Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

JESSE

A quick online search provided Jesse with the name of a local restaurant with stellar reviews. Jesse called in a take-out order, stopped at a liquor store and purchased two single-serve bottles of rum and a 2-liter bottle of soda, and then returned to her hotel to chat with friends on Discord.

That’ll teach me to try to people . I don’t care what Dad says.

In fact, “people” were usually the reason she didn’t enjoy herself in a non-work situation.

That stupid guy.

Her RSD wouldn’t let her drop it. She still felt steamed and replayed the events in her mind, still having no clue where she’d gone wrong, other than he’d reacted jealously over her talking to Chris.

And what the hell was with Christopher’s “dating” comment if they were partners?

Maybe they do things really differently out here.

The next morning, Jesse decided not to let Dr. Fornier-Thomas know she was arriving in Gardiner a day early. The woman had offered to let Jesse stay with them and store her belongings and rental car there during the trip. But after last night’s emotional rattling Jesse decided she needed a decompression day.

A pre-decompression day, rather. She’d be stuck with two strange men during a journey she knew would be extremely stressful. Not peopling today would be the wisest course of action.

During her drive south she stopped several times to take pictures. Today’s weather was slightly overcast and nippy, but not unreasonably so. When her father texted to check on her, she sent him several snapshots, proof she was sightseeing.

After checking in she used the time to relax, go through e-mails, and double-check her equipment and supplies, including unpacking and repacking her hiking pack so she’d remember where everything was. Tomorrow she would tour the town, maybe drive into the park and visit Mammoth Hot Springs, and relax in a way she was certain her father would approve of.

That he’d only texted her four times to check on her since she’d landed in Spokane meant he was exhibiting great restraint.

After a fantastic night’s sleep, the next morning Jesse set off toward the main street in her rental to explore. The hotel clerk advised her to park there and then walk around. That way, if she decided to drive into the park later, she wouldn’t need to return to her hotel.

I will enjoy myself today if it’s the last thing I do.

She could even buy souvenir gifts for her dad and Josie.

That would definitely put a smile on their faces.

CHRISTOPHER

“Your coffee’s in your travel cup,” Chris said.

Mark kissed him on his way through the kitchen. “Thanks. I need to check on our permits for the trip. They were filed but I want to verify the details and finalize the arrangements to pick up the livestock.”

“When you’re done, we can drive to Gardiner for groceries. The last thing I’ll want to do when we get home is go shopping. I can prep a pan of lasagna and freeze it.” That was Mark’s favorite.

“Deal.” Mark headed out, the door swinging shut behind him.

Chris had slept damned good the last couple of nights, but this morning his thoughts had returned to Mark’s unusual reaction to the woman at the bar and wondered if he’d end up having to play referee between his guy and the scientist, too.

Mark had never acted jealous before. Ever.

But was it really jealousy?

He replayed his interaction with the woman, the insightful questions she’d asked, and suspected she was a scientist.

And she’d needed to retrieve her ear plugs after she’d winced at the feedback?—

Oh .

He froze, rolling it around in his brain.

Then he chuckled, because his theory would explain it, including Mark’s reaction to her. Not that it mattered, because they’d never see her again.

I’ll bet she’s neurospicy, too.

MARK

It was 1:30 by the time they drove to Gardiner in Mark’s work truck without taking time for Mark to change out of his uniform first. Chris wore jeans and his work boots and a NY Rangers T-shirt under his open flannel shirt. He didn’t require a uniform unless he was leading a tour group or engaged in official, public-facing duties.

“Want to eat lunch here?” Chris asked.

“Let’s eat at home. I want time alone with you before we’re stuck with that scientist.”

“Has she called yet?” Chris asked.

“No. Dr. Fornier-Thomas said we’ll meet her tomorrow morning at her office. Then I can brief her on safety. I don’t need her getting eaten by a damned bear. That might not be good for my career path.”

Chris laughed. “Look at you cracking jokes!” He gently punched Mark in the shoulder. “I’m proud of you!”

Before making the turn north in town, Mark spotted a distinctive car in the public parking area.

A shiny new, dark blue, four-door BMW sedan. The other night at the bar he hadn’t paid attention to the color, just that it was dark.

That can’t be the same car.

He didn’t say anything while Chris read their shopping list to Mark.

Can it?

But his instincts told him to stay alert.

They completed their shopping, waylaid only a couple of times by chatty locals. Once they checked out, Mark was pushing the cart when he nearly ran into a woman who stared at her phone as she walked.

Then he recognized her.

JESSE

Jesse was scanning her shopping list and admittedly not paying attention when she nearly walked into a guy pushing a shopping cart. She pulled up short, ready to apologize, when she realized who he was.

Correction—they.

The guys from the bar.

She stared at them, her pulse pounding. “Are you following me?”

The men exchanged a confused glance and replied in unison, “No!”

She planted her hands on her hips. “Then why are you here? You made it pretty clear you weren’t interested in me.”

Mark had the audacity to gape at her. “Follow you ? Why are you here?” He pointed toward the cartful of groceries. “We fucking live here. Looks like you followed us !”

Chris eased between them. “Let’s back up a step,” he said. “Literally and metaphorically.” Then he turned to her. “Mark and I work and live in the park. He’s a park ranger.”

Oh, shit.

That’s when something that had nagged at her all day yesterday finally slipped into place. “Wait. Hold on a minute. Are you Marcus Powell and Christopher Wright?”

They exchanged a wary glance. “Yes?” they said in unison.

She blew out an aggravated and relieved breath. Aggralieved? Had to be a word, right? “My name is Dr. JessicaLynn Scott.” She sarcastically waved. “Hi. Dr. Fornier-Thomas arranged for you to take me into the park.”

The men exchanged yet another look. “Oh,” they both said, and while that was cute it was also irritating in this situation.

“Yeah, oh ,” she said, blowing a stray hair out of her face. “I guess I should have put that together.”

Chris smiled while Mark took another half-step back. “Ha! That’s crazy, right?” Chris said. “I didn’t even recognize you from your picture on the website. With the glasses and hair.”

“I figured contacts weren’t suitable for wilderness activities. And less for me to deal with.”

She left out the part that she knew exactly which picture he meant, her official corporate photo that was on the website and on her official work badge. She went for that look deliberately to make herself appear older and imposing to help deflect some of the typical bullshit she encountered from tech-bros.

“ You’re Dr. Scott?” Mark asked, disbelief tinging his tone.

“Pretty sure I am, yeah,” she said. “It’s what my diploma says. I mean, I’m not a pill-prescribing doctor. Is that a problem?”

“No, because I have one of those, too,” Chris said. “A doctorate. And don’t mind him. He always takes his sweet time chewing on his foot before pulling it out of his mouth.”

She really liked Chris. “Maybe use some hot sauce?”

Chris cackled and fist-bumped with her. “And here he thought you might be a drug mule.”

“Wait, what ?” She stared at Mark, who had the decency to turn red. “Why the hell would you assume that ?”

He pointed to his uniform…which he filled out quite nicely, come to think of it. Including a badge and a gun on his hip. “Hellooo, I’m a park ranger. It’s part of my training. A woman traveling alone with a fancy car like yours, dressed the way you were, and being evasive with your answers?—”

“ Dude ! I was by myself and talking to a stranger. Like I’m going to volunteer I’m the daughter of Gudbrand Klevenson.”

Mark looked like he had no clue who her father was—which, ironically, relieved her.

Chris gasped. “Your dad is Gudbrand Klevenson ?”

“Yeah. You’ve heard of him?”

He looked at Mark. “Her father is like one of the top 100 richest people on the planet !”

“He’s 126 as of last year,” she said. “And now you see why I’m not eager to advertise that I’m traveling alone.”

“ Why are you traveling alone?” Mark asked. “Shouldn’t you have a bodyguard or something?”

“I would if my father had his way. Unless I tell people who I am, if they aren’t familiar with my field they usually have no clue who I am.”

“Well, that explains the fancy car,” Mark snarked, as if being wealthy was a bad thing.

Well, okay, there were plenty of wealthy people who were not a fraction as rich as her father who were douchebags, not counting all the people as wealthy as and even wealthier than her father who should be sent on one-way trips to Mars for the greater good of humanity.

To get them the hell off this rock so they quit ruining it.

“For your information, it’s a rental,” she shot back. “The rental agency screwed up and didn’t have the SUV I reserved.” She finally looked at Chris. “Is he for real?”

“Unfortunately,” Chris muttered, casting a sideways glance at Mark that cracked her up.

“Back to why I’m here,” she continued. “I wanted time to decompress before our trip.”

“Have you had lunch yet?” Chris asked.

That was an unexpected segue. “Not yet, why?”

“Chris, we have groceries,” Mark said, pointing at the cart. “Ice cream’s melting.”

She thought fast, not wanting to piss off one of her guides but also wanting to both irritate Mark as well as spend more time with Chris. “I could drive you home, if he wants to leave.” She shot a pointed look at Mark. “If you think my fancy-ass rental can make the drive, that is. Or are you worried about rumors he’s with a drug mule?”

Mark’s cheeks had the decency to flush red again.

Chris looked to Mark, then her, and back to Mark before his shoulders drooped a little. “No, he’s right. But go have lunch over at Melva’s.” He gave her directions to one of the cafes on the main drag. “Tell her I sent you, and ask her for my favorite special reuben. If you like reuben sandwiches, that is.”

“I love them, but what’s special about it?”

Chris smiled. “She makes it with her homemade bison pastrami.” Chef’s kiss. “Melts in your mouth.”

She nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”

“Where are you staying?” he asked.

“I’m at the?—”

“Chris, come on ,” Mark said, already taking a couple of steps toward a marked park ranger truck. “I didn’t bring the cooler.”

Chris rolled his eyes, whipped out his cell phone, and rattled off his private cell number. She texted him and his phone dinged seconds later. He texted her back. “You know, we have a guest room.”

She shot a pointed glare at Mark. “Thank you, but I suspect your partner doesn’t want me around as a third-wheel.” She didn’t understand the look they exchanged over that, either. “And I need to grab a couple of things, so I’ll let you guys go.” She stepped around Chris, noting that he turned while Mark continued to the truck. “Have a good one.”

“Bye,” Chris said. “See you tomorrow.”

“Yep.”

Figured her first and second interactions with one of the guys who were literally supposed to keep her alive turned adversarial.

Guess I need to have the neurospicy talk with them.

She didn’t look forward to that. Especially not now.

It was her preference to control when she revealed that. She’d learned how and when she revealed it played a role in how they received the information and then perceived her.

Well, this just complicated my life.