Page 2 of Mystery at Rescue Ridge

Evie bit back the urge to scream again when she saw nothing hurtling itself in the air with her as a target in mind.Slowly, she exhaled.For the first time, she let herself hope she might make it out of this situation alive.

Feeling around for a rock or pointed stick, anything she could use as a weapon, her heart skipped a beat when she glanced up and caught a glimpse of a male figure weaving in and out of the trees.The man didn’t make a sound as he made his way toward her.

Had her pleas for help worked?It was too soon to let relief wash over her.Too soon to know if this person would rescue her or take advantage of the situation.

Until she saw his face.

Owen Sturgess.

Evie’s stomach performed a little somersault routine at the realization her one-time best friend was heading toward her.

His intense gaze scanned the area as he approached.His index finger pressed against thick lips—lips that had imprinted hers with a first kiss.They had marked her despite the fact they’d just been practicing.At least, that was what he’d called it.

The man was still gorgeous.Probably more so now.

She mouthed the words,Mountain lion.

Owen nodded as she slowly stood up, fingers still tightly wrapped around the jagged rock in her hand.She ignored the sensual shiver skittering across her skin, along with the very real jolt of electricity pulsing through her, seeking an outlet.Best friend, Evie.The wordformerjoined the phrase.

Evie had her reasons for shaking the dust of this town off her boots when she’d left.One of those had to do with leaving everything that had reminded her of Owen Sturgess behind.

“I see tracks thanks to recent rain,” Owen said, crouching down and then touching the earth.The man had filled out his six-feet-plus frame in the most perfect way.Of course, he did.Owen had been the epitome of tall, dark, and gorgeous in high school.It only made sense he would be even hotter once everything filled out.“Looks like they’re leading away from you over here.”

Evie dropped the rock and exhaled.“Thank heavens for small miracles.”

“You’re bleeding.”Owen stood up, practically towering over her, despite her five-feet-six-inches.The best word to describe her when she’d been in high school would’ve been gangly.She’d been all arms and legs, unlike her sister, who’d been born beautiful as well as perfect, who also happened to be Evie’s biggest supporter.Simone!

Forcing back the hot tears pressing against the backs of her eyes, Evie sniffled and then forced herself to think of something else, anything else but the loss of her beloved sister.

“It’s a scratch,” she said, glancing down at her arm to force her thoughts away from the tragedy of losing her sister and the fact her niece and nephew had almost been orphaned this day.

“It’s good to see you again,” Owen said, his voice full of caution and what sounded like a whole lot of questions.

“Likewise.”It was impossible to keep the edge from her voice, but she couldn’t let her guard down around Owen.

More questions danced in his eyes as he looked at her—or was it through her?

One of the main reasons she hadn’t stayed in touch had to do with his ability to read her better than anyone.Not even Simone had possessed the ability.It would only have been a matter of time before he would have figured out how deeply her feelings ran and out of control they’d careened.And just like an Indy driver on a hot track who’d misjudged a turn, the crash would have been devastating.

“You disappeared,” he said, still studying her.

Talking about the past wouldn’t change a thing.

“I have to go.”Evie dusted herself off and squared her shoulders.“I’m already late to relieve the babysitter.”

“Is your sister out of town?”An eyebrow shot up.He must not have known about Simone.

Talking about Simone while her emotions were raw and she’d just had the bejesus scared out of her was a sure way to unleash the flood of emotions threatening to suck her under, drown her.She turned her back toward him.“Something like that.”

“Did I do something wrong?”The hint of pain in his voice stopped her from walking away.

“It’s not like that, Owen.”

“Then tell me what it is like.”His frustration was evident in his tone.“Because I thought we were close at one time.”

“Exactly,” she said as calmly as she could.“The operative words being,at one time.”

Despite her best efforts, her feet wouldn’t budge.

---