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She was surprised he brought it up. Her past wasn't a secret, but it did seem to be a taboo topic for almost everyone around her. "I'll admit, it's not easy," she said, "but I wasn't there when it happened."

"Sometimes imagination is worse than the actual thing."

"True." She cut him a glance. "And mine is an educated imagination. I've studied the case notes. I know exactly what happened. I know how they died, what they might have suffered. I just don't know who did it." She nodded to the church. "But this? It's my job, my passion. One I chose as an attempt to honor my family. An arsonist killed them and was never caught. I can't describe what that feels like. I never want another child or family member to go through that." She blew out a low breath. "Each fire reminds me of why I do what I do."

"Makes sense." He went silent for a moment, and Jesslyn waited for him to get around to asking whatever he was thinking about. "I caught the interview you did a couple of days ago. The plea for someone to come forward with new information that would lead to the capture of the arsonist before the twentieth anniversary of the fire."

"You saw that, huh?"

"You did a great job. Your love for them and your passion for justice came through loud and clear—especially your intent to keep looking until you found the person who killed them."

"Oh. Yes. I probably should have toned that down a bit."

It had been the first time she'd publicly spoken out about her family's deaths, and the surge of anger and grief that had swept over her caused her to lose a fraction of control over her emotions. She'd jabbed her finger at the camera. "If you're alive, I just want you to know that I'm still searching. You killed my family twenty years ago. They didn't deserve that and neither did I. I hope you can't forget that night. I hope it lives with you and torments you each and every hour of each and every day. You may think you've gotten away with it and that people have forgotten, but I'm here to say you haven't and people haven't. In fact, I have a plan to make sure everyone remembers that night. Remembers my parents for all the good they did before their premature deaths. Remind the world that my sisters never got to grow up. My dad was one of the most prolific builders in this area, and he and my mom had a dream. I bought a building that will help fulfill that dream. They wanted to create a youth center where any and all are welcome to have a place to go after school. In doing that, my parents will be remembered for their dream of changing lives for the better, while you will be caught and punished for what you did. Because I will catch you and that's a promise I intend to keep."

Replaying her words made her frown. Had she overdone it? Come across too strong? She swallowed against the sudden surge of emotion and looked Nathan in the eye.

He offered her a gentle smile. "No, I don't think you needed to tone it down. It was raw and honest, and people will admire you for what you're doing."

"Thank you," she whispered, then cleared her throat. "I just don't want my family forgotten. They deserve more."

"Absolutely."

"I meant what I said. I plan to find him. As long as he's still alive, I'll find him."

His eyes lingered on her, studying her. Dissecting her? 

She snagged his gaze. "What?"

"The more I talk to you, the more you intrigue me." 

Okay, that was bold. "Hm."

"Too blunt?"

"No." Too perceptive maybe. She'd have to remember that if she wanted to hide her feelings from him. But right now, her interest in getting to know him a bit better overruled her caution. "You know my story. What's yours?"

He raised a brow. "I have a feeling I'm missing a few details." 

"Not many." Okay, maybe a few.

"Jess?"

She turned to see Pastor Chuck Graham walking toward her, sorrow in his blue eyes. She looked at Nathan. "Excuse me a minute?"

"Of course."

She hugged the older man, who looked like he'd aged another few years overnight. "I'm sorry, Chuck."

He pressed fingers to his lips. "Just... why?"

"I don't know. Only God and the arsonist know the answer to that. So, until one of them talks..."

Chuck blinked back tears and nodded. "Well, this won't stop us. We'll just rebuild and find a place to meet in the interim."