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And there was Nora’s alter-ego again. He hoped he was wrong … wished he hadn’t heard her emphasize the word later . But as he’d told her the previous evening, many people came to Alaska to escape. He just needed to figure out from what — or whom — Nora was trying to get away.

* * *

Sam couldn’t say with all honesty that he was upset when Nora didn’t show up for dinner. In order to be upset, he would have had to expect her to show, and he hadn’t. Even as he’d been steaming his best long-sleeve button-down shirt, he’d known he was wasting his time.

He had hoped that the note he’d written on the napkin would have persuaded her not to stand him up — or at minimum, call him so they could make other arrangements.

Oddly enough, he wasn’t taking it personally. He didn’t even tell the host that someone would be joining him. Sam knew, as sure as he was breathing, that Nora standing him up wasn’t about him. Nora was running from something. But it was clear she wasn’t going to trust him with what .

Tomorrow, he’d see if he could track down where she was staying. Not to stalk her, of course, but to give her an opportunity to make good on her promise. She had said she’d tell him more about herself later , so maybe if he met her on her own turf — in private — she’d open up to him.

“You want another beer, Sam?” Tonya asked.

“Nah, I’m good. Think I’ll call it an early night.” He’d taken off his first personal day in forever … for nothing.

Tonya nodded, but her eyes held sadness. Sam could tell she knew he’d been expecting someone. Just the fact that he’d shown up at the restaurant dressed as he was, by himself, without a date, without his mother or brothers, would have told her he was hoping someone would join him.

One of the bad things about living in a small town. Everyone knew everyone, even though no one really knew anyone at all.

* * *

As much as Sam tried, he simply couldn’t get Nora out of his head.

He’d screwed up royally. He’d known she was hiding something, known she wouldn’t show up for dinner, and yet he’d let her go.

Nearly a week had passed, and he’d yet to find her.

There weren’t that many places to stay in Falcon Run.

And he’d checked all of them. Even campsites.

It was like she was a ghost. No one had seen her come or go. How was that possible?

He couldn’t imagine, if she’d started her hike in Denali, that she wouldn’t have told someone.

So where was she? Had he read her wrong from the start?

Had she really not been interested in him?

No, there was something between them. He knew she’d felt it too.

If Nora was running from the law, he’d back off, obviously, but he didn’t get that vibe.

He’d seen her scan the bar, the sporting-goods store, and then the restaurant.

She’d claimed she was in town alone, and yet she’d been wary of her surroundings, as though someone might be watching her.

With that thought, he decided on a course of action. He’d planned to go hiking before the season started anyway, which was the reason he’d run into her in the outdoor store. But then, he’d spent the last few days — in between rescues — looking for her.

Now was the time to take a vacation, before summer.

He texted Vince a quick message, asking when he’d be home.

Since Karen had emptied their house, Vince had decided to rent it out and had moved back into the family home.

Sam would go over what he needed Vince to do while he was gone, and then he’d leave.

Seven okay? Vince texted back.

Sam sent Vince a thumbs-up, and then headed for the garage — their supply room. As if his dogs had known what he’d decided, both of them hopped up from their slumber and immediately circled him, tails wagging.

Sam squatted and petted Strider, then Arwen. “You guys ready for a hike?” Strider darted out of the room and then Arwen, as always, followed her brother.

Before he made it to the first floor, the doorbell chimed. Strider changed his direction, bolting toward the door, Arwen on his heels. Sam peered over the railing, through the arched glass above the door, at the driveway. An all-black SUV sat out front.

His mother had gone to town earlier, so she obviously wasn’t expecting company. “ Sitz! ” Sam ordered Strider and Arwen. One hand resting on his rifle, he opened the door. “Yeah?”

Strider growled, so Sam gave him a hand command. He didn’t let strangers hear him give his dogs orders in German, as he never knew when he’d need to use them.

A man just an inch or so taller than Sam, smiled. “You Sam Belgarde?”

“Yep.”

The man flashed a too-white sideways smile as he narrowed his too-dark brows over too-blue eyes. Everything about the man looked counterfeit. He actually appeared shocked that Sam hadn’t invited him into the house.

“Can I come in?” asked the stranger.

“Not until you tell me who you are and why you’re here.

” Sam didn’t like unannounced houseguests.

For that matter, none of his Alaskan friends did.

Strangers didn’t knock on residential doors in Alaska.

Not if they wanted to keep their heads. Sam wasn’t the only resident who kept a gun in his foyer.

A firearm by the front door was as common as an umbrella. Actually, more common in Alaska.

The man smiled again, but it was too wide. Too bright. Too … Hollywood. “I need someone who can find a missing person, and from what I understand, you’re the best.”

As usual, Sam offered his rote response, “All missing persons need to be reported to the nearest Alaska State Trooper Detachment.”

It wasn’t the first time Sam had been asked to find a missing person. But he wasn’t a private detective or bounty hunter. If a man was bypassing the authorities, the person he was looking for probably didn’t want to be found.

Sam moved to shut the door, but the big man moved his foot in the way.

“Please … My name’s Sergio Reyna. The problem is my fiancée isn’t technically missing, but I’m worried.

I know she’s tough and thinks she can survive in the wilderness …

” The man dropped his gaze. “But I haven’t heard from her in almost a week, and I’m concerned. ”

Sam closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before he asked his question, even though he knew what the answer would be. “What’s your fiancée’s name?”

“Nora Molina. You might know her by her title, UFC Champion K.O. Molina.”

Damn.