Page 103 of Peaks and Promises

“I shouldn’t have doubted you.” I casually took out the cash and handed it to him.

He tucked it into his jacket. “Give me a few days. I’ll have a location. I can’t guarantee she’ll still be there, but I’ll be able to tell you where she’s been.”

A grin stole over my face. “Perfect.”

He lifted his beer again, and I did the same. We both drank.

Three days later, I got a text with two words.

Tilikum, Washington

CHAPTER 23

Reese

A storm had blown in overnight, drenching the town. And while the rain had stopped shortly before dawn, dark clouds still hung ominously overhead.

Summer was off from the diner, so I was taking her and Nate to look at a car. She’d found one for sale within her budget, and I’d asked Luke to give it a once over.

I pulled up to Luke’s shop, eyeing the twelve-year-old silver compact SUV out front. Luke stood next to it, dressed in a T-shirt and worn jeans, and the guy with him was probably the seller—a local named Mark.

“Is that our new car?” Nate asked from the back seat.

“If Luke says it’s in decent shape, it is,” Summer replied. “It looks good from here.”

I grunted, skeptical. She’d need all-wheel drive in the winter, and it checked that box. But the mileage was high. Unfortunately, her budget was not.

We got out and said hello to my brother. Summer introduced herself to Mark and asked a few questions about the car while Nate looked in the windows.

“What do you think?” I asked Luke.

“It’s in good working order. High mileage, but you knew that. It’ll be safe for her.”

I still wasn’t so sure. My wife should drive something better. But she’d insisted I couldn’t help financially. That she’d stick with her budget and make it work.

And she wasn’t my wife.

We took it for a quick test drive. She said it was more comfortable than her last car. When we got back to Luke’s shop, I stood aside, arms crossed, while she negotiated. Mark kept a wary eye on me the entire time.

If my presence happened to motivate him to give her a better price, where was the harm in that?

Once everything was settled, they went into Luke’s office to finish up the paperwork. Mark left, walking into town to get a bite to eat, and I thanked my brother for his help.

Nate ran back to the car. “Can I get in now?”

“Go ahead.” Summer smiled as she clicked the key fob to unlock the doors.

He climbed into the passenger seat and started rooting through the glove box and center console.

The distinctive rumble of motorcycle engines filled the air, and Summer whipped around to look at me, wide eyed.

“Do you hear that?” she asked.

“I hear it.” My gaze swept the street, but I didn’t see them. “Get in the shop. It’s probably nothing, but get out of sight anyway.”

“Go ahead and wait in my office,” Luke said.

She nodded and ushered Nate out of the car and into Luke’s garage.