Chapter 30
CHAPTER 30
W yatt leaned back in his chair, hiding his amusement as Professor Manning launched into yet another story about the Klondike Gold Rush. They’d been playing cards in the lodge’s great room since lunch, and somehow every hand led to another historical tangent.
“Did you know,” the professor adjusted his round glasses, completely forgetting to play his card, “that some of the prospectors actually carried their supplies up the Chilkoot Pass forty times to meet the ton of goods required by the Mounties?”
“That’s fascinating,” Sophie said, and Wyatt could tell she meant it. She sat cross-legged in her chair, cards forgotten in her hand, completely caught up in the story.
Whitney, who’d heard most of these tales before, caught Wyatt’s eye and grinned. “Professor, I believe it’s your turn.”
“Oh! Yes, yes, of course.” He looked down at his cards as if surprised to find them there. “Now, where was I?”
Dark clouds were gathering over the mountains outside the window, drawing Wyatt’s attention. The wind had picked up in the last hour, carrying that distinctive scent that promised a storm was rolling in. Usually, this weather would have him heading back to his cabin, but today he was content to stay where he was, watching Sophie’s face light up at each new historical detail.
“After this hand,” Sophie was saying, “I need to set up my aurora monitoring equipment. The storm might clear out just in time for?—”
His radio crackled to life, cutting her off. “Ranger Boone.”
The tension in the voice had him reaching for the radio before the call finished. “Go ahead.”
“We’ve got two missing hikers. The Michaels called it in. Their daughters went ahead on the Carson Ridge trail while they stopped for photos. That was three hours ago.”
Wyatt’s jaw clenched. He knew those kids—Taylor and Mia, the teenagers staying at the lodge. Whitney, who had been shuffling the cards, went still at the names.
“Status of the search?”
“Mr. Michaels already tried looking for them himself. He’s been searching for the past hour while his wife waited at the car. Storm’s rolling in fast and both girls’ phones are going straight to voicemail.”
“I’m ten minutes out. Start assembling search teams.”
He was already moving when Sophie’s hand caught his arm. The determination in her eyes stopped him. “Wait. My thermal imaging equipment—it might help.”
His first instinct was to refuse, to tell her this wasn’t the time, but something in her expression made him pause. “How?”
“It’s designed to detect temperature variations even in bad conditions.” She was already packing up the sophisticated device, her movements quick and efficient. “I’ll drive out with you and show you how to use it. And before you argue—I’ll stay with the vehicle. I know I’d just slow you down on the mountain.”
The practical attitude caught him off guard. He’d been bracing for an argument about her coming along.
“Let’s go.”
The drive to the trailhead was tense, the gathering clouds casting an ominous shadow over the landscape. Sophie used the time to explain the thermal imaging camera, her voice steady and focused.
When they pulled up to the trailhead, the Michaels were already out of their car, pacing. Nathan Michaels strode toward them, his face etched with worry, while his wife wrung her hands beside him.
“I’ve been up there searching,” Nathan said, his voice rough. “I called out until I was hoarse, but nothing. I can’t just stand here—I’m going back up with you.”
“Mr. Michaels.” Wyatt kept his voice calm but firm. “I need you both to stay here. You’ve done the right thing calling us, but now you need to let us handle this.”
“Those are my daughters up there!” Nathan’s voice cracked.
“And that’s exactly why you need to stay here.” Wyatt caught his eye. “If they make their way back down while we’re searching, they need to find you here. We’ll bring them back, I promise.” Sophie had the thermal imaging camera ready, showing them the different settings with surprising expertise.
“The screen will light up yellow or red for heat signatures,” she explained. “It can detect them even through tree cover or light precipitation.”
Travis raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. “That’s some serious equipment.”
“Ghost hunting has its perks.” She handed the camera to Wyatt, her fingers brushing his. “Be careful up there.”
He squeezed her hand briefly, noting how cold her fingers were despite the warmth in her eyes. “Stay in the vehicle. Storm’s coming fast.”
She nodded, no argument. “I’ll monitor the radio. And Wyatt?” She caught his eye. “Find them.”
The search was grueling. Wind howled through the trees as they climbed, but the thermal camera proved invaluable. An hour in, it picked up a heat signature off-trail.
They found the teenagers huddled against the remains of an old mining structure, cold and scared but alive. Mia had twisted her ankle badly enough to prevent their return. Her sister had wanted to go for help, but Mia had begged her to stay, terrified of being left alone in the growing storm.
When they finally got everyone safely down the mountain, Sophie was waiting in the truck, monitoring the radio and coordinating with the other search teams. She’d had the foresight to crank the heat and have emergency blankets ready.
Later, after the girls were safely with their parents and the storm was breaking overhead, Wyatt found himself studying Sophie. She sat in the passenger seat, her equipment carefully packed away, looking pleased but not smug about how useful it had been.
“Smart thinking with the thermal camera,” he said.
“I know my equipment.” She smiled. “And I know my limitations. Alaska’s your territory—I’m just glad I could help in my own way.”
He looked at her for a long moment, seeing her in a new light. She might chase ghosts and believe in the impossible, but she also knew when to step back and let others take the lead.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice low.
“For what?”
“For staying in the truck. For understanding.”
She tilted her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Well, someone has to be the sensible one in this...whatever this is.”
His laugh rumbled out, catching them both off guard. His gaze lingered on her, warm and searching. “Is that what we’re calling it?”
Her smile softened. “For now.”
The storm broke overhead, rain pattering against the windshield, but inside the truck, the air was warm with something that felt a lot like possibility.