Chapter Eighteen #2
He hadn’t spoken to her since Friday morning on the mountain, and frankly, he was a mess, though doing his best to hide it.
He wanted the two of them to be together.
Maybe it was impossible—the ski bum and the federal agent.
But he had looked forward to the adventure of seeing what kind of future they could build.
He had told himself she hadn’t contacted him because she was absorbed in her work, but an ugly voice at the back of his mind had whispered that he had served his purpose and now she was done with him.
“We’d better get started,” he said, with forced cheer. “Today is going to be another big day.”
Martin Luther King Day had dawned clear and sunny, and skiers filled the resort, undeterred by local news stories of bombs and terrorism or the full-day closure on Friday.
The protest rally had been canceled. There was still a booth collecting petitions against the resort expansion, but the effort was low-key, and protestors were distancing themselves from any hint of violence.
“First, I want to thank everyone for all the extra work you’ve put in these past few days,” Connor said.
“Not only coming in early to search for the bombs but dealing with the record crowds on Saturday afternoon, Sunday and today. SkyCrest Resort appreciates it, too. You should see a little extra in your next paycheck.”
Cheers rose around the room. Even a couple of the dogs barked. “Today is going to be another big day,” Connor continued after the clamor had died. “So let’s get to your assignments.”
He was reading off the last of the day’s tasks when the door opened, and Stacy entered.
She was dressed in the same sleek black pants and turtleneck she had worn the day they met, and his heart sped up at the sight of her. She was greeted with another round of cheers. She flushed and leaned against the wall by the door. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“We’re just wrapping up,” he said.
“Tell us what happened to the bombers,” Chase said.
Stacy looked to Connor.
He nodded. “Go ahead. We all want to know the news.”
“Shane Greer, Bruce Finley and Nate Lee are in custody in Denver,” she said.
“Shane has agreed to cooperate with authorities. We’ve determined the plan was his idea, and he recruited Nate and Bruce and others to help.
Nate stole the explosives from the resort.
Jace helped him but later on got cold feet and threatened to go to the sheriff.
Nate killed him and tried to make it look like an accident. ”
“Did they all really hate the ski resort that much?” Renee Castro asked.
“I don’t know about Bruce and Nate, but Shane says he didn’t hate the resort at all.
He just wanted to reclaim his family’s land, and SkyCrest was built on part of that land.
He thought if he damaged the resort badly enough, it wouldn’t be rebuilt, and he’d be able to acquire the property once more. ”
“So there were no terrorists?” Lily asked.
“Not the way most people think of them,” Stacy said. “Though attempting to bomb a ski resort full of people is an act of terrorism.”
“We could probably talk about this all day, but we need to get to work,” Connor said. “The resort opens in an hour.”
The patrollers filed out of the room, leaving Connor and Stacy alone. “It’s good to see you,” she said.
“Yeah. You, too.”
“I know I’ve been kind of scarce.”
He wanted to kiss her. To hold her close. But doing so felt awkward. The case was over. She was leaving. She was probably here to say goodbye. As much as losing her was going to hurt, he didn’t want to add to his humiliation by letting her see the pain. “How’s your dad?” he asked.
“Recovering from three broken ribs but in good spirits.” She smiled. “He said he hasn’t had this much fun in years.”
“Sounds like he misses the Bureau.”
“He misses being involved. Making a difference. But he has some ideas for after he’s healed.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. While he was in the hospital, he read about a program here in Colorado that takes disadvantaged youth on camping and hiking and backcountry skiing and climbing trips. He’s already contacted them about getting involved.”
“So he plans to stay in Colorado?” Again that quickened heartbeat. She would have a reason to stay here.
“In Grand Junction,” she said. “So not far away.”
Even better. “How do you feel about that?” he asked.
“Good, actually.” She traced a pattern on his desk with one finger. “As much as I complain about him interfering, I’ve missed him. And it’s kind of nice, having someone nearby who cares about me.”
Pain gripped his heart, and he put a hand on her shoulder. When she looked up and met his eyes, his courage almost failed him, but he pushed on. “I care,” he said. “Very much.”
Then he kissed her. A long, tender kiss, one he hoped conveyed what he wasn’t good at putting into words. He broke the kiss and looked into her eyes, trying to gauge her reaction.
What he saw there alarmed him. Her eyes were wet and shiny.
His throat constricted. This must be really bad if she was crying. “What’s wrong?” he managed to croak.
She shook her head. “I was just thinking how lucky I am. To have come here. To have met you.” She put her arms around him and moved in close.
He held her, confused but no longer panicking. “I can come to Denver to see you,” he said. “Every chance I get. It’ll be easier in the summer. And we can talk and text. We’ll figure something out.” Was he talking too much?
“Or you could come to Grand Junction,” she said. “That’s a lot closer.”
He pulled away to look at her. “Grand Junction?”
“That’s where I’ll be. There’s a satellite office there, under the Denver field office. I’ll be a resident agent, working with area law enforcement.”
“That’s great. Isn’t it?”
She smiled. “I think it’s pretty great.”
“No more Agent Anthony expecting you to make coffee or file reports.”
“Damien has actually been pretty decent,” she said. “He gave me credit for all the work I did tracking down Shane Greer and the others. He even alerted me to the opening in the Grand Junction office.”
“Maybe he wanted you out of his way.”
“Maybe. But it doesn’t matter. I have plenty of reasons for wanting to be here.”
“Your dad is here.”
“Farley is here,” she said.
Connor blinked. “You want to be near Farley?”
“I want to be near Farley’s person.” The smile she hit him with sent heat straight through him.
“Farley’s person wants to be near you.” He pulled her close in another kiss. His heart beat faster at the thought of being closer to a woman who amazed and confounded him in turn. But challenges were good, he reminded himself. And with Stacy, the risk was definitely worth the reward.