Page 45 of Mountain Challenge

He hoped she knew by now that she could trust him. For however long they might be together—and he had no idea how long that would be, nor had Isla broached that topic—he hoped she knew she could trust him not to go around her back.

“How did it go today?” she asked.

“It was a good session,” he said, demonstrating his newly acquired range of motion. “Have I told you how much I love the new hair?”

Isla smiled. “It’s the same color Val uses, though she dies her whole hair. I just like a few bits of color here and there.”

“It suits you. Not just the red,” he clarified. “All colors suit you. What are you doing here?”

“I have no more appointments this morning, and thought you might like to do an early lunch together?”

Ry nodded. “I’d like that. Have you ever been to Pollo Loco?”

“Uh, no.”

“Then you haven’t lived, Isla.” He took her hand in his. “Come on, let’s go.”

Isla

Isla covered her mouth with her hand, struggling to hold back a laugh. Laughing and Nutella didn’t mix, even at the best of times. When she was sure she had herself under control, she looked up at Ry.

“Is it good?” he asked, smiling.

“Good?” she echoed. “It’s incredible. You sure you don’t want to try some?” She eyed his much thinner crêpe with pity. “I can be generous.”

Ry laughed. “Believe me, I’ve tried them all, and lemon and sugar crêpes are the best.”

“I’m still not sure this counts as lunch.” She took another bite of the gooey goodness. “You know Nutella was invented after the war, one year when there were more hazelnuts than cocoa?”

“I didn’t know.” He folded his crêpe over and finished it in one bite. “I’ve never met anyone who likes chocolate as much as you do.”

“You should meet my best friend, Laura. She’d see one of these and ask for some extra Nutella drizzle over the top.”

“Where does Laura live?”

“In Brussels. I miss her, but she’s coming to visit in a couple of weeks.”

“Maybe we can bring her here. I’ll warn Manuel, who owns Pollo Loco, to order extra Nutella.”

“You need to stop making fun of me. Nutella is up there with a few other great inventions, like electricity, washing machines, and chairs that go up and down.” She licked her lips greedily, not wanting to waste a single bit. “And speaking of that, I need to get going. This afternoon is going to be all about stars.”

“Stars?”

“I have a couple who want matching stars on their wrists. Then a woman who apparently wants a whole constellation on her back.”

“That sounds—“ Ry’s phone started ringing, interrupting what he was going to say. “Beau. Yes. I can be there.” He hung up the phone and looked up at her. “I have to go to the office.”

She didn’t have to ask what it was about. The trepidation in his face spoke louder than words. “Is it over?”

“I think so. The investigators are ready to share their findings.”

Relief filled her, then. Ry hadn’t shared too much about the case with her, but she knew how much it had been weighing on him. And sheknewhim—knew how much he cared about the people he rescued. Hell, he’d gone to Annecy to see the snowboarder they’d rescued from the crevasse. He hadn’t told anyone where he was going, either, until he was back.

“I’ll drop you off,” she said. Thegendarmeriewas a five-minute drive from where they were, and he could probably have walked faster than she could get him there in her car, but she wanted him to know he wasn’t alone.

She rolled to a stop in front of the building, but he made no move to unbuckle his seat belt. “Can you believe I’m scared to go in?” he asked, looking down at the floor. “I thought the uncertainty was the worst, but now, I’m not so sure.”

Isla took his hand gently in hers, unsure of what to say. “It’s going to be okay, Ry. I believe in you, and I believe in justice.”

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