Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

D uke checked the UTV for a spare tire—not that he thought one spare would really help considering they had two flat tires.

There were none. Not only that, but his radio didn’t work out here. He’d tried, but they must be too far away from the transponder.

He looked up at Ranger. “It looks like we’re going to need an alternate plan.”

“Yes, it does.”

He glanced at the forest around them. “It’s cold outside and dark. We wandered at least five or six miles away from the camp. It would be a long way to walk . . . but it is possible.”

“Or we could just camp out here tonight,” Ranger suggested with a nod toward the cabin.

That was another possibility. There had been wood outside the cabin, as well as some matches. Starting a fire would keep them warm, which would be the smart thing. But Duke also knew Andi and the gang would be worried sick.

“I like your idea,” Duke finally said. “I think our best bet is to go back inside. Then we can set out again in the morning.”

With that decision agreed on, they went back inside the small cabin. Ranger got busy starting a fire. While he did that, Duke tracked down a couple of water bottles, a half-eaten canister of peanuts, and some granola bars. It would be nice to have some food in their stomach. Even nicer if the food was warm, but what he’d found would work for now.

Since he was stuck here, at least that might give him another chance to look around the place. Plus, he wasn’t convinced they’d be here all night. Gibson would most likely send out another team once he realized they weren’t back.

The only problem was that they’d traveled off the path they were supposed to stay on. In one way, the risk had paid off because they’d found this place. On the other hand, it would make the search to find them take longer.

As Ranger continued to work on the fire, Duke opened more dresser drawers.

More women’s clothing waited inside. Nothing fancy, just a pair of leggings and a couple of sweatshirts. If he had to guess by looking at the size and style of clothes, the woman who’d been living here was thin and on the younger side.

He couldn’t imagine a young woman living out here by herself. This place was so secluded, and walking to town would be nearly impossible. Maybe this woman had a UTV or snowmobile she used. Still, living out here would be difficult.

Unless she had help.

That thought stopped him. Maybe that was it. Maybe this person did have help. Maybe someone knew she lived close by.

Could it be Tim? Could he have a secret girlfriend?

Duke couldn’t rule it out.

Duke opened the last drawer and paused.

Men’s clothing had been stuffed inside the drawer. He picked up a piece on top. Borealis Reindeer Camp was embroidered on the pocket of the shirt, and right below it was the name . . . Caleb.

Caleb had been staying out there?

An idea hit him, and Duke opened the top drawer again.

On a whim, he lifted one of the women’s sweatshirts and brought it to his nose.

That was when he knew who the woman who’d been staying here was.

Andi couldn’t sit still. She was pacing the dining hall of the lodge.

The rest of the gang had joined her after she told them the update.

It was better if they were all together. There had been too many close calls for them to relax. They needed to stick close to each other and be vigilant.

Simmy looked equally worried as she sat near the fire, staring at the flames.

A few guests milled around, instructed to stay inside. Juniper had been in her office, catching up on paperwork, she’d said. Tim had driven into town because his son was having some type of emergency.

Everyone seemed on edge.

The door opened behind her, and she jerked her head to look.

Gibson stepped inside. Disappointment filled her—but the emotion was quickly replaced with hope. Maybe he was here with an update.

But one look at his face, and Andi knew it wasn’t good news.

He paused in front of her. “There’s still nothing.”

Her shoulders sagged. “Duke and Ranger have to be out there somewhere.”

“And my guys are looking for them.”

“I know. And I appreciate that.”

Gibson pulled out a chair at one of the tables and sat facing Andi. “As we wait, give me an update on everything that’s been going on. And don’t leave out any details . . . please.”

She drew in a deep breath and pulled herself together. Then she sat across from Gibson and began to go through everything they’d learned so far. Just as Gibson had asked, she didn’t leave out any details, even the ones that didn’t seem important.

As she talked, his radio crackled. Gibson held up a finger to pause their conversation and then put the device closer to his ear.

Andi tried to make out what was said, but it was hard to understand.

Finally, Gibson lowered the radio. “My guys found another trail off of the main one, and it had some fresh tire tracks on it. They’re going to check it out.”

Her heart lifted. “That sounds promising.”

He offered an affirming nod. “We should know something soon.”

Andi hoped Gibson was right. Mostly, she prayed that Duke and Ranger were safe.