Chapter 5 #3
He wasn’t about to get into his reasons for still being single.
Because frankly, he’d tried to move on. Dated a sweet girl for a couple of years in Utah while he was in college.
Majored in business and pretty much minored in how-to-get-over-Emma.
But the girl had wanted a long-term relationship and Luke couldn’t commit.
Then he’d been interested in dating Tisha’s younger sister Cami for a hot minute one summer.
Back when he and Chase Binford had tried to launch a flightseeing business.
He’d even visited her at Clemson when she’d gone back for fall semester.
But that relationship couldn’t survive long-distance. Or fill the Emma-shaped hole in his heart.
Emma didn’t say another word until he parked at the dead end of a gravel road known as Aurora Way. Moss-covered spruce trees loomed above them, their branches draped with moisture. Luke killed the ignition and turned to Emma. “If I remember correctly, it’s not too bad a hike. Maybe half a mile.”
Emma grabbed a water bottle and nodded. “Lead the way.”
The forest carried the scent of damp earth and pine. It should’ve been peaceful, but Luke’s thoughts churned. Memories of the two of them on this path—Emma’s laughter, the way she used to race ahead just to make him chase her—crowded his mind.
Ahead, a fallen tree blocked the trail. Emma shoved her water bottle into her pocket and climbed onto the rough bark.
“Careful. It’s—”
Emma squealed as her foot slipped and she tumbled over the tree, landing with a hard thud.
“Slippery,” Luke said, rushing to her side. “Are you okay?”
She winced, cradling her wrist. “Yeah. Just…give me a second.”
“Let me see.” He crouched beside her, gently taking her arm. Her skin was soft, her wrist delicate in his hands. “No discoloration or swelling. You’re lucky.”
“I didn’t need another thing to deal with,” she whispered, her voice tight.
Luke sat back on his heels. “Think you can keep going?”
Her eyes flashed. “Do I have a choice?”
He stood and offered his hand. “We always have a choice.”
She hesitated, then slipped her fingers into his. Their palms met and something passed between them. For a second, it was like nothing had changed.
But then she looked away, brushing dirt off her jacket. “Thanks.”
Before he could respond, the sound of tires on gravel made them both turn. Through the trees he spotted a white truck pulling up at the trailhead. He squinted. Some kind of official seal marked the door.
Emma frowned. “Who’s that?”
“Not sure. Maybe someone checking on the sea-lion situation.”
Emma huffed out a breath. “Super.”
Luke gestured for her to go first. “It can’t hurt to hear what he has to say. We’re not doing anything illegal. Besides, we might need help.”
“All right.” She pulled her water bottle from her pocket.
“Here, let me.” Luke took it, twisted off the cap, then handed it back. When she’d finished taking a long drink, he tried to help her put the cap back on.
“I’ve got it.” She tucked the bottle under her arm, then awkwardly twisted the cap into place with her left hand.
Luke shook his head. Still as stubborn as ever.
He let her lead the way back the way they’d come. A few minutes later, they emerged from the trees.
A young man in a brown Fish and Game jacket stepped out of the white pickup truck. He adjusted his brown knit cap, then lifted a hand in greeting. “Hey there. Are you folks dealing with the sea lions?”
“We’re trying,” Luke said. “I’m Luke McGuire. This is Emma Carlisle.”
“Drake Foster.” He pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’d like to take some notes, if you don’t mind.”
Emma shot Luke a worried glance.
Luke took a step closer, somehow feeling the need to protect her. “Notes about what?”
“I need to document that we spoke, that’s all.” Drake smiled, then looked down at his phone. “Don’t panic. This isn’t an investigation. You’ve done nothing wrong. Our records show we’ve reached out to you twice, Ms. Carlisle. Are you the homeowner?”
“The home belongs to my parents, but they’re unavailable,” Emma said, rubbing her wrist. “I guess that makes me the responsible party.”
“Emma lives out of state,” Luke added. “She doesn’t have unlimited time or resources to deal with this. So what are her options at this point?”
Drake grimaced, then tucked his phone out of sight. “Depends on how much of a headache you’re willing to deal with.”
Luke glanced at Emma. She met his gaze, determination sparking in her eyes, even though she was clearly in pain.
He looked away. This wasn’t his problem to solve. She had a life elsewhere. A man waiting for her in Boston. But that didn’t change the fact that he still wanted to help her. Maybe more than he should.
Emma flexed and extended her wrist, then winced.
Poor thing. Her wrist probably wasn’t broken and more than likely didn’t even have a bad sprain. But this must all be so overwhelming.
He forced himself to focus on Drake, who’d launched into a long-winded explanation about why they couldn’t force the sea lions out of their so-called natural habitat.
“As I’m sure you know, they are federally protected,” Drake said. “I don’t want to assume anything, but you’ve probably figured out by now that legally we can’t chase them away.”
“I was afraid you’d say that,” Emma said, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
Luke crossed his arms, then widened his stance. “Define legally.”
Drake rocked back on his heels. “You could try some passive deterrents—something like an obnoxious noise that might drive them back into the water. But given how settled they seem, that might not do much. Your best bet is to wait them out.”
“Wait them out?” Emma repeated, her brow furrowing.
“They’ll move on eventually,” Drake said with an easy shrug. “Might take a few weeks, might take a couple of months.”
“A couple of months?” Her voice pitched higher. “I don’t have that kind of time.”
Drake cleared his throat. “Look, I’ll check a few other options, maybe see if other officers have had success with relocation efforts. But for now? There’s not much you can do except be patient.”
Luke stifled a groan. “Do you have a business card? In case we have more questions?”
“Of course.” Drake climbed into his truck, rummaged around in the center console, and returned with a card, which he handed to Luke. “My number and email address are on there. Reach out any time, and please keep me posted if the situation changes.”
“Absolutely,” Luke said. “Thanks for your time, Drake.”
“You’re welcome.” Drake nodded to Emma. “Take care, Ms. Carlisle.”
Emma waved, but her focus had already shifted. As Drake pulled away, she turned to Luke, who was rooting through his backpack.
“Come on,” Luke said, straightening. He held up a small Bluetooth speaker. “I’ve got an idea.”
“Really? What is it?”
“This speaker, and my phone with a playlist full of hot tunes I think sea lions will hate.”
She couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. “Seriously?”
“Come on. Trust me.”
“All right.” She nodded. “Let’s try it.”
They started back toward the trees, the path winding through towering spruce and cottonwood. Thick branches formed a canopy overhead, shielding them from the light drizzle.
This time, she let Luke help her over a fallen tree, her slender fingers cool, pressed against his.
Maybe he was getting in over his head—traipsing through the woods, meeting with Drake, and cooking up a grand plan to eradicate the sea lions.
Someone had to help her though. So he’d figure out how to get rid of those rascals. Then she’d go back to Boston. And he’d go on without her. Create his own fresh start in Petersburg or Sitka or maybe Seattle.