Page 248 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

Wade laughed. “In the military, if you’re not early, you’re late.”

“Then it’s a good thing I didn’t join the service.”

“Your friend here tells me you two are planning on hiking the Shades of Death trail today?”

Emily nodded.

“Haven’t you seen enough shades of death in the past days to last you a lifetime?”

“I picked that trail because it would keep me far away from Boulder Field.” Emily didn’t add that the real reason she chose the trail was because there was less chance of running into him. Seemed no matter what she did, Wade turned up. “Don’t you have the weekend off?”

“Technically, yes, but I wanted to check in on things here and find out if the excavators made any progress with Dr. Mastriano stopping them every few minutes.”

“Did you get any answers?”

“Just returned from there. They finished uncovering the remains. Now we impatiently wait for DNA results so we can follow any leads they produce. We can look into the jewelry found on the victims, but unless they had something incredibly unique, it isn’t likely to help.”

“It might if the family remembered what jewelry they were wearing when they went missing,” Emily said.

“True. Yet somewhat unhelpful if we don’t know whose missing person’s file to look through to find each particular piece.”

“Isn’t it in a searchable database?”

“Some is. Much of it isn’t.”

“Would you care to join us for a hike, Wade?” Sam asked.

Emily jabbed her with an elbow.

Wade noticed the move and chuckled. “I’d love to, but I have some errands to run. I’ll see you ladies around.”

They loaded into Sam’s car to head to the trailhead.

Emily looked over at her friend. “Why did you invite him? What if he’d agreed to join us? We would’ve been stuck with him all day.”

“I’m not sure that’s a bad thing. Give the guy a chance. He’s not a teenager anymore.”

“He still thinks Austin and I are seeing each other.”

“You haven’t remedied that yet?”

“No. It’s the easiest way to protect myself from him and his charm.” She frowned. “If he thinks I’m in a relationship, he’s honorable enough to keep his distance.”

“Wow. That’s not even right. You’re using the man’s own goodness against him. Tell the guy the truth.”

“I will.” But when? No time would be best.

“We could probably catch him before he leaves if I turn this car around.”

“No. That can wait.” She looked down at the floorboards. “I’ll tell him. Eventually.”

Sam swatted her arm playfully. “You think he’s charming, huh?”

“No.”

“You let it slip. I believe your exact words were ‘to protect myself from his charm.’”

“Whatever.” Emily tried not to smile but failed. Her friend knew how to say the wrong thing in the right way, so it didn’t agitate as much as amuse.

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