Page 9 of Finn Rhodes Forever

I bit back a laugh.

“April 27, last month. Olivia Morgan failed to return to home base by two hours after the estimated time of arrival.”

“I was a kilometer from the car,” Liv told her, shaking her head.

Chief Bell turned her hard gaze to Liv. “You were hiking in the dark. That’s dangerous.”

“I know what I’m doing.”

Chief Bell’s eyebrows lifted. “After yesterday, we don’t want to take any more risks.”

The room fell silent.

“What does this mean?” Liv asked, blinking. “You’re saying I can’t go anymore?”

She flipped to the next slide of two stick figures holding hands, smiling.

Liv stared and I put a hand over my mouth to hold in a laugh. This was the conversation I had overheard this morning at the fire hall.

Emmett cleared his throat. “Thank you, Chief Bell. I’ll take over before Olivia throws a chair.” The captain took her seat as Emmett turned his focus to Liv. “We can’t tell you to stay out of the back country, but we’re encouraging you to bring someone.”

Liv’s jaw dropped. “Are you kidding me?”

Emmett winced. “It’s getting expensive, Olivia, and we don’t know how long it’s going to go on for.”

Liv stared at him for a moment. “Oh.” She scoffed. “You don’t think it exists.”

“I didn’t say that.” Emmett looked torn.

“You didn’t have to,” Liv shot back. “You think the flower’s extinct, and I’m never going to find it.”

She laughed in disbelief, looking at the council beside him. “I didn’t ask to be rescued. I didn’t evenneedto be rescued. I always plan for being stuck overnight. I’d have been fine on my own.”

Chief Bell shook her head. “We can’t let you fend for yourself out there. Besides, it’s good practice to go with a buddy.”

Liv blinked at her. “You want me to pay a guide? I can’t afford that.” She hugged herself tighter, brow creasing, and my heart squeezed in empathy. For a moment, she looked lost and I hated seeing that look on her face.

That was why I was here.

Chief Bell folded her hands in front of her, not giving an inch. “Your safety is important.”

Liv’s nostrils flared, like last night in the helicopter when she wouldn’t even look at me. “Who’s going to spend their entire summer trekking around the back country with me?”

I cleared my throat. “I’ll do it.”

Every set of eyes in the room glanced between Liv and me with interest.

She didn’t even look at me. “No.” Her gaze searched the room before she spotted someone. “Randeep?” Her eyes pleaded.

Randeep Singh ran a local tour company, leading backpacking trips through the mountains.

He winced at her and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Olivia. We can go once or twice, but with all the tours I have booked and the kids, it’s tough for me to be away more than I already am.”

Liv chewed her lip, brow furrowed with worry. “Yep, I understand. It’s a big ask.”

I shifted in my seat, crossing my arms over my chest. “I saw it,” I told the room before meeting Liv’s eyes. “I saw the flower, and I want to help you find it.”

“No,” Liv snapped.

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