AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why do you want to go there?” Swede asked.
“I’m following clues my uncle left me in a letter,” Dezi said. “One of them indicated passing through the Needle’s Eye near the end of a sunny day, and something would be revealed.” She shrugged. “Why would he go to such lengths to lead me to something up in the mountains? He wasn’t a young man.”
Hank glanced at the clock on the wall. “The sun will set before you can get to the top of the ridge. You wouldn’t make it through the Needle’s Eye in time to see anything.”
“Then we’ll have to wait until tomorrow,” Grimm said.
Swede’s fingers flew across the keyboard, and a moment later, the printer in the corner hummed to life. “I printed off the name of an outfitter who takes people up to and through the Needle’s Eye. You might call now and see if they can take you out there tomorrow afternoon.”
“They might not want to go late in the day,” Sadie shifted McClain from one hip to the other.
“She’s right,” Hanks said. “Rappelling in the mountains is dangerous enough during the daylight.”
Dezi sighed. “We’ve already started down this path of clues. We can’t stop now. But I’m all for waiting until tomorrow to chase this wild goose.”
Sadie smiled. “You look tired. Can I get you a lemonade, beer or wine?”
“I’d love some water,” Dezi said.
“Water, it is.” Sadie crossed to a cabinet against the wall and opened a door, revealing a full-size refrigerator. She plucked a water bottle from inside and carried it to Dezi. “Do you want a glass and ice?”
Dezi shook her head. “No, thank you. This is perfect.” She pressed the cool bottle to her temple and sighed.
“If you have a headache, I’m sure I have something that will knock it out,” Sadie said.
“I’ll be okay. I’m just exhausted. Mostly emotionally.” She opened the bottle and took a long swallow, letting the cool liquid slide down her throat. She hadn’t realized how dehydrated she was.
Sadie smiled gently. “It’s never easy losing a loved one.”
Dezi nodded, her eyes filling with the tears she’d held at bay all day. With Sadie speaking so softly, her eyes filled with concern, Dezi was almost undone.
A single tear slipped down her cheek. She turned her back to Grimm, not wanting him to see her weakness.
Sadie reached for a tissue from a box on the conference table and shot a glance toward the men. Grimm was on the phone, talking to the outfitter while Hank and Swede discussed the merits of prefab rappelling seats versus hand-tied rope seats. They weren’t paying attention to the woman. Sadie handed Dezi the tissue and waited for her to wipe away the tear.
“Are you and Grimm staying for dinner?” Sadie asked.
“I don’t know.” Dezi glanced toward Grimm.
He chose that moment to look her way. “We need to get you back before too late.”
Dezi grimaced. “I get up early to make breakfast for the guests and staff of the Lucky Lady Lodge. I can’t go to bed too late, or I won’t be at my best at four-thirty the next morning.”
Sadie nodded. “I get that. When I’m on set, we can keep some crazy hours, especially if we’re down to the wire and need to finish the filming so they can get it to the editing staff as soon as possible. Four-thirty is hard, but we do what it takes for our professions, don’t we?”
Again, Sadie’s kindness and understanding had Dezi’s eyes welling again. She dabbed at the moisture and smiled wanly. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I rarely cry.”
“You’ve had a difficult day. Treat yourself kindly.”
Hank crossed to Sadie and pulled her against his side. “Are you sure you won’t stay for supper?” he asked.
Dezi shook her head. “I need to get back. This is my first week on the job, and I’m already having to take off. I’d love to take a rain check for another time, though.”
Sadie grinned. “You bet. I love having other women to talk to. So often, it’s just Hank’s men. It’s more fun when they bring their women with them.”
“I’ll be sure to come when I’m not so tired.” Dezi held up the bottle. “Thank you for the water.”
Sadie smiled. “Anytime.”
