Page 32 of Scent of Peril

Which might be why Benton and whoever he was working with had set up a place in the mountains to use as a home base. He also wondered if the items he’d assumed were hunting and fishing gear were really the chemical components needed to make synthetic drugs.

Upon reaching the Great Frontier, he saw another squad waiting in the parking lot. Two squads, both outside a hotel, were much like a neon sign screamingLook here, look hereto anyone paying attention.

“Hold on, I’ve changed my mind.” Logan twisted in his seat to address Jessica. “This is too obvious. Let’s load up our gear and head off on foot.”

She took one glance at the hotel and nodded. “Okay, but I’m not staying at the Wild Bill.”

“I promise we won’t go there.” The Wild Bill was known to rent rooms by the hour. Granted, the local police had cracked down on the illegal stuff going on there, but he had no interest in staying in a place like that.

“Hold on. Why the sudden change in plan?” Wayne demanded. “You don’t think this place is safe?”

“I’m saying two squads outside one hotel is too many.” He pushed open his door. “Thanks for the ride, though.”

Wayne muttered something under his breath, got out and opened the back door for Jess and Teddy. The dog stretched, then looked around and sniffed with interest. Reminding himself that Teddy would alert them if the gunman was nearby, he headed over to the second squad to grab their stuff.

It didn’t take too long to repack their backpacks. He felt bad for handing Jess her extra-heavy pack, but he hoped it would be fine for a walk through town.

“Don’t forget to stay in touch,” Wayne called as they headed out.

Logan nodded. With the two squads still parked out front, he headed along the side of the hotel until they were in the back. Then they cut through the opening leading to the next block. It wasn’t easy to blend in while carrying large packs with Teddy trotting between them, but he figured this was better than being in a police car.

They walked in silence for long moments, taking every shortcut possible through gas station and store parking lots.

He turned to make sure no one was following. After a solid twenty minutes of walking, they reached a place called the Lumberjack Inn. They had come upon the place from the back of the building.

“How about here?” He eyed Jess. “Not fancy, but better than the Wild Bill.”

“I like it.” Jess smiled wearily. “And I’ll be glad to be done hiking for a while.”

“I know.” He stared down at her for a long moment, gripped by the insane urge to kiss her. As if reading his mind, she stepped toward him, her blue gaze locked on his. Time seemed to hold still.

Without taking the time to think it through, he pulled her close and kissed her.

8

Logan’s kiss was better than she’d expected. It had been a long time since she’d been held in a man’s arms. Maybe too long. She hadn’t made time to date or have any sort of personal life since her parents’ death. And even then, she wouldn’t have chosen Logan based on their history.

Now she was second-guessing her decision. Their kiss ended far too quickly when Teddy pressed his body between them to break them apart. She shot her dog an exasperated glance, unsure if she should be glad the dog had brought her back to her senses or upset with him for butting in.

“I, uh, sorry.” Logan looked adorably flustered. “I shouldn’t have taken advantage of the situation.”

“You didn’t.” Well, he sort of had, but she could have stopped him. In truth, she’d wanted to kiss him. Their relationship had changed over the past twenty-four hours. From friends to something more. Something she didn’t care to name. “I’m sorry about Teddy.”

“He’s protective of you.” Logan patted her K9 on the head. “And that’s a good thing.”

Normally, she’d agree. But the entire interaction had knocked her off balance. She glanced around, realizing they were still standing outside the back of the Lumberjack Inn. She suddenly remembered how Doug Bridges had nearly been shot in this same spot back in January. The thought made her shiver. “Let’s get inside.”

“Yeah.” He turned to move across the parking lot toward the front of the hotel.

Minutes later, they were inside the spacious lobby. There was a rustic fireplace that emanated warmth. She stayed close to Logan as they approached the front desk. The clerk was a younger woman who eyed them warily. “May I help you?”

“We need a room with two beds,” Logan said. “And I need to pay cash since I lost my credit card.”

The clerk’s gaze darted from Logan to her. Jess managed a smile. “I don’t have a credit card either, sorry. But I promise we won’t cause any damage.”

“I don’t think I’m allowed to accept cash.” The clerk gnawed on her lower lip. Then she consulted her computer. After a long moment, she looked up. “I can only take cash if you provide an extra hundred dollars as a deposit against damage.”

“That’s no problem.” Logan pulled the cash from his pocket. “Thanks for doing this.”

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