They exited the shop, laden down with paper bags, and Summer was trying to work out a nice way to tell Mårten that she would pay for our own food in future, when his phone rang.He juggled the bags, trying to pry his cell from his back pocket, until Summer took half his load so that he had a hand free.They continued to meander as Mårten talked, Summer pretending she wasn’t listening.It sounded like he was talking to Jacob, and a half-frown descended his brow the longer he talked.
“That was Jacob,” he said, taking back his shopping bags after he ended the call.
“Yes, and?”She glanced up and squinted at Mårten through the setting sun’s rays, watching as his stubble-clad jaw worked as if he was trying to decide how much to tell her.The golden light set off the planes of his face, highlighting his long, straight nose and sensitive mouth.Why did he have to be so blasted good-looking?It was distracting.She forced her gaze onto the gravel road so she could concentrate on what he was saying.
“As you know, along with throwing everything they have at trying to find Tyrone King, Jacob and Miller’s team have also been searching for clues to Paige’s disappearance,” Mårten began.
“Yes.”Summer tried to keep the impatience out of her tone.
“Well, they’ve discovered something a little unsettling about Paige.”He cast her a quick glance, then returned his gaze to the front as they continued to stroll toward the house.“Her phone and handbag are still missing—we assume they were taken along with her—but the fiancé handed over her private computer to the feds.And while they found her work and personal email accounts, they also found a third email account that the fiancé knew nothing about.It contained some interesting emails that the IT specialists are still going through.”
Summer stopped walking.Where was he going with this?
Mårten stopped too, and she glanced up into his face.“It looks like she may have been opposed to the gold mine at Yellowstone going ahead.Like genuinely opposed to it.She was mad.Mad enough to say some outrageous things.”
Summer turned this information over in her head.“So what?”She squinted up at him.“Surely that’s not such a revelation.She’s a ranger who cares about the land she’s supposed to be protecting.Of course, she’s not happy about the mine.”
Mårten’s frown told her he remained unconvinced.What was he hinting at?Were the FBI trying to suggest a correlation between Paige and the terrorist organization?
“Was Tyrone mentioned in any of the emails?Or his little EIC group?”she demanded.
“No.”
“So what are you saying?Who was she sending these emails to?”
“We’re not sure yet.They were encrypted.”
Summer blew out a breath and juggled the bags to her other hand.What did that even mean, they were encrypted?There had to be some logical explanation.But until the FBI found that explanation, she needed to nip this conspiracy theory—because it seemed that was what Martin was alluding to—in the bud.
“You can’t possibly consider that Paige had anything to do with Tyrone King.Paige didn’t just disappear of her own accord.She would never be that cruel.Not to her partner, or to her work colleagues.She loves her job.Love’s what she does.She knows she’s making a difference by helping to save the national parks.”
“I agree; you’re probably right,” Mårten replied, walking forward once more.“But Jacob sounded pretty…convinced there was something else going on,” he added with a shrug.She slotted in beside him, matching her step with his.Then he halted again, put his bags on the ground and drew in a breath, waiting till she stopped as well and looked up at him.“But you need to know, Summer, that it’s not unheard of for someone as passionate as Paige to get frustrated and feel like no one is listening, like no one was doing enough.”He spoke softly, not wanting to upset her, but it was too late; she was more than upset.He was acting as if she were some naïve fool who thought everyone was beyond reproach.She was far from naïve, but she knew deep in her bones Paige wouldn’t do something as morally reprehensible as reaching out to EIC—or any eco-terrorist group—to make her point.
She was careful to keep her temper under control; Mårten was only repeating what he’d heard, and she shouldn’t shoot the messenger.But he needed to understand she wasn’t having any of it.“So, you think she took things into her own hands?Joined a Neo-Nazi violent group instead?No, nope,” Summer stated emphatically.“I don’t believe it.”
“Okay.”He picked up his bags and continued walking, apparently not wanting to take this conversation any further.Which was fine with her.
Summer followed meditatively in Mårten’s wake, trying to make sense of this new information.In some ways, Summer also sympathized with Tyrone and his cronies; she was just as desperate for the slated gold mine at Yellowstone Park not to go ahead.As was Paige; she and the ranger had discussed the possible consequences at length while on the trip.Summer was an environmentalist at heart; it was the main reason she’d accepted the Yellowstone job, as well as most of her other projects.So she could help save an endangered species.It made her wonder how anyone could want to ruin something of such pristine natural value.It was pure, despicable greed, nothing less.But she couldn’t sympathize with Tyrone’s methods.Fear and violence weren’t the solution to the problem.And the poor little boy dying because of a fire Tyrone had started was utterly reprehensible.How could that group live with themselves now?
A thought struck her.“But my family are all still safe?”she asked, hurrying to catch him up.
“Yes, of course,” Mårten said.“Jacob confirmed it again.”
“Oh, good.”She returned to her rumination with relief, but still had reached no conclusion by the time they made it back to the house.She helped Mårten put away the food robotically.Deciding to drop the subject for now, she leaned on the island bench to watch him.“Can I help with dinner?”she asked as he put the salmon on a plate and heated a skillet on the stove.
“You could chop the dill, if you like.I’m going to make a quick sauce to go with the fish.”
“Cool.”Summer found a knife and a wooden board.She enjoyed cooking, but living alone, she often ate simply, and couldn’t be bothered fixing a complicated meal just for herself.
“I’ve ordered a bike rack for you, like the one you had at home, so you can train inside.It should be delivered tomorrow.”
“Oh, thank you.”She was taken aback; she needed to train, but was wary of riding on these unfamiliar roads after Mårten had told her it rained a lot in summer.But she hadn’t mentioned her fears to him; he was already doing enough.Being able to exercise inside whenever she wanted would be a luxury.This was very sweet of him.Although where she was going to set up her bike in this small cottage was a bit of a puzzle.
They settled into a comfortable silence while she chopped herbs and he got the fish sizzling.Without being asked, she started on the salad ingredients, chopping fire-engine red tomatoes, and slicing juicy green cucumbers.She felt more relaxed than she had in days.It was almost intimate, and Summer found herself enjoying Mårten’s silent company.Enjoying his gorgeous country-style kitchen, with its pale colors and glowing wooden countertops.He passed her the red onion to chop and gave an approving nod at the salad bowl that was filling with vegetables.It was effortless.Much too effortless.But for once, Summer didn’t question it.
They took their meals out onto the front porch, sitting at the little wicker table and chairs and watching the birds coming in to roost as they ate.Her heart did a little double-kick at the beauty and the serenity.Blast.It would be so easy to fall in love with Mårten’s house.With this lifestyle.
* * *
