Page 34 of Come to Me

That made sense. “Still, I bet it was nice.” She resumed her hike up the mountain.

“I suppose.”

They continued, each step Micki telling herself not to be nosy by asking a lot of questions, but ultimately, she couldn’t help herself. “Do you ever do anything fun?”

He didn’t answer right away, and she worried she’d offended him. She was too afraid to stop and look behind her to find out.

“What makes you think I don’t have fun?”

“My dad mentioned that you said you didn’t know how.”

“I don’t know how to relax.”

“Oh.” She frowned. “Is there a difference?”

“I don’t know how to not do anything. But I enjoy dinner with friends. My work…or I did.”

Her heart clenched at how his voice had fallen mentioning the loss of his work.

“Are you any closer to figuring out what to do?” she asked.

“I know what to do. I just don’t want to do it.”

She stopped again, pulling out a water bottle from the side pocket of her pack and handing it to him. “Then why not do something else?”

He took the water, flipping the lid and drinking as she took out the other bottle and sipped. “I’ve lost all credibility with what I want to do.”

“It can’t be all that bad.”

His head turned away looking over the resort, but she was sure he wasn’t admiring the view. “When you’re an expert about the minds of people who commit crime but completely miss that your sister is one of them, then yes, it’s as bad as that.”

He gulped down water, then looked down. “Truth is, I think I did know, I just thought I could manage her.”

“You thought she’d try to kill Dr. McKenna’s husband?”

“I didn’t think that specifically, but I knew something was off.” He let out an expletive that surprised her. He didn’t seem the type to let off f-bombs. “I’m sorry?—”

“No. That’s fine. It’s a great word when you’re frustrated.” She put her water back into the pack and took his, putting it in the other pocket. Then she started up again. “You know, I’m a little disappointed that you haven’t figured things out. I was hoping you would and could show me how you did it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, it’s only a matter of time before my parents will have to sell the resort. When they do, they’ll likely move to a retirement community where I won’t be allowed because I’m too young. I don’t know what I’ll do.”

“Running this place seems like requires skills you can use elsewhere.”

“Maybe. Sometimes I think about becoming a park ranger. Or maybe opening a bed and breakfast. I know I can find work but leaving this place…” Micki swallowed the emotion that threatened to bring tears to her eyes. “I love it here.”

“What about the resort up the road?—”

“I can’t be a traitor.”

“Right. I guess we’re both stuck.”

“Maybe exercise, sunshine, and fresh air will make way for answers.”

Micki set a steady pace, every now and then looking back to make sure Patrick was keeping up. She noted he had a strong body, but that didn’t necessarily mean he was fit.

As she hiked, she pointed out various plants and wildlife along the way—a deer grazing in a clearing, a hawk circling overhead. As they continued up toward the ridge, conversation ebbed and flowed naturally between them. Mostly they spoke of inconsequential things like their favorite books and movies. Micki started a game of this or that—dog or cat, coffee or tea, waffles or pancakes.

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