Chilled (Bone Secrets, #2)(33)

Darrin had started expecting the familiar face every time he landed back in the Portland area. Darrin would grin and nod, sometimes even greet Alex. He’d looked forward to seeing the A-man.

Not Batman or Superman. The A-man.

Whose special power was to entertain Darrin.

How did Kinton get here so fast? There was no way he could have found out about the flight plan change to the Granton airport. A tiny airport. With virtually no security. Darrin had been looking forward to separating from his federal escort in Granton and hopping into the car waiting to whisk him south through California and across the border.

Darrin ground his back teeth and kicked at the snow.

Fucking snowstorm. It’d messed up his perfect plan.

Darrin’s brows shot up as Kinton stepped in front of the female as if to protect her from the words of the shorter SAR volunteer.

Interesting.

The Alex Kinton that Darrin knew had no use for women. The man had been badly burned by his ex-wife and hadn’t dated since his divorce. Darrin knew all about Kinton’s personal life. He believed in keeping his enemies close. His contacts on the outside had kept tabs on the former marshal.

What else was a guy supposed to do in prison for amusement except plan for Kinton’s quarterly visits? When Kinton visited his parents’ graves, Darrin knew. When Kinton shut himself away in a cabin at the beach for three months, Darrin knew.

Darrin wished the female in the SAR group would push back her hood. His earlier views of her had been quite pleasant.

She put her hand on Kinton’s arm to move him aside and joined the argument. She waved one sassy finger in the shorter man’s face as she angrily spoke.

Darrin sucked in a breath as he pressed his eyes against his binoculars. He’d never put up with that type of attitude from a woman. The new LPN at his second nursing home had learned that lesson the hard way.

The search and rescue woman turned, giving him a perfect view of her face. Lovely. Dark, direct eyes, strong cheekbones, and a wide mouth that made his heart jump.

Ohh. She had to have an effect on Kinton. How could anyone spend time in her company without falling madly in lust? Darrin’s lips turned up in a half smile. Kinton in lust? He’d like to see that. Kinton was always a walking, emotionless rock except when it came to his dead brother.

Darrin moved his binoculars to Kinton.

Sure enough. The A-man was wearing his usual stone mask.

Do I know this guy or what?

Darrin’s gaze swung back to the female. Now there is some passion. What was she arguing about? The determination in her expression would be enough to convince Darrin to follow her. Wherever the f*ck she might lead.

Maybe she was already paired up with one of the men? He frowned. She didn’t act attached. The shorter rescuer had visibly cringed at her tongue-lashing, and the big guy had barely spoken to her at all. Neither acted like a boyfriend or husband.

The argument continued. The female kept gesturing up the hill in the direction they’d come and then back to the plane. The shorter guy pointed toward the faint sunlight. Darrin glanced at his watch. Three o’clock. Surely they weren’t considering making camp at the crash site? Why weren’t they heading out? Was the trip back too long?

The female dropped her pack and made tracks back up the hill, leaving a snowy wake of attitude. The rest of the men stared after her, the shorter shaking his head. Kinton stood silent and then dropped his pack. The other men did the same.

Darrin slowly lowered the binoculars.

Alex tried not to stare at Brynn as she hiked away to check on Ryan. Even under the thick coat, she pulled his attention. It was the way she carried herself, the way she moved smoothly like she’d been walking though the outdoors all her life. She always showed confidence and a clear head, and he liked to watch her whether she was throwing a stick for her dog or standing her ground with Jim and Thomas. And himself.

He wondered what her boyfriend was like.

“I guess she told us,” Jim muttered. He too was watching Brynn hike back up the hill, but Alex knew he watched her with the eyes of an older brother. A stab of jealousy hit Alex in his chest at the closeness of the relationship even though he knew it was platonic. The idea of Jim sharing her tent heated his blood, and not in a good way.

Stupid. Alex shook his head at his reaction.

“What?” Jim caught the movement and regarded him with questioning eyes. “Still don’t think I should’ve let her hike up there alone? You’re the one who said Besand probably left the area. You really think he’d risk death in the wilderness over going back to prison?”

Alex nodded, relieved Jim had misunderstood his shaking head. “I know he would. Besand was dying inside those walls. He’d do whatever it takes to never go back.”

Jim’s gaze probed deep. “I don’t know what put the idea in your head we’d ever consider leaving you alone out here to find the guy. Especially considering you don’t know shit about the outdoors. Why don’t you just ask me to sign your death certificate?” A curious light entered his eyes. “You seem to know this * real well. Better than most armed escorts would.”

Alex met his frank gaze. Jim was an honest, up-front sort of guy. The type of guy Alex would have considered a friend before his life had crumbled to pieces. Alex looked up the hill, following Brynn, a tiny red figure against the snow. His guts ached to be honest with someone. He abruptly decided to take the plunge.