Page 11 of One Last Chance

Right. Her father was the ranger in charge in the area.

“And he was having dinner with the sheriff and Wilson Bowie?—”

“My uncle is in town?” Sully said. “When did he get here?”

She shrugged.

Sully picked up his straw. “Shoot. I wasn’t expecting him for at least a week.”

Jude raised an eyebrow.

“He’s going to want me to take him out fishing. And I’m booked with a group coming in tomorrow for a week.”

“So,”—” Parker said, “—“anything you guys want to drink?”

“I’m good,” Axel said.

The others ordered a couple sodas.

Shasta slid onto the bench beside Jude. “Hey, guys.”

Jude glanced over at her, smiled. “Hey, Trouble.”

“Stop, Jude. I’m here on official business.” She leaned in, her eyes on Axel. “I want an exclusive.”

It took Axel a second, and he blamed it on Jude, and maybe the way Sully smirked, but—“A what? You want . . . a what?”

“An exclusive article on you being a hero and rescuing Calista and Adrienne Roberts, thank you.” She looked at Jude and punched his shoulder.

“What was that for?” Jude said.

“You called me trouble. I’m not trouble.” Her mouth tightened. “I’m just . . . curious.” She turned back to Axel. “Which is why I’m now a reporter with the Copper Mountain Good News.”

Silence.

Then, “Um, why do you want . . . I mean?—”

“Because of the show. Everybody’s watching it. And now you did it again—you rescued somebody. You’re a hero, Axel. And everyone loves a hero.”

Sully smirked.

Jude quirked an eyebrow.

“C’mon, Axel. You’re like . . . I dunno. Jack Powers.”

“He’s a fictional super spy.”

“Yeah, but he always shows up right when you need him.”

Jude rolled his eyes.

Axel grinned and folded his arms. “Okay, hit me.”

“Great.” She pulled out her phone and pressed record. “So, that was pretty brave. I heard the whole thing over the radio, too. That’s pretty dangerous—the Copper River. Glacier Veil Falls. Like . . . people have died there.”

Axel froze, and Sully glanced over at him.

Jude cringed. “Aw, Shasta, maybe not?—”

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