Harley pulled into the lot in front of the house, parking next to a pickup with Starr Air Service imprinted on the side.
Jericho got out and opened the door for Orlando.
Smoke spiraled from the stone chimney of the lodge, a two-story log home built by Sheldon Starr at the turn of the last century. Lights blazed from the windows, and the door opened.
Winter walked out onto the front porch. “Hey, guys.” She wore a white cap and was pulling on a puffer jacket. “Saw you on the cameras. You gave us all a scare, Jer.”
Orlando ran up to her, wagging his tail, and she bent to rub behind his ears.
“We need to talk to Gabe,” Harley said, not climbing the stairs.
“Cabin three,” she said and indicated one of the cozy cabins.
“How’s Gregg doing?” Harley asked.
“He’s good. He and Winnie are in cabin two. But they’re itching to go home. Any luck on finding Mars?”
“Some,” Jericho said. He caught Harley’s hand.
“We’re close,” Harley said.
“Not close enough.” He pulled her away, toward the cabin, and glanced at her. Wanted to say something stupid like,I’m not letting you out of my sight untilwe find him.
Instead, he tightened his grip on her mittened hand.
She knocked on the door, and Gabe opened it. “Hey, sis.”
Harley drew in a breath, as if the shock of seeing him alive hadn’t worn off. Probably not.
“I need to talk to you about a guy named Wilder Frost.”
Gabe raised an eyebrow, then sighed and opened the door.
Jericho had been so wrapped up in the shock of Gabe’sresurrection back at the Tatums’ cabin that, now, it felt like he was staring at Gabe for the first time.
He wore a pair of faded jeans and a thermal shirt, and indeed, Jericho might not have recognized him if he passed him on the streets of Copper Mountain. Dark blond hair, beard, built, the man looked like he could handle himself. Gabe walked over to where Sunni sat on the sofa, a boot on her foot to secure her ankle, little Daniel on her lap, dressed in his pajamas. She was reading him a book.
Wow, Daniel was cute. Tousled dark hair, big brown eyes. He grinned as his daddy picked him up and threw him over his shoulder, squealing as Gabe tickled him—it just seeded all sorts of warmth inside Jericho.
Yeah, they all needed a happy ending here.
“Daddy needs to talk to Auntie Harley,” Gabe said to Daniel as he swung him down, setting him on the floor. “Can Mommy put you to bed tonight?”
Daniel went from giggles to a frown, then leaned up and vised his arms around Gabe’s neck. “I want you, Daddy.”
He sighed. The boy’s legs clamped around his waist. “Can it wait?” he asked, turning to Jericho and Harley.
“I’ll put him to bed,” Harley said. “Want Auntie Harley to put you to bed? I’ll teach you the bunny song.”
Daniel seemed to consider that a moment.
Orlando walked up then, sat and whined.
“Doggy!” Daniel said, and got down to put his arms around Orlando.
The dog’s tail thumped the floor.
“Ready?” Harley held out her hand. Daniel looked up at her.