Sudden Second Chance (12 page)

“Thank you. I’ve been telling her that for a few days now.”

“That’s two to one, Beth. Find yourself another story. The Timberline kidnappings have been nothing but tragedy for everyone involved for as long as I can remember.”

Beth squeezed Scarlett’s hand. “Thanks for your concern, and thanks for all your help. I’m trying to reach a Realtor right now who can help me track down the red doors.”

Scarlett rolled her eyes at Duke. “She’s not going to listen, is she?”

“Don’t worry. I plan to keep working on her. Are you okay if we leave now?”

“Yeah. You heard Quentin. The cops will probably still be wandering around my property when I get home.”

Beth snapped her fingers. “My rental car is still at your place.”

“You can’t drive with that foot all wrapped up.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Scarlett held up her hand. “I’ll have Jason drive the car to your hotel and leave the keys at the front desk.”

Duke dragged Beth’s keys from his pocket and handed them to Scarlett. “Have a good trip.”

They went to their separate cars, Beth awkwardly negotiating the crutches.

As he helped her into the SUV, he asked, “Did I hear you say you called the Realtor already?”

“Called her after my X-rays and left her a voice mail. If she’s free for dinner, do you want to join us?”

“How could I possibly miss the discussion about cabins with red doors? Of course. And you’re going to need some guidance before you get used to those crutches.”

The drive back to the hotel was a quiet one. He was done trying to convince her to give up on this story. He knew one surefire way to do it, and if Mick would ever get back to him, it would be a done deal.

As he pulled into a parking spot, Beth’s phone rang. She answered and he exited the car and leaned against the hood to wait.

When she got out, she held up her phone. “Dinner with Rebecca Geist at Sutter’s tonight at seven. You in?”

“I’ll be there.” As she joined him, he took her by the shoulders before they entered the hotel. “I almost lost it when I saw you on the ground, that trap biting into your foot.”

Her frame trembled beneath his hands. “It was...terrifying. The sound it made... Ugh. I’m going to hear that sound in my nightmares.”

“What’s it gonna take for you, Beth?”

“To leave Timberline? The truth. I’m going to leave Timberline when I discover the truth about my identity. Otherwise, what do I have?”

“You have me.” He sealed his lips over hers and drew her close, burying one hand in her silky hair.

She melted against him for a moment, her mouth pliant against his. But then she broke away and stepped back.

“I just don’t think you understand what this means to me, Duke. It’s a lifetime of questions and doubts coming to a head in one corner of the world—right here. All my questions have led me here.”

“You don’t know, Beth. It’s based on feelings and suppositions and red doors and frogs.”

“And that’s a start.”

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He didn’t want to take that all away from her—the hope, but he’d snatch it all away in a heartbeat to keep her safe.

“Okay. We have at least an hour before we have to leave for dinner. I’m going to take a shower. I’ll stop by your room at around six forty-five.”

She grabbed the front of his shirt. “Thanks for not pushing it, Duke.”

Did she mean the topic of her identity or the kiss? Because he’d wanted to push both—especially the kiss.

* * *

A
N
HOUR
LATER
they drove into town and got a table for three at Sutter’s. Beth had interviewed almost everyone she’d contacted, except for Jordan Young and a few others. As Beth had limped to their table, a few patrons glanced at her quickly, glanced away and then whispered among each other. Her reception in the dining room had cooled off compared to that first night.

Had the pranks and threats that had dogged her made the rounds and turned people off?

His gaze shifted to Beth studying the menu and his stomach sank. She didn’t care how chilly the reception. She had a goal and to hell with anything and anyone who stood in her way—including him.

A flashy blonde entered the restaurant and made a beeline to their table. “Beth St. Regis? I’d recognize you anywhere.”

Duke stood up and pulled out her chair as Beth made the introductions. “Nice to meet you, Rebecca. This is Special Agent Duke Harper.”

She shook his hand before taking a seat. “Now, aren’t you the gentleman? These lumberjack types out here could learn a thing or two from a city boy like you.”

Chloe was their waitress again and practically skipped to their table. “Jason told me someone had set some bear traps outside Scarlett’s cabin and you stepped on one.”

“Yeah, that happened.” Beth lifted her wrapped foot in the air.

“That’s crazy. Scarlett needs to stop ticking off those hunters.”

“Did Scarlett get off to Seattle okay?”

Chloe nodded. “They’re on their way. Jason texted me about an hour ago when they left. Can I get you guys some drinks?”

Rebecca ordered a glass of merlot while Beth got some hot tea. “I just took a couple of painkillers. If I mixed those with alcohol, I’d probably fall asleep at the table.”

“I’ll have that local brew on tap.”

When Chloe walked away, Rebecca planted her elbows on the table and turned to Beth. “So, tell me everything. What secrets are you discovering about our little town?”

“Unfortunately the secrets seem to be piling up, and I don’t have a clue.”

“I heard what happened in here the other night between you and Bill Raney.”

“His name keeps coming up, but since that initial threat from him, I haven’t seen him at all.” Beth glanced at the bar. “I don’t think he’s the only one who doesn’t want me poking around.”

Rebecca waved her manicured fingers. “Believe me, honey, the Timberline Trio case is the least of Bill’s problems.” She winked. “I’m his biggest problem right now.”

Duke put his phone on vibrate and tucked it into the front pocket of his shirt. “You’re taking away his business?”

“There was nothing to take away. I’m earning business and he’s not—maybe if he’d lay off the booze.”

“I heard from Dorothy Unger that you were the best, and that’s why I called you.”

Chloe stopped by with their drinks and they ordered their food while they had her attention.

“I helped Dot get out of her old house when her husband passed away and got her into a newer, smaller place.” She folded her hands. “So, tell me how I can help you.”

“Dorothy mentioned that there was a trend toward red doors for Timberline cabins a long time ago. Would you know which cabins had the red doors?”

Rebecca blinked her false lashes. “Red doors. Red doors. Not many of those cabins left.”

“Are there some left?” Beth hunched forward, rattling her teacup.

“There are a couple, but I’m not sure if they’re the original red-door cabins or if they’re newly painted. I’m going to have to do a little research. I have a lot of archive photos of the cabins in Timberline. I’m sure I can find some of them.”

“That would be great, Rebecca, and if you point me in the right direction, I can help you do the research.”

Duke’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He slipped it out and cupped it in his hand. When he saw that Mick had sent him a text, a muscle jumped in his jaw.

“Is that work?”

“Yeah. I’m just going to step outside for a minute, if you ladies will excuse me.”

Rebecca patted Beth’s arm. “True gentleman, that one.”

Duke pushed back from the table and tried not to run out of the restaurant. When he got to the sidewalk, he was panting like he’d just run a marathon.

He entered his code to unlock his phone and swiped his finger across the display. The blood rushed to his head when he read Mick’s text and he braced one hand against the wall of the building to steady himself.

He placed a call to Mick. When Mick picked up, Duke said, “You’re sure?”

“DNA doesn’t lie, my brother, even on a rush job like this one. Is it going to help solve the case?”

“I think so.”

“I have to get off the phone. It’s late here and I’m helping my son with his math homework.”

“Just wanted to verify. Thanks, buddy.”

Duke strolled back into the restaurant. He didn’t know how he was going to get through the rest of this meal.

When he got to the table, Rebecca was telling Beth all about her wedding plans.

She tapped her head. “Of course, it’s all up here right now since my fiancé hasn’t actually committed to a date yet.”

“Nothing wrong with a long engagement, really get to know someone.”

“What about you two?” Rebecca flicked her finger back and forth between him and Beth. “Any wedding plans?”

Beth’s cup clattered into her saucer. “Oh, we’re not...we’re not together.”

“Oops.” Rebecca put two fingers to her lips. “I’m usually pretty good at things like that.”

Duke grabbed Beth’s hand. “We were together—once.”

“You see? I knew it. I can always tell.”

Beth tilted her head at him, a half smile on her lips.

Hadn’t he made it clear he’d like to pick up where they’d left off? She’d been the one pushing him away. The night he’d told her he’d made a mistake two years ago had been the night she’d cooled down toward him. If a relationship came too easily for Beth, she’d probably dismiss it as unworthy of her efforts. She liked the struggle. It was what she knew.

Their dinner arrived and Rebecca did her part to keep the conversation going between bites of food. Thank God for talkative real-estate agents.

As they were finishing up, Bill Raney came into the restaurant with a few buddies, including Jordan Young, and bellied up to the bar.

Rebecca narrowed her eyes. “Honestly, Bill wouldn’t have the guts to go sneaking through the forest laying bear traps for unsuspecting women. I wouldn’t worry too much about him.”

Duke asked, “I gather he’s not your biggest fan. Has he ever bothered you?”

“You know, come to think of it...” Rebecca tapped her long nails together. “Someone sabotaged a couple of my open houses last month.”

“Bill the Prankster strikes again?” Beth turned her head to take in the group at the bar.

Jordan Young waved her over.

She smiled and stuck out her bandaged foot. “At least Jordan won’t think I’m too chicken to go up to Raney.”

Young pushed away from the bar and drew up the fourth chair at the table. “Do you mind?”

Rebecca waved her finger at him. “As long as you give me a shot at your next listing, Jordan.”

“I’m loyal to my friends, Rebecca, but I admire your success from afar.” He tapped the table in front of Beth. “What happened to your foot?”

“I’m shocked you haven’t heard yet.”

“I’ve been fishing most of the day. What did I miss?”

“Someone set some bear traps in front of Scarlett Easton’s place and I got stuck in one.”

“Damn. Did you break it?”

“Just bruised it.”

“Scarlett okay?”

“She’s fine. Left town for a few weeks.”

Jordan tsked. “That’s no way to solve a disagreement over hunting. I’ll talk to the mayor about cracking down.”

“I’m sure Scarlett would appreciate that.”

“How about you, Agent Harper? Any luck cracking the cold case?”

“We’re investigating a few leads. They’re not called ‘cold cases’ for nothing.”

“And you’re involved how, Rebecca?”

“I’ll never tell. Maybe Beth just wants to buy some property after experiencing the beauty and serenity of the area.”

Duke smothered his snort. Timberline had been anything but serene for Beth.

“Well, she’s consulting the best.” He rapped his knuckles on the table. “You folks enjoy your evening. And, Beth, I should be around for the next few days if you are.”

“I’ll be here. I’ll try calling your office again to schedule something.”

He took a card from his card case and called to Chloe. “Do you have a pen, sweetheart?”

She smacked a pen on the table and spun away.

Young scribbled something on one of his cards. “Here’s my direct line, Beth. Give me a call when you’re ready to interview me.”

“Thanks, Jordan.”

He sauntered back to his friends at the bar and a hard stare from Raney.

Maybe Bill Raney wasn’t the hapless drunk everyone thought he was.

Chloe returned to the table with the check. “Sorry for the delay. I wasn’t coming back with Mr. Young here. He can get handsy, if you know what I mean.”

“Honey, at my age handsy isn’t necessarily a bad thing.” Rebecca laughed as she tried to grab the check from Chloe.

Beth was faster. “This is a tax-deductible dinner expense for me. You’re going to help me find those red-door cabins, aren’t you?”

“I’m going to do my damnedest. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to scoot out of here and get back to the office to wrap up a few things.”

When she left the restaurant after flitting to about five tables on her way out, Duke wiped the back of his hand across his forehead. “Whew. She’s a dynamo.”

“And efficient. I have complete faith in her to find those red doors.”

Duke stroked her arm. “Let me get you back to the hotel and tuck you into bed. Maybe you can pop a few more of those painkillers and get a good night’s sleep.”

“You’re being awfully...handsy tonight.”

“I just want to take care of you, Beth.” He laced his fingers with hers. “Do you believe me?”

“I believe you, and do you believe me when I say I just want the truth?”

“I can help you with that, too, Beth.” He tugged on her hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

She leaned on him while she adjusted her crutches beneath her arms, and with a nod to Jordan, she navigated through the tables while Duke ran interference.

When they got back to the hotel, he followed her into her room. “I meant that about tucking you in. Do you want me to run you a bath?”

“I’d probably fall asleep in the tub and drown, but if you want to wait in here while I get ready for bed in case I topple over in the bathroom, that would be great.”

“I’m your man in case of toppling.” He stretched out on the bed and grabbed the remote control to the TV.