Agent’s Mountain Rescue

by Jennifer D. Bokal

  This evening? Sure, he understood the importance of the case, it’s just that he had other priorities. “I have to take care of my daughter. She’s three.”

  Jones stared at Liam and slowly blinked. “I didn’t know you have a child.”

  “Well, you didn’t ask.” Liam felt his defensiveness returning—it was a wall that separated him from the rest of the team.

  “I guess I just assumed,” said Jones. “Your work history put you all over the map.” He paused.

  “What do you want me to say?” asked Liam. “Things changed when Sophie’s mom was deployed. That’s why I accepted this job. And it was her first day at a new school today—I’m supposed to pick her up by six.”

  “If you are looking to be back in Pleasant Pines by six o’clock,” said Katarina, “I hate to tell you, hon, but you are late.”

  “Late?” Liam repeated, as if the word held no meaning.

  Her eyes held compassion and understanding as she swiveled her wrist to show him her smart watch. “Yep. To get back to Pleasant Pines by six o’clock, you needed to leave twenty minutes ago.” She held out a set of keys. “Take my SUV back, if you want. I’ll catch a ride with Marcus.”

  Closing his eyes, Liam cursed under his breath. More than getting back to Pleasant Pines, he couldn’t pick up his daughter without her car seat. It meant stopping at RMJ’s building and picking up his own car—making him even later than he was already. Then he looked at Marcus. “I’ve got to go. I promise, I’ll help figure this out. I made a commitment to RMJ. But my kid comes first to me. Always.”

  Chapter 6

  Holly Jacobs sat at the art table with Sophie Alexander, the final student who remained at the day-care center. Glancing at the wall clock, Holly sighed. Six twenty-five. She was beyond late for meeting up with Thomas Irwin at the diner. Her life was just unraveling.

  Sure, she’d thought about calling Tonya and asking her to stay with Sophie. But her friend lived twenty minutes outside Pleasant Pines. By the time Holly realized that Liam Alexander was seriously delayed and she’d have to extend aftercare, Holly was so late that there was no point in asking Tonya to drive all the way back.

  “Is my daddy gonna be here?” Sophie asked, looking worried. “I don’t like being the only-ist person at school. Mommy always picked me up on time.”

  “I’m sure he’s on his way,” said Holly, trying to smile. She’d already called his cell phone several times. Each had gone directly to voice mail. “I’m sure your daddy will be along any minute,” said Holly, this time her smile was sincere. Still, her eye was drawn to the clock. Six twenty-six.

  “Do you hafta get home?”

  “Me? No, not at all. I was just wondering about the time.”

  “My mommy says not to lie, and Dr. Holly, I think you are lying.”

  Holly couldn’t help but give a surprised laugh. “Here’s something that I know is true. I’m happy that we can spend a little extra time together. What do you want to do? Puzzles? A game? I love to play Candy Land.”

  “Candy Land,” said Sophie, her smile wide. “That’s my favorite game, too.”

  For safety’s sake, the front door of the day-care center was locked after business hours. The door buzzer began to ring before Holly had a chance to collect the board game. “I bet that’s your daddy,” said Holly as she crossed the room. “Let me check before we open the door.”

  Each class was also connected to the intercom system via a phone. Lifting the receiver, Holly said, “Yes? May I help you?”

  “It’s Liam Alexander. I’m here to pick up my daughter, Sophie.”

  Holly clenched the handset tighter. The nerve. It’s me, Liam Alexander. I’m here to pick up my daughter, Sophie.

  No I’m sorry I’m late?

  After letting out a long, low breath, Holly said, “I’ll bring Sophie to the front door. You can sign her out there.” She hung up the phone. Turning to Sophie, she said, “That’s your daddy. I’ll take you to him.”

  “I need my flowers. I want to give them to my daddy.”

  Ah, yes. The art project for the day. Sophie’s lone bouquet sat on the counter and Holly handed it to the girl.

  “Ready to go?” she asked.

  With a smile, Sophie nodded. “I’m ready.”

  Holly had long since gathered all of Sophie’s belongings, and her own, as well. Everything sat in a neat pile next to the door. After collecting all the bags, Holly took Sophie’s hand and together they walked down the corridor, silent except for the sounds of their steps.

  The closer they got to the entrance, the more Holly’s anger grew. She didn’t want to scream at Liam Alexander...well, actually she did. By being so late, he’d ruined her life, after all. Yet, she was resolute that she would remain calm in front of Sophie.

  They approached the glass front door. The setting sun hung low on the horizon. The light brought out red highlights in Liam’s dark hair that Holly hadn’t noticed before. His shadow stretched out long and powerful, just like the man. Her breath caught in her chest and some of Holly’s anger melted away—just not enough.

  After entering the lock code, Holly pulled the door open. The evening air was cool, and Holly inhaled. Sophie ran to her father, paper flower bouquet in hand.

  “Daddy.” Sophie took a leap and landed in her father’s arms. “I made these for you,” she said, handing over the flowers.

  “For me?” Liam’s cheeks reddened. “I love these. What a great job you did, honey.”

  In that instant, Holly’s heart melted.

  When Sophie said, “I love you, Daddy,” Holly’s eyes began to water. She turned back to the door and rearmed the alarm.

  “How was your day, baby girl?” Liam asked.

  Holly stood next to father and daughter, partly charmed with the love between the two, partly seething that she had missed her meeting and Liam had yet to apologize—or even give a lame excuse.

  She cleared her throat and held out Sophie’s bag. “You have a lovely daughter, Mr. Alexander. I’m sure you recall I mentioned that the pickup time is six o’clock.”

  Sophie wiggled from her father’s arms as Liam reached for the offered bag. “My day went sideways.”

  The child wandered over to a flower bed and started hopping from one paving stone to the next.

  Stay professional. “Everyone’s day goes awry, and I understand—trust me, I do. Keep in mind that you aren’t the only one with responsibilities.” She leaned in close, lowering her voice to keep from being overheard by Sophie. Liam’s scent—sweat and earth—washed over Holly, leaving her slightly drunk on the smell of masculinity. Yet she continued, “More than being late, your daughter was worried.”

  He paused. “There was an accident at work. My coworker was airlifted to the hospital in Cheyenne and I ended up in the helicopter with her.”

  Of all the things she thought he might say, that wasn’t one of them. A look passed across his face. What was it? Hurt? Concern? In the end, Holly decided that Liam was weary. It was a chink in his armor. A window in the wall that surrounded him.

  It also brought up a new and interesting question. What exactly did Liam Alexander do for a living? His form had said private security. But what exactly did that mean? “Where do you work again?”

  He waved away her question. His face was once again unreadable—the armor repaired, and the wall made whole. “I’m here now, aren’t I? I’m sure I’m not the only parent who runs late on occasion. What was I supposed to do?” Liam asked.

  Oh, the things Holly wanted Liam Alexander to do. Apologize. Explain. Take a flying leap. The list went on and on. “I don’t have time to argue with you. Tomorrow, be punctual.” With that, she forced a smile on her face for Sophie and turned for her car. By the time Holly unlocked her door, her hand was trembling. She drove straight to the Sally’s on Main, despite her racing heart and the need
to press her foot hard onto the accelerator, she kept the car’s speed to five miles an hour under the limit. As she pulled into a parking space three doors down, the time on her dashboard clock read 6:35 p.m. Maybe she could still catch Thomas.

  After turning off the ignition, Holly grabbed her tote bag and the knot in her stomach loosened a little. She rushed up the street, then opened the door to Sally’s. Breathless, she scanned the room. The town physician, Doc Lambert, sat at the counter and looked up as Holly entered. “How’s my favorite patient?” he asked.

  Holly was sure he said that to all his patients, yet the elderly doctor was her father’s best friend and had been a part of Holly’s life from the beginning. “Good, Doc. And you?”

  He wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. “Just finished dinner or else I’d offer to buy you a burger. How’s your mom and dad?”

  “Both good,” she said. “I talked to them last week. Call Dad. He’d love to hear from you.” Holly paused. She longed to confess her troubles to her old doctor. Then again, it wasn’t as though there was anything he could do to help.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Doc Lambert asked.

  “I am,” said Holly slowly. Then she spied Thomas Irwin sitting in a booth near the back, tapping his foot impatiently. “I’m meeting someone.”

  “I’ll let you go. Good to see you,” said Doc.

  “You, too,” said Holly, her chest suddenly tight.

  The top two buttons of the banker’s oxford shirt were undone, and his yellow tie was tucked into the pocket.

  Approaching the table, Holly said, “I’m sorry I’m late. I had to wait for a parent to pick up their child.” Noticing that he was alone, and not with his family, as he had promised, she asked, “Where’s your wife and the kids?”

  “My daughter has a T-ball game,” he said. “They had to leave.”

  His tone was icy, and Holly wrapped her arms over her shoulders to quell a shiver.

  “Well,” said Holly. She’d been able to get a cash advance from her credit card, although with that money gone, she’d have nothing else left. “In the next few days, I can get you an extra two thousand dollars. I hope it’s enough that I can refinance.”

  The bank manager shook his head. “I wish I could help you, but I can’t.”

  “What? Why not?”

  Standing, he said, “First, I don’t have time for a meeting now. As I said, my daughter has a T-ball game. Unlike some people, I’m always prompt.”

  Heat crept from her chest to her cheeks. “If I can just set up another meeting—” Holly began.

  The bank manager continued, as if Holly hadn’t spoken at all. “Second, you might have some money, but I would need more. Or possibly some collateral.”

  Like a deflated balloon, all the air leaked from her lungs and Holly slumped. “I—I don’t have more. Thomas, please.”

  “Well, then that’s very much a problem.” He drew in a deep breath.

  “You can’t do this to me. Please,” she said, painfully aware that she was close to groveling. “I can come in first thing in the morning. Give me tonight to see what kind of collateral I can find.”

  “I know what you’re doing, Holly. You’re trying to take care of the town, that’s admirable of you.”

  At least he was polite enough not to mention the car accident specifically. Then again, they both knew what had happened and he was right. All of Pleasant Pines had rallied around Holly after the wreck in high school. Nobody had blamed her at all for the crash, even though they could have. Years later, the town had celebrated her success, even after the fame from her bestseller had slipped away.

  It was these debts of kindness that she felt needed to be repaid.

  But what if she were free from her responsibility? She felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

  Thomas continued, “Be honest with me—will a few hours make any difference? More than that, can you guarantee that you’d be able to attend another meeting? You know you have to be in school tomorrow.”

  They both knew the answers to each question.

  “No,” she said. “I guess not.”

  “I thought as much,” said Thomas.

  She took a deep, shuddering breath. “You have to guarantee me that all my employees will keep their jobs. Please, these are your neighbors.”

  “I promise that the staff will still have work.” He sighed. “Holly, you don’t owe this town anything.”

  “This is my home,” she said, her voice a whisper. “I owe them everything.”

  “Remember, you have to take care of yourself,” he said.

  Thomas’s words of encouragement, while well-meaning, left Holly feeling more like the little girl on the sidelines and less like a grown woman with a doctorate. She nodded, “Thanks.”

  “Now, I really do have to go.” He paused. “If anything changes for you this week, let me know.”

  Thomas stepped away from the booth and she watched him walk out of the restaurant. Dropping into the recently vacated seat, Holly looked out the window. She stared at the sun, dipping below the horizon. It leeched all of the color from the town square, turning the world gray with swipes of pastel pink and purple.

  Was that it? Was she really going to lose her school? Her throat was raw, as if she’d swallowed broken glass.

  Well, she might not know exactly what path her life would take now, but she certainly knew who was to blame for the detour: Liam Alexander.

  Holly couldn’t sit at a booth in a busy restaurant any longer without placing an order. Her appetite was gone, and she wasn’t sure when it would come back. Besides, she knew she needed to contact all her employees and let them know that, come next week, she would no longer own the school.

  Stepping away from the booth, she placed a call to Tonya, knowing that it would be the hardest conversation. “Hey,” she said as soon as the call was answered. “We have to talk.”

  “Those are ominous words,” said Tonya. “What’s the matter?”

  She pushed open the front door and stepped into the twilight. Now that the sun had set, the temperature had dropped. Holly hadn’t thought to grab her jacket from the car, and now she shivered with the cold. “As of next week, Saplings will have new owners.” The words caught in her throat and came out as a croak.

  “What? Are you kidding? This isn’t funny.”

  “I wish it was a joke,” said Holly, her eyes burning. “The bank is calling in the loan and selling the day-care center to a big chain of schools out of Dallas. Don’t worry, though—they’re keeping most everyone, so your job is safe.”

  “What do you mean by most everyone?”

  “Everyone. Except me.”

  Tonya sucked in a breath. “Holly, I’m so sorry.”

  She didn’t want her friend’s sympathy—especially since Holly blamed herself. She continued walking toward her car. A set of headlights cut through the gloom and a silver sedan pulled into the space next to Holly’s. “I owe twenty thousand dollars to the bank.”

  Tonya continued, “You could talk to the bank, and I don’t know...renegotiate the loan.”

  “I tried that, but the manager won’t work with me.” Holly paused, not wanting to admit that it was her fault. Yet, she wouldn’t lie—even if it was by skipping over the truth. “I was more than half an hour late to a meeting.”

  “Can I ask you a question?” Tonya didn’t wait for an answer. “Why were you over thirty minutes late in the first place? It’s not like you.”

  “It wasn’t my fault,” Holly said, frustration boiling into her tone. She arrived at her car and sat on the hood. “I was with the new student.”

  “Sophie Alexander?”

  “Her father was half an hour late. No apologies. No call to give me a warning, much less asking if being thirty minutes late was a problem. Nothing. What a jerk.”

/>   Holly heard a slight cough coming from behind her. She turned, casting a glance at the silver car. Yet, it wasn’t the auto that caught her attention. There, sitting behind the steering wheel, was the topic of her conversation. Liam Alexander.

  * * *

  Holly’s words stuck with Liam.

  Your daughter was worried.

  You aren’t the only one with responsibilities.

  She’d been right. So, when he asked his daughter what she wanted for dinner—and she’d replied with the expected answer of chicken nuggets—he knew just where to go.

  Sally’s on Main.

  He pulled into a parking place near the restaurant and glanced out the window. There, standing next to her own car, was Holly Jacobs with a phone pressed to her ear.

  From where he sat, it was impossible to miss her conversation—along with her long list of woes.

  No new financing.

  Twenty-thousand dollars owed.

  School sold to another buyer.

  Late because of the new student. Because of him.

  What a jerk.

  Yeah. Damn it, he was. And worse.

  Holly glanced over her shoulder. Her eyes met his. “I’ve got to go,” she said to the person on the other end of the call. She lowered the phone, her gaze still holding with his. Liam stepped from the car, unwilling to back down from the challenge.

  “Daddy,” Sophie called from her car seat. “Is that Dr. Holly?”

  Holly glanced in the car’s rear window. She smiled and waved. “Hi, Sophie.”

  With a clap, Sophie chanted. “Dr. Holly. Dr. Holly. Dr. Holly.”

  “We’re stopping for some dinner,” he said, feeling as though he owed Holly some explanation.

  “Have you eaten at Sally’s before?”

  “Years ago,” he said.

  “The food’s still really good. You have to try the pie.” She bent down to look in the window. With a wave at Sophie, she said, “I’ll see you soon, kiddo.”