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It was only noon, so she figured she could have a quick lunch with Sam before she hit the road while there was a break in the storm. In this weather, it could take her five hours or so to get through Montana and Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, and then into Spokane.
She decided to check on flights out of Kalispell, a faster route. But she didn’t have any more luck finding availability into San Francisco than she’d had when she booked the round-trip airfare. So Spokane it was.
Sam returned not more than thirty minutes later, declaring success. He joined her for stew and then Scarlet packed up. Sam escorted her to the SUV.
Admittedly, she was reluctant to leave. But time was still of the essence with her case.
Sam put her bags in the front on the passenger’s side and then rounded the vehicle to the driver’s door where she stood. He’d turned the rental around so it was ready for her to easily depart. The engine was running to warm it.
He asked, “You really have to go now?”
Her heart fluttered at his hint of disappointment. “You’re officially a cold lead. I have to find a hot one.”
“Hey, I think I take offense to that.”
She kissed him, then said, “You know what I’m saying. I still have work to do. And as much as I’d love for you to distract me for another evening or a half dozen more of them, I have a prior commitment.”
“A woman with a work ethic,” he quipped in a mock-grave voice, and rolled his eyes for dramatic effect. “Onward, then. Though I hardly took you for the love ’em and leave ’em type.”
She smiled. Her nails trailed along his pecs as she said, “You know I’m not. So I expect you to call me.”
“Already slipped my number into
your laptop bag.”
“Excellent.” She kissed him again. “Then I’ll call you. Now … I really do have to be on my way. It’s going to snow again tonight and I’d rather be at the airport when it starts.”
“Agreed.”
He opened the door for her and she slipped into the seat and latched the belt.
“Be safe and call me if you need anything more from me,” he said.
Sadly, Scarlet already did need something from him. Another go-round on his sofa. But that was an issue she couldn’t rectify at the moment.
And for God’s sake, when had she become a nymphomaniac?
With an inward snicker, she had to contend it was right about the time she’d met Michael Vandenberg. Then his stepbrother, Sam Reed.
Yeah. Too hot to handle—times two—but so worth the try!
She left the ranch and rambled through Montana, picking up I-90 into Idaho. All the while, her brain was divided. She contemplated her next moves with this investigation. Yet thoughts of Michael and Sam invaded her mental strategic-planning efforts.
So Scarlet decided a couple of things had to happen. First, she’d address the never-ending sizzle consuming her by consulting with Jewel on how to juggle two men. Then she’d talk to Bayli about picking up another scent to follow with the case.
Perhaps then she could find a modicum of harmony between her personal and her professional lives.
The next morning, Scarlet breezed into Jewel’s office in River Cross, where she was busy with preparations to break ground on hers, Rogen’s, and Vin’s new inn and winery.
Jewel’s beautiful face lit up at the sight of Scarlet. “Thank God you survived Montana!”
She laughed. “Really, you and Bay worry too much.”
“Well, driving across three states in a blizzard isn’t exactly in your normal travel repertoire.”
“It wasn’t a blizzard, but you’re right. And it was touch and go there for a while on the inbound side. I hadn’t factored elk dashing across the highway into my master plan.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay.”
