Holiday Rescue Read online

  Anna grinned. “Let Quintino talk to him. Quint can be intense when he wants.”

  Heather laughed. “I can see that, but Quint is a nice guy who rescues stranded hikers in his free time. Other than that, he works in the forests managing trees, where it’s peaceful and quiet. The last thing he needs is to deal with my problems.”

  Anna blinked. “Managing trees?”

  “Yeah. He’s a forestry technician, right?” Heather thought back to what Quint had told her. “I figured that means managing the forests and all of that.”

  “Oh.” Anna twisted her lip, obviously thinking. “I think there’s more to being a forestry technician than planting trees.”

  Heather leaned forward, hastening to reassure Anna. “I’m sure there is—honest. Quint seems amazing, and I’m sure he carries a lot of responsibility. I didn’t mean to sound like he wasn’t brave or wasn’t doing anything worthwhile. He is. The forests are important to us all.” In fact, Quint seemed like a fantastic man. He’d be a good friend, but she wasn’t going to take advantage of his good nature.

  Or kiss him. Everything about Quint Albertini screamed he’d be a phenomenal kisser.

  She mentally slapped herself in the head. Why had her mind gone right there? She had to get control of her imagination as well as her libido, for goodness sakes. “What I’m saying is that your cousin has obviously carved himself out a nice and peaceful life here in northern Idaho, and I don’t want to mess with that.”

  “What cousin?” Donna asked, moving back inside the office.

  “Quint,” Anna said on a half snort.

  Donna stopped short. “Nice and peaceful life? Quint?”

  “As a forestry technician, which is his job title, I think.” Anna’s smile made her eyes sparkle.

  Heather looked between the sisters. “What am I missing?”

  Donna laughed. “I think you’ll have to ask Quint that.” Then she sobered. “I just talked to Jenny, and the person paid with a prepaid visa over the internet form, and in the comment section said they wanted the flowers to be anonymous but you’d know who they were from.”

  Heather’s lungs compressed. “I have an idea.” So Jack had found her. What now?

  Chapter 5

  Quint took the dish from Heather and helped her into the truck, where Zena greeted her with a soft bark from the backseat. “Please tell me you’re not angry.” He had been interfering when he’d sent the cousins over to help, and from the sounds of it, Heather already had an unwelcome stalker in her life. “I thought you’d like to meet some folks from here, and those three are pretty great friends to have.”

  Heather pulled her seatbelt on after setting her tote bag to the side of her feet. Light snow covered her shoulders just from the walk to the truck. “It was nice of you and I enjoyed getting to know your cousins.” Today she’d dressed in jeans with a pretty blue blouse and cardigan set, but there were slight circles beneath her eyes. Had she not slept? He returned her dish to her. “Thanks.”

  “Sure.” He shut the door and walked slowly around the front of the truck, lecturing himself mentally the whole time. Most people didn’t like interference like his family did, and he could only be friends with this woman. In other words, he needed to back the hell off, although it went against his nature. If she was scared, he’d take care of the threat. It was kind of what he did overall, but he didn’t have a right in this situation. So he opened his door, slid inside the truck, and started the engine. Then he paused. “That smells delicious.” The round dish was filling the cab of the truck with the smell of…what?

  “Thanks.” She held the dish securely. “I wasn’t sure what to bring, so I made my Grandma’s secret artichoke dip. The crackers are in the bag.” She bit her lip. “If that’s okay?”

  “Of course,” he said, smoothly driving down the quiet road. “I’m trying really hard to mind my own business here.”

  She sighed. “Your cousins told you about the roses?”

  “Yep. I have no problem talking to this guy for you, if you want.” He took the back roads toward the main river road, enjoying the beginning of the autumn colors outside.

  “You think I can’t handle it?” she murmured.

  Warning. Back off. Flag on the play. “Heather? You’re organized, smart, and obviously capable. So yeah, you can handle it, I’m sure.” He slowed down as a couple of wild turkeys meandered along the side of the road, slugging through the thickening snow on the ground. “But sometimes a guy like this one, at least like he sounds, needs somebody his size to discuss matters with him. It’s a fact, and I was just offering.”

  “That’s kind of you, but I’ve got this.” She watched another set of turkeys. Big ones. “Any heads up about what we’re walking into with this barbecue?

  Humor smashed into him and he chuckled. “Like I said, you’re smart. All right. The family barbecue is at Donna, Tessa, and Anna’s parent’s house, so you’ll get both sides of their family—the Irish and the Italian. Well, depending on who can make it. Since it’s a nice day without too much snow falling, we’ll be outside with heaters spread around the lawn, and there will be too much food, plenty of joking, and probably some lawn games. Oh. And matchmaking. A whole lot of it.”

  “I could fake a fiancé,” she offered, her lips twitching.

  God, she was cute. And she filled out that sweater set like it had been sewn for her. He loved full-bodied women. Whoa. Left turn. Back to friend zone. “That’s a great thought, but you’re too late. They know you’re not engaged.”

  “We can handle this,” she said to the white dish in her hands.

  “Hope springs eternal,” he said dryly, turning down the long drive to his aunt and uncle’s house. There were already plenty of rigs lining the drive and a bunch of teenagers played snow volleyball toward the side of the sprawling log-style home. The river sparkled on the back side, winding around with some ice already forming near the banks. He parked up near the driveway, much closer than usual since Heather had to use the crutches he’d placed in the backseat.

  Her phone buzzed from her bag and the atmosphere changed.

  He looked at her now pale face. “Want me to answer it?”

  She took it out and ‘unknown number’ showed on the screen. “Isn’t that a bad idea? Every episode of Stalker Snapped I’ve seen on television proves that the bad guy is energized by what he or she considers competition.”

  Quint rubbed his smooth jawline. Since he’d shaved that morning, it wouldn’t be smooth for long. “I have no idea.” He’d never dealt with a stalker and would much rather just find this guy and punch him in the face. Twice. “Or maybe he’ll give up?”

  “I’m sure he’ll give up,” she said, sounding pretty certain. “He wasn’t the most motivated of guys, and no doubt he’s just bored right now. Although, the roses were a surprise. Up to this point, he has just called and texted, and the unknown number is new. I’m not sure what to do.” She bit her lip. “I can’t call the police since Jack hasn’t really threatened me, and it isn’t fair to get you involved.”

  “I am involved,” Quint said quietly.

  “Let’s just go in.” She rejected the call and shoved the phone back into the tote with the crackers and napkins.

  “All right.” Quint waved to the kids playing volleyball in the snow and then helped Heather out with her crutches, taking the dish and throwing the bag over his shoulder. “It was nice of you to bring food.” Unnecessary, but very nice. The grandmas would love that.

  She looked toward the wide front door and winced.

  Yep. She was definitely smart. He chuckled. Why did she have to be so alluring? “Don’t worry. Once the food is out, everyone concentrates on eating.” He’d made sure to plan their arrival close to that time.

  “Good.” She flashed him a smile and hobbled along the shoveled path on the crutches to the door, which opened right before they got there.

  “Hi, mom.” Quint leaned down for a kiss, not surprised she’d been waiting for him. “
This is Heather.” His mom had light brown hair, deep brown eyes, and a smile that made almost everything okay.

  She reached for Heather in a gentle hug. “We’re glad you could make it. What smells so delicious?”

  Quint handed over the round dish while Heather described it.

  “How lovely.” His mom ushered Heather inside, her eyes now way too sparkly. She leaned up to Quint, and her smile slid away. “Keep your cool. Both Jolene and Chrissy are here.” With that bombshell, she turned and walked alongside Heather. “It’s wonderful to meet you. You’ll have to tell me all about your trek down the mountain with Quint. It sounds so romantic.”

  Quint watched them go, his mind spinning. Why the hell were Jolene and Chrissy at the barbecue? Oh, he’d only dated Jolene for a week, but he and Chrissy had been on and off again for a year until finally being completely done three months ago.

  Everything inside him wanted to rush back to the car.

  Zena looked up at him, waiting.

  He sighed. “Let’s do this, girl.” Then he strode inside like he was diving into the deep end of the river head first.

  Heather would never be able to keep track of names or faces; there were so many. The back yard was wide and huge with too many picnic tables to count, leading down to the slowly grinding river. Even though there was a couple of inches of snow on the ground, there were big restaurant styled heaters set near each table that seemed to keep folks warm. Reindeer made up of sparkling lights and Santas were dotted all around. Trees and wild grasses sprang up along the far bank, giving the place a sense of tranquility. Except for all the people milling around.

  Anna rescued her from questions peppered at her from a couple of uncles, two paper plates in her hands. “Let’s get food and I’ll take you to my table.”

  Heather stumbled up the stairs to the wooden deck, where a long table was ladened with platters of food on top of a red gingham tablecloth. “You all have your own tables?”

  “No, but Pauley and I always sit at a little table closer to the river and off to the side. It has its own heater above us, and it’s cozy, even though this is probably the last barbecue outside until spring. We need quiet.” Anna started dishing up the plates. “Is there anything you don’t like or should I just go for an assortment?”

  “I like it all,” Heather admitted, seeing her dish placed near the crackers. A large, very large man with blue eyes was scooping a healthy amount onto a plate.

  Anna coughed. “Uncle Sean, save some for the rest of us.”

  Sean took another scoop. “I love artichoke dip, and you know it. Be faster if you want some.”

  Heather smiled to herself, even though she felt like a dork. Then she looked around. Where had Quint gone?

  Anna finished piling the plates high with chicken, salads, more salads, and some interesting looking fruit dishes, along with Heather’s appetizer.

  Heather swallowed. “I’ll never eat all of that.”

  Anna laughed. “You’ll be surprised. It’s all so good. Follow me.”

  They wound across a shoveled path and through people, stopping for Heather to meet several of them. Finally, they arrived at a round barrel of a table beneath a sweeping pine bough by the river. A tall heater glowed a bright orange above it. A teenager sat nearest the river with a plate in front of him. He had dark hair, soft brown eyes, and a clean-cut countenance.

  “Pauley, this is Heather,” Anna said, sitting in the middle

  “Hi,” Heather said, taking the final seat and putting her crutches on the ground next to her.

  Pauley looked at her and then away. “Hello, Heather. Heather. Heather is a name and a plant in the genus Calluna.” He rocked back and forth, looking at the river. “As well as current slang for somebody your crush likes. On TikTok.” He looked at the neatly divided food on his plate.

  “I knew about Calluna but not TikTok,” Heather said, settling more comfortably on her seat as the heat warmed her from above. Pauley seemed Autistic, but she didn’t know enough about it to know for sure.

  “You are probably too old to know about TikTok,” Pauley said, reaching for his fork.

  Anna grinned and then dug into her food. “P thinks anybody over the age of twenty is old.”

  “Relatively,” Pauley agreed.

  Heather let the December sun and the nice heater warm her as she tasted her chicken and watched the mingling family members. “I like your table.”

  “It has three people,” Pauley said. “Three. Three people. Three.” He looked at Anna and then away. “Usually Anna and me and somebody else. Not Aiden today.”

  “Aiden?” Heather asked.

  Anna pointed toward a group of men near an open metal container with ice and drinks. “Tall guy to the right.”

  Wowza. Aiden was at least six-four with dark hair and very wide shoulders. His face was rugged and strong. As if sensing their appraisal, he turned, and his eyes were a combination of too many blues to just be called blue. “Wow,” Heather breathed.

  Anna nodded. “Amen, sister.”

  “How long have you dated?” Heather asked. They made a nice couple.

  “Not long and we keep spending a lot of time apart because if his job. We’re new and finding our way, but we’re getting there.” Anna took another bite of a salad. “He just got back to town, and we’re trying to find a rhythm. Although I think he might be a sociopath.”

  Heather choked on a crouton. “Really?”

  Anna snorted. “Yeah. I’m helping him organize his new place, and he keeps combining three cereals into one container. Three different kinds. You’d have to be crazy to do that, right?”

  “Absolutely,” Pauley agreed. “Crazy.”

  Heather smiled. “I’m not sure. By the look of him, I’d say you might want to let that one flaw go.”

  Anna laughed.

  Tessa bounded up with drinks. She wore a heavy blue jacket and mittens. “I have two wines and an orange juice for you, Pauley.” She handed over the glasses to each of them. “I chose a white, if that’s okay.”

  “Looks great,” Heather said, taking her glass. “Thank you.”

  Tessa leaned in. “Did you see that both Jolene and Chrissy are here? Is Quint hiding or what?”

  Heather took another sip and looked around. “I’ve heard about Jolene and understand their relationship was over quickly. Who’s Chrissy?” Not that she cared. Nope. Not at all. Even so, she scouted the crowd for another hot blonde with big boobs.

  Pauley sighed. “I am done. Gossip is boring.” He grasped his plate, stood, and walked toward the deck and house that was decorated with too many Christmas lights to count.

  Tessa immediately slid into his seat, her glass in hand. “Quint and Chrissy dated on and off for a year and broke up months ago. She’s nice and all but too demanding, and she couldn’t handle his job. The travel of it.”

  Anna leaned closer and lowered her voice conspiratorially. “They weren’t a good match, anyway. She’s lovely, but they just didn’t fit very well. I think they’d make great friends, though.” Then she growled. “Why the hell is Jolene here? She keeps trying to bury me in the paper.”

  “Her cousin Melissa is dating one of the Coolie cousins, and somehow she tagged along. Just ignore her,” Tessa said.

  Heather didn’t want to ask. Nope. She wouldn’t. “Which one is Chrissy?” Yep. She’d asked. Weak.

  Anna nodded toward a full-bodied blonde woman near the swing set. She was dressed in dark jeans with a light sweater, and her hair was up in a ponytail. “That’s her. I guess she’s dating Trick O’Leary? He’s like a fifth cousin twice removed or something like that. He’s over playing horseshoes.”

  “Kind of uncool to bring her,” Tessa said, reaching across Heather to snag a roll from Anna’s plate. Then she paused. “Mom’s waving. I’ll go help her.” She darted off.

  Heather ate more of her salad and tried not to watch the pretty blonde. It became more difficult when Chrissy turned, caught her eye, and then made her way t
oward them.

  “Oh man,” Anna murmured against her glass. “This is going to be interesting.”

  Chapter 6

  Heather smiled at the woman when she reached the table. “Hi.”

  “Heather, this is Chrissy,” Anna said, taking another bite of fruit. “Chrissy, Heather. Would you like to sit with us?”

  “Hi.” Chrissy smiled and took Tessa’s vacant seat. “I hope it’s okay I’m here. I thought I shouldn’t come, but Trick really wanted me to, and we’ve been dating for a month, so…” Her pink painted lips pursed.

  Anna smiled across Heather. “You’re welcome any time. I had no idea you and Trick have been dating for a month.”

  Chrissy visibly relaxed. “Yeah. We’re taking it slow and all, but he’s a really great guy.”

  Anna nodded. “I agree. Have you talked to Quint?”

  Heather took another sip of her wine, wedged between the two women. Was this weird? Yeah, this was weird. Even so, she kept her smile in place.

  Chrissy swallowed. “Not yet. I’ve been trying to get up the nerve, but I didn’t want it to be awkward.”

  In that second, Heather liked the woman. She relaxed. “He’s such a nice guy. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Was the breakup…difficult?” Why had she asked that? It wasn’t her business. What was she doing?

  Chrissy chuckled. “Not really. He is a nice guy, right? We knew we weren’t meant for each other, and I just couldn’t handle his crazy schedule and worrying about him all the time. But we got along and should’ve just stayed friends. I hope we can be.”

  “You can,” Anna said, reaching over to pat Chrissy’s hand. “It always seemed like you guys were friends, anyway.”

  Chrissy’s smile came more naturally now. “Yeah.” She nudged Heather. “But you two look good together. I heard all about the dramatic rescue down the mountainside. What a meet-cute, right?”

  Heat flowed into Heather’s face. “No. We’re friends, that’s all.” She frowned. “Why were you so worried about Quint’s job? I know he has to travel to other US Forests, but how dangerous can that be?”