Page 4 of K-9 Prime Target

“Yes.” Nina dug her fingernails into the palm of her hand, fighting for composure.

“Then there’s nothing to worry about,” Doug said.

She shook her head. “No. Nothing.” There was nothing to worry about. She was just being a coward. She took a deep breath and forced a smile to her lips—the same smile in that image fluttering from light posts all over town. “Of course I’ll do it. But next time, give me a little warning, okay?”

“Of course.” Marlena patted her shoulder. “And if you’d like another photographer…”

“No. Thank you for choosing Liam. He’s the best.” And he at least seemed to understand her hesitation to do this project.

“Good.” Doug turned to Liam. “You’ll want to start right away.”

“First thing tomorrow,” Liam said.

“Mr. Elam?” They turned to see Kristie standing halfway between them and Doug’s office. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but you have a call from corporate?”

“I’ll be right there.” Doug offered his hand and shook with Liam, then Nina.

“I need to go, too,” Marlena said. “I’ll check in later to see how things are going.” She fluttered her fingers, then followed Doug back down the hall.

Liam pressed the elevator button again. “We need to go somewhere and talk,” he said.

“I’m supposed to be working,” she said.

“What time do you get off?”

“I should be done by five.”

“Then let’s have dinner at six.”

She wanted to tell him no. That she was too worn out and frazzled. She didn’t know what to say to him. How to explain herself. But she at least owed him a chance to ask the questions he must have. “All right. I’ll meet you at six.”

“I’m staying at the Sheraton. I understand they have a good restaurant. I’ll make a reservation there, if that’s okay.”

“Of course.” In the meantime, she would come up with something to say to him. Some version of the truth that allowed her to cling to what was left of her dignity.

Chapter Two

Liam waited in the lobby of the slopeside Sheraton for Nina to arrive. Flames danced behind the glass doors of a stone fireplace large enough to roast an ox, and log furniture on an equally imposing scale was arranged to provide views of the now empty ski slopes across the parking lot. Couples and families in parkas and insulated pants clomped across the stone floors in ski boots or helped themselves to hot chocolate from gleaming urns beside the front desk.

He scanned the crowds outside the picture windows and was rewarded with the sight of Nina striding toward him, a tall figure in knee-high black boots, black tights and a long cable-knit sweater in a shade of sapphire that matched her eyes. A long black puffer coat hung open over the rest of the outfit. Her blond hair swung loose past her shoulders. More than one head turned to watch as she passed. As much as she might want to remain anonymous, she had the kind of presence that made that impossible.

He met her at the door. “Thanks for meeting me,” he said as he ushered her into the lobby.

“It’s the least I could do.” Her gaze met his, and he flinched at the pain in her eyes. “I’ll try to explain myself, though there really is no excuse for the way I treated you. I’m sorry.”

“I wouldn’t be here now if I was the type to hold a grudge,” he said. He touched her shoulder, lightly. “Let’s go into dinner, order some wine, and we’ll talk.”

The hotel’s restaurant boasted an award-winning chef, an extensive wine list and a decor that matched the luxury chalet vibe of the rest of the building. The hostess led Liam and Nina to a table by a window, and Liam helped her out of her coat.

“Doug brought me to lunch here the day I was hired,” she said. “I haven’t been back since.”

“I’m guessing all ski patrollers don’t get that kind of treatment,” he said as he settled into his seat.

“I wasn’t hired as a ski patroller initially. I negotiated that after Doug approached me about being a resort ambassador.” She murmured thanks to the server, who filled their water goblets, then opened a menu.

“Why ski patrol?” he asked.

“I may have left racing, but I still love to ski. This allows me to be on the slopes every day. And I’m making a difference.”