Page 26 of When the Silence Breaks

Maisie still hovered and shuffled through flare kits hanging on the wall. “I heard the wind tore through the north slope. Heard it had a vendetta of some kind. So take a flare kit.” Maisie put that on the counter. “You’ve already got the insulated bivvy I sold you three weeks ago.”

He glanced over his shoulder. “I’ll need another.” He’d only take that if it was just him wanting to move fast. But he was going to need a tent too. Just one. He wanted to keep an eyeon Sarah Ellison—for her own good. The tent he’d taken up three weeks ago had a rip in it.

Maisie worked to set him up with all the gear he’d need.

She’d created a pile of stuff on the counter and held a knowing smile. This woman loved outfitting people, especially when they paid cash. “You got your satellite comms?”

“I’ve got my inReach, and everything I need to charge and connect.”

He felt Sarah’s eyes on him and he glanced her way, then back to Maisie, who didn’t miss a thing but said nothing. She probably figured out that Sarah was going too. Ryder shouldn’t have brought her. Just trying not to start up the rumor mill in this small town. Probably too late for that.

At least Sarah kept her distance at the winter coat rack. He hoped they could find what she was looking for, but he doubted it would be that easy. If it was easy, the crashed plane would have already been found. After all, plenty had searched for the long-lost Nazi gold.

“Don’t forget the bear spray. Tallis came in the other day and reported a mama and two cubs spotted on Larch Run last week.” Maisie was still at his side, almost hovering, like she was protective. He had a mother, okay? One was enough.

“This isn’t my first climb, Maisie.”

“And I don’t want it to be the last.” Maisie gave him her best motherly outfitter stare-down.

See? There it was again. Ryder offered a friendly glower, if there was such a thing. What was with all the questions and the concern about the mountain? This was what he’d done his whole life. So what if he’d skipped a few years serving his country and then a couple more after Dad’s death? He’d put it off for good reason. He hadn’t told anyone besides Maisie, who’d gotten him geared up, that he’d gone up a few weeks ago. Butmaybe he should have so this wouldn’t be such a shocker and people wouldn’t think he was climbing again—despite swearing off the mountain—for this woman.

A feisty, beautiful, secretive woman who was running from danger. Or toward it. He hadn’t decided yet.

Eleven

Sarah pretended to care about the many colors and brands of winter coats, clothing, and thermal undergarments while she listened to Ryder’s fascinating exchange with the short older woman who knew her stuff. She hoped by being here with Ryder, she wouldn’t run into Malcolm, whom she meant to avoid at all costs. She had no intentions of going to the city park to meet him. She had nothing to say to him.

Nothing.

Maybe her avoidance had more to do with losing it, because right now she was more than furious. Just what did he think he was up to? If she could calm down and listen to the reasonable side of her brain, she probably needed to have a conversation with him and point-blank ask about his involvement. The other problem, though, was she didn’t want Ryder to see her talking to Malcolm. He would ask questions.

And Ryder had no intention of letting her out of his sight. For her protection or for his, she wasn’t entirely sure. She hadn’t thought she would enjoy that kind of protective demeanor directed at her, but shoot, she did. She really did enjoy it and appreciate it, especially from the man delivering it.

Ryder.

Goodwin.

For a no-nonsense girl, her thoughts about this Navy SEAL turned mountain guide sure sounded like nonsense. She couldn’t let Ryder Goodwin get under her skin. Not like that.

Oh brother. She redirected her thoughts to Malcolm, her old boss. As long as she avoided the city park, she would be okay. Unless, of course, another intruder broke into Ryder’s home tonight, but Ryder was all over that. Nobody was getting to her as long as Ryder was by her side. Yeah, see ... all her thoughts kept circling back to him.

She smiled to herself.

I made the right decision in pursuing him.

Thank you, Lord,that he’s going to help after all.

She wasn’t that thrilled with his conversation with Maisie, making it sound like he would be gone for four days and it would be a quick trip—in and out. He’d told her the same, sure, but Sarah wanted to stay on the mountain and search until she found the actual plane and whatever she needed to find. She was realistic, though. This mission had gotten a late start. The mountain could stop them in their tracks.

Hangers squeaked on the rack as she pushed each coat aside and then moved to the next rack. Nothing caught her attention because her focus was elsewhere. Sensing someone watching, she bristled and spared barely a glance in her peripheral vision.

Oh no. He’d found her.

Malcolm Hoyt.

I should have known.

Controlling her breaths, she schooled her features. Used her training like it mattered now. Her old boss was here. He wore touristy clothes and stood next to two young women who were checking out the sunglasses and ski goggles. That season wasfast approaching, and the nearby slopes would open up with the first major snow.