Page 2 of Enticed By the Mountain Man

“Thanks, Carrie.”

I quickly switch off my computer, grab my purse, and head for the door. My car is parked in the building’s underground garage, and I spend a moment clearing all the passenger seats of any mess. I’m a tidy person in all areas of my life except for my car. I’m not exactly sure why that is, but while I can’t stand dirtydishes in the kitchen sink, I can easily leave an empty soda bottle on the floor of my car for a month before remembering to get it out.

As I drive to Black Crystal Falls, I can’t help but wonder what landed Justin at the police station. As far as I know, he’s an upstanding citizen who has never had any legal problems. He can’t really afford to, considering his professional position.

I pull into an empty space outside the station and tentatively head inside.

Justin is sitting with an officer, but I can’t see his face because his chair is facing the other way.

I vaguely recognize the officer across from him. I think his name is Brian.

He nods at me when he sees me. “Are you Carrie?”

“Yes?”

When he hears my voice, Justin turns around.

My mouth falls open.

His face is covered in bruises, and he has a split lip.

“Hey,” he says quietly. “Thanks for coming.”

TWO

Justin

Carrie has never seen me anything but polished, so I imagine it must be a shock for her to find me with my face beaten to a pulp.

To be honest, I’m not used to being like this either. This is the first time I’ve been to the Black Crystal Falls police station. Actually, it’s the first time I’ve been to any police station, period.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

“I’m fine. I just don’t know if I should be driving with the painkillers the doctor gave me.” I hold up my bandaged hand. “And this.”

Carrie’s eyes pop even more. “What… no, never mind.” She looks at the officer behind the desk. “Do I need to sign him out or anything?”

“No, nothing like that. He’s free to go. But we might contact him later to ask a few more questions.” He looks at me pointedly. “Okay?”

“Okay,” I say quietly.

I stand and almost fall. Those painkillers must be strong.

Carrie reaches out and grabs my arm before I completely lose my balance. I think this is the first time she’s ever physically touched me. I guess I’m just racking up all the firsts today.

She moves in closer, pulling my arm inside hers and securing me against her side. I can’t help but smile. The woman is always so efficient. Everything she does is well thought out and executed smoothly. That’s why I hired her to be my assistant. I could tell even from the minute she opened her mouth at the interview she would be the perfect employee.

We make our way outside and over to her car.

Carrie looks around. “Is it okay to leave your car wherever it is?”

“It’s with a mechanic, so yes, it’s fine to leave.”

I can tell by her face that she has many questions, but she doesn’t ask any. For now, I’m grateful. My head is fuzzy, and I’m still a bit shaken by the events of the afternoon to relive them right now.

Carrie opens the passenger door and waits for me to get in. When she sees me struggling to do up my seatbelt with my bandaged hand, she leans in and secures it for me.

Her hair brushes my arm, and I inhale the faint scent of honey and vanilla. That combination is something I’ve always associated with Carrie. No one else I know seems to wear that perfume, and on the days I go into the office, a sense of calm washes over me whenever I smell it.

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