Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
May had planned to take a bubble bath and read a book after dinner. Instead, she stood and crossed to the window. Outside, clouds were gathering fast, thick and bruised, swallowing the last of the sun. A sudden arc of lightning split the distant sky with white fire tracing across the jagged peaks.
Excitement caught her. She scrambled through her desk drawer until she found her Canon EOS. She lifted it, focused out the window, and steadied her breathing. She’d captured several lightning shots over the past few months, but this one—closer, warmer, framed against those mountains—would be special.
Her phone buzzed again. She exhaled as frustration flickered through her. “Oh, dang it.” She’d barely framed the shot. The lightning had been perfect with a clean white vein across the darkening sky, and now the moment was already slipping away. She lowered the camera, reached for the phone, and answered. “Dr. Smirnov.”
“Hey, it’s Brock.”
Her heart sank. Brock didn’t call for small talk. “Hey, Brock. What’s going on?”
“We’ve got two missing tourists. They went four-wheeling this morning and were supposed to be back by lunch. They’re five hours late, and there’s a storm coming.”
May’s gaze snapped back to the window where clouds were thickening by the second. “Do we know which route they took?”
“They went up Whisper Creek Trail.”
She winced. That trail branched like a nervous system once riders got high enough. “And after the split?”
“We don’t know. One of them’s diabetic.”
Fantastic. “How old?”
“Late twenties. Engaged couple from Washington State. They’re up here for a week of river rafting and fishing, pretty much like everybody else.” Papers shuffled on his end. “Johnny Wilson and Patty Young. Patty’s the diabetic.”
May catalogued the possible problems. “Do we know if she took glucose tabs or insulin?”
“We don’t.” Brock paused. “I’m assuming she did, so I’m not panicking about that. I’m more concerned about the storm and how late they are. They should’ve been back by now.”
May was already moving, mind ticking through scenarios. “I can go on the search. I’ll leave Ivy here to handle anything that comes in, just in case.”
“Remember the rules, Doc. Two by two.”
“I know the rules. I helped set them up,” she grumbled.
He chuckled, sounding like Ace. “I know. We’re using Sam’s Tavern as the command center. We’ll send teams out from there.”
“I’m on my way.” She ended the call. The distant thunder rolled low, more vibration than sound. It was going to be chilly, for sure. She grabbed her raincoat and gloves, slipped off her tennis shoes, and pulled on her boots. The familiar motions steadied her.
She crossed into the reception area where Ivy and Nancy Phylets were chatting. Nancy, in her early thirties, looked blissfully relaxed in that rare pocket of quiet she claimed the clinic gave her. Four sons at home would do that to a woman. Her hair was tucked beneath a hat, and her eyes carried that easy, borrowed calm. “Hey, Doc. What’s up?”
“We’ve got missing tourists and a storm on the way.” May glanced at Ivy, who’d received a lovely bouquet of flowers from Jack earlier that day. “I need you to hold the fort down while I go search.” She reached beneath the reception desk and pulled out her field kit. The weight of it settled into her hand, solid and reassuring, as thunder bellowed again over Knife’s Edge.
The door opened and Ace stepped inside. May’s breath caught before she could stop it. He looked even more handsome than usual with his dark hair ruffled by the wind and light green eyes intent and alert. A five-o’clock shadow traced the angled planes of his jaw. He wore jeans, a T-shirt, a loose jacket, and well-worn boots that carried the dust of the day. “Hey, Doc. I’m your partner for the search.”
Warmth slid through her, unexpected and low in her belly. She hated that her body reacted before her brain had a vote. “All right.” She ignored the interest that leapt into Ivy’s eyes and the small smile curving Nancy’s red-painted lips.
“We’re supposed to take Whisper Creek Trail, then turn north toward Deadfall Ridge. I know that area best. You okay riding with me?” Ace asked.
“Yeah. Definitely.” So okay. Way okay, in fact.
Ace nodded. “I had to give my spare four-wheeler to the other searchers. We really need to get more for the town.”
“Cotton balls first,” Ivy said dryly.
“Proceeds earned this tourist season should help,” Nancy chirped. “We’ve had a lot of visitors come in with really good insurance.”
May tugged on her gloves. “I can’t believe we think that’s a good thing.”
“Hey, cotton balls are expensive,” Ivy retorted. Then she softened slightly. “Check in, will you? I’ll let you know if anything’s happening here.”
“You’ve got it,” May said.
Ace held the door as she stepped outside. The wind hit her instantly, whipping against her coat and stealing the warmth from her skin. “Ooh, that’s a good one coming.” The temperature had dropped fast by at least ten degrees.