Her new home had come with almost all the furniture, everything still in excellent condition, including several antiques. Each day, she woke up feeling good about her decision to move and looking forward to what may lie ahead. Except for the continuing dull ache in the middle of her chest, life was perfect.
Mark would be moving into her place the following week and both planned to attend the next SAR meeting. She hoped they’d still be partners. Frank had already told her that Jake would consider her request, but he’d make the final decision on volunteer assignments.
Lainey glanced at her watch. Six o’clock on Friday evening. All the children had gone home, the toys stowed away, and the place cleaned. The one remaining helper had left thirty minutes earlier, eager to meet her date for dinner. A hot bath and glass of wine now topped Lainey’s list.
She walked out toward her car, a strange sense of being watched causing the hairs on her neck to bristle. Lainey glanced around the dimly lit lot. The one outside light didn’t illuminate the area like it should, and she vowed to have several more installed the following week. She unlocked her door as a strong scent of alcohol wafted over her. Again she glanced around and saw no one, even though her gut told her something didn’t seem right. She climbed inside, locked the doors, and headed home, glancing back through the rear view mirror to see if anyone emerged from the nearby bushes. No one appeared.
Within an hour she held her glass of wine and relaxed in the large claw-footed tub. She’d turned on some soft country tunes and sat back, luxuriating in the hot bath as the scents of vanilla and spice floated around her. Lainey closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind. She’d always had a difficult time relaxing. The ability others had to close off their thoughts and enjoy the moment had somehow evaded her. She took a sip of wine and slid back down into the tub as a soft tapping began toward the front of the house.
Lainey sat up, listening to see if the sound came again. A few seconds later, she heard it once more—like someone tapping on a window. She grabbed a towel, wrapped it securely in place, then slid into her robe before walking toward the living room. She looked through the small window in the door, and seeing no one, pushed the door open. A piece of paper fell to the ground.
She grabbed the paper and walked the few feet to the porch steps, and again, saw no one. The street seemed eerily quiet, no people, cars, or bikes. Lainey dashed back inside and unfolded the note to see four typed words—You’re not welcome here.
Lainey read it again, confused by the message. Was it a threat? A warning? She sat down and stared at the paper once more and wondered if the writer referred to her or Helen, the previous owner. She couldn’t imagine anyone having a grudge against Helen, and couldn’t think of a single person she might have angered during her brief time in Fire Mountain.
She dropped the note on the dining room table before walking to her bedroom to dress, considering whether or not to take the note to the SAR office the following morning. Perhaps it had to do with her search and rescue involvement. Maybe others had received the same thing, or perhaps it was some type of joke the team pulled on all new volunteers. Regardless, she wouldn’t let some prank change any of her plans or her growing fondness for her new town.
******
“What did he say?” Annie asked Heath as they sat down for dinner.
“He thanked me. Told me he wouldn’t let me down. Of course I wouldn’t have offered him the lead position if I thought he wasn’t ready.” Heath tucked into his meal. Annie insisted on taking over the cooking duties when his long-time cook retired to relocate near her son. He loved everything his wife cooked.
“He’ll do what’s needed to make the acquisition work, assuming it still makes sense once he goes over everything.” Annie set her fork down. “Does he seem all right to you?”
Heath could sense the concern in her voice. “All right about what?”
“I’m not sure. He’s been by to talk a couple of times over the last week. Acted like he wanted to chat about something specific, then closed up. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him quite this reticent to speak with me. It’s probably nothing, just a mother’s worry.”
“Now that you mention it, he did seem preoccupied during the last senior staff meeting. I didn’t think much of it at the time, believing he’d been working too hard and in need of a break. That’s when I made the decision he’d be the MacLaren representative for this deal. He needs to stretch a little more and this seems like the right opportunity.”
“It’s what he’s always worked toward. He’s much like his father—smart, driven, and dedicated. For that matter, he’s a lot like you.” Annie smiled and placed her hand on top of Heath’s.
“Well, that can be good and bad. Look how long it took me to find you.”
******
“How’s it going? Are you finding any deal killers?” Eric juggled a load of binders in one hand while trying not to spill a cup of coffee in the other as he hurried to his Monday morning meeting.
“No deal killers yet. It’s a clean operation without a single red flag that I can find.” Cam held his cell phone between his ear and shoulder as he scribbled some notes on a pad and walked outside to meet Damon Heitz for a lunch appointment. “What’s happening there?”
“Not much. Heath’s looking at another acquisition. This one in Montana, somewhere near Missoula. They raise bulls for the rodeo circuit.”
“He wants to expand into bulls now?”
“Heath wants to expand into anything that makes sense and meshes with what we already have going. He figures the one up north, plus the one you’re looking at that supplies bronc riding stock, will round out his plans for the foreseeable future.”
“Right. I doubt a day doesn’t go by that Heath isn’t looking for some new way to expand his operations.”
“Agreed. Look, I’ve just gotten to my meeting. Let’s touch base tonight after you get back to your hotel. There are a couple of things I want to talk over with you.”
“No problem. I’ll call you later.” Cam climbed into the waiting car. “Where to today, Mr. Heitz?”
“Italian, if that suits you. And stop calling me Mr. Heitz—makes me feel old. Call me Damon from now on.” He pulled onto the main road and pointed to an envelope next to him. “Here’s the updated information you requested. Future orders, terms, buyer contacts. We can review it during lunch. I have to tell you, if this does go through, at some point Heath will need to identify a new company president to replace Tom Flint who will be retiring in a couple of years.”
Cam had worked with Tom several times during his trip and was disappointed to learn the experienced executive would be leaving. He’d be hard to replace.
“No rush,” Damon continued. “Just something to consider. Also, you’ll need to identify someone to replace Sonny Burrows as your rodeo contact. He’s talked about retiring in a few years, and this time I believe he’ll set a firm date. It won’t be until his last kid graduates from college, two to three years out. You’ll want to identify someone several months in advance so they can travel with Sonny around the country and get to know his contacts.”
“Perhaps one of the existing employees could start to train with Sonny.”
“Nope. I have a lot of good employees and most have been raised around horses. That’s different than what Sonny provides. The person you’ll need must already understand the rodeo business and possess existing contacts. It’s a competitive business. May be best to get someone who’s competed, like Sonny. Contacts are the key in this industry and you need a man who already has them. Again, no rush, just another detail to consider.”
******
“Hey, Lainey.” Mark stood outside the building that served as the customer center for the small Fire Mountain Airport. It had turned dark as the plane descended and landed on the narrow strip.
Lainey jumped out of her car and ran into Mark’s arms. “Hey, yourself.” She pulled back and grabbed one of his bags. “I can’t believe you did it.”
/> “Most of the time I can’t believe it either. I’ve got to tell you that coming over the mountains and dropping into the valley is a sight I won’t forget.”
They threw his bags in the back and took off.
“Do you need to stop anywhere before we go to my place?”
“How about I buy you dinner?”
“Perfect. Any place in particular?”
“Basic stuff, nothing fancy.”
“I have just the place.”
A few minutes later they walked into a sports bar and took seats at a table near one of the big screen televisions.
“What can I get you two?” a spunky waitress in red shorts and striped blouse yelled over the noise of the TV, pool game, and bar conversations.
“Two beers, two burgers with everything, and a large basket of fries.” Mark didn’t even glance at the menu. He could see what he wanted by looking at the other tables.
“Be back in a jiff.” She bounded off toward the kitchen, dodging a couple of patrons, and just missing another waitress holding a full tray of drinks.
“What’s on your agenda this week?” Lainey asked as the waitress returned with their beers.
“Megan put me in touch with a realtor. She has six or seven places lined up for me to see tomorrow.”
“Do you need my car?”
“Nope. She’ll pick me up and drop me back at your place when we’re finished. She already told me it takes several days of looking before the right homes start to click. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get lucky and find one tomorrow.”
“When you do start work?”
“The first of the month, so I have almost three weeks. I’d like to find a place and get it in escrow before I start. So, tell me how it’s going for you.”
Lainey started to answer before noticing a tall, good looking man walk toward them.
“Hi. Would you be Lainey Devlin?”
“And who wants to know?” Mark chimed in, sizing up the man and wondering what he wanted.
He stuck out his hand. “I’m Eric Sinclair. Jake Renner, over at the bar, pointed you out and I thought I’d welcome both of you to Fire Mountain.”
Mark and Lainey glanced behind Eric to see Jake nod at them.
“You wouldn’t be related to Cameron Sinclair, would you?” Mark stood and shook Eric’s hand.
“Yes, but I hope you won’t hold that against me.”
Lainey grasped his outstretched hand and smiled. “Is his reputation a problem wherever you go?”
Eric chuckled. “Not usually. He’s the quiet, hardworking brother. I’m the good times, slide through life one.”
Somehow Lainey doubted that.
“I won’t hold you up. Just wanted to say hello and hope you come to love this town the way most of us do.”
Eric walked back to the bar and took his seat next to Jake.
“What do you think?” Jake asked as he sipped his beer.
“I think Cam would be a fool not to go after her. Unfortunately, he doesn’t see it that way.” Eric glanced once more over his shoulder then turned back and shook his head. “He’s stubborn, that’s for sure.”
“And you think nothing is going on between them?”
“Not a thing from what he says.”
“She seems like a nice lady and will be a real asset to the SAR team. I’m thinking of pairing them up, with Cam as the senior partner. I need to make a decision by Wednesday night.”
Eric almost choked on his beer before recovering. He looked at Jake. “I believe that’s a fine idea and I’m quite certain Cam will feel the same.”
Chapter Ten
“Thanks for the ride. I’ll tell you, it’s good to be home.” Cam grabbed his one bag from the back seat of Eric’s truck and started for the door. “I’d better get moving if I’m going to make the SAR meeting tonight.” He waved to his brother, then disappeared inside.
Eric sat in his truck a moment, wondering if he should go after Cam to warn him about Jake’s plan to pair him up with Lainey. Jake’s idea made sense. Cam had over seven years of experience in mountain, urban, and mounted search and rescue. Even though younger than some of the other volunteers, Eric doubted if anyone would object to Cam taking a leadership role if it were offered. The odds were on Cam to take over for Jake someday. All of these factors made him the perfect choice to partner with Lainey—except the fact that Cam had a thing for her. Eric didn’t know how serious, but enough that he’d sure like to be a fly on the wall during the meeting tonight.
Eric pulled away, deciding it best to let Cam deal with the announcement in his own way.
******
Cam could hear Jake talking as he pushed open the back door. He checked his watch—twenty minutes late. He wanted to sneak in and hoped Jake didn’t spot him before he took a seat at the back.
“Well, it’s good to see Mr. Sinclair decided to join us tonight. I trust you had a good trip to Colorado?”
“Great trip. Glad to be home.” Cam grabbed coffee then found a chair. Before he could sit down, Jake called his name.
“Don’t bother sitting, Cam. I had just started to give everyone their new partner assignments when you walked in, and you’re the first on my list.” Jake looked at his notes. “We all know we have two new members—Mark Hill and Lainey Devlin. As is custom, we partner new volunteers, no matter their experience level, with a local team member.”
Lainey sat next to Mark and cast him a nervous look. The wariness overshadowed the calm she tried to plaster on her face. She’d hoped to be partnered with Mark, now it appeared she’d be with a local. Please, do not let it be Cam, she thought and sat deeper into her seat.
“Cam, you’ll be partnered with Lainey. Mark, your partner is Tony Moretti. Please meet up afterwards and set up a training schedule to start by next week.”
Lainey couldn’t move. The rest of Jake’s words had faded after she’d heard her name and Cam’s in the same sentence.
“Hey,” Mark jostled her leg to get her attention then leaned close. “You want me to see if I can make a switch?”
She glanced at Jake then over to Mark. “No. That’s my assignment and I’ll do what anyone else would—accept it,” she whispered. The resolve in her voice surprised Lainey. She sure didn’t feel as resolute as her words made it sound.
Cam stood up to top off his coffee, irritation bubbling inside him. He didn’t have time to tutor a new volunteer and most certainly not Lainey. Hell, he’d be lucky if she even spoke to him. It wouldn’t be a surprise if she talked with Jake after the meeting and asked for another partner, or even if Mark could pair up with Cam, and she with Tony.
He’d welcome the switch. The deal in Colorado seemed pretty solid and that meant he’d be traveling back and forth for a while, working with the transition team, perhaps temporarily living in Cold Creek. The assignment meant a great deal to Heath and even more to Cam. It was a chance he couldn’t blow, and working with Lainey a couple of times a week would be a distraction he couldn’t afford. No matter what she felt about him, his feelings for her had increased with each passing day. He thought he’d gotten himself under control enough to see her and not feel a sense of loss or wanting—neither of which made any sense. Not one damn thing about her made sense.
Cam hadn’t been prepared for his body’s reaction to seeing her sitting near the front, focused on Jake’s every word. His body clenched as a knot rose in his throat, making it damned hard to keep up a façade of indifference. He’d been unprepared and frustrated at how he felt.
If she didn’t talk with Jake, he would.
“All right, that’s it for tonight. I’ll hang around another few minutes if anyone has questions.” Jake folded up his notes and shoved them into his shirt pocket.
“Good meeting, Jake.”
“Thanks, Frank. Everyone seems fine with the changes. It’s good to mix things up once in a while.” He looked around the room and spotted Mark, speaking with Tony, and Lainey wandering toward the back, heading in the opposite directi
on of where Cam sat staring in her direction. Jake thought it had been a smart move to pair the two together—perhaps he’d been wrong. Too late now.
Cam tossed his empty cup in the trash and took a deep breath. Lainey hadn’t walked up to speak with Jake as Cam had hoped. The minute the meeting had adjourned, she’d headed toward the back, avoiding the corner where he sat, and making no pretense of her desire to avoid him.
He watched for a few minutes as she spoke to a couple of other female volunteers then slipped past them into the ladies room. Cam guessed he’d just have to wait her out.
Lainey placed her purse on a hook, turned on the faucet, and scrubbed her hands. It had turned into a habit. Working in a preschool meant washing your hands more than a dozen times a day. Tonight, however, it had turned into an excuse to not have to face Cam. They hadn’t seen each other in almost three weeks, and no matter what she’d told him, Lainey knew the emotions she held toward Cam had done nothing except increase over time. She looked in the mirror, surprised to see a serene face—not at all reflective of what she felt inside.
Lainey grabbed her bag and pushed through the door into the meeting room. Almost everyone had left. Mark and Tony still chatted in one corner, Mark tapping something into his cell phone and nodding. She glanced around to see no sign of Cam. Good, he’d left.
“Lainey?”
She jumped at the sound of his deep voice then turned to see Cam standing behind her.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He stood with his hands in his pockets, his face impassive. “Guess we’d better set something up.”
He looked as thrilled about the assignment as she did.
“You know, maybe I could talk with Jake. See if there’s someone else who can initiate me into the group.”
“You can do that, if that’s what you want. I won’t stop you.”
For some reason Cam’s response made her feel worse. He’d now made it obvious he had no desire to be anywhere close to her and would welcome a switch.
One More Day: MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary, Book Three (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary series 3) Page 8