Treasure Creek Dad
Terri Reed
Single father Jake Rodgers's daughter isn't happy about moving to tiny Treasure Creek, Alaska. So the former big-city businessman trades his suits for hiking boots and he books a father-daughter wilderness tour to acclimate her.But Veronica isn't buying it. Perhaps guide Casey Donner is just the person to help the girl appreciate the Klondike state's natural beauty. But could tomboy Casey, in her ponytail and cargo pants, also be what this city boy needs for a lifetime of love?
Jake met Casey’s gaze.
He gave a helpless gesture. He didn’t know how to make his daughter brave enough to cross the bridge. And wasn’t sure if he should force her to.
“How about this,” Casey said to Veronica. “You hold my hand and your dad’s hand while we all cross together.”
Casey held out her free hand to Jake. He slid his palm over hers, felt the strength in her fingers as she guided his hand to cover his daughter’s other hand. Slowly, Veronica released the rope and gripped his hand. With Casey in the lead, they walked single file across the gently rocking bridge. When they reached the other side, Jake caught Casey’s hand as she moved past him. Gratitude and affection filled his heart. “Thank you.”
Alaskan Bride Rush: Women are flocking to the Land of the Midnight Sun with marriage on their minds
Treasure Creek Dad—Terri Reed
August 2010
TERRI REED
At an early age Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction and declared she would one day write a book. Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Steeple Hill. Her second book, A Sheltering Love, was a 2006 RITA
Award Finalist and a 2005 National Readers’ Choice Award Finalist. Her book Strictly Confidential, book five of the Faith at the Crossroads continuity series, took third place in the 2007 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award, and Her Christmas Protector took third place in 2008. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing with her dogs.
You can write to Terri at P.O. Box 19555 Portland, OR 97280. Visit her on the Web at www.loveinspiredauthors.com, leave comments on her blog at www.ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com or e-mail her at terrireed@sterling.net.
Treasure Creek Dad
Terri Reed
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 1:6
Thank you to my fellow Alaskan Bride Rush authors Jill, Janet, Debra, Brenda and Linda.
It’s been a pleasure working with you.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Epilogue
Letter to Reader
Questions for Discussion
Chapter One
“Tell me you’ve found him.” Jake Rodgers planted his palms on the Treasure Creek, Alaska, police chief’s desk and tried to keep the guilt and worry churning in his gut from spilling out. His friend Tucker Lawson was missing. And Jake should have done something to stop it.
Police Chief Reed Truscott’s haggard expression bore concern and patience. “Jake, you’d be the first to know if we had. We’ve got search-and-rescue out. There just doesn’t seem to be any trace of him.”
Jake pushed away from the desk. Aggravation and distress burned in his chest. He should have been a better friend to Tucker during his father’s passing. But Jake had been dealing with his own issues, and hadn’t taken the time to console his friend or talk him out of the crazy idea of renting a plane and flying it across Alaska in search of solitude at some remote cabin.
Regret lay heavy on Jake’s shoulders. He ran a hand through his hair, his short nails scraping along his scalp. “How can a plane just disappear? We’re not in the Bermuda Triangle. This is Alaska, for crying out loud. And it isn’t even snowing.”
“My best guess is he got disoriented in the thunderstorm we had just after he left, and he headed in the wrong direction.” Reed rubbed his jaw. “Thanks to your funding, we’ve expanded the search area. Even as we speak, Gage Parker is leading another search. All we can do now is wait.”
“No, what we can do is pray,” Jake countered, with a meaningful look at Reed, another friend he should have done better by.
Reed’s mouth tipped upward in a rueful grimace. “Right. Good luck with that.”
This was old ground—one Jake and Reed had covered before. Jake didn’t understand Reed’s ambivalence toward faith. For Jake, relying on his belief and trusting in God were the only things that had given him strength to survive the tumultuous years of his marriage, subsequent bitter divorce, and then later, struggling to balance his career and single parenthood after his ex-wife’s death.
Deftly changing the subject, Reed said, “So your dad is finally giving you both reins of the family oil rigs?”
Jake sighed with a mixture of acceptance and anticipation. He’d left home vowing not to be like his parents, and now here he was hoping to carve out a life similar to theirs. “Looks like I’m going to be an oilman after all. He left me in charge of the whole shebang.”
“How’s Veronica taking the move?”
Reed’s question layered more tension on Jake’s already tightly strung shoulder muscles. “She’s angry. We can barely have a civil conversation.”
Reed shrugged. “She’s twelve. And you moved her away from all her friends in Chicago—the only place she’s ever known—to Podunk little Treasure Creek, which doesn’t seem all that Podunk to you, because it was the only thing you knew growing up.”
Of course he was right, but knowing that didn’t help. “Mom tells me Veronica is acting like a typical preteen, but I don’t know.”
“She is. She’ll adjust.”
“Hopefully sooner, rather than later.” Jake pinched the bridge of his nose. “She’s so addicted to her electronics, she hardly even steps outside.”
“Why don’t you take Veronica on a wilderness tour, using Amy’s company?”
Amy James, one of Treasure Creek’s more prominent citizens, owned and operated a company called Alaska’s Treasures tour company. Hmm. A guided wilderness tour. The idea had merit.
Get Veronica out into the great outdoors, away from the television and the electronic gadgets she so loved. Some physical activity they could do together. Some father-daughter time away from all the distractions might be just the ticket to getting her to adjust to her new surroundings.
He’d have to confiscate her magazine stash. She’d fight him on it. Loudly. She’d start out hating the adventure, but maybe, by the end, she’d appreciate nature and come to accept their move. And he really wanted her to fall in love with the beauty and majesty of Alaska. It had taken him moving away to realize the specialness of this part of the world.
“Do you think Amy would be willing to take us out?” Jake asked, knowing that Reed and Amy had a relationship of sorts. He wasn’t sure of the particulars, but he knew Reed had proposed to the widow and was turned down.
Reed’s brows drew together. “Actually, I think you’d do better to ask for Casey Donner.”
“Why does that name ring a bell?”
“The Donner twins,” Reed prompted.
“Oh, yeah. I remember them.” Jake could picture the two girls, both with dark, curly hair, big blue eyes. One had been the prom queen while the other a tomboy. Each pretty in different ways.
Not that he’d ever dwelled on the fact. He’d been so set on leaving Treasure Creek that forming any ties, even with a pretty girl, was not something he allowed. He left town with a clear conscience. No broken hearts to come haunting him.
“I assume Casey is the tomboy?”
Reed grinned. “Yes. And she’s a great gal. She’d be a good influence on Veronica. Very capable and levelheaded, just like her uncle Patrick. He taught that girl everything there is to know about nature before he passed.”
Patrick Donner had been an icon in Treasure Creek when Jake was in high school. The original mountain man, tamed by two little girls. Jake remembered how scandalized the folks in town had been that Patrick would be caring for the orphaned twins when he spent so much time in the woods. But he’d surprised them all by taking in the girls and raising them right.
If Reed vouched for Casey, then that was good enough for Jake.
“You’ve sold me,” Jake said, as he rose from the chair. “Thanks. And please, let me know the minute you hear anything about Tucker.” His gut churned with anxiety and guilt. “I can’t help but feel like something bad has happened to him.”
Reed’s jaw tightened. “We’re doing our best to find him.”
Contrition for questioning Reed’s dedication arced through Jake. He knew they were both concerned about their friend. Jake couldn’t shake the unease nipping at his mind. “I know. And I appreciate it.”
Jake left the police station and headed up Treasure Creek Lane, the main thoroughfare. The weather was unseasonably warm for August, enough so that merchants had set up a few sidewalk displays for the flood of tourists, mostly female, that had recently descended upon Treasure Creek.
It wasn’t the beauty of the scenery—all green trees, lush mountains with snowcapped peaks, and stunning vistas—or the quaint and rustic ambience of the town that had once thrived during the a booming Yukon gold rush of the late 1800s that had women flocking to this out-of-the-way Alaskan paradise. An article had appeared in some women’s magazine, proclaiming that Treasure Creek men were looking for brides.
Ha! The last thing Jake was looking for was a bride. He’d done the marriage thing. No interest in going down that road again. All he wanted was to focus on raising Veronica and helping her become a productive human being, and then he wanted to live a quiet life, running the oil business his great-grandfather had started back in 1911.
He frowned and tried to analyze why that thought left him feeling hollow inside.
As he made his way toward the log cabin–style Alaska’s Treasures office, he decided self-examination wasn’t such a good thing. Not if the discontent rising to the surface was any indication.
He had to stay focused on what was important and within his control. His daughter and her well-being. He sent up a silent prayer that Casey Donner would be the answer.
Casey Donner fidgeted with the pencil as her boss, Amy James, a stunning, red-haired woman with a smattering of freckles and bright blue eyes, gave out the tour assignments for the month. So far, everyone had a tour planned.
Everyone except Casey. No one wanted a female guide. Not even the few men who’d come to town, hoping to cash in on the invasion of women.
Ever since that article came out in Now Woman magazine, Casey’s work life had taken a nosedive. Women had swarmed Treasure Creek, hoping to hook one of the many eligible bachelors purported by the exposé to reside in town. Several of whom were part of the Alaska Treasures tour company’s staff.
It didn’t help that the article also stated that the company’s lone female guide was not a threat to the converging women, because everyone in town—meaning said bachelors—considered Casey Donner to be “one of the guys”.
Casey blew out an exasperated breath. So what if she was a tomboy, more comfortable in hiking boots and traipsing through the woods than wearing heels and throwing parties, like her twin sister, Amelia? The two were as different as night and day. If her sister were here, no one would claim she was “one of the guys.”
God had made Casey this way. Who was she, or anyone else for that matter, to question the Almighty’s decision?
Not that she talked with God much these days. An uncomfortable tinge of longing hit her. She mentally snuffed it out.
Over the past ten years she’d become comfortable with her life. She had a family in the tour company’s staff and a mentor and friend in Amy. So really, what more could she ask for?
The door to the conference room opened and the receptionist, Rachel Adams, poked her blond head inside.
Amy paused and smiled at Rachel. “Yes?”
“There’s a gentleman here asking about a tour.”
“Tell him I’ll be right out,” Amy answered.
“Actually, he wants to talk with Casey,” Rachel replied, with a note of suppressed mirth.
Casey snapped to attention, as every set of eyes in the room zeroed in on her. Heat crept up her neck. “Who is it?”
Rachel flashed a grin. “Jake Rodgers.”
Casey couldn’t have heard right. Jake Rodgers was here asking for her? Of course she knew of the Rodgers family. They had started one of the first oil-drilling operations in the Treasure Creek area, back in the early nineteen hundreds.
She’d never had more than a passing conversation with Jake. He’d been two years ahead of her in high school, a star athlete and salutatorian of his class. He’d left Treasure Creek right after graduation, with a scholarship to some fancy college. He’d returned recently to take over his family’s business, or so she’d inadvertently heard one day, while dining at Lizbet’s Diner. She made it a personal rule not to be privy to the town gossip, most of which was inaccurate anyway. On that particular day, she’d been intrigued to hear Jake’s name, but almost immediately caught herself and left the diner.
And now he was requesting to see Casey about a tour? Why her specifically? How did he even know she existed?
“May I?” Casey asked, nodding toward the door.
“By all means,” Amy replied, with a smile that was both approving and encouraging.
Hastily, Casey left the conference room and halted in the hallway. Taking a few deep breaths to calm the sudden nervous jitters battering her stomach, she strove for a professional and detached demeanor. This was business, not personal. The man wanted a tour.
She paused in the waiting room doorway, aware that Rachel was avidly watching from behind her reception desk. Trying to keep her reaction from showing, Casey couldn’t stop her heart from jumping a bit at the sight of Jake Rodgers.
He stood with his back to the door, staring out the large picture window that overlooked the main thoroughfare running the length of Treasure Creek. Tall, wide-shouldered and dressed impeccably in a navy business suit that attractively hugged his physique, he made Casey’s breath catch.
Forcing her immediate reaction back to neutral, she cleared her throat before speaking. “Hello?”
He pivoted, making a stunning picture. The contrast of him in his business suit and the mountains rising in majestic peaks over the old gold-rush town, as his backdrop, somehow seemed right, like he was a man made to conquer the world. He’d been a heartthrob in high school, but now…a heartbreaker for sure.
His face had matured and become impossibly more striking, his jaw firmer, his cheekbones more pronounced. His dark, wavy hair was still thick and…so tempting.
Casey fought the sudden desire to run her fingers through his hair. Deep lines crinkled at the corners of his obsidian-colored eyes when he offered her a smile that knocked the air from her lungs.
He stepped closer and held hand out his hand. “Jake Rodgers. Not sure you remember me, but we went to high school together.”
“I remember,” she murmured. That was an under-statement, if ever there was one. She hadn’t realized how much of an impression he’d left on her.
Slipping her hand into his, she tried not to let the little shivers dancing up her arm go to her head. His hand was warm and smooth, his fingers strong, as they curled around her own. Yet, to her surprise, his hands weren’t sissy hands. Though the short nails were clean, they weren’t buffed by some manicurist, like some of the city men who visited Treasure Creek.
Keep it professional, Donner.
She extracted her hand. “What can I do for you, Mr. Rodgers?”
“Please, call me Jake. Reed Truscott suggested I hire you to take my daughter and me on a wilderness tour.”
“Your daughter?” How had she missed that? Obviously, if she’d listened longer to the town gossips, she’d have known he had a child. “Your wife doesn’t wish to come along?”
“I’m a single parent.”
Her heart gave a squeeze of compassion, to think he was raising a daughter alone. She wondered about his marriage but was too polite to ask such an intimate question. But knowing he was single sent a little spark through her system. She wondered if he dated, or if being a single dad kept him unavailable.
Inwardly, she frowned at the direction her thoughts were taking. Since when had she decided she was ready to date again? Her heart was still smarting from her last attempt. She had no desire to go there again. She refocused her mind back to business. “How old is your daughter?”
“Twelve going on thirty,” he said, with a rueful shake of his head.
She smiled at that assessment. “Did Reed suggest me specifically?”
Jake’s dark eyes held her gaze. “Yes. He said you were one of the best, just like your uncle.”
The mention of her late uncle caused a sharp pang of grief that never seemed to go away to hit her just below the breastbone. Absently, she rubbed the spot. Her uncle had been one of the original minds behind Alaska Treasures. Unfortunately, he never got to see the fruit of his ideas.
He succumbed to pancreatic cancer when Casey and Amelia were high school seniors. By becoming a guide herself, Casey honored her beloved uncle’s memory.
“I’ll have to thank Reed,” Casey murmured, flattered by the recommendation. Yet, a wayward suspicion slithered through her mind. Had Amy set this up because Casey hadn’t had any tours booked? She did not want anyone’s pity.
“So, are you available?” Jake asked, his gaze searching her face. In more ways than she’d care to admit.
“What type of tour are you looking for?”
“Something to get my daughter out into nature, and hopefully give her a better appreciation for Alaska. She’s not too happy that I moved us here from Chicago.”
“Treasure Creek must seem like Nowheresville after the big city, but she’ll come around. Our little part of the world is pretty awesome.”
“But there’s no mall or cool coffee shops,” he stated with a shake of his head. Clearly, he’d heard that refrain from his daughter.
“The Java Joint has great coffee and cushy chairs for hanging out in. As for stores, well, there is The General Store. Carries a bit of everything.” She shrugged. “I’m not too hip on big cities myself, so I can’t really relate.”
“Spoken like a true Alaskan,” he said, with a grin.
“A transplanted Alaskan,” she said, returning his smile.
She’d been born in San Francisco, where she’d lived until her parents died in a car accident. At the tender age of six, Casey and her twin were brought to live in Alaska with their late father’s younger brother.
Casey had vague memories of her parents. The soft touch of her mother’s hand, the melodic lullabies she would sing at night, and the excitement of daddy coming through the door at the end of the day. But mostly, Casey remembered the whizzing cars outside her bedroom window and the salty air of the bay.
She needed to change the subject before the overpowering sense of nostalgia building in her chest took root. She walked over to one of the side tables near the window and picked up a brochure. She flipped it open and held it out to him. “We have day hikes, backpacking trips ranging from two days to a week, water tours down the river, horseback-riding trips—”
He held up his hand. “Probably the backpacking, because Veronica’s never ridden a horse and I don’t do boats.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “No sea legs, huh?”
“None whatsoever. I tried a cruise on Lake Michigan once. Not pretty,” he stated, with a rueful shake of his head.
Casey liked how willing he was to accept his limitations. Not many men would admit to any weakness. “Okay, that narrows it down. How many days?”
He considered a moment. “A week?”
She eyed him a little closer. He looked in good shape, but that didn’t mean he’d be up for the rigors of a week-long backpacking trip. “Just so you are aware, my trips are…” She searched for the right word. “Rustic at best. My tours are geared toward a true wilderness experience. We eat what we can carry, we fish when we hit the river and everyone helps set up and take down camp each day. We’re up at sunrise and on the move all day until dusk. It’s a pretty physical trip.”
Raising an eyebrow in challenge, he said, “I think Veronica and I can handle that.”
She shrugged, not quite sure he was correct. But…his money, his call.
“How soon would you like to go?”
“As soon as we can.”
“Okay. We need to have time for orientation, when we’ll go over the gear needed, safety tips. And I can answer any questions she or you might have. This meeting usually takes about an hour. Let’s look at the calendar,” she said, and moved to Rachel’s desk. Rachel handed her the appointment book.
Casey flipped open to the month of August. Today was Wednesday, the fourth. “How about this coming Monday? Then we could do an orientation Friday evening, which would give you time over the weekend to get the supplies you and your daughter will require.”
He didn’t hesitate. “Great. My parents are leaving on Sunday after church for a week-long cruise, so this will work out perfect.”
The door to the tour company blasted open, and a tall, shapely woman bustled in, along with the cloying scent of liberally applied perfume. She wore a tailored pantsuit beneath a faux-fur long coat, stylish pumps with little rosesetts on the pointed tips and a Coach hand bag slung over her shoulder. Clearly not a native to the area.
The woman paused a moment, as if assessing the situation, before gliding across the reception room and halting beside Casey. Dark brown hair, styled attractively around her oval face, made her sultry brown eyes stand out. Or maybe it was the curiosity that subtly shifted in her gaze, as she looked from Casey to Jake and back again.
Casey blinked, hardly believing what she was seeing. “Amelia?”
Chapter Two
Not sure what to think of her sister’s sudden and unexpected appearance after so many years away, Casey asked, “What are you doing here?”
Raising a perfectly plucked eyebrow, Amelia said, “Hello to you, too, sis.”
“Sorry. Hi.” Casey gave Amelia an awkward hug.
As Amelia released Casey, she tugged on Casey’s short ponytail. “I came for our class reunion, of course. And because I saw that wonderful article about Treasure Creek and all the hunky bachelors.” She slid a glance toward Jake.
A wave of irritation crashed over Casey, but with Jake watching, she choose to ignore the reminder of that awful article, as well as her sister’s condescending action and the tone that suggested Casey should have known why she’d returned.
But how could Casey possibly know her twin would come back for the reunion, when Amelia hadn’t even RSVPed? Since Casey was on the reunion decoration committee even though she wasn’t planning to attend, she’d heard all about how her sister hadn’t responded yet. “The reunion’s not for another three weeks.”
Amelia shrugged and said, in an airy tone, “I had some vacation time I needed to use or lose, so I thought I’d come early.”
“Okay.” That sounded reasonable. Or did it?
If it were anyone other than Amelia, Casey would believe the explanation. But this was Amelia talking—the girl who had left two days after they’d graduated from high school, loudly proclaiming she couldn’t wait to get as far away as she could from Treasure Creek. She’d ended up in San Francisco. Back to the place where they were born.
Over the last decade, though she called every few weeks, she’d come back only twice. Each time staying no more than a couple of days before declaring she couldn’t take another minute in this small town. So why the sudden need to return? And from the sound of it, for an extended stay.
Casey knew she should be glad to see her sister, but for some reason, Amelia’s presence only stirred up annoyance. How awful was that? Guilt curled in Casey’s belly, making her breakfast churn.
A chiming noise emanated from Amelia’s purse. She stuck her hand inside and silenced the cell phone.
“You’re not going to answer that?” Casey asked, curious as to why she wouldn’t.
“No.” Amelia turned her red, glossy smile on Jake. “Jake Rodgers, right?” She held out her soft-looking, manicured hand. “I remember you. You were ahead of us by a couple of years.” Her gaze slid speculatively to Casey and then back to Jake. “I didn’t know you two were friends.”
The insinuation in her voice grated across Casey’s nerves. “He’s my client,” she said, trying to keep impatience out of her tone.
Jake briefly shook her offered hand. “Nice to meet you, Amelia. I take it you don’t live in Treasure Creek anymore.”
“Oh, please. No, I flew the coop after graduation. Just like you. I ended up in San Francisco. I manage a department store now,” she said, with obvious pride in her voice. “Where did you end up?”
“The windy city of Chicago.”
“Ah. And now you’re back.” Her dark eyes took on a predatory gleam. “For how long?”
Casey clenched her jaw at her sister’s obvious ploy. Amelia liked her men rich, which Jake Rodgers definitely was.
“Permanently,” Jake stated, firmly. “I’m taking over the family business.
“How interesting.” She glanced at Casey. “So you’re hiring my sis to take you on a wilderness tour? Very exciting.”
Jake flashed a grin at Casey. “Yes, I am. We were discussing the details.”
Amelia bumped Casey with her shoulder. “I’ve always wanted to take one of sis’s tours, but have never had the time. Until now.”
Right. Like Casey believed that. Her prissy sister wouldn’t last ten minutes out in the Alaskan wilderness. Needing to get her sister out of her hair so she could finish up with Jake, Casey dug her house keys from the side pocket of her hiking pants and held them out. “Why don’t you take my keys and head to the house? You can unpack and unwind. I’ll be home later.”
Ignoring the dangling keys hanging from Casey’s finger, Amelia pinned her with a challenging look. “I’d really like to hear about this tour. When are you going?” She slanted a coy glance at Jake. “Is there room for one more?”
“We haven’t firmed up the particulars. We were talking about leaving this coming Monday.” Jake tilted his head and shifted his gaze to Casey. “I’m open to having a group tour.”
Dread sluiced through Casey like a dam bursting. Gritting her teeth in a semblance of what she hoped was a smile, Casey said to Jake, “That’s very generous of you.” To her sister, she said, “Amelia, it’s a backpacking trip. You know? Hiking through the woods, climbing over rough terrain, camping out, carrying your own equipment.”
“Oh, how rugged that sounds.” Amelia grinned, flashing her even, blindingly white teeth. “I love it. Count me in.”
“Great.” Just great…not.
Well, so much for finding out if she had a shot with Jake. With Amelia around, Casey didn’t stand a chance. For as long as Casey could remember, people gravitated to Amelia, leaving Casey to follow in her shadow. Why would Jake be any different?
It was just as well, Casey reasoned. She had experienced too much loss to ever want to risk her heart to love again.
Not even for the handsome, charming Jake Rodgers.
“No way. That sounds horrible.”
Jake stared at his daughter slouched on the navy leather couch of his parents’ home. She hadn’t even looked up from the fashion magazine in her lap when he’d told her of the plans. She just kept cutting away with the scissors. Strewn all over the couch were cutouts from the various magazines stacked on the floor. Veronica dreamed of being a fashion model or designer or some such. She pasted the cutouts onto a big piece of poster board in her room.
His jaw tightened and he tried to keep impatience from edging his tone. “This isn’t up for debate, Veronica. We are going on this backpacking trip next week.”
She snapped the magazine closed and rose to her feet. Tall for her age, she was willowy, with porcelain features like her mother. Her straight, strawberry-blond hair fell past her shoulders. “Fine. Whatever. Like I have any choice.”
“You have a choice—to enjoy this trip. Or you can choose to be miserable. You are in control of your attitude.”
The tight-leg designer jeans and frilly blouse she wore had been purchased back in Chicago, where they were the norm. Here in Treasure Creek, she looked out of place. The other kids Jake had seen around town wore more rugged clothing, better suited to life in Alaska. “Why don’t we go shopping for more appropriate attire for the trip? You’ll need some sweatshirts, T-shirts and jeans you can actually move in.”
“Dad!” She rolled her hazel eyes, gathered her clippings, and stomped out of the living room and down the hall to her bedroom, which used to be Jake’s when he was a teen. He now slept in the guest room. He cringed when Veronica slammed the door shut. Should he discipline her for the rude behavior?
He wished kids came with a manual. Being a single parent wasn’t exactly how he’d planned his life. But Natalie was gone, so he was doing the best he could.
Was he making a mistake to insist on the trip? It had seemed like such a good idea when Reed suggested it. After talking with Casey, whose friendly demeanor and down-to-earth attitude had been a refreshing change from the city women he’d become accustomed to, he’d been convinced he was making the right decision. Especially after Casey’s sister had shown up wanting to be a part of the tour.
Here were two very different women, yet each seemed so confident and successful. Surely the influence of these two contrasting females would be a good thing for Veronica.
And Jake had to admit, from the moment he’d seen Casey Donner in the reflection of the window in the reception room, looking so adorable in cargo pants, a form-fitting zip-up jacket and with her dark hair pulled back from her unadorned face, he’d been intrigued.
Most females looked at him with dollar signs in their eyes, just as Amelia Donner had the second she’d walked into the tour company office. But not Casey.
There had been such lively intelligence in Casey’s dark eyes. And when she’d looked him up and down, assessing his stamina for the backpacking trip and finding him wanting, he’d been swamped with the need to prove her wrong. A sensation he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
“Did you put Reed up to suggesting me to Jake for this tour?” Casey asked, watching her friend, Amy, closely over the expanse of the oak desk in her boss’s office. This was the first opportunity Casey had had to talk alone with Amy since yesterday.
Amy blinked, her blues eyes guileless. “No. Why would you think I had?”
Feeling guilty for suspecting her friend of pitying her, Casey said, “It just was so out of the blue.”
Mouth quirking, Amy said, “Like your sister’s return was out of the blue?”
“Yeah. What’s up with that? She said she’s here for the reunion. But three weeks early? Something’s up.”
“Have you asked her about it?”
“Not really,” Casey said, a bit sheepishly. “We don’t have the kind of relationship that most twins do. Or at least, we haven’t since we moved to Alaska. Everything changed. She shut me out.”
“That must have hurt,” Amy said, in a gentle tone. It had.
“I got over it.”
Amy steepled her fingers on the desk. “Her joining the Rodgers tour might be a really good thing, then. You two might grow closer.”
Of course Amy would think of the situation as an opportunity for the sisters to bond. Amy was an idealist in many ways. Casey, not so much.
“It’s just so infuriating that my sister would weasel her way in like this,” Casey said, sure that Amelia’s motivation had nothing to do with a desire to be out in nature and everything to do with Jake. Not that that was any of Casey’s concern. “Who is Amelia kidding? She’ll hate it and make everyone miserable.”
Amy slipped off her serviceable clogs and propped her sock-clad feet on the arm of her chair. Little penguins, dressed in frilly outfits, marched up the sides of her long, white socks and disappeared beneath the legs of Amy’s khaki pants. “Give her a chance. She may have changed.”
Casey scoffed. “If the way Amelia’s taken over the house is any indication, no, she hasn’t. Her stuff is everywhere.” Jamming her hands into the pockets of her hooded sweatshirt, Casey slunk further in her chair. “My bathroom now reeks of some flowery perfume that makes me sneeze every time I go in.”
“She does kind of apply a lot,” Amy said, with a grin. “But a stinky sister isn’t what’s really bothering you, is it?”
It was so like Amy to see to the heart of a matter. Casey groaned. “No, it isn’t.”
“Come on, tell me,” Amy cajoled.
“It’s just that article and…oh, I don’t know.” She hated to come across as whiney and ungrateful. How did she explain this growing discontentment gnawing away at her nicely ordered life?
It wasn’t even the fact that she was the brunt of so many jokes since that article came out—though the snickering was getting old. What bothered her most was that, deep inside she felt hollow, empty. Like something was missing.
Her gaze snagged on a framed photo of Amy and her late husband, Ben, and their two boys. What a beautiful family. They looked so happy.
That’s what Casey wanted. A family of her own. A love like Amy and Ben had shared. She held tight to the knowledge that their love proved love existed.
An uninvited memory escaped from the recesses of her mind and tore across her brain, reminding her that love came with a price. A price she’d paid once. A price that left her wounded and discouraged.
She slapped the memory down and stuffed it back into its box inside her head, and refocused on the grief of her friend’s loss.
Amy searched her face, as if she sensed her pain. “I’m sorry that article has caused you hurt.”
Casey waved away Amy’s self-imposed guilt. “I don’t blame you. And it’s really the truth. I’m ‘one of guys.’” She made air quotes to emphasize her words.
“A role that you’ve perpetuated. You keep everyone at arm’s length. I think it’s time for you to stop keeping yourself so isolated. Be open to a relationship.”
“But the risk is too great,” Casey murmured. She didn’t want to lose someone she loved again. She’d lost her parents, Uncle Patrick and, essentially, Amelia. Another name floated into her consciousness. She ignored it.
Amy gave her a sad, direct look and said softly, “I know. But the risk is worth it, Casey. I wouldn’t trade one single ounce of heartache if it meant not having ever loved Ben.”
Ouch. Direct hit. “Just rip my heart out and feed it to me, why don’t you, Amy?”
Amy’s lips twitched. “Hey, if you didn’t want the truth, you wouldn’t be sitting here.”
Casey sighed. “I know. You’ve never pulled any punches with me, and I appreciate it.”
“Jake Rodgers doesn’t think of you as ‘one of the guys,’” Amy stated, with a curving of her lips, as she mimicked Casey’s air quotes.
“Not yet, maybe, but give him time.” Casey rolled her eyes. “I’m not his type, anyway.”
“And you know this how?”
“He’s a city guy now, regardless that he was born here. And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly a beauty queen. Amelia’s more his type. Glamor and glitz. Besides,” Casey pointed out, “he’s a single dad trying to raise his daughter. What do I know about kids?”
Amy gave her a chiding look. “Casey, you’re great with kids. The boys love you. And you’ve dealt with children on several tours and did great, so don’t use his daughter as an excuse to keep him at arm’s length.”
“But I’m no good at the dating thing.” She cringed, remembering the last date she’d been on.
Bucky Holland, the town’s mechanic and one of the town’s many bachelors, had invited her to dinner at Martelli’s, a fancy grill in town. Casey had looked forward to the date with hopeful anticipation. Maybe this time a date would end differently.
But the evening had consisted of forced conversation and awkward silences. When he dropped her off and roared away in his big rig—faster than if a bear had been chasing him—she’d decided dating wasn’t her thing.
“Just be yourself, Casey. If a relationship with Jake or any other man is part of God’s plan for your life, then everything will work out, regardless of your sister or that article.”
Tugging on her bottom lip, Casey wished she shared Amy’s convictions. But trusting God was something Casey couldn’t do. Not ever again. A blast of anger blew through her. She’d trusted that God would answer her prayers and make Uncle Patrick well. God hadn’t. She’d trusted God to protect her heart when Seth came into her life. Another prayer ignored.
There was a knock at the door. “Come in,” Amy called.
Rachel stepped inside. “The police chief is here to see you, Amy.”
“Tell Reed I’ll be a moment longer,” Amy said, her voice taking on a slight edge.
Anticipation? Or irritation?
When Rachel shut the door, Casey raised an eyebrow. “A social call?”
Amy brushed a lock of red hair back behind her ear. Beneath her smattering of freckles, a blush brightened her cheeks. “No. We don’t have that kind of relationship. I’m sure there’s some official reason he’s stopping by.”
Glancing at the photo on the desk, Casey knew Ben would want Amy to find love again. Rising from her seat, Casey said, “He’s a good man, Amy. Ben wouldn’t mind.”
Amy frowned, as a shadow of sorrow passed over her expression. “Now who’s ripping whose heart out?”
Casey held up her hands in a show of entreaty. “Sorry. Not another word.”
“Thank you.” Amy rose and rounded the desk, to put her arm around Casey’s shoulders. “It’s all going to work out. Be open to what God has in store for you.”
Casey hugged Amy for a moment, thankful to have such a wise and gracious friend. After Patrick died, Amy and her late husband had taken Casey under their wing. Casey would be forever grateful to Ben James for taking a chance and hiring her as a wilderness guide. She missed him, as did everyone in Treasure Creek. He’d been the mayor as well as the owner of Alaska’s Treasures.
His death had been a tragic accident. Ben had been trying to save the life of a client during a dangerous rapids trip and lost his life for the effort. Reed Truscott had witnessed the devastating event. Perhaps that was the tension Casey always sensed between Amy and Reed.
As Casey left Amy’s office, she glanced at her watch and decided she could still get a ten-mile run in before she went home. She met Reed in the hall. “Hey, Chief. Thank you for recommending me to Jake Rodgers.”
Reed nodded in acknowledgement but didn’t slow down. “No thanks necessary. You’ll be good for Jake.” He disappeared inside Amy’s office.
Okay. Not the most cordial person, but he got the job done. Just why did Chief Truscott think Casey would be good for Jake?
Casey opened the front door to the small A-frame house that she’d lived in since she’d first come to Alaska twenty-two years ago. To a little girl who’d just lost her parents, the house had seemed big and strange, so very different than her parents’ turn-of-the-century town house in the heart of San Francisco. Now the A-frame was comfortable, her safe haven.
At least it had been, until Amelia returned.
Casey stepped across the threshold to the darkened living room and tension crept up her neck. Had Amelia left as mysteriously as she’d returned?
A movement to her right jolted her system. She pivoted, prepared to defend herself against an attack. But none came.
She reached out to flip on the light switch. The table lamp by the couch glowed, throwing shadows around the room. Casey blinked as her eyes adjusted. Her sister sat in the rocker by the window.
A sense of déjà vu swept over Casey. Many times, when Casey and Uncle Patrick had returned from some adventure out in the wilderness, they would find Amelia quietly sitting in the rocker, waiting for them as she now waited for Casey. Casey had never understood why Amelia had chosen to stay home alone while she and Patrick went exploring.
Were those tears wetting her sister’s lashes? “Amelia? Are you okay?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” Amelia snapped, and rose from the chair to glide past Casey toward the kitchen. She wore a turquoise top with a matching skirt that flowed with each step. “Dinner is ready.”
Casey closed the front door and went to the sink to wash her hands. “Thanks for cooking. You know, you don’t have to take care of me.”
“I know I don’t have to,” Amelia said as she set on the table a plate with little canapés. “But what else is there to do in this town but cook? Besides, I didn’t make anything fancy, because your cupboards are pathetic.”
“I haven’t gone shopping this week.” Taking the seat opposite Amelia, Casey eyed the plate of crostini topped with pepperoni and stuffed olives. This was dinner? Casey’s stomach growled. “And there’s plenty to do.”
“Like?”
The ring of Amelia’s cell phone drew Casey’s attention. Amelia didn’t move. “Aren’t you going to pick up?”
Amelia made a face. “No.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” Casey asked, wondering at her sister’s odd behavior.
“No.” Amelia made a rolling gesture with her hand. “You were saying what there was to do in town.”
Pursue Jake?
Not wanting to put that idea into Amelia’s head, Casey said, “You could browse the shops. Take a walk. Volunteer to help with the reunion committee.”
Amelia plucked a crostini from the plate and held it between her two fingers as if she were holding fine china. “Now, that sounds perfect for my skill set. Who do I talk to about helping with the committee?”
“Renee Haversham. I can introduce you when we get back from our backpacking trip.” Casey searched her sister’s face closely. In some ways it was like looking in a mirror, but not. To Casey, Amelia’s pale complexion was flawless, her eyes bluer and her features better proportioned. Was it any wonder people, men especially, gravitated to Amelia? “Unless you’ve changed your mind about going?”
“No, I haven’t.” Amelia peered at her just as closely. “You don’t want me to go, do you?”
Stalling as she tried to think how best to answer her twin, Casey popped a crostini into her mouth and chewed slowly. After she’d swallowed and taken a sip of water, she said, “It’s not that I don’t want you to go—I just can’t see you enjoying backpacking.”
With a shrug, Amelia said, “We’ll see. Having Jake Rodgers along should be interesting. I understand he’s available.” She rubbed her hands together. “One of those bachelors that magazine talked about.”
Casey’s stomach clenched, and it wasn’t from the spicy pepperoni. “He’s single.”
“Divorced,” she corrected. “And rich. Just the kind of guy I like.”
The speculative gleam in her twin’s gaze made Casey’s mouth go dry. She took a quick sip of water before saying, “Amelia, don’t play with Jake’s affections. He’s struggling right now to raise his daughter. He doesn’t need you coming on strong with no intention of following through.”
Amelia’s expression darkened. “How do you know I wouldn’t follow through?”
“You left a string of broken hearts behind when you charged out of Treasure Creek.” And who knew how many men she’d caught and thrown away in San Francisco? Every time Amelia called home, she’d spoken of someone new. “You never follow through. At least not when it comes to love.”
“Oh, and you’re some expert? When have you ever been in love?”
The barb hit home. “Seth Davenport,” Casey replied just a tad too defensively for her liking.
Amelia scoffed. “Right. You had one date with the nerd. That doesn’t qualify.”
It had been more than just one date. But Casey wasn’t about to share with her twin the intimate details of her disastrous romance, though she cringed to associate the nicety of romance with what had transpired between her and Seth.
Switching gears to keep the focus off herself, Casey said, “Why are you really home?”
Amelia arched one perfectly waxed eyebrow—her signature expression that drove Casey nuts. “Excuse me?”
Casey reached across the table and took Amelia’s hand. “Don’t pretend not to understand me. Why did you return home so early? And why were you crying when I came in?”
Her expression shut down as she extracted her hand from Casey’s hold. “I’ll leave if you don’t want me here.”
Frustration bounced around Casey’s chest. Amelia always did that—twisted Casey’s words around and used them against her. “I didn’t say that.”
“Good.” Amelia took her plate to the sink and began doing the dishes, leaving Casey’s questions un answered.
Her sister was hiding something. Casey wasn’t sure how to get Amelia to open up. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to try. Amy’s voice rang in her head, urging her to give Amelia a chance. They might grow closer. Maybe close enough for Amelia to confide in her. Because whatever Amelia wasn’t saying was upsetting her.
Chapter Three
“Welcome, everyone,” Casey said, her gaze roaming over the six people assembled in the prep room of Alaska’s Treasures tour company. Once word had gone out that another tour had opened slots, three more people signed up. An older married couple, newly retired to Treasure Creek, Doug and Marie Caruthers, and a freelance photojournalist, Stan Ford.
Casey’s gaze snagged on Jake. He wore a pale yellow-colored pullover sweater that heightened the darkness of his hair and eyes. Faded jeans hugged his long, lean legs. She met his gaze. He stared back with polite attention. But then his eyes seemed to darken and his mouth curved into a charming smile. Her pulse quickened, nearly making her lose her train of thought. She wondered what his face—his eyes—would look like across the warm light from a camp fire. Would he still look at her so intently? Could his interest ever be more than just guide and client? Did she want it, too?
Casey forced herself to keep her gaze moving. Jake’s daughter, on the other hand, made it clear by her crossed arms and bored expression that she wanted to be anywhere but here. Her fuzzy coat and bright-colored leggings wouldn’t work on this trip, but they certainly made her stand out from the crowd. Casey hoped the tall, strawberry-blonde and delicately pretty child would have the stamina to make the long journey. Casey would keep an extra-alert eye on Veronica.
“I’m Casey Donner, your guide for this tour. The emphasis of our trip will be making sure each of you garners the most enjoyment of your Alaska’s Treasures tour experience.”
She gestured to the long metal table behind her, where she’d laid out a backpack and everything that would need to go inside. “As you can see from the items on this table, there is a lot of equipment that will be brought with us. Goods and services included in your adventure are food, cooking equipment and safety gear. We spread the weight out through everyone’s backpacks so that no one person’s pack is too heavy.”
She picked up a stack of papers from the chair to her side. “Each of you will receive a packet with a checklist of the items you’ll need to provide for yourself. Give careful consideration to clothing. Fabrics that wick moisture away from the body and dry quickly are preferable. One thing you should keep in mind is how much hiking you’ll be doing, so good shoe wear is essential.”
“Will regular tennis shoes suffice?” Stan asked, as he lifted the camera slung around his neck and snapped off some pictures of Casey.
Disconcerted by the camera, Casey looked away as she answered. “I’d suggest hiking boots.”
“Like yours?” Marie asked, her green eyes wide, in a face lightly lined with age. She and her husband were in their sixties but could pass for much younger.
Casey lifted her foot to show her worn, clunky boots. “Yes, like these. Something waterproof and with a good tread.”
“They’re ugly,” groused Veronica, her vivid blues hostile as she stared at Casey.
Casey blinked in surprise that the girl had even heard the conversation, with her earbuds blasting whatever she’d loaded on her attached iPod.
“Veronica, be polite.” Jake admonished the girl with an apologetic glance at Casey.
Casey made a gesture for him not to worry about his daughter’s rudeness.
“I agree,” Amelia said. She stood slightly apart from the rest of the group and looked regal in her designer stretch pants and frilly top. She’d taken off the shearling jacket she’d arrived in. “Do they come in colors other than brown?”
Holding on to her patience and trying not to take Veronica’s dark looks personally, Casey said, “I’m not sure. You can purchase boots at The General Store on Treasure Creek Lane.”
Amelia moved to stand near one end of the table. Her bangle bracelets clinked as she gestured. “We have to carry all of this stuff?”
“Yes, you do.”
Amelia picked up a freeze-dried dinner package. “What’s this?”
Suppressing a smile, Casey said, “Food.”
Amelia made a face. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope. Each pack will hold a little over eight pounds of food that will last for the seven days we’re out.”
“Wait,” Amelia said, her gaze narrowing. “We don’t have a pack mule, or something, to carry our food?”
Casey shook her head, sure now Amelia would back out. “No. This isn’t City Slickers, the Alaska version. This is the real deal.”
Looking almost green, Amelia stepped away from the table.
Turning back to the others, Casey said, “We’ll be walking four to six miles a day, making camp each night. We’ll loop around the Chilkoot trail, crossing through some mountainous territory and skirting along the Taiya River, where you’ll get a chance to do some fishing. We should have mild weather, with the high temp in the midsixties and lows at night in the thirties or forties. But everyone should be prepared for rain, as well.”
“Just kill me now,” Veronica groaned. “I can’t walk that much.”
“You’ll do fine,” Jake said, between clenched teeth.
Casey smiled at Veronica. “Don’t worry. We’ll take breaks and have plenty of time to savor the breathtaking views.”
“Oh, goody,” Veronica replied, her tone full of sarcasm.
Amelia sidled up to Jake and Veronica. “Stick with me, kid. We’ll make it happen.”
Veronica’s gaze narrowed. “Did you make your necklace?”
Seemingly unfazed by Veronica’s surly tone, Amelia touched the gold, beaded trinket at her neck and arched her eyebrow. “No. This a Marc Antonio original. Worth way more than that iPod you’re attached to.”
Veronica blinked. “Oh, a Marc Antonio? Wow.”
Casey couldn’t believe it. The kid hadn’t even flinched at the insult, and was impressed by her sister’s gaudy jewelry. Casey didn’t even know who Marc—whatever—was.
Forcing her attention back to the orientation, Casey talked about the trip a bit more, showed some slides highlighting points from past trips and then answered questions. When everyone was satisfied and had taken a packet of necessary information, Casey headed over to Jake and his daughter, hoping to connect with the kid. Jake seemed to be having a hard time with the preteen as they conversed near the door. Veronica’s pretty face was pulled into a sullen pout as she stared at her father’s feet—while he bent to catch her eye.
“Remember what I told you. How you experience this is up to you,” Jake was saying as Casey approached. Veronica snorted.
Jake glanced Casey’s way and straightened. His be leaguered expression tugged at Casey’s heart. She could tell he was really trying. Not that she had much experience with adolescents, but she wanted to reach out to Jake and his daughter just the same.
“It won’t be as awful as you’re anticipating,” Casey said.
Veronica didn’t look up. “Yes, it will.”
“Veron—”
Casey held up her hand to cut off his words. “I remember the first time I went out on a full-blown backpacking trip. I was about your age when my uncle loaded me up with a pack that weighed more than I did. I’ll admit, in the beginning it was very tiring and I was sure I couldn’t go on, but after a while you get into a rhythm.”
“Like a conga line?” Amelia asked, as she joined them. “I can get into that.” She started doing the conga, rolling her arms, kicking her feet out to the side.
Casey blinked in surprise to see her sister, usually so very staid and controlled, act so goofy. And even more surprising was the tug of a smile on Veronica’s face.
“Well, I don’t know about the conga, but it will be fun,” Casey said.
“I’m looking forward to being out in nature and away from all the electronics,” Jake said, his gaze directed at Casey.
“Whoa. What? No electronics?” Veronica looked scandalized.
“No electronics,” Jake stated, firmly.
“You won’t miss them. I promise,” Casey interjected.
The grateful and approving look Jake sent her way made her cheeks heat up.
“No iPod even?” Amelia asked, looking nearly as traumatized by the prospect.
Jake slanted her a cutting glance. “Nothing.”
Amelia and Veronica shared a long-suffering look.
“Can I talk to you?” Casey took her sister by the arm and led her away before she had time to protest.
“Don’t do that,” Casey said, keeping her voice low as they halted a few feet away.
“Do what?”
“Undermine Jake with his daughter.”
Amelia gave her a look that clearly said she thought Casey was nuts. “Please. I wasn’t. When did you become Miss Goody Two-shoes, anyway?”
Casey frowned, stung by that assessment. “I’m not.” At least she’d never thought of herself that way. She had responsibilities, and she took them seriously. Uncle Patrick had taught her the importance of that.
Amelia rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” She walked away and headed straight back to Jake and his daughter.
Casey had a sinking feeling Amelia was trying to worm her way into Jake’s heart through his daughter. A few minutes later, Amelia called out to Casey. “Hey, sis, we’re heading over to Lizbet’s for milkshakes. You want to come with us?”
She did, with everything in her. But it was her responsibility to put away the orientation gear and close up the tour company. Trying to keep her disappointment and frustration from echoing in her voice, she said as neutrally as she could, “I’ve got to close up.”
“Okay, then,” Amelia said, with a satisfied smile, before she walked out the door with Veronica following closely behind.
Jake strode over to where Casey stood. Her heart fluttered at his closeness. “Come to Lizbet’s when you’re done,” he said.
Liking that he’d think to make the suggestion, Casey nodded. “I’ll will. Thank you.”
He held the packet of information up. “There’s an awful lot of stuff here. Would you be willing to help Veronica and me purchase everything we need?”
Thrilled by the request, she tried to keep excitement out of her voice. “Of course. I’d love to.”
He grinned. “Great. How about tomorrow morning?”
“Perfect.”
“You’re the best.” He saluted and jogged away.
“The best,” she repeated, though inside her head the refrain “one of the guys” mocked her. Did Jake see her as “one of the guys”?
And did she care?
Jake stirred his melting chocolate milkshake while his daughter and Amelia chatted nonstop about fashion and makeup. He’d long since tuned them out, staring through the front window of Lizbet’s Diner. At least he had a view of the main street through Treasure Creek to occupy his attention.
He wasn’t keeping watch for Casey to join them for milkshakes. He really wasn’t. He’d heard she was a serious loner. Way too independent, too self-sufficient to ever want a family. So not his type.
Behind him the little restaurant buzzed with activity. It was a Friday night, after all. Lots of people were out for a bite to eat, or, like the three of them, here for one of Lizbet’s delicious milkshakes. The rustic eatery, with its wooden tables and benches, plank floors and mason jars filled with flowers as centerpieces, was a popular hangout for the locals. The menu ranged from good old-fashioned hamburgers and fries to more fancy salmon steaks, to basic breakfast fare, which they served all day.
Jake glanced at his watch. Forty-five minutes. Did it really take Casey that long to close up the tour offices?
“Do you have somewhere to be?” Amelia asked.
Jerking his gaze to Amelia’s lively blue eyes, Jake felt heat rise up his neck. He’d made it too obvious that he was bored. “It’s getting late,” he said, inanely.
“Dad, it’s not even nine o’clock,” Veronica whined, with a toss of her long mane. “And tomorrow’s Saturday.”
Old pain rippled through his heart. The way Veronica flipped her hair was so reminiscent of Natalie. Amazing how Veronica shared so many of her mother’s physical gestures, even though she was an infant when Natalie left. Genes were powerful things.
“Yeah, Jake. Tomorrow’s a sleep-in day,” Amelia interjected, with a mocking tone.
“Fine. We can stay a little longer,” Jake said, at a loss as to why he was so antsy.
Amelia gave him a regal smile. She really was a pretty woman, Jake thought. Very polished and striking. He’d watched several male heads turn when they’d entered the diner. His daughter certainly had taken a shine to Amelia, once Veronica discovered their common interest in fashion. He couldn’t believe his luck.
Thank goodness Amelia had elected to join their tour. He thought she’d be a good influence on Veronica. Amelia related well to his daughter, and it seemed like she would be a good role model, considering she actually had a paying job in the fashion industry that fascinated Veronica so much.
A strange sensation pricked the back of his neck and he looked out the window. His gaze collided with Casey’s. The prickle at his neck became a buzz that shot through him. Man, she’d startled him. She was standing on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. He raised his hand to wave her inside, but she was already turning away and hurrying down the street.
Why was she leaving? And what was that odd expression on her lovely face? She looked…upset.
Abruptly, Jake stood, startling Amelia and Veronica. “I’ll be right back,” he said, and rushed out of the diner.
Casey moved down Treasure Creek Lane at a fast clip, passing the carefully designed building façades that created a feel of an era long past. In its heyday, Treasure Creek had been a booming gold-rush town, because its location made a perfect point for prospectors to embark from on their quest for gold up the Chilkoot and White Pass trails.
Tonight however, Casey’s quest was to nurse her wounded pride in the privacy of her own home, before her sister returned. How silly of Casey to think that joining Jake, Amelia and Veronica was a good idea. From the way Jake and Amelia were making moon eyes at each other, Casey knew there was no room for her in the equation. Her heart squeezed tight.
Why that hurt so much she didn’t know. Well, okay maybe she did know. Jake had gone out of his way to make sure she’d been included, and had even asked for her to help in acquiring the appropriate gear for their upcoming tour. She’d let that attention go to her head. She’d let herself believe he was interested in her.
Of course he’d gravitate to Amelia. Everyone did. Casey really shouldn’t be concerned that Jake would get hurt by her twin. The man was an adult. He could take care of himself.
But still…Casey sighed and silently chanted, “Not my problem. Not my problem.”
She would get through this tour by keeping things professional and detached. And by locking her heart up tight. It had always worked in the past.
She veered left and crossed the street, barely slowing to allow a car to pass. She picked up her pace and had made it halfway down the block when someone grabbed her elbow from behind.
“Hey,” she yelped, and wrenched her arm away, preparing to strike out. She blinked in stunned surprise to see Jake standing next to her, bathed in the glow of the streetlamp. Light reflected off his dark hair and kissed the angular planes of his handsome face. He jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans, stretching the pale yellow-colored pullover across his muscular chest.
“Whew, woman. You can hustle. Didn’t you hear me calling your name?” Jake asked, sounding a bit winded.
“No. I guess I was lost in thought,” she said, relaxing her stance. “What are you doing here? Where’s Amelia and Veronica?”
“They’re still at Lizbet’s. I saw you through the window. Why didn’t you come in?”
Ugh. She’d hoped he hadn’t noticed her standing there, gawking at them. Like an outsider looking in. “It’s late.” She scrambled for a reasonable explanation. “I figured you all were about done anyway.”
“We’d have still welcomed you,” he said, studying her face. “The orientation went well. I’m excited about this trip. And thank you for your willingness to help us shop tomorrow. I think it will be a good experience for Veronica and me.”
She smiled. “That’s my goal.” Nothing more.
Right?
The door to the church opened. Pastor Ed Michaels and his wife, Jenny, stepped out. Grateful for the interruption to the embarrassing encounter, Casey waved. She really liked the forty-something couple, even if she didn’t regularly attend services. Pastor Ed locked the door and then escorted his wife down the walkway.
“Good evening, Casey,” Pastor Ed said. “Jake.” The two men shook hands. “Have you met my wife, Jenny?”
“Nice to meet you,” Jake said.
Jenny, a petite brunette with a sunny disposition, smiled back. “Hello.” Her gaze bounced back and forth between Jake and Casey. “What are you two up to this evening?”
Casey nearly groaned aloud. The last thing she needed was for the pastor and his wife to think she and Jake were dating, when that couldn’t be farther from the truth. News like that traveled fast in a small town, and if she didn’t nip in the bud now, everyone would have them hitched and setting up housekeeping before she knew it.
Helping Jake shop tomorrow didn’t count. That was business. Nothing more.
“My daughter and I are taking a guided tour with Casey in a couple of days. Casey has graciously agreed to help us pick out our backpacks tomorrow, and we were discussing that.”
Casey could have hugged Jake for explaining their association so succinctly.
Jenny looked up at her husband, who stood a good foot taller than she. “We should take a guided tour sometime.”
“We should,” Ed agreed. Though he was not classically handsome, there was something very appealing about the pastor. His nose was a bit too big for his face, but his eyes were kind and his crooked smile was endearing.
“I’d love to take you out on the trail sometime. Just say when,” Casey offered.
“That’s kind of you to offer, Casey. We’ll have to look at our calendars,” Pastor Ed said.
“Will we see you two tomorrow at the barbeque?” Jenny asked, her gaze a bit too pointed for Casey’s liking. What a little matchmaker!
Casey hadn’t ever attended the church’s weekly singles group. She didn’t want to be put out on display or be seen as desperate. It was bad enough to be labeled “one of the guys,” but to actually advertise that she was unattached by going to a singles group just didn’t appeal.
“Barbeque?” Jake inquired.
“Every week we have a Saturday-night singles social. Since the weather has been so mild we’ve had a barbeque. It’s a fun time. Mostly fellowship, with a bit of worship time. Nothing formal,” Pastor Ed explained. “We’d love for you both to join us.”
“That sounds great,” Jake said, and turned to Casey. “What do you think? Are you free tomorrow night?”
Just when Casey managed to shove away hopes of Jake being interested in her, Jenny was pushing them together. Casey forced a smile. Feeling trapped—how could she explain her reluctance to attend without sounding like a complete idiot or without lying—she said, “I—well, I don’t think I have anything planned.”
“Good,” Jenny said, as she slipped her arm through her husband’s, looking pleased with herself. “We really should get home to the kids.”
Pastor Ed patted his wife’s hand and smiled lovingly down at her. “Yes, we should.” To Jake and Casey he said, “Looking forward to seeing you both tomorrow. Good night.” The pair walked over to a sedan parked at the curb, got in and then drove away.
“I better get back to your sister and my daughter,” Jake said. “Walk back with me?”
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