“But your bags are packed, right? Saw one of your sisters tag you in that family photo on Instagram. Looks like your shop’s all tucked in for the winter.” Cody rarely called Holden unless he was looking for a new gig or needed to clarify contract terms. “Weather forecast looks great. No storms along the West Coast.” Holden was Cody’s first and only agent since he got into stunts. He knew when Holden sensed something was wrong but was avoiding the elephant in the room as long as he could.
“I’m going to be a few days late,” Cody said, ripping off the proverbial Band-Aid. “Had something personal come up.”
“Define a few days.”
“New flight gets to Maui Sunday morning.”
“One day before filming starts?” Holden sounded less than impressed. “You do know how many other stuntmen wanted this job, right? There’s still three guys with bags packed just waiting for a call to take your spot.”
The show, based on a bestselling romantic suspense series of books, was guaranteed to be a massive hit before the cast was even selected. The response in picking up the series for TV was unlike anything the industry had ever seen. Multiple networks entered a bidding war, and the winner promised five full seasons in three years. That contract length for film work was hard to come by, and Cody had been lucky to be selected as the male lead’s stunt double.
“I’ll be there Sunday,” Cody said, his gazing flickering to the gift shop window as Jenna walked by it. “I’ve already read over the script for the pilot. I know what’s expected of me. It’s nothing I can’t handle.” Before Holden could get too upset, Cody added, “The contract requires me to be on the set next Monday at six a.m. and that’s exactly where I’ll be. Can you let them know I’ll miss the dinner the night before?”
“Sure. Don’t be a minute late. I can’t help you if you are.”
Holden ended the call before Cody could reassure him he had nothing to worry about. He’d made other last-minute deadlines, but never for a commitment this big. One that promised to open doors for him in the future. At the end of this series, he could practically hand select any stunt project he wanted, onhisterms. Which meant he could spend more time in Alaska—athome.
Cody scrolled through his contacts until he found Sadie’s number, his finger hovering over the call button. But before he could tap it with his finger, he spotted movement beside the log-cabin shop. Ed emerged through the trees at the back of the building, sauntering toward the parking lot. The moose stopped shy of the gift shop window and stared at Cody. Another foot and Jenna would have a clear view of their most famous local celebrity.
“That’s some luck,” he said, unable to hide his smile as he cautiously pushed open his door. “Number five, here we come.”
Ed tilted his head, massive antlers going lopsided.
“Don’t move, Ed.” He kept his steps toward the gift shop entrance slow and calm as to not aggravate the beast. Getting a selfiewithEd would be tricky. But maybe in this one instance, having an additional witness would be proof enough. He’d spotted the owner Ava Young working. She’d vouch for them for sure. “Seriously Ed, do me a solid and stay right there.”
He quickly slipped inside, calling for Jenna. “Come quick. Ed’s outside.”
She stared back with drawn eyebrows. “What?”
“The moose.” When she still didn’t seem to register what he was saying, he added, “Number five on the list.”
“Oh!” She set whatever gadget she’d been eyeing on the counter and hurried to the door. Ava followed her. Even the locals got excited to see Ed when he came around.
At the door, he held out his arm. “Go slow. He’s right around the corner. You don’t want to startle him. Hard to finish a bucket list after you’ve been trampled by a moose.”
Cody’s lame joke won him a crooked smile and an amused headshake. He went last, closing the door gently behind him. Ed was the tamest moose he’d ever encountered, except for the few they kept at the Anchorage Zoo. But he was still a wild creature easily rattled by loud noises.
“I’m going to try to take a selfie—”
“Cody.”
“Don’t know if it’ll turn out. Ed’s not one for pictures—”
“Cody!” Jenna’s stern tone snapped him to attention. “I don’t see a moose.”
Cody’s excitement plummeted in a single heartbeat. He peered around the corner, finding hoof prints in the dirt—but no Ed. Cody circled the building, certain the beast couldn’t have gone far. Much of the fog had cleared and the trees in nearby residential yards were thin in most places. But Cody couldn’t even make out the crunch of leaves to give him a clue where the moose wandered off to in so short a time. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered when he made it back to the front.
“Are you sure it was a moose?” Jenna asked.
“It wasn’t an alley cat.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, releasing any tension he felt over the near-miss before his hand dropped. They still had five days to see Ed. Considering Cody had spotted him twice in two days, the odds were in their favor.
“Ed’s a finicky creature, capable of running up to thirty-five miles per hour when he chooses,” Ava said, holding the door open for Jenna and Cody. “If he wants you to see him, believe me, you’ll see him.”
“Ava’s one of the many in Sunset Ridge who believes Ed is a matchmaker,” Cody explained to Jenna, hoping she’d find the story amusing. But if she read into it, he didn’t seem to mind that thought either. Even if he didn’t believe in wild matchmaking mammals.
Jenna laughed instantly at his comment, but her expression dropped when she noticed Ava wasn’t joining in. She looked back and forth between the store owner and Cody. “Wait. You’re serious?”
“I’m pretty sure Ed had a hand in me ending up with my husband,” Ava said sincerely. “Two of my best friends have found their way to their soulmates too, all thanks to Ed’s inconvenient appearances. He may be a moose, but I tell you, he knows when someone needs to slow down so love can catch up.” Ava looked at Cody. “Tell me Ed’s not the reason your sister Laurel gave Chase a second chance?”
