Page 20 of The Outpost (Jamison Valley 4)
Sabrina MacKenzie, you’ve been selfish. I had been so consumed worrying about my own life that I hadn’t taken into consideration what this setup was doing to Beau’s.
“I’m sorry, Beau. The last thing you need is to babysit me.”
“I don’t mind. Really. I needed to come up here anyway and do some long-overdue cleanup.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. Though, things would be even better if you’d stop avoiding me.”
I nodded. “All right.”
The least I could do for Beau was make our temporary living arrangement comfortable. I’d do my damnedest not to let my intense attraction get in the way of friendship. Beau had been right in drawing that line in the sand between us, and I’d overreacted, making things more awkward than they had to be. We were adults. He was acting like one. It was time I did too.
We strolled across the clearing, enjoying the fresh spring air and the sound of birds chirping in the trees. In the distance, Boone bounded through the grass, his tail wagging constantly while his nose discovered and dismissed different smells. Just like Beau, Boone was in his element here.
“Look there.” Beau pointed to a bunny.
“Cute! A wildlife creature that doesn’t scare the shit out of me.” My appreciation of the animal was cut short when Boone came out of nowhere and barked, chasing the rabbit away.
By the time we hit the far end of the meadow, the awkwardness of the last week had all but vanished. When we turned to start back to the outpost, Beau asked, “What do you think is happening with the Federovs?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. Without the internet to check, I can only guess. I’ve been keeping my fingers crossed that the FBI stepped in.” If they hadn’t, then I didn’t know what I’d do. Anton would be free to seek me out and finish what he’d started in my apartment. But I had faith that Henry, my FBI contact, wouldn’t let me down.
Beau hummed and rubbed a hand over his bearded jaw. I’d learned this week that meant he was mulling over something. “What about your family?”
I hated to think of how my disappearance was affecting my parents, so much so that I’d been trying not to think about it. “What about my family?”
“They’ve got to be worried. I’m sure they know by now you’re missing.”
My shoulders fell. “Yeah. I’m sure they are.”
The idea of causing them pain made my stomach ache.
My mom was probably in a perpetual state of motion—I’d inherited my pacing habit from her. While she was a frantic and active worrier, my dad was sullen and withdrawn when stressed. He’d had two ulcers already because his fears ate at him from the inside out. I just hoped that my brothers, who were the most levelheaded of us all, could keep them from panicking.
“Are you tight with them?” Beau asked.
I shook my head. “Not really. My parents are much closer to my older twin brothers. And work was always so busy for me I didn’t make the trip home much.”
My parents had only visited me in Seattle twice in all the years I’d lived there, once for my college graduation, and once when I’d received an award at the paper. My brothers had only come out for my graduation.
They’d offer to visit, and I’d tell them I was busy with work. They’d ask me to come home, and I’d suddenly have an idea for a story that just couldn’t wait. The last time I’d seen my family was three years ago, when I’d flown home after Mom had begged me to be there for Christmas. We’d all spent an awkward week together, not having much in common anymore and all loathing the forced small talk, until I’d retreated back to Seattle.
But just because I wasn’t close to my family didn’t mean there wasn’t love there. I knew my parents loved me, even if we didn’t talk often. I was sure they were going out of their minds wondering if I was alive.
Twirling a lock of hair in my ponytail, I started thinking about all of the other people in my life. Was my boss worried that the Federovs had gotten to me? He always pushed me to test the limits during my investigations but he also always reminded me to be safe, first and foremost. He’d never forgive himself for assigning me this story once he learned how Anton had beaten me. I couldn’t imagine how my boss was feeling if he thought I was dead.
Besides him, there was my doorman, who was more like a favorite uncle. He was undoubtedly concerned about my whereabouts and probably calling the police hourly to see if they had any updates.
But at least Felicity knew I was okay.
“I didn’t mean to freak you out.” Beau tugged my hand away from my hair.
“It’s okay. I just wish there was a way for me to secretly alert people that I was alive. Everyone probably thinks I’m swimming with the fishes and wearing concrete boots.”
“Hmm,” he said. “Let’s brainstorm that a bit. Electronic communication is out. That’s easy to trace. Phone calls are a no-go too. What about mail? I doubt the Federovs are monitoring the postal service. What if you sent your family a letter? Prescott is just a couple hours from Wyoming. When I go back, I could drive over the border and mail it just so we wouldn’t have to worry about the postmark.”
“That could work.” My spirits lifted instantly. Easing my parents’ worry would go a long way to easing my own. “You wouldn’t mind?”
