Page 20 of Valentine's Day Treasure

Crew grunted and carried Dahlia upstairs, took a left at the top, and went into the guest room, then lowered Dahlia to the bed and pulled the wet top sheet off her, wadded it up and dropped it to the floor. Dahlia rolled over and found the pillow immediately.

“I’ll be around, Doll,” he said, leaning down and kissing her. “But if I have to go somewhere, do you want to come with me, or do you want a guard?”

“Come with… unless Trent and Troy…”

“Got it. Otherwise, I’ll wake you up when?”

“Mm,” she said, eyes closed, body fully relaxed.

“I’ll wake you in six hours,” he said.

“Mmmkay,” she said softly.

Crew kissed her again, left the room, and went back downstairs. He stood at the bottom of the steps, looking for Beckett. Ella and Troy were still in the kitchen, and now so was Trevor. Mac and Bruin came in the front door. Mac ignored Crew, while Bruin raised a hand to him. Crew raised a hand back. Mac and Bruin went into the kitchen and Mac opened the fridge, which Trevor shut immediately.

“No way, Mac, food’s coming. Wait for it,” Trevor said.

Crew was about to ask what smelled so good when Trevor spotted him and bulldozed toward him.

“Crew,” he said. “I’m glad you’re here.” He pointed at his stove and said, “Take a good look.”

Crew shook his head, not sure what Trevor was getting at, but then Trevor waved him toward the back door. Crew followed him. From this vantage point, Trevor pointed into the kitchen again, right at Ella working at the stove.

“She’s cooking for fourteen people,” Trevor said.

Crew nodded, still not sure what was up.

“We have a chance for a real day off today, but only if we get out of this house.”

Crew scratched the back of his neck, still not sure what Trevor was saying. “Day off? We’re not working today?”

Trevor gave him a look that said, ‘where in the hell have you been?’ and then he said, “The roads are closed, Serenity’s shut down. We’re not going anywhere and no one is coming out here.” Trevor opened his hands and said, “It’s Valentine’s Day.”

“I know it’s Valentine’s Day. Me and Dahlia’re going to stay at Serenity Falls Resort tonight.”

Trevor shook his head. “Did you hear anything I just said? The roads are closed, the electricity is out, and the phones are down. There’s no way to get there and they’re probably closed anyway.”

“Oh,” Crew said, looking out the back door at all the snow and finally understanding.

“We’re not working today, but you aren’t going on your overnight and we’re—” he pointed at himself and Ella, “—not going out to dinner like we planned, but I still want her Valentine’s Day to be a good one, so you’re in charge of figuring out something else to do.”

“What? Me? Why?” Crew said.

“Yes, you. Because I said so.”

“What, like sledding?” Crew said.

“She’s pregnant.”

“Skiing?”

Trevor growled.

Crew laughed and said, “Well, hell, I don’t know, then. You’re the one who said Serenity is shut down. Maybe uh…a treasure hunt in the snow?”

Trevor nodded, like that hadn’t been a suggestion that Crew had just pulled out of his ass. “A scavenger hunt.” He clapped Crew on the shoulder. “Now you’re thinking.”

Crew blinked at him, thinking,seriously?

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