That wouldn’t be much longer, and her heart sank into a hollow of heartbreak.
The following Monday, Nevewas finishing her workout when Reece’s phone rang in the kitchen. He answered, his stiff tone perceptible through the thin walls. Her senses went on high alert, and she shamelessly crept toward the partially open doorway and listened, fingers clutching the fabric over her heart.
His voice dropped lower, as if he intended to keep the conversation private and knew her prying ears were listening in. “Yes, sir, I’ve completed all the training videos except two, and I’ll get those knocked out before Christmas.” A pause. “No, no new questions.” And another. “Yes, sir. My flight is booked, and I’ll forward the itinerary to you.” He listened for a beat. “Christie? Yes, I’ve been in touch with Christie. I have her email address, so I’ll get it to her instead.”
Neve’s mind leaped to who the hell Christie was, conjuring a young, shapely redhead who was the reigning queen of Stowe Mountain Rescue. Howwelldid Reece know this imagined ideal woman? And how close might they get?
With an inner growl, Neve demanded the little green monster living inside her climb back into its hole—in time to hear the rest of Reece’s one-sided conversation.
“I’ll be there Tuesday after New Year’s. And may I say thank you again for this opportunity.” One final pause. “Yes, sir. I’m looking forward to it as well.”
Neve slumped, her forehead against the wall as Reece ended the call on a noisy exhale. A chair scraped, and she heard him stand and stretch. Next came the thumping of his footfalls in her direction. She straightened,pushing stray strands from her face, yanking the hem of her top as she pulled on the carefree mask of a woman whose heavy heart wasn’t spiraling ever downward.
He poked his head through the crack in the door. “Done with your workout?”
“Yes. How about you? Sounds like you were on a call.”
“Yep,” he tossed out with an overly nonchalant air. “By the way, I need to head to Durango tomorrow to pick up your cameras. Think you can get along without me for a day at the clinic?”
“It’s a light day. I’ll manage.”
She looked up at him, waiting for some sign he was having second thoughts about Vermont, but his expression didn’t waver. What had she expected? That he would give up a chance to pursue his passion in order to stick around Fall River with her and fill his time with meaningless chores? No, nor should he. He wouldn’t be happy if he wasn’t doing what gave his life meaning, and she loved him enough to want that for him—despite the fractures forming in her heart.
He grinned and gave her hair a playful tug. “How about some breakfast? My turn to cook.”
“Sure.” If she could even eat. Better she focus on the performance of a lifetime as she trod after him through a garden of ghosts and wilted vows.
Chapter 30
Gone Girl
Tuesday morning, Neve parkedbehind the clinic, grateful for a few hours sans Reece so she could clear her mind from the distraction he was. He would soon be leaving for his errand in Durango, but first he had wanted to get in a run on some mountain trails alongside Shane, even though snow was on the ground and it was a bone-chilling ten degrees. A stiff wind and ninety percent humidity made it feel even colder.
“I need to get into shape,” he’d claimed when he’d started the new regimen two days ago. From Neve’s perspective, he was already in beach-body shape. How could you improve on perfection? And apparently, sex three times a day—sometimes more—didn’t condition him enough for the elements he would soon be facing.
Much too soon.
She squeezed the thought out along with her breath.Don’t think about it. Just enjoy this happy bubble you’re living in while it lasts.
Hefting her bag over her shoulder, she stepped from her Tahoe and headed for the clinic’s back door. When she inserted the key into the lock, the door creaked open as if it hadn’t been latched. She stopped dead in her tracks.
Had she not secured it yesterday? Hard to believe, after all the frights she’d had lately. She twisted the knob, and it rotated freely. It wasn’t locked, yet her key hadn’t unlocked it because she’d never gotten the chance to turn it.
She peered inside. It was dark. Nothing stirred, and nothing looked out of place.
I’m being ridiculous.
She backpedaled anyway and dialed Reece. No answer. She followed this up with a text, but her hopes sagged when she recalled there was no cell reception where he was. Next she tried Shane on the off chancehisphone service worked, but she got the same result.
Looking around the parking lot, she didn’t notice anything unusual. No dark cars, nobody lurking behind a tree trunk. What if she dashed home and got Pearl? Pearl would sniff out trouble. Except … damn! Reece had taken Pearl with him, insisting the dog resembled a meatloaf and needed to trim down.
Should she text Charlie for backup? No, he’d said something about heading to Grand Junction. Noah was busy with inventory, so she didn’t want to bother him.
Her calendar dinged with a reminder that she had a new patient showing up in fifteen minutes. This woman had been frantic with a cat that couldn’t stop throwing up. Neve hadn’t been able to turn her down.
She glanced back at the door and admonished herself. “Stop it, you chicken! You’re being ridiculous. Pull up your big-girl pants and go in.” She fired off a new text to Reece and entered the building, her key gripped between her knuckles. She flicked the switch to the interior back entry lights. Harsh and fluorescent, the lights flooded the space, and relief coursed through her. At least the electricity worked. She turned to close the door behind her.
In one swift intake of air, several things happened at once: An arm crushed her upper chest, a sharp stab stung her neck, and her kneesbuckled. As she slipped into muffled darkness, the bossy-girl voice in her head whispered,“My bad. Your instincts were spot on.”
