Page 20 of Scent of Peril

Chase lifted his hand to end the discussion. “I thought you wanted breakfast? It’s time to hit the road.”

She was hungry, so she let it go. For now. “Yeah, I do. And I would love some coffee too.”

“Hop in.” Chase nodded toward the SUV closest to them. “I’ll put Rocky in the back. Teddy will have to share the backseat with you, sis.”

She glanced at Logan. He avoided her gaze, focusing on shrugging out of his pack and setting it on the floor of the back seat. He put her backpack inside, too, then opened the passenger door to sit up front.

Shaking her head, she turned to Teddy. “Up.”

Teddy gracefully jumped into the back of the SUV, pressing his nose against Rocky’s crate screen. She climbed in beside him. She nearly moaned in relief. It felt so good to be off her feet.

If she wasn’t such a wimp, she’d insist on heading out to get Logan’s plane later that day. But she couldn’t do it. Her body needed rest. And she knew convincing Logan and her siblings to head out again so soon would be impossible.

It bothered her to know Logan had been forced to leave his damaged plane in the woods. He hadn’t complained, yet she felt responsible. She wished she knew what was going on, who Craig Benton was, and what drugs he’d transported.

As Chase pulled out of the campground parking lot, she drew Teddy across her lap. She buried her fingers in his fur, leaned her head back against the seat cushion, and closed her eyes.

Rest, then food. Uncovering the truth behind the drugs that had been carried to the mountains via Logan’s plane would have to wait.

But not for too long. An image of Ella’s face filled her mind. Ella was just one of hundreds of thousands who’d lost their lives to drug addiction. If Teddy could help eradicate the illegal drug trade in their small part of the state, she’d accept that mission.

No matter what.

Logan battledfatigue as Chase took Highway 14 west toward Greybull. It was the soothing motion of the car that was doing him in. Well, that and the fact that they’d hiked well over twelve miles over the past fourteen hours.

“We’ll head to Della’s Diner for breakfast,” Chase said, breaking into his thoughts.

“Sounds good.” He blinked to keep himself awake and focused “My place isn’t too far from there. I appreciate you dropping me off.”

“It’s no trouble.” Chase glanced at him. “We’re grateful at how well you looked after Jess.”

He knew Chase was fishing for information. He glanced over his shoulder to see that Jessica had fallen asleep. So had Teddy. “We’re friends, that’s all. Besides, you know Jess would slug me if I tried anything.”

“That’s true.” Chase grinned. “I also know you have too much respect for Jess to have tried anything.”

He flushed and looked out the window. He knew his feelings for Jess weren’t much of a secret. Yet he also knew nothing would ever come of it. Burned bridges around Ella’s death had taken care of that. “Like I said, we’re friends.”

“Do you really think the gunman shot at you because you got too close to his drug stash?” He was grateful Chase changed the subject. “Seems rather drastic.”

“That’s the only thing that makes sense.” He shrugged. “Think about it from Benton’s viewpoint. I drop him off, then return a short while later, hiking through the woods in the general direction of where he was headed.”

“Still seems like overkill,” Chase muttered. “But I guess he could have been suspicious about the way you returned to the scene.”

“I didn’t expect him to try to crash the plane,” Logan admitted. “I assumed the first shots were a warning to stay away. And it worked as we sure left in a hurry.”

“Not your fault.” Chase waved a hand. “I’m just glad you were able to land the plane.”

“Me too.” As they approached the town of Greybull, he straightened. Della’s Diner was on the far east side of town.Now that they were close, his stomach rumbled loud enough for Chase to hear.

Greybull was smaller than Cody. Highway 14 merged with Highway 20 for a short distance before heading east again. Chase slowed and turned into the small parking lot of Della’s Diner. Shane pulled in beside him.

“Wake up, Jess,” Chase said.

“Huh?” Jess blinked, then ducked as Teddy tried to lick her face. “Wow, you got here fast.”

Logan couldn’t help but smile. Jess pushed Teddy off her lap to unlatch her seat belt. “I hope they don’t mind dogs.”

“They won’t,” Chase assured her. “I’ve been here before with Rocky.”

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