Page 61 of Peak Suspicion
“That would be great.”
He squeezed her hand. “Want to come with me on one of my Jeep tours Saturday? You can be my guest and ride in the front passenger seat. You’ll get to hear the spiel I give the tourists.”
“I’d love that,” she said. “If it’s okay with your folks.”
“They’re fine with it. And they’d love to meet you.”
“I’d like to meet them, too.” Though the prospect made her nervous.
“Great. The first tour leaves at nine, so be there about fifteen minutes early. Bring a jacket—it can get cool in the mountains.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
He picked up the television remote. “What movie do you want to watch?” he asked.
“Does it matter?” She slid closer to him. “We never make it to the end.”
He smoothed his hand up her thigh. “Can I help it if you distract me?”
She kissed his neck. “Did I say I was complaining?”
He tossed the remote aside. “Maybe we should skip the movie tonight.”
“You have such good ideas.”
“That reminds me of something I thought we could try.”
“Mmm. Why don’t you show me?” She smothered his reply with a kiss.
Saturday morning, Mira stoppedfor gas on her way to meet Carter at Alpine Jeep Rentals. A white SUV pulled up on the other side of the gas pump and Mitch Anders stepped out. “Hello, Mira,” he said.
“Uh, hi, Mitch.” She tried to hide her surprise at seeing him, but obviously failed.
“I’ve been released on bail,” he said.
“Oh. Well, that’s good.” She wasn’t afraid of him, just wary of her own judgment. He was so much like George—someone who appeared good and gentle on the outside. But George had harbored an ugly compulsion. Mitch was entitled to be presumed innocent until he was proven guilty, but even his arrest demonstrated how wrong she could be about people’s true motives. She looked past him, to the passenger seat where Shayla sat, only the back of her head visible. “How are you doing?” Mira asked, turning her attention back to Mitch.
He shrugged. “It’s been a little rough, but I’m hoping everything will die down soon.”
Mira glanced back to the SUV. “How is Shayla?”
“Shayla’s upset.” He began filling the SUV with fuel. “She told me you and Carter Ames are friends. I heard about how he helped Craig Phillips. That was really something.”
“Yes, it was.” She was still staring at the back of Shayla’s head. Was she not even going to look at Mira?
“I had Craig in one of my classes,” he said. “I’m glad he’s getting some help.”
The fuel to Mira’s rental shut off and she turned to remove the nozzle from the car. She needed to get going or she was going to be late. “It was good to see you,” she said. “Tell Shayla I said hello.”And that I miss her. And I never meant to upset her.
“I will. See you around.”
Carter was waiting for her in front of the Jeep rental office. “We’re almost ready to go,” he said. “You just need to sign the waiver.”
“The waiver?”
“Basically, it says you’re engaging in a risky endeavor and if you get hurt, it’s not our fault.”
“Are you that reckless a driver?” she teased.
