by Vella, Wendy
“Get out,” he snapped.
She did as he asked, walking out into the ice-cold weather and gulping in a breath. She walked slowly down the road to where she’d parked her car. By the time she’d climbed in, she’d forgiven him, her anger turning to sympathy. Seeing his family had caused Fin pain; she just wasn’t sure why. But she’d tell Joe, and he’d talk to him. Someone had to.
Chapter Fifteen
Fin walked to his window, having tossed and turned most of the night. He looked at the mountains. Hell of a place to live, he had to concede. As the head ranger, he had a cabin not far from the station. It was quiet, surrounded by nature, and his haven. Small, compact, and perfect for one man. He’d found himself wanting more lately, and when he’d overheard Ted talking about cutting off some of his acres, he’d decided to purchase a piece.
He loved it here. This was his home, and these were his people.
Last night, after the guilt had got too much for him, Fin had gone to the lodge to share a meal with his father and family. His father’s family, he amended. It had been strained, but he’d tried for Mallory’s sake. After two hours he’d left, and to his mind, his duty was done. His father, he knew, had other ideas. He wanted to talk, wanted to build a relationship. Fin wanted him gone from Ryker Falls.
He needed to apologize to Maggie. He’d been rude and mean to her, and that wasn’t him. His family made him that way, which wasn’t an excuse for bad behavior, but no one said it was rational.
But one thing Maggie said had started him thinking. His little sister deserved more from him, so he’d try harder for her, but not his father.
Picking up his phone as it buzzed, he said hello.
“Morning, asshole,” Joe said by way of greeting.
“Dickhead.”
“Any news on who the body belongs to?”
“Not yet, but Chief Blake is hoping today if they can get fingerprints it will be quicker; but if not then it could be weeks.”
“I hope it’s the fingerprints then, for Mrs. Linbar’s sake.”
“Me too.”
“You still thinking about getting a puppy?”
“Pondering the possibilities.”
“The place I got Buzz has a new litter, and the owner contacted me, as Pip and Dylan want one. I thought of you.”
“Warms my heart how you do that.”
“What can I say, I’m a good guy who always thinks about others before himself.”
“Just like the other day on the court when I asked for a pass and you threw it at my knees, do you mean?”
“If you were agile, you’d have caught it.”
“Mr. Goldhirsh already told me about the pups. So what’s the deal with you and him wanting me to get a dog?”
“We think that if no woman will have you, at least you’ll have company. Now, I don’t have time to chat, so be at Maggs’s gallery at 4:00 p.m.”
“What? Why the gallery?”
“Maggs is bringing in a shipment, and I’m helping her unload it, so you can too.”
“So what you’re saying is, I’ll do all the work.”
“Exactly. Plus, we’re all going to the lodge tonight. Mom’s got the kids, so heading there to act like real adults, around 8:00 p.m.”
“Okay.”
Joe made a kissing sound then hung up.
Smiling, Fin showered and pulled on his uniform. He had a legitimate reason for seeing Maggs now. He couldn’t get her out of his head. Touching her, kissing her, the feel of her. It was driving him crazy. He had to have that woman and soon. The issue was getting her to agree.
Leaving the cabin, he headed to the station. It was cold today, and a big dump of snow was coming. He just hoped any idiots didn’t decide to go tramping, thereby getting lost and needing him to find them. People, Fin had fast learned when he took this job, could be really dumb.
“Fin,” Ed, his deputy ranger, said when he wandered into the station.
Long and low, it looked like a log cabin and was in keeping to the general theme of buildings in this part of Ryker. Natural and blending.
Emmy, the administrator, had put up a Christmas tree and strung it with lights set to twinkle, and if you looked at them too long, they hurt your eyes. She’d also strung garlands of greenery about the place.
“Coffee’s hot,” Edwina Neil said. Average height with short blonde hair, Ed was in her late forties and rarely rattled. She’d been a ranger here before he arrived. Fin could throw anything at the woman, and she’d simply nod and get to it, unlike Fin’s cadet, who was slumped over his desk slurping coffee.
“Brent. Late night?”
Tall, some would say handsome—Fin wasn’t one of them—Brent Hauge had the makings of an excellent ranger, and Fin was slowly molding him into shape. At twenty-three, he could still be immature and annoy the shit out of Ed and Fin, but for all that he was good under pressure, even if he argued every point with Fin.
“Don’t raise your voice, his head hurts,” Ed yelled to Fin as he made for the coffeepot.
“Fuck you, Ed,” Brent muttered.
“I think you’re on kitchen duty today, and the bathroom needs scrubbing… with a toothbrush,” Fin said.
“And fuck you too,” Brent added, glaring at him.
“So according to Mrs. Howard”—Ed moaned at her name—“we have to organize the New Year’s Eve Scavenger Hunt,” Fin said.
“I bet she asked you and now you’re putting it on us,” Brent interjected.
“So I was thinking we’ll use the land down from my cabin.” Fin ignored him. “That has rocks, trees, and plenty of places to get lost.
Ed rocked back on her chair. “So if we are running it, then we don’t have to participate?”
“Exactly.”
Ed and Brent looked happy about that. “So you two scout out some locations, I’ll work up a few too, then we can speak with the organizing committee about clues.”
“Why is there always a committee?” Brent muttered.
“Small towns, bud, they thrive on them.”
“Phone for you, Fin,” Emmy called. “Chief Blake.”
He took it, leaning on the counter.
“Fin Hudson.”
“Chief Blake here. The body belongs to Simon Linbar. Looks like a blow to the head killed him, but he’d been in a fight too, the coroner said.”
“Okay. You want me to go back up and take another look around, see what turns up?”
“I do, and I’ll accompany you,” Chief Blake said.
Fin finished the call, then told his staff the news.
“Hell of a thing,” Ed said. “Could be someone I walked by in the street who did it.”
“Hell of a thing,” Fin said. “Now do some work,” he added, heading into his office.
He worked through correspondence and emails and pushed yet more thoughts of Maggie from his head. He’d see her soon, and that shouldn’t have him as happy as it did. Especially as Mrs. Linbar was right now in agony.
At one, Brent appeared in his doorway.
“Ted’s here, Fin. Two of his guests haven’t returned from their hike.”
“Again? Why are these people so useless?” he muttered.
“I heard that.”
“What is it with your guests, bud?” Fin got to his feet and slapped his friend’s hand. “How come you keep losing them? It’s like they’re baby birds and you toss them out the door as soon as they can fly, without a brain cell between them.”
“Harsh. And we give them the lists you gave us about staying to trails and what to take. They’re just eager to be at one with nature.”
“It’s freezing, and winter, and snow could dump at any time. Show more sense.”
“I told them to stay close, just walk to the base. Seems they disobeyed me.”
Ted wore a smile and a deep gray suit, white shirt, and gray tie.
Fin studied him. “You know, there’s a small part inside me that misses that asshole you were. All this smiling and happy shit is just p
lain nauseating.”
Ted’s smile grew. “Mandy made me breakfast in bed this morning.”
“Nice.”
“It was.”
The look in Ted’s eyes told Fin there was likely something other than food on offer.
“I’m happy for you, bud.”
“Me too. It’s a weird thing though, Fin. I seem to be smiling all the time. I’ve had to really work hard at scowling so the staff don’t think I’m going soft.”
Fin laughed. “I’m sure you can still do mean.”
“Hell yes, I can!”
When Ted left, Brent and Fin pulled on packs loaded with what they’d need if there was a medical emergency and headed out to find the reckless tourists. They’d been gone only a few hours but had planned to return by one, as they’d booked a table in the restaurant for lunch.
The day was cool, but as usual the beauty of the place settled around Fin like a warm coat. This was home, he thought. He didn’t need anything more than this and his friends.
They found the group of three just off the trails.
“Oh thank God!” The woman who approached Fin was in her late twenties. “You have to save us!”
“That’s what we’re here for,” Fin said.
“My father, he’s broken his wrist, I’m sure of it.”
“And no one thought of going to get help?” Brent asked.
“We couldn’t leave him, and I was always told you stay together in these circumstances.”
She wore new hiking boots, fitted tights over very nice legs, and a jacket.
Fin shot Brent a look when he opened his mouth. He shut it. They were only a few feet off the main trail, and the walk down and up wasn’t exactly taxing, and he knew that it would not have been overly difficult for someone to go and get help. But what was done was done.
He checked out the man and thought it more likely his wrist was sprained.
The daughter yammered on the entire time, questioning Fin’s credentials, which just pissed him off. The mother stayed silent, looking anxious.
“Your husband will be just fine,” Fin said, smiling at her.
He strapped the wrist, then he and Brent helped the man to his feet.
“Shouldn’t you bring a stretcher for him?”
“I’m sure his feet are fine,” Fin said, out of patience, as the woman had been at him since he’d started looking over her father. “Be careful with him.” “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” “Shouldn’t you call an ambulance?” That one had got him. They were on a narrow track with bush and trees everywhere.
“It wouldn’t have made it up the trail, as it’s not wide enough, even if it was necessary, which in no way is it.” He said with exaggerated patience.
“He’s injured!” She stood before Fin with her hands braced on her hips. “How dare you be flippant with me.”
Fin no longer thought she was hot. In fact, if she sprouted horns, he wouldn’t be surprised. Looking at her father, he saw the man was in pain but also resigned. Maybe this was her parents’ lot in life, to be bullied by their daughter. However, it was not Fin’s.
“I am not being flippant; I am being honest. I’m the head ranger here. Loosely interpreted, that means I’m the boss dog in these parts and know my stuff.”
“So you say,” she snarled.
“So I know. And if you don’t like what I’m doing, keep your thoughts to yourself, because I’m standing between you and getting out of here.”
“I’ll report you!”
“Go right ahead. Ted will be able to point you in the direction of those forms. I believe they’re about twenty pages long. But you have a lot to say, so I’m sure you’ll fill those in in no time.”
Her father snorted.
“Dad!”
“Be quiet now, Heather. Seriously, these men are just trying to help, and I know you’re worried, but I’m fine.”
After that, she surprisingly shut her mouth, although she sent a few dark stares Fin’s way as they made their way off the mountain.
He handed them over to Ted and his staff, then left as fast as his and Brent’s legs could carry them.
“My thoughts are with any man brave enough to take that woman on,” Brent said.
“I’d suggest getting a standing order for muzzles,” Fin muttered.
…
After a shower, Fin pulled on clean clothes, then jumped into his cruiser and headed to Artsy Fartsy, Maggie’s gallery. He still thought the name weird, but the stock they carried in there was excellent quality.
Entering, he wandered through the building, looking at the art on the white walls. Lighting was strategically placed and highlighted the pieces.
“Be right there,” someone called from somewhere. Maggie, Fin thought. He would know her voice anywhere.
He found the gallery owner up a ladder, her lovely legs in sheer black nylon under a short black skirt. High black heels where lying on the floor at the base of the ladder. Her shirt was lemon yellow, blousy, and tucked into the skirt. If he cupped her breast now, he’d feel a great deal more.
Shut it down.
And seeing those legs from this position did nothing to put a stop to his thoughts. Hot, Fin thought. He’d always thought this woman extremely hot.
“Hey, you.” He said the words softly so as not to scare her, but she still jumped.
He moved to steady the ladder as it wobbled.
“I’m okay. You just startled me.”
“What are you doing?”
She had a hammer in one hand and nails in the other.
“Baking.”
“Ha, but seriously?”
“Fixing a shelf. It needs reinforcing.”
“Get down; I’ll do it.”
“I don’t need a man to do it. We women can even vote nowadays.”
He watched her expertly hammer in a nail, which showed him, he thought. He steadied the ladder and enjoyed the view as she hammered in a few more nails. Her butt did a little shimmy with every whack, and it was quite something.
“How was dinner with your family, Fin?”
He didn’t question how she knew he’d had dinner with his father. Small towns meant you got away with nothing. “Hell, but the way I see it, any meal I don’t have to cook is a good one.”
“How was Mallory?”
“Good.” He didn’t add anything, and she took the hint.
“Have they identified the body yet?” She looked down at him.
“Yes. It’s Simon Linbar.”
“That sucks. His poor mother.”
“It does. But at least now she knows and can grieve for him.”
“True. Still must be heartbreaking.” She slapped the shelf, and it didn’t fall, so he guessed whatever she’d done had worked.
“Hand me your hammer.”
“Why?” She looked down.
“So you can get down.” Her lips were painted in bright glossy red that should play hell with her hair but actually looked good enough to nibble.
“I can get down holding a hammer, Fin. Really, I don’t need a man to look after me. I’m a big brave woman who can do stuff all by herself. Why are you here anyway?”
“To help unpack the truck.”
“Why?” She looked down at him.
“I get that you’re a strong woman, Maggs, but cut me some slack here. You’re not allowing me to perform my manly duties.”
Outside, a car backfired. Reid Hamilton’s truck; this Fin knew as he’d heard it yesterday when he’d been in town. Bas couldn’t fit it in to fix until tomorrow, and it had been making this noise for two weeks now. The town had sent a delegation to tell him to sort it out.
“The entire town of Ryker Falls will be happy when Reid Hamilton finally gets that backfire fixed,” he muttered, turning back to look at Maggs.
She was focusing on the shelf. Unmoving, her hand clenched around the hammer. The other braced on the wall.
“Maggie?”
Chapter Sixteen
Re
id Hamilton’s truck backfiring, Maggie told herself over and over. Not a gun firing at her. No one here in Ryker Falls wanted to shoot her.
“You’ve just noticed the shelf isn’t straight?”
She could hear Fin and latched on to his voice. Steady and solid, Fin wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
“Maggs?”
She stretched out her hand and handed him the hammer. He was behind her, and she knew he’d seen the gesture because his finger brushed hers as he took it.
“Are you all right?”
“Just checking the shelf.” Her words sounded strained, but that was the best she could do. “Coming down now.”
Hands plucked her off the top step, and in seconds she was on her feet on the cold wooden floor.
“Hey! I said I’d get down myself.”
“I’ve always fancied myself as a Prince Charming type. This kind of thing just builds on that. You’ll tell others, then it’ll be around town that I’m this handsome hero, and women will come running.”
“You’re delusional.” Her voice sounded better now. Stronger.
Fin braced his hands on his hips. “I call it as I see it.” He smirked.
“Weirdo.” Maggie bent to pick up the hammer and nails, and then slipped on her shoes. She walked away from him to the back room where she kept all her supplies. Paintings were in the racks, and her desk was loaded down with papers and brochures.
He’d followed her, and suddenly the room seemed smaller.
“Oh, please, you talk about me being weird in a town full of them.”
“Weirdos?”
“Exactly,” he agreed.
“I’m not disputing there are plenty of eccentric people in Ryker, Fin. But until now I’d not lumped you in with them. You have an ego and can be annoying, and then there’s that thing you do with your fingers.”
“What thing?”
“The flicking thing when you make a point.” She turned to face him, now back under control. The panic hadn’t taken her into a full-fledged attack. Distraction in the form of a big handsome man was helping. The man had no right being that sexy when he probably just picked up the nearest clothes and pulled them on without looking in the mirror.
She’d been pressed to all that wonderful maleness. Kissed breathless and touched in the ranger station, and the memory had played out over and over in her head ever since.
