He must be, but he didn’t care.
He looked up at the bright blue sky then west to the bank of gray clouds that was just visible over the mountains. A chilly wind was pushing those clouds their way, bringing snow for the high country and rain for Denver.
When he came back inside, dogs at his heels, he found the Sunday paper sitting on the kitchen table. On the front page was a large photo of him beneath a big headline:Local hero—Conrad recounts Everest tragedy.
And thatright theretrashed his good mood.
Kenzie poured cups of coffee and held one out to him. “I read it. I think she did a good job. All the quotes seem accurate.”
“Thanks.” He took the coffee. “The headline is bullshit.”
He wasn’t a hero.
He took a sip of coffee, watched her drown hers in half-and-half. “If you hate coffee that much, just drink milk.”
She laughed. “Ilovecoffee—with enough half-and-half and sugar.”
He tried to forget the article and focus on breakfast, throwing together pancakes using his father’s recipe. But that headline stayed in his mind, niggling at him while they ate, did dishes, talked about the day ahead.
“We could take the dogs on a walk at Moose Lake.” Kenzie wiped the stove top. “Gabby hasn’t been up in the mountains before. We could do some puppy runaways. She’s gotten good at that, so it’s time to move to the next step.”
What was wrong with him that he couldn’t focus on the joys of the moment? Why couldn’t he lose the feeling that his world was about to come crashing down?
“That sounds good.” He hadn’t been to Moose Lake since he’d come home.
They packed the dogs in Kenzie’s truck and drove the short distance to the lake, where Taylor, in his uniform and Smokey the Bear hat, was busy writing out parking tickets for people who somehow managed to drive but couldn’t read the NO PARKING signs posted along the rescue vehicle lane.
He tucked another ticket beneath a windshield wiper then walked over to say hello. “Hey. I saw the article today. Great interview, man.”
“I haven’t read it.” And Conrad didn’t plan to.
Taylor glanced down at Kenzie’s splint. “How’s the wrist?”
“I got the stitches out Friday,” Kenzie answered. “The doctor said it’s healing well. I have to wear the splint for a couple more weeks. Thanks for asking.”
Gizmo recognized Taylor, wagging his tail and barking out a greeting.
Taylor knelt down on the gravel. “How are you, buddy? What’s your little friend’s name?”
“Gabby,” Conrad and Kenzie answered together.
“Hey, Gabby. Aren’t you cute?”
Conrad was surprised to find himself feeling pride. Yes, Gabbywascute, and it was good and right that everyone should recognize that.
Kenzie leashed both dogs, handing Gabby’s leash to Conrad. “We’re going to step up her training a little bit. I thought it would be good to get her into the mountains.”
“Just keep your eyes open.” Taylor stood again. “They still haven’t found those two guys who robbed the armored vehicle. Some people think they’ve moved on, but a camper thought she spotted one of them a few days ago. He started to approach her, and when he saw she was with friends, he took off.”
Conrad wished he’d brought his revolver. “Is anyone actively hunting for them?”
Before Taylor could answer, a woman’s angry voice cut him off.
“What the hell? I didn’t see any ‘No Parking’ signs.” A woman in leggings and a fleece jacket stared at her ticket in indignation.
“Have a good hike.” Taylor walked over to the woman. “There’s a sign right next to your vehicle, ma’am. In fact, to get out of your car, you would have almost hit it with your driver’s side door.”
“Well, I didn’t see it, and I’mnotgoing to pay this.”
