Chapter 25
25
ASPEN
A n appreciative hum vibrated in my throat as I took another sip of the impeccable blend of milk and coffee from the oversized bear-shaped mug. This was absolute heaven. Delicious coffee, beautiful scenery outside the large window beside my table, and nothing to do.
Well, that last part wasn’t exactly true.
Glancing away from the window, I eyed the trail map resting on the wooden table in front of me and debated for the thousandth time since I sat down if I should do what I wanted or obey Miles’s order. I fully understood his reasons for being insanely cautious—though overbearing was a better word—but I was an independent woman who hadn’t been told what she could or couldn’t do in a very long time.
Part of me wanted to go on the hike just because he told me I couldn’t.
I huffed into the cup. Who did he think he was telling me, a fully grown adult, where I could or couldn’t go because he deemed it unsafe?
However, another part wanted to listen to him because he had a point, and if I listened, I’d more than likely be rewarded in all the best ways.
A soft, lovesick sigh blew past my lips as I turned my gaze back out the coffee shop’s large window. Light gray clouds blocked the sun, making it feel later in the day than midmorning. I checked my watch and glanced at the map again. If I left before noon, then I would be back before the guys were done with work, which meant I wouldn’t lose any of the precious time we had left together.
Thinking that shifted my thoughts from the hike to what Aiden brought up on the porch yesterday. They wanted me to stay. As in not leaving when my reservations at The Nest were over. Which was great since I wanted to stay.
I wanted to stay, right?
What if this was some vacation high where anything goes and reality didn’t matter? That could be the case, but what we had, what I felt for them, seemed deeper than that. Almost like this place was meant to be my forever. Just the thought of going back to Seattle or even just leaving Anchor Bay made my stomach sour, so why would I when I was utterly happy here?
The tiny bell above Sips’s door rang when the glass door swung open, allowing a man I hadn’t seen before to rush through. The older man behind the counter paused what he was doing to frown at the new person as he beelined to a door labeled Employees Only. Taking another sip, I turned back to study the brightly colored buildings on the other side of the street, but the newcomer reappeared, hastily tying a wrinkled apron around his waist.
“You’re late,” the older gentleman complained in a huff. “That’s twice in the last week, Jasper.”
My ears perked up at the name. Wasn’t that the name of the missing woman’s boyfriend, the one Hudson and the deputy sheriff mentioned they wanted to talk to?
“Damnit, I know. Sorry, Paul. It won’t happen again. Things have been…” His words trailed off when his swinging gaze landed on me. “Unusual.”
I sat frozen in my seat, unable to move, as Jasper stared me down with a harsh expression from across the café.
“Oliver came in asking about you.” Jasper’s assessing stare snapped when his head whipped toward Paul, eyes wide. “I told them you’d be working today.”
A muttered curse barely reached my ears. Shaking his head, Jasper grabbed a wet rag and shoved away from the counter.
“They won’t leave me the hell alone. I’m going to clean the tables.” But instead of stepping toward the ones with empty mugs and plates on top, he walked straight over to me. Pausing at my table, standing so close that I scooted toward the window or my shoulder would’ve brushed against his thigh, he said, “I don’t know you, but I’ve seen you around town.”
My throat closed up.
What the fuck kind of opening line was that?
A suspicious one, that was for damn sure.
“Taking the trail to Kenai Fjords or just visiting?” he asked, eyeing my half-empty mug. “Want another latte?”
“Visiting,” I rasped as I drew the mug close to my chest, afraid he’d take it no matter what I wanted. “And no, thank you. I’m good.”
“Which trail are you heading to?”
It suddenly felt like I couldn’t catch my breath. “How—” My voice broke. “How did you know I planned to go hiking later?”
Light, almost white brows pulled in tight, forming a line between them. “Well, you just confirmed it, but I asked based on the trail map you’ve got.” He tilted his shaved head toward the map unfolded on the table. “Want a local’s advice on which ones are the easiest?”
Heart hammering in my chest, every internal alarm bell rang in my head at the eerie way he studied me, waiting for my answer. Jasper was as much a stranger as Aiden that first day, but Aiden put me at ease instantly. This guy was the complete opposite. I wanted to run from him while checking over my shoulder to make sure he didn’t follow.
“No, thank you. I can manage on my own.” Hoping he’d get the hint that I was done with the conversation, I shifted in the seat to stare out the window. His looming presence remained there, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end for several long seconds before grumbling under his breath about rude tourists and walking away.
Once he was behind the counter, I slumped in the chair, breathing deeply to slow my racing pulse. The mug trembled as I raised it to my lips and took a sip of the now-cool coffee.
Movement outside the window drew my attention to a tall man wearing a cowboy hat and the smaller woman who walked hand in hand with him as they strolled down the street. I couldn’t see their faces, but their body language spoke to the strong romantic connection between them. I swallowed down a squeal of delight when something moved on the woman’s shoulder and I instantly recognized the little fur ball.
BamBam.
The awkwardness from earlier was now a distant memory as I slouched back in the seat with a wide smile on my face.
Yes. Yes, I wanted to stay.
Not only because of Anchor Bay and the adorable woodland creatures I could potentially befriend but them.
I wanted to stay here with Miles and Aiden in the perfect tiny community that had lovable dogs, ermines running about, and who knew what other animals I had yet to discover. I was safe here, desperately wanted. So, why in the hell would I consider leaving when everything I was missing in my life was here?
With my mind made up on that drastic life change, I finished the last bit of coffee, folded up the trail map, and pushed away from the table. Now, to grab the gear from my cabin at The Nest that I left behind yesterday before heading out to the trail. My decision to stay only solidified the necessity of going on the hike. I would need a decent income from my photos to not drain my savings, which meant I needed more pictures.
I might stay here for Aiden and Miles, but I sure as hell wouldn’t lose myself in the process.
Been there. Done that.
Never again.
* * *
With a determined exhale, I forcefully shoved the cabin door open. The heavy wood bounced against the opposite wall and closed again. I pressed a palm to the center, keeping it wide open. Feet still firmly planted on the porch, I leaned inside, frantic gaze jerking around the open-concept cabin for any signs of danger. When nothing jumped out to kill me, I dared a hesitant step over the threshold.
The door slammed shut at my back, making me jump despite expecting the sound.
Ears straining to hear over the blood pounding in my ears, I inched my way deeper into the living room. As the seconds ticked by with nothing happening, my shoulders dropped, and each breath came easier.
Chafing both hands along my biceps, I gnawed on my lower lip, still not 100 percent convinced I was truly safe. It didn’t feel as off as yesterday when we walked in, but it certainly didn’t feel as welcoming as the cute cottage did the first day.
In fact, it felt hollow.
Cold.
Lonely.
Shaking off the unease, I grabbed my pack from the hike with Aiden and Miles and began unpacking the things I wouldn’t need for a quick in-and-out hike. All I needed was different lenses for my camera, snacks, water, and maybe more snacks, just in case. I really should’ve eaten that delicious-looking muffin at Sips.
Studying the sad pile of munchies, I groaned and looked to the ceiling in exasperation. If I wanted more than a single granola bar and beef jerky stick, I’d have to visit the resort’s outfitting store before heading out. After double-checking that I had everything, I scanned the cabin one more time before reaching for the door handle.
Except it twisted beneath my hovering palm before I could grip it.
Stupid. Stupid Aspen.
I forgot to lock it behind me.
A rush of adrenaline had me gripping the metal and yanking the door open. The man standing on the other side of the door gasped and stumbled backward like I was the one who surprised him.
“Who are you, and what do you want?” I said breathlessly, my pulse racing like I’d sprinted a mile.
Long, thin fingers gripped at the material of his pressed button-down shirt right over his heart. Lips parted, he gasped for air while swaying on his feet.
“Oh, I did not expect you to be here,” the stranger wheezed.
Setting down my pack, I crossed both arms over my chest and waited for him to continue, taking the moment to memorize everything about him. Middle-aged, dark hair graying at the temples, and a somewhat familiar face now that I could look while not freaking the fuck out. My eyes narrowed on his face like that would help me place where I’d seen him before. Strangely enough, despite his attempt to enter my cabin, I didn’t feel threatened by the stranger—more annoyed than anything.
“I am so sorry,” he said in a rush, now that he had his breath back. “I stopped by to make sure everything was secure after the incident yesterday.” I raised both brows, not commenting. “Forgive me, Aspen.” A repulsive shiver raced down my spine at my name coming from his lips. “I’m Charles Parks.” Still, I waited. “General manager of The Nest.”
I relaxed a fraction. That was why I recognized him—I’d probably seen him around the property since I arrived.
“So, is everything okay inside?” He shifted, attempting to see around me, but I jerked the edge of the door closer to block his view. A flash of annoyance crossed his face before settling back into a fake smile.
“Yes.” I cleared my throat. “Miles and Aiden made sure of it.”
I had no clue why I threw their names out there, but it felt like a life raft, something to hold on to while standing in front of the stranger as my suspicions grew. How convenient that he came to check on my cabin in the fifteen minutes I’d been back since I left yesterday.
“Right,” he grumbled. He slowly took me in, pausing on the pack on the ground by my boots. “Going for a hike?”
I nodded.
“Take one of the four-wheelers or bikes if the trailhead you’re wanting is quite a distance away.” He waited as if hoping I would volunteer which trail I planned to take. Fuck. No. “Well, if everything is good here, then my work is done.”
He didn’t do any work, but okay.
I slumped against the doorframe when he turned to leave, only to stiffen when he whirled back around.
“I know this isn’t my place, but I feel the need to warn you.” My stomach flipped as fear flooded my system. Rocking back on the heels of his shiny black dress shoes, Charles slid his hands into the side pockets of his slacks. “They’re dangerous.”
“The trails?” I asked slowly.
He scoffed. “No, those men and women who work for Uplift.” I felt my brows furrow, which was apparently all he needed to continue. “The owner of the place loves them and refers only their tours and excursions to our resort guests. I can only assume the owner doesn’t know what I know.”
I stifled a sigh, very over the conversation already. “And what do you know?”
“Those people are not who you think they are. Their owner focuses on mostly employing veterans. You know what that means?”
I blinked down at him. “That they’re badass and already come with some serious training?”
“Loose cannons, unpredictable,” he said like I was the dumb one. “They’re dangerous because you never know when one might snap. Another female guest recently talked to me about two of the men in the group and confirmed my suspicions.”
“Right,” I drawled. Grabbing my pack off the ground, I tossed it over my shoulder, flicked the lock on the inside of the door, and stepped out onto the small porch, closing the door behind me. I jiggled the handle to ensure it locked. “I’m guessing this female guest is the same one the two men have talked to the sheriff about?”
The same one who tried to embarrass them at the bar that first night.
I should’ve punched her in the boob when I had the chance.
“Well, that’s because she just wants them to apologize for leading her on?—”
I held up a hand, cutting him off. “Thanks for the warning, but I’m going to stick with my first impression of those two men and everyone else who works at Uplift. They’ve been nothing but helpful and kind.”
A flash of annoyance came and went before he pursed his lips and nodded. “Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you about the danger. Things shift quickly here in Alaska. Anything could happen when you least expect it.”
I gaped at his retreating back.
Why the fuck did that sound like a threat?
And why the hell didn’t I listen?