Page 67 of Mistletoe Mischief

“Happy to help.”

Chapter Nineteen

This is gorgeous!” Kit said, his camera clicking rapidly as he took pictures of the mountains and trees. The sky above the group was blue, but Pike was keeping an eye on the gray clouds drifting over the mountain. It wouldn’t take long for them to get caught in a snowstorm, and although their rental SUV had four-wheel drive, Pike couldn’t guarantee that any of the Californians knew how to drive in snow.

Pike watched Ryler approach Neil, who had his cell phone out, presumably taking personal pictures to share. Ryler’s puffer coat hung open, revealing the sweatshirt underneath that read Leave me alone. He appreciated the fact that she hadn’t made things weird after witnessing his personal meltdown. Would she tell Alia? God, would that be something they included in the podcast? The last thing he needed was for her to tell Alia that Adventures in Mistletoe was rife with issues.

Although, if she was going to do something like that, wouldn’t she have cut the tour short? He’d been trying to keep up a pleasant façade and push Anthony’s betrayal from his mind, but what would happen tomorrow when he went into the store? How would he keep himself from knocking out his best friend the minute he opened his mouth?

Alia approached with Jo in her arms, holding the puppy out to him. “She went potty, although she really does not like the leash.”

“No, she doesn’t,” he said, taking the dog from her. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I didn’t mind. Keeps me busy and out of my own head. Got a lot on my mind.”

“Oh yeah? About the podcast or life?” Pike asked.

“Both, I suppose,” she said. Pike watched her profile, following the line of her vision as it passed over the lake and landed on Ryler and Neil. Alia shivered, and Pike noticed the thin pea coat she wore, frowning.

“You’ve got to be freezing in that getup.” He shrugged out of his jacket, transferring Jo from one hand to the other, and held the jacket out for her. “Here.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” she said.

“Aren’t you already not feeling good? All you need is to get worse because you weren’t dressed for the weather.”

Alia slipped her arms into Pike’s coat and gave him a grateful nod. “Thank you. It’s really warm.”

Pike shoved one hand into his sweatshirt pocket, grateful he’d decided to layer up today. Jo’s stomach was warm in the palm of his hand as he held her against his rib cage. “It’s not a problem. You’re my guest.”

“It’s nice to know that not all men are selfish jerks,” she said, and although none of the others were standing near, Pike thought that might have been a pointed comment.

“I have my moments, too, believe me.” Pike caught Ryler watching them and wondered what she thought of him. Was he just some jerk, bouncing from woman to woman?

“Hey, Pike,” Kit asked, pointing in the distance. “Is there a way to get to that waterfall?”

“Waterfall?” Ryler repeated, her smile wide. “Where?”

“We can take the trailhead there, but it’s about a four-mile hike round trip.”

“I’m good with that,” Kit said.

Ryler nodded. “Me, too.”

Alia looked over at Neil, who was nodding. “I guess I’m coming, too.”

“Just give me a minute. I need to grab something from my car.”

Pike jogged back to his trunk and set Jo inside before he removed the holster with his gun and bear mace from the lockbox inside. Although the chances of seeing a bear this time of year were slim, there was still a chance they weren’t hibernating yet. In addition, the quiet of the trails could sometimes put hikers into the path of a hungry juvenile cougar or wolves. Even a bull moose could be a danger out here. The crew would be in their territory, and after Pike had been chased by an aggressive coyote on the ski slope last year, he didn’t go hiking unarmed.

“What are you doing?” Ryler asked, coming around the backside of his car. He unzipped his sweatshirt and took it off, slipping his holster up his arms and over his shoulders. “Is that a gun?”

“Yeah, but don’t worry. I’ve got a concealed carry permit,” he said, slipping his sweatshirt back on over it.

“But why do you need a gun?”

Pike quirked an eyebrow. “Ever been hiking in the woods before?”

“Yes, in India, South America, Africa—”