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The coffee in my mouth became even more bitter. “She has a stalker. Nobody should have to deal with that.”
He held his hands out, palms up. “I’m not arguing with you, but her problems don’t have anything to do with you.” He gestured toward the screen. “So I thought perhaps you could use a reminder of why getting soft on her again isn’t a good idea.”
“I’m not soft on her.” But the thwack of anger that struck me as I watched her flirt with another man onscreen didn’t support my statement. “And I don’t need to be reminded why it’s a bad idea. I was the one who got dumped the first time around.”
Having said that, I couldn’t deny feeling something toward Kennedy, even if it was only protectiveness. Having her thrust in my face like this didn’t help. Not when I’d already given myself every pep talk I could think of in an attempt to leave her alone. The fact that I cared simply wasn’t rational, and Asher’s actions just made me pissy.
“Morning, guys! Hope your Christmases went well,” Zane said as he bounded into the room, looking far perkier than usual, then stopped short, his gaze flicking from me to Asher to the screen. “Uh-oh. Bad timing?”
I drank more of the terrible coffee. “No, it’s fine. Your Christmas went well, I take it?”
“Sure did.” He grinned. “I introduced the man I’m dating to my parents, and they loved him.”
“That’s great.” I infused the words with as much enthusiasm as I could muster, which probably wasn’t enough. “How is the rest of your family?”
“Everyone is happy, healthy, and ready for the new year.” He glanced between us. “You guys really need a pick-me-up though. You’re bringing my energy down. Did something happen over the weekend?”
“Nah,” Asher replied.
“We’re good.” I clapped Asher on the shoulder. Even if I didn’t like his way of trying to make a point, he meant well.
“Great. No Igor yet?” Zane asked, taking us at our word.
“I’m sure he’ll be here any moment.”
“Morning, team,” Parks said as he appeared in the doorway and scanned the three of us. “We have a hiker reported missing. She went out last night with the intention of walking to the falls. Her friends assumed she’d returned late until they checked her room this morning and discovered her bed hadn’t been slept in. Asher, I’d like you to join the search party. If they find her, she might need urgent medical attention. Liam, I’ve called in Randy from night shift to cover for you so you can join the search as well. I figure you know the forest better than Zane or Igor, and we need to keep a full staff here in case there’s an emergency. If you haven’t found her in a few hours, the rest of the team will join the search. Connor is running point. Meet him at the ranger station. Questions?”
“No, sir.” It wasn’t uncommon for us to assist in search-and-rescue operations. If people from different organizations didn’t come together, we simply wouldn’t have the manpower to cover such a large area of terrain.
“Get to it, then.”
I went to the garage and grabbed the pack we kept for these situations, shrugging it on. Inside were items such as rope, survival blankets, flashlights, a waterproof shelter, and food rations, all of which might be needed over the course of the day. Meanwhile, Asher loaded up the first aid duffel bag.
“We’ll take my truck?” I suggested, knowing there was a chance he’d want the ambulance on standby.
He hesitated for a moment. “Yeah. The trail isn’t far from here, so we can call for the ambulance later if we need to.”
I drove to the ranger station, which was housed near the beginning of the track up to Destiny Falls, behind and to the side of Destiny Fibers. Several other vehicles were already there, with a cluster of people standing outside. Connor was in front, looking distinctly uncomfortable at being the center of attention. Fortunately, we were a well-oiled machine, so he didn’t need to say much other than to give general directions.
Asher and I joined the group, waiting while we were assigned a quadrant of a map to search for the missing lady. Apparently she was in her fifties but reasonably fit, so the fact she hadn’t emerged meant she might be injured. We needed to expect the worst. The track to Destiny Falls was well-marked and usually safe, but we were in the mountains, and that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Anything could have happened.
We just had to hope she was okay.
ChapterTwenty-Two
KENNEDY
Hi Liam,
I saw myself in a tabloid magazine for the first time today. It was this terrible, unflattering shot of me in a bikini at a friend’s private pool, speculating on whether I was pregnant. I was just bloated. But how did they even get that photo? Was someone hiding in the bushes? Or was there a drone? Did one of my so-called friends sell me out?
There are some ruthless people in this business, and I’m not sure if I’m cut out to be one of them.
Love,
K xx
I’d finished assemblingmy new photography equipment and figured out how to work my new camera. After a few test shots in Grace’s backyard, I decided I was brave enough to venture off the property. I headed for the parking area where the walk to Destiny Falls waterfall began. I didn’t intend to head up to the falls, but I wouldn’t mind taking some photographs along one of the other trails in the area.
