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"I didn’t"It’s just that every day we’re not open for business we lose custo that their head waiter had taken a job in Tacoma Dion wouldn’t be easily replaced It was inevitable that the rest of their staff would find other eo without a paycheck for long

"The co until the fire hly And because this is a cri to require more time"

Justine knew that Seth had made nuet the investigation

"I’ve contacted an architect," Seth explained, and Justine barely ed to conceal her shock She’d had no idea "We’ve been discussing design plans," he went on, "and I’d like to set up a construction schedule I can’t do that until the fire marshal releases the property"

"Well…you may have to wait a while"

"When can we rebuild?" Seth demanded

Robert Beckman slowly shook his head "Since the fire appears to have been arson, the coator" He paused "This is in addition to what your local people are doing"

"What will he do?" Justine wanted to know "Your investigator, I mean"

"His--or her--pri of arson Our investigators do that by looking at flame patterns to see where the fire started"

"How could anyone tell anything fro in Seth’s voice

"It’s astonishing the inforuish exactly where the fire originated They can determine the accelerant Soh the debris There are certainly cases in which their investigations have led to the apprehension and conviction of arsonists I remember one instance in which--"

"That’s all well and good, but what should I tell the architect?" Seth broke in He ran his fingers forcefully through his hair

Justine was horrified that Seth had already spoken to an architect and wondered when he’d done this He’d been gone a couple of afternoons but hadn’t mentioned where he was or hom Nor had Justine questioned him The truth was, it had been a relief to have him out of the house Seth found it impossible to remain in any one place When he was ho or even read for more than a few minutes Unable to relax

"Your policy covers loss of incoe on his clipboard "If construction tioes over that, we can request an extension"

"So the sooner we get started, the better, don’t you agree?" Seth asked "For the coave another of his soothing replies, and unwilling to listen to anylot to stand at the farthest edge, which overlooked the cove The wind carried a briny scent on this overcast day, shrouding the pungent smell of smoke

The view of the cove always cal it to settle her pounding heart Seth had takento her, he’d held discussions with an architect When they’d first conceived the idea of The Lighthouse, Justine had been involved in every aspect of the planning Now Seth had excluded her

The fire and its aftermath were so much worse than she would ever have believed Her husband had turned into a stranger, a man Justine neither knew nor liked The terew stronger every day Warren had offered her the use of a sue on Hood Canal It sounded so peaceful there Leif would love to walk along the beach, exploring, wading in the water She could picture hihter spilling out into the wind Not once since Leif was born had they taken a fa minute Only in the absence of the restaurant and its de to see how completely it had taken over their lives

"Justine" Seth placed his hand on her shoulder as he caht, sweetheart," he said, his voice conciliatory

"I know" The fire, the destruction of the restaurant, was no longer her main concern What worried her was the effect it’d had on her husband

"I realize I’ve been a little cranky lately"

She smiled and pressed her hand on top of his To say he’d been "a little cranky" was an understate will be all right," he said again, "once we find out who did this to us"

"Will it?" she asked, but apparently Seth didn’t hear her because he didn’t respond

Justine tilted her head to one side so her cheek could rest against his hand "You’re already talking about rebuilding," she et started as soon as possible Don’t you?"

She shrugged "I don’t know anyhed and see "We’re in the restaurant business This is hoeUnless we rebuild, on’t have an income"

"Yes, but…"

Her husband went still for a , Justine"

Being a professional fisherreed that Seth would give it up for good His father had encouraged him in that decision

"I wouldn’t want you to fish," she said, turning so she could slip her arms around his middle "I’m just not sure I want to be a restaurant owner anyging into her flesh "You don’t "

"I…I do," she countered "At least I think I do We went into this business with absolutely no knowledge of ere letting ourselves in for We were totally naive about what owning a restaurant takes out of you"

According to statistics, eight out of ten new businesses fail, and restaurants headed the list The only reason theirs had been successful was the sheer force of their coree of luck