She wasn’t sure what Reed’s plans were for the day, but suddenly, she was going to be working through these at Cassie’s. The idea of not getting to spend the entire day with him disappointed her, but she’d see him later at The Drunk Tank.
Shutting down her email, a search engine icon on the bottom of the screen caught her eye. The statewide search and rescue system.
Was that what Reed was looking at the night before?
She bit her lip. It was none of her business. She wasn’t a snoop. She wasn’t that woman—the one who creeped her boyfriend’s computer... Boyfriend? Friend? Sex addiction partner?
Sipping her coffee, she stared at the icon. What had he been looking for on the site? Information about their own mission the other night or a different one? She hit the icon and the screen lit up with a list of rescues and calls from all over Alaska.
Nothing unusual, and this was his job, after all, so why had he minimized the screen and acted secretive?
Then she noticed the search box at the top of the screen. His father’s name was typed into it. George Reynolds.
He was still looking for his father? He still believed the man had gone missing? Was still missing?
Her stomach turned, the coffee in her mouth tasting bitter. She knew the truth. George wasn’t missing. Three years ago, a man had come into emergency with a severed finger that needed to be reattached—a chainsaw accident in the forest where he’d been working with a nearby logging company. He’d registered under a different name, claiming to have lost his health insurance card, but she’d have recognized Cassie and Reed’s dad anywhere. The man had Reed’s blue eyes and the same dark hair. He had a dimple in his chin and a birthmark on his forehead. It had been him.
And the moment he saw her had confirmed it. He’d recognized her despite the years and he’d immediately requested a new surgeon to perform the reattachment. That had been fine with her. She’d been slightly shaken anyway. The way the man had abandoned his family had angered her and he was lucky the hospital had a policy of not turning anyone away.
She’d remembered the day years before, when her friend’s dad hadn’t shown up for his scheduled shift. For three days, they’d had search and rescue out looking for George, but there hadn’t been any sign of him.
Cassie and Reed had been devastated. The lack of closure had been worst of all, but then Cassie had discovered a journal her father had kept secretly for years, talking about his depression and his unhappiness...and she’d started to believe that her father’s disappearance hadn’t been an accident. She had made her peace, believing her father had committed suicide, and even after her encounter with the man, Erika hadn’t reached out to her to tell her any different. She’d tried a few times but hadn’t been confident it was the right thing. Cassie had found her closure, and reopening old wounds seemed hurtful and unnecessary. Obviously, George had no intentions of going back to his family.
Reed had never believed his father had committed suicide. Apparently he still didn’t.
He was still looking for his dad. Was that why he was so dedicated to his position on the search and rescue team? Was he hoping one day the call would lead him to his father...or at least to an answer?
An answer she had.
She felt slightly nauseous. She knew the truth. But did she have the nerve to tell Reed? Would he even want to hear it? Would he believe her?
* * *
LEAVING DIVA OUTSIDE, tied to a pole and being adored by a dozen ski school kids, Reed waited at the front of Wild Blossoms for the florist. Setting their breakfast takeout on the counter, he scanned the bouquets in the freezer behind him.
All flowers looked alike to him and they seemed like a waste of money, but he wanted to surprise Erika with something and none of the other shops were open yet.
Lilies? Roses? What color said I’m into you, don’t hurt me?
Did she even like flowers?
“Hey, Reed, how are you?” Mrs. Cartwright came from the back, carrying several poinsettias.
He rushed to help her with them. “I’m great, Mrs. C. I’m just looking for something for a...friend.”
She set her poinsettia down and glanced at the bag of breakfast on the counter. “One-night stand, you mean?” She wiped her hands on her apron.
“Um...” They had had sex, but this was definitely not a one-night stand. “No. We’ve known each other for years actually.” He glanced at the poinsettia in his arms. “Think she’d like this?”
“Is she seventy?”
“No.”
“Then probably not. Besides, you can’t have these around Diva.”
Right. “Well, I’m open to suggestions.”
Picking up her glasses, she slid them on, approaching the freezer. “Well, what kind of flowers does she like?”
Reed shrugged. “She doesn’t strike me as someone who’d like roses... Would daisies seem too cheap?”
“Do you want to have sex with her again?”
He blushed. Discussing his sex life with the eighty-two-year-old woman who’d known him since he was ten was a little weird. “I’d like that very much, yes,” he mumbled.
“Okay. What’s her favorite color?”
“Not sure.” She wore a lot of red. The more vibrant the shade the better. It contrasted beautifully with her dark hair and eyes...
“Her birthday?”
Shit. He should know this one. But he couldn’t remember her ever having a birthday party. Too bad he couldn’t text Cass—she’d know all of this. He bit his lip. “Sometime in summer, I think?”
Mrs. Cartwright rolled her eyes. “What are her hobbies? What is she into?”
“She’s a workaholic, so I don’t think she has any.” He was confident in that answer at least.
The older lady sighed. “I have just the thing.”
“I knew you would.”
Going behind the counter, she picked up a small hardcover book and handed it to him. “This is for you. Not her.”
Things You Should Know About a Woman Before Sleeping With Her. Romance Advice from Fifty Years of Marriage. Written by Mrs. C.
Reed cleared his throat. “Right. Thank you,” he said, tucking the book into his coat pocket.
“That will be sixteen dollars,” she said.
“What? I thought it was a gift?” He reached for his wallet.
“There’s solid gold relationship advice in that book—that shit’s not free.”
He laughed. “I’m sure it’s worth every penny.” And she did have a point. For knowing Erika almost his entire life, he didn’t know much about her.
Though that wasn’t entirely true. He knew how to please her in bed, knew how to get under her skin, knew how dedicated she was to her career, how driven and passionate she was. He may need to find out some of these other superficial things, too, but he did know her, despite what Mrs. C might think.
He placed the cash on the counter and reached for the takeout bag.
“One more piece of advice that’s not in the book?” she asked, stopping him.
“Will it cost me?”
“This one’s free.”
“In that case, hit me.”
“A one-night stand gets takeout. A friend you’re falling in love with gets a home-cooked meal,” she said with a wink.
Damn, she was right. “Enjoy,” he said, leaving the food on the counter and heading outside. “Change of plans, Diva. We’re headed to the grocery store.”
Twenty minutes later, he juggled the tray of coffee and the bags in his arms as he entered his apartment. “I hope you can wait a little longer for breakfast,” he said, seeing Erika sitting at the island in his kitchen. She was dressed already, which was a mild disappointment. He’d been hoping to eat, then climb back into bed with her.
“Um...actually, Reed, I’m going to have to pass on breakfast,” she
said, standing and walking toward him.
He set the bags on the counter and handed her a coffee. “Why? Don’t trust my cooking?”
She smiled but something felt off. His gut twisted.
“Hey, everything okay?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer.
She held back slightly, keeping her coffee cup between them. “Yes, everything’s fine. Just work, that’s all.”
She was definitely preoccupied. “Well, you’re more than welcome to use my laptop, and I’ll cook as quietly as I can. Let me feed you, at least.” This awkward tension hadn’t been there an hour ago.
Maybe he should have gotten the flowers anyway.
She shook her head. “I should get back to Cassie’s. I need to make some phone calls and this could take a while.”
Be cool. She said everything’s fine.
“Okay, no problem.”
She touched his cheek and some of the tension evaporated. “A rain check on breakfast?”
“My kitchen’s always open.” And his bedroom and unfortunately his heart.
She kissed him softly and he tightened his hold on her for just a second before releasing her. “I’ll see you later?”
“Yes.”
She grabbed her coat and slid her feet into her boots. “Come on, Diva,” she said, taking the dog’s leash and heading toward the door.
“Hey, Erika. What kind of flowers do you like?”
She frowned as she opened the door. “Flowers remind me of funerals.”
Dodged a bullet there.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ERIKA’S HASTY EXIT had him stressing all day as he worked at the station, organizing the new gear that had arrived. Reed accepted the fact that she was busy, but there was something different in her demeanor when he’d returned from walking Diva. He wasn’t sure what he’d done, and he was trying his best not to be paranoid, but something was definitely different in her gaze, her kiss and her goodbye.
“Hey, man, I thought you were taking the day off,” Tyler said, entering the station.
“I was going to, but there’s a lot to do around here...” He glanced past him to see a flatbed pull up into the garage. He frowned. “What’s that?”
“For the float.”
He’d forgotten the station was entering a float into the town’s Christmas parade the following weekend. They usually joined forces with the fire department, but this year they had a friendly rivalry going on for most creative display. The parade was one of the highlights of the season in Wild River. As kids, Reed and Cassie’s dad used to take them every year. Reed had stopped going after his dad disappeared, the tradition just not the same without him. He’d probably opt out of the float construction. Hopefully, Erika would help keep his extra time occupied...
“You okay?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.” He suppressed a yawn.
“Late night?” Tyler asked with a knowing grin.
“What do you know about it?” He could blame his mood on lack of sleep the night before, but he knew that wasn’t it. Though, he probably should call it a day and get some rest. He’d be useless if he was needed on a call or at the bar that evening. He was hoping to avoid both. The snow had picked up throughout the morning and the howling wind made it a great opportunity to stay inside under the covers all evening with Erika. He’d had her three times the night before and just the thought of her made him instantly hard again.
He hadn’t known his body capable of coming so many times in one night, but his need for Erika had surprised him.
Cassie’s reaction to them together was still a concern, but he knew despite her annoyance, she’d be happy that they were happy. And he hoped his sister didn’t mind PDAs because keeping his hands and lips off Erika, no matter who was around, just wasn’t happening.
Same went for his crew at the station. Tyler in particular.
The guy shrugged. “Nothing, man...just fucking with you. Someone’s in a shitty mood,” he said to Tiffany, the crew member in charge of the Christmas float.
She frowned and tossed an armful of tangled lights onto the desk. “I thought you were finally getting some.”
Shit, did everyone know? Well, if they thought he was in a bad mood now, they’d really have to put up with his crappy attitude once Erika left. “I think I’m going to head out.” As annoying as they were, they were right. But it wasn’t the marathon sex and lack of sleep making him so grumpy, it was Erika’s exit that morning and the fact that he’d yet to hear from her.
The blaring of the station phone made his stomach drop. The number for the state troopers’ office lit up the display. So much for sleeping off his shitty mood.
“Wild River Search and Rescue. This is Reed.” He cradled the phone between his ear and shoulder as he grabbed the printout that came over the fax machine.
“Sorry to have to tell you this, Reed, but it’s your sister’s camping group. We just received a 911 call for assistance on the east side of Chugach Mountain.”
His heart all but stopped.
“Her group is trapped in avalanche territory. We had contact for about three minutes, but we lost cell reception. I couldn’t make out their exact coordinates or determine if anyone was injured. This weather is messing with the phone lines. Can your crew find out all the info they can and begin the search?”
His throat was as dry as sandpaper. “Yes, of course. We’re on it,” he said, hanging up the phone and immediately dialing Snow Trek Tours.
“What’s going on?” Tyler asked.
He handed him the printout with the info as he waited for one of Cassie’s employees to answer the damn phone. Cassie always left detailed plans of each tour in her office in case of emergency—where the group was headed, their planned trails in and out of camp, and the stats on everyone participating. All the information they’d need would be in her trip folder.
Answer the damn phone!
Was no one working that day? Six rings then voice mail.
He hung up and immediately redialed, trying to remember which of the tour guides were going on the winter camping trip with Cass and how many people in total they’d be searching for. Unfortunately, the details were fuzzy. He’d been preoccupied by staring at her friend when she’d talked about the trip the other night in the bar.
No answer.
He ran a hand through his hair and, grabbing his cell, he dialed Erika next. They didn’t have time to waste.
She answered on the second ring. “Hi... I was just about to call you.”
The relief he’d have felt at her words three minutes ago didn’t come. “Hi. Listen, I’m wondering if you could do something for me...” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Cassie leaves a spare office key for Snow Trek Tours on the hook near the door. The keyring is a picture of Diva in a...in a tutu.” His sister was insane...but right now she was in trouble and his mind and pulse were frantic.
“I found them,” Erika said. “What’s wrong?”
“We just got a call that her camping crew needs assistance. They’re caught in this weather. We have no details, so I need your help. Can you go to the office and look through her files for info about this trip? Anything you can find about number of campers and their hiking plans...anything.” His usually clear head was fuzzy and his hand shook slightly. He forced a breath. If he ever needed to remain calm and in control, it was now. “There should be a file labeled with the name of the company and this week’s date.”
“Yes, of course,” she said and he could already hear the wind howling through the phone. “I’ll find it.”
“I’ll be there to meet you right away. Start searching for whatever you can find.”
“Okay...and you know I’m coming with you.”
He didn’t have time to argue and it would be futile anyway. His own worry echoed in Erika’s voice. “I
’ll be there soon.”
* * *
CASSIE’S ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS hadn’t improved much over the years. As Erika sorted through the files on her messy desk, she mentally lectured her friend. Employee time sheets...new survival skills training brochures...a file labeled Frankie’s Construction Weeklong. All she could find on the desk were folders from trips several weeks before.
File shit away when you’re done with it, Cass!
Pile after pile of paper, there was nothing.
She grabbed the inbox and started riffling through the papers there. Expansion details to acquire the space next door, several résumés...a bunch of invoices and statements...
She paused at one. A payment sent to the Anchorage Addictions Treatment Center? She scanned it quickly, suppressing a feeling of guilt. She shouldn’t be snooping but she couldn’t help herself. Cass wasn’t struggling with addictions...her mother?
Intake and Thirty-Day Treatment for George Reynolds.
Her father? Cassie knew the man was alive and she was paying for his addiction treatment? Erika hadn’t thought it possible for her heart rate to increase even more. She was wrong.
Did Reed know about this? He couldn’t, if he was still searching for his dad. Cassie was keeping knowledge about her father’s whereabouts—the truth—from her brother. Erika’s gut twisted and her palms sweat. This was not good, and it was knowledge she wished she didn’t have.
Damn it, why had she read the invoice?
She had to shake it off. They had more important things to focus on right now.
Stuffing the papers back into the inbox, she stood and opened the file cabinet to her right. Sitting on top, unfiled, was the folder she was looking for. Harbor Financial’s Corporate Winter Camping Retreat. She opened it quickly and saw the signed registration form from the company, signed waivers from eight participants and the three-day camping schedule.
Thank God she’d found it.
Reed sounded his horn twice as he pulled up outside. She glanced up in time to see him jump out of the truck and head toward the door.
Her gaze landed on the addictions treatment center invoice and conflicting emotions swirled through her. Cassie might be able to keep the truth from Reed, but could she? It had taken all her strength that morning not to mention her own run-in with the man at the hospital. Her sudden change in mood and her hasty exit had confused him, but she couldn’t be with him and keep the information to herself. She’d wanted to talk to Cass first... Now, she wasn’t sure her friend would be her ally in telling Reed.
An Alaskan Christmas Page 18
