Page 31 of Stranded with the Billionaire
“No need for that,” Larry spoke up. He blushed a little as the sheriff’s eyes turned on him. “She’s at Waldo’s cabin, according to Mr. Ramesly. I know where that is. We can have the snowmobiles gassed up and ready in no time.”
“Gas them up Lenny. I want you and those snowmobiles back at the station as soon as possible,” she pulled out the map and set it on the desk in front of Jake with a pen. “You and I will head out to the cabin. Justin, you’ll stay here with Mr. Ramesly and we’ll keep you advised on any updates as they happen. Contact Doc Luce and have him come here to look at our guest and be available for when our second rescue comes in.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Frank asked with a frown.
“Disappear,” Terrywittle suggested unkindly.
Larry jammed his hat back on. “Come on Frank. Let’s gas up the truck and machines.”
“I have a map,” Jake lowered himself into a chair near the desk and pulled out the map that had come from the cabin. “The Waldo sticker is where the cabin is.”
“Where did you get this?” Justin scowled at the old map.
“From Waldo’s cabin,” Jake sighed. These people were beginning to get tiresome. Since he needed their help, Jake tried to tamp down his impatience. “Could we just get on to rescuing Sara? I don’t care about the cost, I’ll foot the bill. I’d just like her safe.”
Justin’s eyes lit up at Jake’s words but Terrywittle frowned at her deputy. “Don’t go off half-cocked Justin, search and rescue is in the yearly budget. I appreciate the thought Mr. Ramesly. I will ensure that we do everything possible to find your travelling companion and bring her back to Carvers Bend as soon as possible.”
“Thank you,” Jake felt a little relief at her speech. She marked off where Waldo’s cabin was on her map, folded it and put it in her parka.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to take your map with us as well,” Terrywittle accepted the map from Jake. “You can also use our phone. I’m sure your family will be happy to hear from you.”
“Again, thank you,” Jake resolved to contribute to the police budget. Even if Justin was annoying, if the sheriff brought Sara back then she deserved something. Maybe a new vehicle or money for new uniforms.
Under Terrywittle’s questions, Jake explained about the plane crash, where some of the wreckage might be, his and Sara’s hike down the mountain, then finding Waldo’s cabin which was really more of a shack. Now that he was in the safety of the police station, the story seemed a little surreal.
Lenny came back in, stomping off snow and yanking off his hat again before running a hand through his hair in a useless attempt to smooth it out. “All ready to go.”
“Where is Frank?” Terrywittle asked dryly.
“I dropped him off home,” Larry squeezed his hat in his hands, shifting from foot to foot.
“You know his snowmobile license is revoked?” Justin mentioned casually.
Larry’s eyes widened. “No. He didn’t tell me that.”
Terrywittle sighed. “Mind the shop Justin. Let’s go Larry.”
“Yes ma’am,” Larry pulled his hat on almost over his eyebrows as he followed the sheriff out the door.
“He has a thing for your boss,” Jake commented absently. He probably shouldn’t have said anything. It wasn’t his place but Jake was so tired, he supposed it had just slipped out.
“No kidding,” Justin put the phone in front of Jake. It was an old rotary style antique. “If you want to make some calls, here’s the phone.”
Jake debated asking if Justin was serious but the young deputy went back to typing on his computer. It looked like an old nineties throwback with the large monitor.
Maybe a technology upgrade was in order for this place. Jake shrugged internally and picked up the receiver to find a dial tone. Thank goodness his grandmother had owned one of these and he’d used it as a kid. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have known how to operate the phone.
Dialing Dillon’s number, Jake waited for the call to go through.
“Hello?” Dillon said hurriedly into the phone.
“Dillon, it’s Jake,” he identified himself.
“Jake!” there was palpable relief in Dillon’s voice. “Where are you? What happened? You would not believe what’s been going on!”
“I was in a plane crash,” Jake kept his voice calm. “I’m okay. I’m in a small town called Carvers Bend.”
“Carvers Bend? Never heard of it. Where even is that?” Dillon asked.
