Chapter 3
The next morning Wyatt rolled out of bed early.
He would soon meet the snowshoeing party at the equipment barn near the house.
They had done a lot to remodel the whole property to make it easier for guests including parking.
Then he and Dale had changed up a lot of the landscaping to protect the privacy of the houses behind the business.
All in all, it worked pretty well—especially on early mornings like this one when he could spend a little extra time in bed with his wife. Some days it was almost too much that he had it all. And better still that he could share it all with Evelyn.
Way back in the day, he never dreamed life could be this good. He was more than grateful and he tried to show it to her, the family, and the community every day.
He poured his coffee into a travel mug and then went back to the bedroom to kiss Evie goodbye, only to find her sitting up in bed with a notebook in her lap. “What are you doing awake?”
“You know me.” She closed the notebook. “Always a new idea looking for an outlet.”
“One thing I love about you.”
“Thanks. Be safe out there today.”
“Always,” he assured her.
“While you’re out, I’ll get everything together so we can dress at the casino.”
“Solid plan.” He kissed her again, lingering as much as he dared. “You are a smart woman. Your dad will have a blast with the boys tonight.”
“I heard whispers about a gift wrapping party.”
“Oh.” Wyatt sat back. “Duly noted. Other than brainstorms, what are you up to today?”
“I’m mostly in the office today.”
“Good. I’ll see you later.” Brushing his lips across hers one last time, he forced himself to the door and back to work.
The snowshoeing group arrived right on time. He would be leading two couples—brothers and their wives—up to the overlook. It was an easy route, but since it was their first time on snowshoes, he knew there would be a few challenges and funny moments.
He got everybody geared up, confirmed they were prepared with the right outerwear, sunscreen, and sunglasses for this bright winter morning.
Behind the barn, the snowshoeing lessons were accompanied by plenty of laughter and good-natured ribbing.
And by the time they were ready to head out, Wyatt was confident they would all have a blast. Him included.
He led the way toward the trail, reminded them to ask questions, and set out at a steady clip.
Along the way, he pointed out various natural interests, including signs of deer and mountain goats. “At the overlook on a clear day like this, we’re likely to see bald eagles too.”
The idea created plenty of anticipation as they worked their way along. He answered the typical questions about growing up here, running the business, and of course, any tips for winning big at the casinos.
His favorite question. “Best way to make bank at the casinos is to keep your money in your pocket,” he teased.
The four of them laughed.
“Seriously, don’t play roulette,” he advised. “It’s got the worst odds of winning no matter where you gamble.”
They came around a bend in the path and a break in the trees, and he paused for the group to take pictures with that crisp blue winter sky behind them.
Moving on, he spotted cougar tracks and pointed them out, assuring the group there was nothing to worry about. “We’re way too noisy and we’re a big group,” he explained. “They want easier prey than us. Besides, this isn’t their ideal hunting time.”
One of the women pointed to the ground just off the trail. “Is that cougar poop?”
Wyatt came over for a closer look. Smiling, he reached down and picked it up. “This is an owl pellet. Owls can’t digest the bones and fur of their prey, so when they’re done eating, they regurgitate these pellets. It’s a good find. Do you want to keep it?”
The woman shook her head. “I’ll get my souvenirs from the casinos.”
“Understood. Can’t say I blame you.” He tossed the pellet back into the woods and kept going.
They hit the overlook at just the right time to see the eagles. The group was thrilled, watching the soaring raptors ride the thermals, perching occasionally in the treetops near the ridge.
Wyatt unpacked the picnic for the group which was basically a hiker’s version of a charcuterie board with cheeses, crackers, olives, nuts, and sliced summer sausage. There was plenty of cool water, along with thermoses of hot chocolate.
His radio crackled and he stepped aside, recognizing the dispatcher’s voice from the sheriff’s search and rescue unit. Listening in, he heard someone had slipped off a path and down an icy slope and was unable to get out.
Hearing the trail location, Wyatt realized he was a thirty-minute hike away from the scene.
Probably less if he pushed himself or cut through the woods from this trail to that one.
He didn’t need to go. A highly trained rescue unit was being deployed to the scene and he had his own group to think about.
His primary role today was tour guide. They’d hired him to show them the rugged beauty of the area, provide a fun experience, and get them back safely.
Besides, Evie would skin him alive if he involved himself and then wound up late for the party. The casino event was their one big non-negotiable each year, especially since becoming parents.
And he enjoyed it as much as she did, mainly because she did. Seeing her all dressed up and getting to undress her afterwards was the perfect way to cap each year.
He walked back to the group. While they snacked and took photos, he answered more questions, made some suggestions for good options to round out their holiday vacation in Deadwood.
The radio crackled again. This time the dispatcher was asking directly for Wyatt to respond. “Excuse me,” he said, retreating once more. “Go for Jameson.”
“Sheriff Russell. Are you at the overlook?”
“Yes, sir. With a party of four,” he confirmed. “Rescue is responding to that hiker in distress, right?”
“It’s now a compound situation. Secondary victim. Could use your help.”
Wyatt looked around. He wasn’t sure exactly what he could do, but the sheriff wouldn’t have called directly if he didn’t have an idea.
“Can you wrap your tour early and come to us? We’ve got a missing kid.”
“I can. We’re on snowshoes, but I’ll come back up on a snowmobile.” It was the only way to save time. “How old is the child?”
“Unclear. Ten or so,” the sheriff replied.
Wyatt was thinking about the area and all the places a kid that age could find trouble. “I’ll be on scene as soon as possible.”
The radio was quiet for a moment, then the sheriff came back on. “I’ve spoken with Lisa. She’s sending up someone to take over your party.”
Wyatt had been mentally calculating refunds for cutting the group’s excursion short. “Okay, we’ll be ready for the change up.”
Russell worked fast. Wyatt had barely finished explaining the situation to the guests when he heard the snowmobile rumbling up the trail. “And that will be my ride.” He pocketed a couple of bottles of water knowing plenty of other rescue gear would be on the snowmobile.
The group asked for a picture with him and wished him luck with the rescue.
“Thanks,” Wyatt replied. “Please stop by the office at the Silver Aces. Lisa will make sure to sort out the refunds for you.”
They all protested immediately. “No way, man! We’ve had a perfect day. This just adds an extra layer of excitement to our story.”
“Offer stands,” Wyatt said. He shook hands with both couples before trading his snowshoes for the snowmobile with Sam, one of their long-term, full-time employees. “Sam will take great care of you.”
Heading into the woods, he radioed Sheriff Russell to confirm the location and estimated arrival. Then he set off with single-minded focus, running as straight a line as he could to reach the scene and join the rescue team.
When he got there, things were in motion, all of them more harrowing than he expected.
The rescue crews were working to pull an adult victim up from the icy slope. A treacherous and tedious task. They made every effort to prevent further injury while trying to stabilize the victim and get them to safety.
He walked over to the search and rescue leader, Cori Yardley. “Sheriff Russell sent me up,” Wyatt said to her. “What have we got?”
A tight smile flashed in greeting. “Wyatt. Great. Thanks for coming.” Cori turned to the woman beside her. “Mrs. Jenner, this is Wyatt Jameson. He’s going to help us find your son.”
The woman’s hand trembled a little as she extended it to shake Wyatt’s. “Thank you. He’s eleven and always wanting to help.” Her smile wobbled.
“Sounds like a good kid,” Wyatt soothed. “What’s his name?”
“Noah.” She swiped a tear from her cheek. “We were having a snowball fight when my husband slipped and fell. Noah, he, um… He went to look for a cell signal when my calls didn’t go through right away.”
She looked around as if the boy should be right there with her.
“I thought he would stay on the trail. I didn’t expect him to wander off.
I was there, trying to—” She gestured toward where the rescue crew worked.
“But now I can’t find him and he’s not answering me when I call for him.
He’s not answering the phone either. But the signal is weak.
” She dropped her face into her gloved hands, sobbing.
Her eyes were red and puffy when she looked up again. “I-I can’t lose them both.”
“No ma’am,” Wyatt assured her. “Cori and her team are the best on the mountain. You can count on them. As for your son, you can count on me. I grew up in these mountains, and I was a kid once too. Often eager to help, just like Noah. Does your son have any hiking or outdoors experience?”
“Not much beyond our annual winter vacations. I can’t believe he’s run off.”
Wyatt understood. The kid was only doing his best, just like his mom. “Just hang in there. Keep breathing. That’s your only job. We’ll handle everything else.”