Love at First Light (Lost Harbor, Alaska Book 6)

by Jennifer Bernard

  “Okay, plan B,” he said quietly. “I’m going to fall backwards and you’re going to come with me.”

  “That sounds like a very bad idea.”

  “It’s not. Trust me, I know how to fall. It’s nothing but grass down there, I already checked it out. Just come closer and put your arms around me.”

  “Are we both going to fit through the window?”

  “It’s just my legs now. We can do it if we stay close together. Come on, they’re getting closer. We got this.”

  “I’m never eating chocolate croissants again,” she grumbled as she crawled up his body.

  “Take that back. Your chocolate croissants are ma—”

  “Magic, I know. Just help me up.”

  He used his free arm to assist her, then wrapped it tightly around her.

  Strange how they kept having to get closer and closer to each other, and how it never felt like too much.

  When she was plastered against him like a second skin, he scooted his rear backwards until he reached a pivot point. “On the count of three, push off.”

  “Push off what?”

  “Just let your weight fall forward. I need to keep my legs straight so they don’t snag on the frame. We need gravity and momentum to take us down. After you push forward just pretend you’re a rag doll. Don’t fight it, just fall. Ready?”

  “I guess?” Her answer was buried against his chest. “I can’t even see anything. I’m totally trusting you here.”

  “Remember how you said I didn’t let you down?”

  “Yes, but we’ve never tried to tandem dive out a window before. I’m not sure—“

  “Three, two, one. Go.”

  The weight of her body pushed him backwards into a freefall toward the ground. Good girl. He felt a rush of air, then his back thumped onto the ground. It knocked the wind out of him, and his lungs heaved for a moment, gasping for air. His mouth was full of Jessica’s hair. He tried to tell her so, but couldn’t get enough air to speak.

  “Are you okay?” Jessica planted her hands on the ground and lifted off him.

  “Yeah,” he wheezed. “You?”

  “No damage.” She turned her head one direction, then the other. “And no witnesses. Let’s get out of here.” She crawled off him and helped him up with her cuffed hand. He shook out his leg to make sure it was still functioning. Considering he hadn’t done his stretches in a couple days, it was holding up pretty well.

  He gestured with his head toward the thick forest beyond the grounds. “Think we can make it?”

  “Only one way to find out.”

  “Let’s make it look like we’re just going for a stroll. If we run that might attract attention.”

  She nodded admiringly. “That’s a great idea. You’re so good at this. You think of everything.”

  He snorted. None of this investigation had gone remotely according to plan. The whole in-and-out, one-last-job approach was out the window. Now it was think on your feet and try not to get shot at.

  He clasped her hand, so it looked as if they were a happy couple out for a romantic walk. They ambled across the closely cropped lawn surrounding the lodge. Beyond that grew the taller grass, and after that the forest. If they could just get to the trees, they might have a chance. But if Kelsey and her cohorts spotted them before they disappeared, they’d have to get even more creative.

  One step at a time. He smiled down at Jessica, playing the part of the besotted lover. She gazed up with a similar expression of head-over-heels infatuation.

  A warm thrill traveled through him.

  What would it be like to have someone really feel that way about him? What would it be like if Jessica was that person? It would be like living in a world made of honey and sunshine.

  It took a few excruciating minutes to reach the taller grass, with its feathery seed heads. It was easier to blend in with this grass—some of it was over their heads—and yet it was more unlikely that anyone ever walked out here.

  They should make it look as if they were so wrapped up in each other they had no idea where they were.

  He dropped a kiss onto the top of her head. In the short time they’d been out here, the sun had warmed her hair. Its fragrance sent a rush of visceral memories through him. The shower. His fingers between her legs. Her face when she came. Desire punched him hard in the gut and time seemed to slow.

  Her hand tightened in his. The high grass rustled as a light breeze whispered through it. A butterfly flitted past his head. Sunlight glanced through waving grass and suddenly he was back there again.

  In his vision.

  Holding hands with a woman who was his bride.

  Not Charley. Jessica. Haloed in golden sunshine.

  The stunning moment was shattered when voices shouted at them from the direction of the lodge.

  “Run,” he told her.

  Their hands fell apart and they took off, thrashing through the grass as best they could. The voices came closer, and now he heard footsteps racing after them. At least there were no gunshots.

  “Just get to the woods,” he panted, trying to pick up the pace. It wasn’t easy with grass tussocks getting in their way and their hands cuffed together.

  “I’m trying! Stop yanking my wrist around.”

  “Just hold hands, that’ll make it easier.” He snagged her hand again.

  “Running while holding hands is not easier.”

  “Maybe you should stop talking and focus on running.”

  “Maybe you should stop talking and kiss my ass.”

  A new voice broke in. A somehow familiar voice. “Are you two still fighting?”

  Jessica stopped in her tracks, nearly causing Ethan to fall on his face. He staggered to a halt. “Maya? What are you doing here?”

  He spun around. Sure enough, there was the Lost Harbor police chief herself, in jeans and a casual black-and-purple striped sweater, hands on her hips, panting from her dash across the meadow.

  “I was hitching a ride back from Anchorage on a Forest Service chopper when I heard that you two were detained. They let me come out here and take you off their hands.”

  “Where’s Kelsey?” Ethan asked.

  “The manager? She’s right behind me.”

  “We don’t trust her,” Jessica said urgently. “We think she might be working with some bad people out here.”

  Maya’s forehead wrinkled in a frown.

  “I don’t know about that. She followed protocol by holding you until someone could get here. She’s on her own out here, so she has to act if anything makes her suspicious.” She fixed a stern glance on Ethan. “What’s going on here? Last I knew you were heading back to LA.”

  Uh oh. This was a hell of a way for Maya to find out about Jessica’s plan. He glanced at Jessica, letting her decide how much to reveal.

  “I hired him,” Jessica said after a brief moment.

  Good call. With someone like Maya, it was best to tell the truth because she was likely to find out anyway.

  “For what?”

  “Same thing you hired him for. To solve S.G.’s case.” Her voice trailed away as Maya glared at her. “And I’m working with him. Surprise!”

  A variety of reactions flitted across Maya’s face. Confusion. Astonishment. Disbelief. None of it positive.

  She swung toward him. “And you went along with this? Jess doesn’t know anything about investigating. She’s a civilian.”

  “Actually, she’s been great, especially as a guide out here. We’ve made a lot of progress.”

  “Is that right?” Siri, show me skepticism.

  He reached for his most professional tone. “I think you’ll be happy with our report. I can catch you up on everything we’ve learned as soon as you let us out of these damn cuffs.”

  “First of all, I don’t have the key. Second, you’re both on my shit list right now. I’m supposed to be getting Dad’s house ready for him, not dealing with two crazy cowboys.”

  Jessica’s face lit up. “Oh, is he
coming home? That’s great news!”

  “Yes, I was really excited about it until all this broke out.” She waved at them. Then her face softened. “I’m still happy about it. He’s doing well. He’ll be home in a few days.”

  Jessica clasped her hands together, which of course dragged his hand into the gesture as well. “That’s fantastic.”

  Ethan winced as the cuff chafed his wrist. He glanced past Maya and caught sight of Kelsey hurrying toward them. He hoped she had the handcuff key with her and could put an end to this crap.

  As he watched Kelsey cross the lawn, he noticed that she was moving strangely. There was a hitch in her gait, sort of like his except it had more of a twist to it. Had she walked like that last night? He’d been so weary that he hadn’t paid much attention to her beyond the night robe and the glasses. But now that he thought back—yes, she did have an unusual gait.

  He didn’t know what it meant, but maybe it was an important data point. He filed it away.

  “Ethan! Ethan, are you okay?”

  Jessica tugged at his arm. He wrenched his gaze away from Kelsey.

  “Yeah. What’s up?”

  “What’s up?”

  His thoughts were still focused on Kelsey. She’d called in law enforcement rather than the bad guys, whoever they were. But that didn’t completely rule out the other possibility, that she was working with or protecting someone nefarious. If that was the case, he didn’t want to let her know anything about S.G. He had to make sure she was legit first.

  He lowered his voice and spoke rapidly as she closed the gap between them. “Don’t say anything about S.G., Maya. Please.”

  Her eyebrows climbed up her forehead, but she nodded.

  Kelsey finally reached them. In her rush across the lawn, her round black glasses had slid down her nose. “You guys broke my window!” she said furiously. “You couldn’t just stay put until I got back?” She turned to Maya. “Are you vouching for these two?”

  “I know, they’re a pain in the ass. I promise they won’t cause you any more trouble.” Maya gave the two of them a pointed glare. “I’ll take them back to Lost Harbor and deal with them there.”

  “Are you sure? Why would they try to run if they weren’t up to something?”

  Maya swung her gaze toward Ethan and Jessica. “Anyone want to take a crack at that?”

  Ethan cleared his throat and reached for the first explanation that came to mind. “We had to pee.”

  Maya’s eyebrows shot up, but he forged ahead. This whole situation had already gone beyond parody anyway.

  “Sorry, but we had no idea when you were coming back. Desperate times…”

  Jessica added to his story by hopping in place. “We still haven’t been able to pee, by the way.”

  Kelsey looked flabbergasted, while Maya burst out laughing. “I’m here trying to figure out which one of you is the instigator. I thought it’d be Jess, but Ethan, you’re right up there. Come on, let’s get you back to civilization. Pit stop on the way.”

  “We also need to get our things,” Ethan said. “They’re still in our room.”

  “I’ll take you up there.” Kelsey narrowed her eyes at him. “But I’ll be watching every second, so no bullshit.”

  “Fair enough.” He stepped forward, then jerked back, having completely forgotten about the handcuffs. “Can we get out of these damn things?”

  Kelsey bristled, but Jessica aimed one of her bright smiles at her. “Please, Kelsey. We promise to behave. And I really need to talk to Maya alone.”

  Kelsey glanced at Maya, who gave a nod of approval.

  He held up their cuffed hands so she could insert the key. “Most people use zip ties nowadays,” he told her as the metal ring fell away. “Just for future reference.”

  “I guess we’re just old-school out here. Deal with it.”

  As he followed Kelsey across the grass, it occurred to him that it felt strange to be separated from Jessica after so much time plastered to her side. He wasn’t sure how long they’d been in the storeroom, but it was probably a couple of hours.

  “I suppose I should thank you for alerting me to my faulty window,” Kelsey grumbled. “We’ve never had a jailbreak here before. Very creative.”

  “We can pay you back for that.”

  She waved him off. “The owners of this lodge are billionaires. They can afford it.”

  He glanced at her cautiously. She seemed more relaxed now, maybe because an actual police officer was taking charge.

  Maybe it was scary being in charge of such a remote location.

  Or maybe she had another reason to be nervous.

  Or maybe she was a straight-up villain.

  But sometimes even a hard-boiled investigator had to go with his intuition. His gut told him that Kelsey wasn’t a real threat.

  “What do you say we put our cards on the table?” he asked her as she unlocked a side door to the lodge and they stepped inside.

  “What cards?”

  “I’ll tell you what we’re doing out here and you tell me why you felt you had to toss us in that storeroom.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Jessica rubbed the red mark the cuff had left on her wrist. It was sore and painful, but that was nothing compared to the way Maya was looking at her—as if she didn’t know who she was.

  “Surprise?” Maya folded her arms across her chest. “You want to explain what you were thinking?” Her rich brown skin picked up hints of bronze in the morning sunlight. Unfortunately the sun also emphasized the pinch between her eyebrows and the puffiness of her eyes. She’d been through a rough few days.

  “It was for you.” Jessica flexed her hands and rotated her wrists. Now that she was on the spot, trying to explain, nerves were setting in. “I knew you didn’t really want to drop S.G.’s case. It was such a great opportunity, with Ethan here. So I asked Ethan to move forward with it.”

  “Do you know how much he charges? I was going to work out an arrangement with him to cover his costs.”

  “Don’t worry about that.” She flung up her hand. “I got it. I told him from the start that I’d pay for it.”

  Maya shoved her hands in the back pockets of her jeans. “So what, you decided to play savior? That’s why you’re out here in Lost Souls Wilderness getting detained?”

  A mosquito whined near Maya’s face. Jessica wanted to swat it away, but would that be like playing mosquito savior?

  Maya shooed it away herself. Problem solved. “How’d you get here, anyway? The float plane? Where is it?”

  “Someone sank it. It’s in a lake.” Jessica kind of wished she was at the bottom of that lake herself.

  “Your float plane sank? Damn.” Maya shook her head a few times, speechless for a moment. “Then you came here and frightened the manager of Misty Bay’s fanciest resort so much that she locked you up.”

  “I wanted to tell her the truth, but Ethan is so untrusting.”

  “Goes with the territory. He’s a PI. You’re…”

  “A baker. I know. And a bad decision-maker.” Ugh, that rhymed, unintentionally, and just sounded goofy. “But I figured something out, Maya. Maybe I just make decisions in my own way, in my own time. There’s nothing so wrong with that, is there?”

  “No. There isn’t.”

  “That doesn’t mean I always have my head in the clouds. It doesn’t mean I live in a bubble.”

  Maya stared at her. “That’s why you did all this? Because I said you live in a bubble?”

  Jessica straightened her spine. “Partly. But mostly I did it because you’re my best friend and I love you, and in the hospital I could see how exhausted you were by everything. I know you hate letting people down. You always have to be strong and handle everything by yourself. I wanted to share some of that burden for you.”

  “Jess…” Maya stepped away from her, as if she was trying to get herself under control.

  “What? Say it. You don’t have to tiptoe around my feelings.”

  Maya
turned back, head tilted curiously. “You think I do that?”

  “I know you do. I figured that out in the hospital. But you don’t have to.”

  “Okay,” Maya finally said. “Here’s the thing. I know how you like to focus on the positive, and I love that about you, Jess. You always look on the bright side and bring that everything’s-for-the-best attitude. But sometimes it feels like you’re whitewashing things because you never want to think about the bad stuff. You only want to think about the good stuff.”

  Jessica bit down on her lip to stop the automatic response that wanted to jump out. That’s not true. I can think about bad stuff too. But did Maya have a point? “Go on,” she said instead.

  Maya gave her a dubious glance, probably testing to make sure she was sincere.

  “Really. I want to hear more. I can handle it.”

  “Okay,” Maya said slowly. “You want to know why I tiptoe around you. That’s why. It’s not always easy being the first black police chief in a town that’s mostly white. But I don’t think you want to hear about that. You’d rather think everything’s groovy and rainbows and flowers and magic.”

  A soft wind whispered through the swaying grass around them. The sunlight made everything crystal clear—gilding the delicate seed heads of the stalks. She had the sudden sense that she was seeing her friend clearly for the first time.

  And maybe herself too.

  “You’re right, Maya. I have this…thing.” She played with a piece of grass to help her focus. “I look on the bright side because I’m so afraid of how bad things could be if I don’t. You know how it was for me growing up. I guess I got in the habit of putting on those rose-colored glasses just to escape. I like to believe in magic because reality was always so crappy. But it’s not anymore. I like my life now. And I can handle a lot more than I thought I could. ”

  Maya’s serious expression softened. “It’s a Jess thing. I get it.”

  “No.” Jessica threw up her hand to stop her. “I don’t want excuses. I didn’t realize all that was interfering with our friendship. Nothing’s more important to me than my friends.”

  “I know. You’re a fantastic friend.”