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Heat rose into Mara’s face. “So do I.”

Gabe reached for her hand and held it. “I have to go.”

“I know.” Mara squeezed his fingers before letting go. “I’m coming with you.”

His brows drew together. “You don’t have to do that. You’ve already been out all day. I can call you when I know what’s happening.”

Mara tucked her key back into her bag. “Maybe there’s something I can do. And I’d rather come and find out than sit in here wondering.”

Gabe studied her for a moment. “You might end up standing around while Evan takes an oven apart.”

“Then I’ll stand around.” She shrugged. “I’ve had worse evenings.”

His smile was faint, but some of the tension left his face. “Come on, then.”

They left the pumpkin keeping watch on the porch, and a few minutes later Mara climbed into the passenger seat of Gabe’s truck.

The road out of Bear Creek was dark beyond the headlights, the mountains reduced to deeper shadows against the night sky. Gabe drove with one hand resting loosely on the wheel, giving her the occasional landmark as they headed toward Bear Bluff.

For a while they drove in silence. Mara was still acutely aware of him beside her: the warmth of his hand when he’d held hers, the memory of his mouth on hers, the evening that had stopped abruptly on the threshold of her cabin.

Eventually she turned slightly toward him. “How long have you and Karina known each other?”

“Years. Long enough that I know if she’s asking for help, she’s already tried everything she can think of herself.”

There was affection in his voice, and worry too. Mara looked back through the windshield. “Then let’s hope Evan has good news.”

Gabe nodded. Neither of them said what they were probably both thinking. If Karina had believed this was an easy fix, she wouldn’t have called at all.

Bear Bluff Bakery was still lit when Gabe pulled into the lot. They got out, and Gabe led the way to the back door, which stood slightly ajar.

“After you.” He held the door open for her, and her hand brushed against his as she went inside.

Inside, the bakery smelled of sugar, spice, and dough, but there was none of the deeper warmth she had begun to associate with working ovens. Trays were stacked on racks, bowls sat covered along the counters, and several large containers had been labeled and lined up as though the whole kitchen had been paused halfway through a plan.

Karina came across the kitchen to meet them. Her hair was tied up, and there was none of the easy confidence Mara remembered from their first meeting. “Thank you for coming.”

Gabe crossed the space between them and hugged her. It was quick and entirely unselfconscious, the kind of embrace that belonged to people who had known each other long enough not to think about it. Karina held on for a second before stepping back.

“I know it’s late,” she said.

“You called because you needed me.”

“I called because I panicked.”

Gabe gave her shoulder a squeeze. “You’re allowed.”

Karina’s face eased, although only a little. Then she looked at Mara. “And I’m sorry you got dragged into this too. You should be somewhere much nicer than here.”

“You didn’t drag me anywhere,” Mara said as she took off her jacket. “I came because I wanted to.”

Karina held her gaze. “Thank you.”

At the far end of the kitchen, Evan was crouched in front of one of the ovens with the lower panel removed, tools spread across the floor beside him. He glanced up when Gabe approached.

“Hey.”

“How bad is it?” Gabe asked.