Treasure Creek Dad. Terri Reed

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СКАЧАТЬ guilt. “I don’t blame you. And it’s really the truth. I’m ‘one of guys.’” She made air quotes to emphasize her words.

      “A role that you’ve perpetuated. You keep everyone at arm’s length. I think it’s time for you to stop keeping yourself so isolated. Be open to a relationship.”

      “But the risk is too great,” Casey murmured. She didn’t want to lose someone she loved again. She’d lost her parents, Uncle Patrick and, essentially, Amelia. Another name floated into her consciousness. She ignored it.

      Amy gave her a sad, direct look and said softly, “I know. But the risk is worth it, Casey. I wouldn’t trade one single ounce of heartache if it meant not having ever loved Ben.”

      Ouch. Direct hit. “Just rip my heart out and feed it to me, why don’t you, Amy?”

      Amy’s lips twitched. “Hey, if you didn’t want the truth, you wouldn’t be sitting here.”

      Casey sighed. “I know. You’ve never pulled any punches with me, and I appreciate it.”

      “Jake Rodgers doesn’t think of you as ‘one of the guys,’” Amy stated, with a curving of her lips, as she mimicked Casey’s air quotes.

      “Not yet, maybe, but give him time.” Casey rolled her eyes. “I’m not his type, anyway.”

      “And you know this how?”

      “He’s a city guy now, regardless that he was born here. And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly a beauty queen. Amelia’s more his type. Glamor and glitz. Besides,” Casey pointed out, “he’s a single dad trying to raise his daughter. What do I know about kids?”

      Amy gave her a chiding look. “Casey, you’re great with kids. The boys love you. And you’ve dealt with children on several tours and did great, so don’t use his daughter as an excuse to keep him at arm’s length.”

      “But I’m no good at the dating thing.” She cringed, remembering the last date she’d been on.

      Bucky Holland, the town’s mechanic and one of the town’s many bachelors, had invited her to dinner at Martelli’s, a fancy grill in town. Casey had looked forward to the date with hopeful anticipation. Maybe this time a date would end differently.

      But the evening had consisted of forced conversation and awkward silences. When he dropped her off and roared away in his big rig—faster than if a bear had been chasing him—she’d decided dating wasn’t her thing.

      “Just be yourself, Casey. If a relationship with Jake or any other man is part of God’s plan for your life, then everything will work out, regardless of your sister or that article.”

      Tugging on her bottom lip, Casey wished she shared Amy’s convictions. But trusting God was something Casey couldn’t do. Not ever again. A blast of anger blew through her. She’d trusted that God would answer her prayers and make Uncle Patrick well. God hadn’t. She’d trusted God to protect her heart when Seth came into her life. Another prayer ignored.

      There was a knock at the door. “Come in,” Amy called.

      Rachel stepped inside. “The police chief is here to see you, Amy.”

      “Tell Reed I’ll be a moment longer,” Amy said, her voice taking on a slight edge.

      Anticipation? Or irritation?

      When Rachel shut the door, Casey raised an eyebrow. “A social call?”

      Amy brushed a lock of red hair back behind her ear. Beneath her smattering of freckles, a blush brightened her cheeks. “No. We don’t have that kind of relationship. I’m sure there’s some official reason he’s stopping by.”

      Glancing at the photo on the desk, Casey knew Ben would want Amy to find love again. Rising from her seat, Casey said, “He’s a good man, Amy. Ben wouldn’t mind.”

      Amy frowned, as a shadow of sorrow passed over her expression. “Now who’s ripping whose heart out?”

      Casey held up her hands in a show of entreaty. “Sorry. Not another word.”

      “Thank you.” Amy rose and rounded the desk, to put her arm around Casey’s shoulders. “It’s all going to work out. Be open to what God has in store for you.”

      Casey hugged Amy for a moment, thankful to have such a wise and gracious friend. After Patrick died, Amy and her late husband had taken Casey under their wing. Casey would be forever grateful to Ben James for taking a chance and hiring her as a wilderness guide. She missed him, as did everyone in Treasure Creek. He’d been the mayor as well as the owner of Alaska’s Treasures.

      His death had been a tragic accident. Ben had been trying to save the life of a client during a dangerous rapids trip and lost his life for the effort. Reed Truscott had witnessed the devastating event. Perhaps that was the tension Casey always sensed between Amy and Reed.

      As Casey left Amy’s office, she glanced at her watch and decided she could still get a ten-mile run in before she went home. She met Reed in the hall. “Hey, Chief. Thank you for recommending me to Jake Rodgers.”

      Reed nodded in acknowledgement but didn’t slow down. “No thanks necessary. You’ll be good for Jake.” He disappeared inside Amy’s office.

      Okay. Not the most cordial person, but he got the job done. Just why did Chief Truscott think Casey would be good for Jake?

      Casey opened the front door to the small A-frame house that she’d lived in since she’d first come to Alaska twenty-two years ago. To a little girl who’d just lost her parents, the house had seemed big and strange, so very different than her parents’ turn-of-the-century town house in the heart of San Francisco. Now the A-frame was comfortable, her safe haven.

      At least it had been, until Amelia returned.

      Casey stepped across the threshold to the darkened living room and tension crept up her neck. Had Amelia left as mysteriously as she’d returned?

      A movement to her right jolted her system. She pivoted, prepared to defend herself against an attack. But none came.

      She reached out to flip on the light switch. The table lamp by the couch glowed, throwing shadows around the room. Casey blinked as her eyes adjusted. Her sister sat in the rocker by the window.

      A sense of déjà vu swept over Casey. Many times, when Casey and Uncle Patrick had returned from some adventure out in the wilderness, they would find Amelia quietly sitting in the rocker, waiting for them as she now waited for Casey. Casey had never understood why Amelia had chosen to stay home alone while she and Patrick went exploring.

      Were those tears wetting her sister’s lashes? “Amelia? Are you okay?”

      “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” Amelia snapped, and rose from the chair to glide past Casey toward the kitchen. She wore a turquoise top with a matching skirt that flowed with each step. “Dinner is ready.”

      Casey closed the front door and went to the sink to wash her hands. “Thanks for cooking. You know, you don’t have to take care of me.”

      “I know I don’t СКАЧАТЬ