Page 21 of Scent of Peril

Logan wasn’t worried either. The Sullivans were well known across the state of Wyoming for their search and rescue efforts. Second only to the governor, the Sullivan family was treated like royalty.

A well-deserved reputation, he silently acknowledged.

Chase let Rocky out of the back. The three Sullivans let their dogs run wild for a few minutes, before calling them back. Logan followed them inside the restaurant. Every patron in the place turned to stare at them.

Three dogs and four people were a lot, he conceded.

“This way.” A server with four menus escorted them to a round table in the back. Logan ended up sitting beside Jessica, who kept Teddy close to her side. “Coffee?”

“Yes, please,” he and Jess answered in unison.

“We’ll have some too,” Chase added dryly.

The coffee was strong and hot, just the way Logan liked it. After placing their orders, he cradled his mug, grateful to be safe and warm.

“I was thinking that Logan should return to the ranch with us,” Jessica said, breaking the silence.

He was so shocked by her offer he nearly spilled his coffee. “Oh, I really should head home. I need to find spare parts to repair my plane anyway.”

“That’s just it. We should pay for the parts.” Jessica turned to her oldest brother. “Come on, Chase. You know we owe Logan this much.”

“I don’t mind reimbursing him for the plane parts,” Chase agreed. “Not sure that means he needs to stay at the ranch.”

She frowned, then shrugged. “I just feel like we should stick together.”

Logan was touched by her offer, but he privately agreed with Chase. There was no reason for him to spend time on the ranch.

“How far is your damaged plane from the campground?” Shane asked. “It might be easier to get there by car and snowmobile than to fly another of your planes.”

He nodded slowly. “That’s true. And once I get the plane repaired, I can fly it out of there.”

“Unless the gunman is still hanging around and waiting to take another shot at you,” Jess said.

He shrugged, unable to argue her point.

“Let’s hold off on planning a return trip just yet.” Chase looked exasperated. “When we do decide to return, we’ll need to take the local sheriff and maybe a couple of game wardens along in case there is more trouble.”

Jess frowned, then nodded. “You’re right. We need others as backup.”

Their server arrived carrying a large tray stacked with large breakfast meals. Teddy lifted his head, no doubt latching on to the scent of bacon. After they’d been given their respective plates and their cups refilled with coffee, their server left them alone.

“I’d like to say grace,” Jess said.

Chase looked surprised. “Go ahead then.”

“Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for keeping us safe in Your care last night and this morning. We ask You to bless this food and to continue to guide us on the path so that we might find these criminals and bring them to justice. Amen.”

“Amen,” Logan said. Chase and Shane exchanged a look before echoing the sentiment.

“I’m not sure bringing criminals to justice is our job,” Chase pointed out once they dug into their meals. “We do search and rescue missions, not search and arrest.”

“Even if that means turning your back on a drug dealer?” Jess asked. “Seriously?”

“We don’t know for sure what Craig Benton is involved in.” Logan spoke between bites. “We’re assuming drugs because of Teddy’s alert. But the guy could be poaching or doing something else entirely.”

“Something bad enough to try to kill us,” Jess fired back. “I highly doubt a poacher is going to risk killing two innocent people and a dog.”

He sighed and took another bite of his farmer’s omelet. The food warmed his belly. “I’m just saying we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”

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