Page 2 of K-9 Prime Target

Nina’s heart beat faster, and it was harder to breathe. “It’s all right,” she whispered. “You’re safe.” But she searched the crowd around her, fear rising as she realized how many people filled the shops or gathered around the fire pit. Some of them had seen the banner and were pointing at it. And at her.

Pain clawed at her chest and her vision fogged. She recognized the onset of a panic attack, but knowing what was happening didn’t help her stop the symptoms. Desperate to escape, she turned and ran.

* * *

Liam Davies stared up at the banner that fluttered overhead, at the familiar face of Nina Rose. She was just as he remembered her, clear-eyed and radiating a zest for life others found contagious. And of course, beautiful, with a face and figure that had graced the cover of magazines from Sports Illustrated to Vogue. A face he had first studied through the lens of his camera, then come to know more intimately.

He shook off the memory, and the dulled pain that accompanied it, and set off across the ski village once more.

SkyCrest Director of Operations Doug Elam had an office on the top floor of a six-story retail and office space on the outskirts of the ski village. A dark-haired young woman who looked scarcely old enough to drive sat at a desk behind a nameplate that identified her as Kristie. She greeted Liam with a smile. “Mr. Elam and Ms. Jarvis are waiting for you in Mr. Elam’s office,” she said after he had identified himself. “You can go right in.”

Elam, “Call me Doug,” could have passed for an old school Hollywood leading man, with a square jaw and swept-back dark hair tinged with silver. The resort marketing director, Marlena Jarvis, sported close-cropped black curls on an angular, elegant face. “Welcome to SkyCrest,” she said. “We’re looking forward to working with you on this project.”

Doug leaned across his desk to offer his hand. “I was very impressed with your portfolio, but I admit I’m curious—most of your recent work has been on a much bigger scale. I understand you were recently in Ukraine?”

“Yes, but I’ve done ski related projects before—I was the principal videographer for a documentary about the U.S. Women’s Ski Team four years ago.”

“Yes, that really drew our attention,” Marlena said. “We feel lucky to have someone with your credentials working with us. Please, sit down.”

Liam took the chair she indicated. “Tell me what you’re hoping to accomplish with this marketing campaign,” he said.

As he had hoped, Marlena launched into a spiel about the need to sell SkyCrest as a fun, exciting destination with a passion for excellence and a dedication to the customer experience and a number of other buzzwords he let slide by. He listened and nodded and made appropriate noises. He could do this kind of job with one hand tied behind his back.

“Do you have any questions?” Marlena asked at last.

Before he could answer, the door to the office burst open and Nina rushed in. Liam stared, not sure he could believe what he was seeing. Her cheeks were flushed and her voice agitated, but she was the same Nina he remembered, athletic and beautiful. He half rose from his chair, but she didn’t notice him, her attention focused on Marlena and Doug. “You didn’t tell me my face was going to be on ten-foot banners all over town,” she said.

Kristie hurried in after Nina. “I’m sorry, Mr. Elam. She rushed right past me. But, I mean, she’s Nina Rose!”

Doug stood, smiling a movie-star smile. “Nina, your timing is excellent. I was just about to call and ask you to join us. We’re discussing SkyCrest’s new marketing campaign.”

Liam stood also. “Hello, Nina,” he said.

He had spent far too much time anticipating this meeting over the past four years. He had imagined Nina lashing out in anger, or perhaps bursting into tears. Maybe even throwing her arms around him.

Instead, she stared, her face losing all color.

“Nina, are you all right?” Marlena asked.

Nina shook her head. “Of course,” she whispered. “Just when I thought this day couldn’t get worse.”

Then she turned and walked out of the room.

No one said anything until the door slammed behind her.

“Do you two know each other?” Doug asked.

“We used to,” Liam said. “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to her.”

He ignored Marlena’s protests and headed after Nina.

* * *

It was true what they said, Nina thought as she waited for the elevator. You really couldn’t die of embarrassment.

Liam Davies. Of all people. The man who had every right to hate her for the way she had treated him. What was he doing here? In Doug’s office?

“Nina.”