Every Step She Takes (Who's Watching Now Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

okay.”
    He shrugged. “If you’re sure. There’s supposed to be a vista point not far from here.”
    “You must have talked to our hostess. She told me the same thing.”
    She’d never met anyone with a more direct gaze. Of course she could lie with the best of them without blinking an eye. Most reporters learned that trick early on if they coveted any measure of success.
    “This close to dinner, hauling out the fishing gear seemed like too much of an effort. A hike was easier.”
    She fell in behind him as he started up the narrow trail. Ten feet away, a creek filled with spring runoff rushed toward Moose Lake, making conversation nearly impossible over the water’s roar. Which left Grace plenty of time to consider the possibilities. She didn’t like many of them.
    Best case scenario, his friend had neglected to sign the register, and Travis was as innocent as a kitten. Worse case, he was a rival reporter hot on the trail of her story. If he thought he could out wit and out play her, he had another think coming. She’d get Sutton’s story if she had to tie Travis to a tree, cover him in honey and leave him for the grizzly bears.
    She smacked into his broad back when he stopped in front of her. The image of his muscled torso dripping honey had…distracted her. Turning, he grabbed her upper arms as she swayed.
    “Easy there.”
    She swallowed as heat crept up her neck. The imprint of his fingers burned her bare skin. “Sorry. I was thinking about something—else.”
    Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a quarter. “Based on your expression, I figure your thoughts are worth more than a penny.”
    Her lips tilted. “I’m pretty sure you don’t have enough change in your pocket to cover the cost.”
    “Fair enough, so let’s keep going.” Pressing his palm against her back, he guided her toward a rock outcropping. “Berta was right. The view is spectacular.”
    Evergreens marched in an endless procession down the valley walls to the sapphire blue bowl at its base. The lodge was hidden from view, but the end of the dock was just visible, as was a canoe floating on the still waters. In the distance, white peaks rose heavenward.
    “I think I’ll hang out for a while. Don’t let me keep you.” Dropping her tote bag on a smooth granite rock, she hitched herself up onto the sun-warmed surface. From her new vantage point, she had a clear view of the trail.
    “I’m in no rush.” Leaning against the boulder with arms crossed over his chest, he stared out over the valley.
    Grace bit her lip. Under normal circumstances when a handsome man was on her radar, she’d test the waters. Flirt. See if they had anything in common beyond an initial chemistry. If she saw potential, she would suggest drinks or coffee, something safe. Her pulse raced. This empty landscape was as foreign to her as the moon, threatening in its strangeness. She was more in her element in a dark alley than in this vast wilderness, despite its beauty.
    Not that she was afraid of Travis, exactly. His unswerving confidence shook her, but it was a hint of mystery that put her guard up. He was holding something back. Every instinct screamed caution.
    “For a chatterbox, you’re awfully quiet.”
    She pulled her water bottle out of the bag and unscrewed the cap. “I was wondering what those tall, pink flowers are.”
    “I’m not sure.” Removing his sunglasses, he wiped the lenses on his T-shirt, giving her a narrow-eyed glance. “I bet good old Mitch Cannon would be happy to help you bone up on native flora, among other things.”
    She choked on a mouthful of water, coughing so hard he had to pound her on the back. Some of her unease faded. “I bet.”
    They grinned at each other, and the silence stretched. Taking a breath, she let it out slowly. “So, what do you do in Seattle?”
    “Security, mostly.”
    Frowning, she rubbed at a spot of dirt on the knee of her white pants. “Banking and investments, that sort of