“I’ve been here for you and Kaia for a long time. I’ve never expected anything from you but I deserve to have someone who is willing to go all in with me. I need someone who wants to share their life with me—the good and the bad—and I’m not sure you’re ready for that,” she said, sounding sad and defeated.
He stood and folded his arms across his chest, his annoyance with his own inability to be vulnerable making him take it out on her. “Tell me, then, what old wound would you like me to reopen for you?”
“Tank...”
“How awful it was to know that my mother didn’t care enough to push through her own pain and suffering to take care of me? How shitty life was moving from one foster family to another?”
“Tank, stop, please.”
“This is what you wanted, though, right? You want me to talk about my past so that you can feel as though you know me. Because knowing the person I am now isn’t enough.”
Cassie shook her head. “That’s not it. I’m just frustrated that Montana seems to know you so much better than I do. She shares your past, your present, and she’ll continue to share your future.”
Tank swallowed hard. He wanted to reassure her. Make her feel better. He was confident about them, but she was right about Montana, and in that moment, he was tired of disappointing her. “I’m not sure I’m ever going to be able to be the person you want me to be, Cass.” He stared at the floor because looking at her would break him. He’d been selfish regarding her for too long and until he could be what she deserved, that had to stop.
“I’m not asking you to be something you’re not... I was just hoping someday you’d let me in the way you...” Her voice trailed off.
The way he’d let Montana in. “And I guess I was hoping I wouldn’t need to.”
His defeated gaze met her devastated one, before she nodded slowly, turned and left the office, leaving him alone with a million instant regrets.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
DIVA CUDDLED NEXT to her on the sofa late the next morning. Cassie was going insane replaying their argument in her mind. She’d gone back and forth between feeling justified in her emotions to convinced she was in the wrong and then back again all evening.
Was she pushing for too much? Could she really expect Tank to flip a switch and become vulnerable just because she thought that’s what she needed to move forward?
Or was it perfectly acceptable to want to know him—truly know him—inside and out? She didn’t know why he was so worried about opening up. She’d only ever been there for him in the past. Did he really think she’d judge him or love him less if she knew him better?
But did his past define him? Did she need to know those painful parts of him or was it because someone else did?
She reached for her laptop and hit Play on Montana’s YouTube promo video... What the hell did she do about Montana? This video was amazing and all the work the other woman had put into this new venture gave Cassie confidence that with Montana’s help, it would be a great success...
But communication was the issue. And trust.
Just like with Tank.
Damn! Maybe she was the one with the problem. Maybe actions outweighed the need to talk about things all the time. Montana shouldn’t have gone ahead and posted this without her, but ultimately, did Cassie need to be in control of every little detail? Going forward, she was going to have to have faith and trust in the partnership. After all, Montana was the expert in this case.
She sighed.
Similarly with Tank, did she need to dig deep into his soul to feel like they were connected or was the passion and commitment she’d felt growing stronger from him each day enough? Moving forward with a real relationship with him meant having faith that they’d grow together, learn more about one another over time.
As she watched Montana soar over the mountainside, tears of frustration and uncertainty blurred her vision.
Montana was helping her save her company. Tank was giving her more than ever before.
So why couldn’t she just be grateful that she might finally be getting everything she wanted?
Tank’s number lighting up her cell phone on the sofa next to her made her pulse pound and her mouth go dry. She’d been wanting to reach out to him, but she hadn’t known what to say or where his head and heart were now after their argument... She stared at the ringing phone and answered just before the call went to voice mail.
“Hey you,” she said, nervously. “I’m happy you called.”
“I wasn’t sure if I should, but...” Worry filled his tone.
Cassie’s heart raced as she sat straighter. “Everything okay? Kaia?”
“Kaia’s okay...I think. She’s at school. It’s Montana.”
“Is she okay?” Remembering how pale the other woman had looked the day before and the painkillers she’d been swallowing like candy, Cassie bit her lip. She hadn’t seen her since then...since their argument.
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m calling. She’s not picking up or answering texts from anyone. Have you seen or heard from her today?”
“No... Actually, I haven’t seen or spoken to her since yesterday morning.” When she’d left SnowTrek Tours, she hadn’t looked well...but not sick enough to be worrisome or to warrant telling Tank about it. With everything going on with Kaia, and their disagreement over the video, Cassie had assumed Montana had needed some time to herself.
“Me neither,” Tank said. “Did she mention going anywhere?”
“Not that I can remember... Do you want me to try her cell?”
“Could you?”
“Sure. Of course. I’ll let you know if I reach her.”
“Thanks, Cass...”
“Hey, don’t worry, I’m sure Montana is fine. I’ll call you as soon as I talk to her,” she said with more confidence than she felt.
Disconnecting the call, she immediately dialed Montana’s number. Voice mail.
She texted her,
Worried about you. Call me.
Turning up the volume on the cell phone, she placed it on the sofa and stared at it, willing a reply. But hours and several more attempts at calling and texting later, there was still nothing from her.
Montana, where are you?
* * *
TANK PULLED INTO a parking stall in front of Montana’s apartment building six hours later. Climbing out, he went inside and buzzed her apartment. No one had heard from her. She hadn’t returned any calls or texts.
Something was wrong.
No answer from inside the apartment.
He buzzed again.
Come on, Montana.
A man leaving the building looked at him. “Tank?”
Eddie...in his police uniform. He nearly choked on his heart. “Are you here for Montana? Is she okay?”
The guy frowned. “No. I live here.”
Tank’s pulse steadied. “Oh, sorry. I’m looking for Montana... Kaia’s mom. You’ve seen her around town.” Had been following her...or maybe not. The guy lived in the same building. It could have been a coincidence that Montana had noticed Eddie as often as she had. “She lives on the second floor, apartment...”
“Nine. Yeah, I know. We’re neighbors. I actually haven’t seen her coming or going in the last few days...”
Shit. If anyone should have seen her, it would be the guy who lived next door and who admitted to keeping an eye on her. “Hey, I know it’s against building rules to admit nonresidents, but do you think we could go up there? I’m worried about her. She’s not returning any calls or texts from anyone. No one has seen her since yesterday afternoon.” He’d even asked Kaia to try calling...without letting her know he was worried, of course, and she’d had no luck getting a response either.
Montana might ignore him and Cassie, but he didn’t believe she’d ignore Kaia.
“Lucky fo
r you I’m allowed to bend the rules,” Eddie said with a grin, pointing at his badge. “Police.”
“Great.”
Eddie unlocked the door and, taking the stairs two at a time, they went to Montana’s apartment.
Tank knocked and waited. Nothing.
Putting his ear to the door, he listened, but all was silent inside. No music, no television, no sound of footsteps... He dialed her number, but no sound of her phone ringing came from inside.
“She’s not in there. I haven’t even heard water running or anything all day,” Eddie said.
Seems the guy was keeping close tabs on Montana. Must be driving her nuts. “Can we go in?”
Eddie hesitated. “Only if we have cause for concern...foul play or something...”
“She could be in trouble. Like I said, no one’s heard from her since yesterday morning, which is unusual.” Damn, he was an asshole for not having called this in sooner. “What if she fell and hit her head or something in there?” She could be really hurt inside. Or somewhere else.
“I think that’s just cause,” Eddie said. “Stand back.”
Tank eyed him as he got ready to charge the door. All one hundred and sixty pounds of him. “Um...Eddie, want me to do this?”
Eddie looked determined as he shook his head. “Are you kidding? I’ve dreamed of this moment my entire life. I’ve got this.”
And surprisingly, he did.
Seconds later, the door flew open so hard it nearly came free of the hinges and they were inside the apartment.
It was a furnished rental, so there was a couch, a TV and a small dining room table in the open concept seven-hundred-square-foot floorplan, but little else.
Montana’s things were littered about—several books and personal items. A coffee cup still sat on a counter in the kitchen. Eddie picked it up. “Coffee stain looks old.”
So she hadn’t been there that day. The place had a chill about it like she hadn’t been there in a while. No lingering scent of perfume or a cooked meal...
Tank scanned the room for a note or any indication of where she’d gone and couldn’t decide if it was a good thing or not to not find one.
He followed Eddie into the bedroom. Nothing. Just an unmade bed and clothes spilling out of her suitcase. Some of Kaia’s things were in the closet and the picture of him and Kaia sat on the nightstand.
Nothing else.
“Well, her suitcase is here, so she probably didn’t leave town,” Eddie said.
“Right...” So where had she gone?
“Did she know anyone else in town? Could she be visiting someone?”
“I don’t think so.” He ran a hand over his beard as he scanned his mind for where she might be.
“Well, what do we know about her? What clues about her whereabouts might we get by considering her hobbies, her passions...?”
Her passion. Shit. He knew exactly where she was...or at least where she’d been heading.
* * *
STARING AT THE map of the backwoods area where Cassie and Montana were planning to open the jump site, Tank’s palms were sweating. Had he known the two of them were running around out there in these less traveled areas, he would have fought harder against the idea. No wonder the two of them had kept the exact location to themselves...until now.
Cassie looked guilty and worried, pacing the station, as the crew discussed their plan. Tank didn’t doubt Montana’s survival skills...if she was actually better. But if not, who knew where she might be or what danger she might be in?
“So, we have eight of us ready to start the search near Suncrest Peak, where we suspect she would have headed,” Reed said.
Montana wouldn’t have gone anywhere else. They were all fairly certain of that. It was better to have more hands on deck in the most likely location than to separate into two teams and search elsewhere.
Eddie had called in the missing person report to the Wild River state troopers’ office and was there, offering his support.
Tank’s cell sounded and his heart raced, seeing Kaia’s number. What the hell was he going to tell her? He’d already asked one of her friends’ parents if she could stay at their place for the evening, but they hadn’t spoken properly in days and he didn’t want her worrying... How was he supposed to answer without giving something away?
Luckily Cass took the phone. Despite the awkward tension still lingering between them, she held his hand tightly in hers as she answered, “Hey, Kaia... It’s Cass... Oh no, he’s fine. Just got a call at the station, so he’s in briefing with Reed and the crew. I’m acting as secretary.” She forced a laugh.
Thank God for her. As soon as they found Montana, they needed to talk. The night before in his office, he hadn’t known how to respond to how she was reacting, how she was feeling, but he was desperate to find a way to communicate with her. Apologize. Make things better between them.
But first they had to find his ex.
“Yeah... No worries. I’ll come get you and we can hang out tonight, if that’s okay.”
Having Kaia with Cass was the only thing that made sense and he was so grateful that she’d simply assumed she’d be with the little girl during the search. He paused for a second, realization hitting him. Was that the reason Cass had never applied to be on the crew? Had she known that he needed her?
Maybe her adrenaline-craving spirit had a balance he hadn’t fully realized was there. Seems he’d worried about a lot of things he shouldn’t have for too long.
“Okay. I’ll be there to pick you up soon,” Cassie said, disconnecting the call. Handing the phone back to him, she added, “She said to be careful and she loves you.”
His daughter loved him. She might still be upset with him, but she loved him. He’d take it. Was the same true of Cassie? “Thank you for that...and for stepping in to get her.” He kissed her forehead.
“Of course.”
“Okay, I think we’ve mapped our in and out. Suit up and let’s meet outside in five,” Reed said, photocopying their routes for the team.
Tank grabbed his gear and three minutes later, he waited out front for the rest of the crew.
Diva sat at his feet, looking at him expectantly. “No, girl, I know you want to go, but you’re not quite ready yet,” he said, petting the dog.
Diva yapped disobediently, obviously disagreeing with his assessment.
“Soon...” Though he’d love to have her out there. An extra set of eyes and super sharp nose would certainly be appreciated. It was a shame she wasn’t fully certified yet.
Cassie hesitated before saying, “You know, maybe it’s not a bad idea. You said she was doing really well.”
“But she’s not certified yet and these backwoods are dangerous. For a first mission...”
“Every mission is dangerous. We both knew Diva would have to face this eventually. She wants this. Look at her.”
The smart husky was sitting, alert, waiting for her commands. No trace of a playful puppy anywhere.
“I, for one, would appreciate the backup,” Reed said, joining them, putting on his reflective jacket.
“If nothing else, she could provide a sense of comfort to the crew. They are all a little stressed about this one,” Erika said, zipping into her own gear.
Tank looked at the dog. She stared right back at him.
“Okay, Diva, let’s get your vest,” he said, uneasy about the idea. Already, one person he cared about was lost out there. And now his closest friends were heading out with him to find her...
“I think this is the right idea, but I can’t watch you all leave. I’m going to go get Kaia...” She paused. “What do you want me to tell her? Anything or just wait?” Cassie asked him.
Shit. His little girl was going to be worried enough. If she tried reaching Montana again and got no response, she was smart enough to put the pieces together. �
��Wait for now. But if she asks about Montana...be honest with her.”
“Okay.” She looked hesitant for a fraction of a second, but then stepped into his arms. He breathed in the scent of her, savoring the comfort and security of her arms wrapped around him. She was always his rock, his best friend, the woman he was falling in love with...already loved. They really needed to talk. He needed to tell her and he hoped it might put all her doubt to rest. “Be careful,” she whispered.
“We will be back soon.”
She bent to hug Diva, then her brother and Erika. “Everyone be safe,” she said.
He walked her to her truck and hugged her again quickly before she jumped into it and drove away.
Ten minutes later, the crew gathered at the base of the trail leading toward Suncrest Peak. Along the way, Eddie had gone back to Montana’s for an article of hers for Diva to get the scent. He jumped out of his squad car now and hurried toward them.
“I brought her pillowcase. All of the clothing looked clean and I wasn’t sure how helpful it would be.”
Pillowcase. Genius. “This is great—thanks, Eddie.” Tank introduced Montana’s scent to Diva. She pawed at it and sniffed it for several minutes, then sat back on her hind legs and waited. “Find!” Tank gave the official command.
Diva stood. Ready to go.
“She looks confident,” Reed said.
At least one of them was. “Okay, let’s go.”
A misty rain started as they headed into the woodsy area at the base of the unworn, unfamiliar hiking trail. “This weather had to pick now to start?” Tank mumbled. It had been sunny and mild all week. That day had seen a change in temperature—a cold wind and overcast clouds.
“I don’t like it either,” Reed said, scanning the sky in the distance. “It looks like storm clouds to the west.”
The forecast hadn’t predicted any thunder and lightning but by the looks of the clouds, they were going to be in for some unexpected weather that evening.
“Have you been through these woods before?” Tyler asked, zipping his coat higher over his neck and pulling his hood up.
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