I returned his smile. “I expect that being light on your feet is part of the job.”
“Thanks for understanding.” He slanted a glance at Whit and shook his head. “She’s nice, smart, and pretty. Your mom will like her.”
I didn’t understand why the sheriff thought I’d meet Whit’s mom or why she’d care what type of person I was, but I found myself loving the idea that I’d make a good impression on her. But I didn’t have time to worry over the strength of my reaction to him while the sheriff questioned me about what had happened with Whit. My dad grew more tense with every answer I gave. I was devastated to find out they’d taken all my equipment from my campsite and my rental car, but at least those were just things. They could be replaced.
“Those men are long gone from here. You shouldn’t have anything to worry about from them,” the sheriff reassured me once his questioning wound down.
I shook my head and shivered as a chill raced up my spine. “I don’t think they’re going to let it drop just because they didn’t catch me on the mountain.”
He shoved his little notebook into his jacket pocket and asked, “How come?”
I lifted my Nikon from my neck. “When I first ran into them, I was using my viewfinder to figure out what I’d heard. They think I took a photo of them.”
“Are they correct?” the sheriff barked.
I shook my head with a frown. “I wish I could say I had the presence of mind to snap a pic, but I was too focused on getting away from them to think of it.”
“We have a team scouring the downed plane for clues, so we may still find them.”
Whit growled, “I expect to be kept in the loop on whatever your guys get.”
“I shoulda known I was asking for trouble getting you involved,” the sheriff muttered.
“I want the same,” my dad agreed.
The sheriff sighed. “I figured.”
Jerking his thumb at the sheriff, my dad looked at Whit and said, “He told me you were shot in the line of duty not too long ago.”
I scanned Whit’s tall, muscular body for any sign of injury but didn’t see anything.
“Not in the line of duty exactly,” Whit corrected. “I’m private now. Not military or law enforcement.”
“A mission is still a mission, no matter who you’re reporting to.” My dad shrugged. “And you still volunteered to go out there and look for my daughter even though you’re in town for some R&R after your injury, which says a lot about the kind of man you are.”
“Damn straight.” The sheriff slapped Whit on the back. “Whit’s never been one to shirk his duties. I knew if I asked, he’d be out there searching for your girl until he found her. Never been happier to be right in my life.”
I couldn’t agree more. His decision had saved my life, after all.
7
WHIT
Although the sheriff sang my praises and I’d been the one to find her, Victoria’s father didn’t seem too happy about how I had my arm around his daughter’s shoulders. But I wasn’t one to be easily intimidated, and I liked being close to her. So I stayed right where I was as the sheriff walked away.
My estimation of the man’s intelligence—which was already high—went up a notch when he held his hand out to me, forcing me to release Victoria so I could shake it.
“Arthur Ashe,” he belatedly introduced himself. “I owe you a debt of gratitude I’ll never be able to repay.”
Finding Victoria was one hell of a way to start off on the right foot with the man, but I meant it when I said, “You don’t owe me anything, Mr. Ashe. Victoria had pretty much saved herself when I showed up. I was just in the right place at the right time to help her get off the mountain.”
“Don’t downplay what you did. I’m sure your hike came at a personal cost.” His gaze dropped to where I’d been shot. “You’re favoring your side a little.”
This time it was Victoria who slipped her arm around me, offering her curvy body as a crutch in case I needed it. Her dadspotted the action and pressed his lips together as he glared at us. Focusing on Victoria, I muttered, “I’m fine, baby. I could’ve hiked the mountain twice as long as I did, no problem.”
Her brown eyes were full of concern as she looked up at me. “Are you sure? I hate the idea of causing you pain.”
“None of what happened on the mountain today is your fault,” I assured her.
