the pieces. I'll find the perfect home for us," he softly said glancing at the house one more time before walking back to his car. He checked his cell phone making sure the volume was all the way up. He couldn't wait for her to call crying that she needed him after losing her home.

Hours later, Katelyn returned to her home with Randy and Chris. Tears flooded down her face when she saw the charred remains of what was once her home. The garage was the only part of the house that still remained standing. Chris went to talk to the fire investigator while Randy helped Katelyn out of the car. She slowly approached the house.

"It's almost all gone," she whispered surveying the damage. Randy felt powerless seeing all her pain and sadness knowing there was nothing he could do or say to take it away instantly. She couldn't bear seeing the ruins of her home anymore. She buried her face into Randy's chest finding comfort in his arms. "I've lost everything that was in the house. At least I still have my car to sleep in unless that is damaged too."

"You're not going to sleep in your car. Things can be replaced thank god you weren't in the house," he ran his fingers along her back trying to think of what to do to make things better for her.

"They should know in a few days what caused the fire. Tomorrow they will let you look through the remains and enter the garage to get out anything that survived. I will keep dealing with your landlord till you feel up to taking over," Chris said joining them. "Do you want me to find somewhere for you to stay till things get figured out and you can find a new place?"

"She mentioned sleeping in her car but I think she will be more comfortable staying at the hotel with me," Randy spoke up as Katelyn looked up into his eyes. "Are you ok with that?" he asked as she nodded yes burying her face in his chest again.

"The car is not an option don't even think of mentioning it again. Randy, you take care of her. I'll take care of everything else," Chris patted Randy's shoulder.

"Thank you Chris," Katelyn glanced at him.

"Anything I can do to help I will. I still can't believe this happened," Chris looked at the house again.

"Neither can I," Katelyn whispered turning to look at the damage once again. She felt Randy wrap his arm around her waist pulling her back against him.

"Everything is going to be ok Katy," he whispered holding her tight. She hoped he was right but something about the sudden fire was bothering her and she felt like bad luck wasn't done with her yet.