Page 82 of Snowbound Threat

“Alright,” he said slowly. “We can run into town and talk with Lila.”

She nodded. Would there ever come a time when she and Ryan could discuss what happened?

He took her coat from her and helped her into it, his fingers brushing her skin sent shivers from the contact spot.

Charlie stepped back, not missing the way his jaw tightened at her reaction.

He stepped outside, his intense grey eyes scanning the horizon before motioning her out.

Ryan ushered her to the passenger side and rounded the front until he was seated inside. He reversed and left the cabin. Once the gate was secured, they headed toward town.

“I can’t believe Lila never mentioned dating the richest kid in school.” Charlie said to fill the awkward void. “We were so close back then.”

Ryan’s hands tightened on the wheel before relaxing. He spared her a look. “Lila always kept her secrets. She still doesn’t talk about what happened in Paris. I’m pretty sure something significant did, but I can’t get her to open up about it.”

Charlie frowned. “Come to think of it, Lila never told me either. I hate that she keeps secrets. She tries so hard to put on a carefree front but deep down she carries her scars. Losing her brother at a young age left its mark.”

Lila and Tyler were twins. Tyler barely had his driver’s license for a week when he ran his car off the road and down the mountainside. Tyler wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the scene into the river below.

She took her twin’s death badly, withdrawing into herself for a while. All of this had happened a little before Abby went missing.

He shook his head. “Seems like our town has had more than its share of tragedy.”

That much was certainly true.

Ryan seamlessly weaved the cruiser through the heavy morning traffic. With two days until Christmas, it felt as if the town was bursting at its seams with visitors. In Charlie’s opinion, the crowds were only adding to the danger.

The killer coming after her might be hiding in plain sight. Walking amongst the visitors in town.

And if cornered, innocent lives could be at stake.

Ryan parked in front of the Avalanche and climbed out. Charlie opened the door and stepped out into another beautifulColorado morning. She’d forgotten how much she loved living in Colorado and seeing God’s majesty wherever she looked.

He held the door open for her as she walked into the café. Charlie scanned the dining room. The early morning working rush was over. Next would be the tourists stopping by for a quick bite before hitting the slopes.

She spotted Lila talking to one of the locals. When she caught Lila’s attention, her friend came over to where Charlie and Ryan stood near the door.

Lila glanced between them before guessing the truth. “You aren’t here for breakfast, are you?”

Charlie told her no. “Can we talk for a moment?”

“Of course.” Lila indicated an empty booth in the corner and motioned to the waitress to bring them coffee.

Once the coffee was served and it was just the three of them, Charlie asked her about Jason Owens.

Lila lowered her gaze with a smile playing across her lips. “You found out I’ve been seeing him.”

Shocked, Charlie’s gaze met Ryan’s. “Wait, you’re seeing him now? I meant back in high school.”

Ryan appeared surprised as well. “Why are you keeping the relationship a secret?”

Lila fiddled with her cup for a moment. “It just seemed too soon to mention it. We were just kids before. Now, well, we don’t even know if anything will come of it.I’mnot even sure I want it to. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m pretty set in my ways.” She laughed. “Anyway, I just like his company. And he likes mine. That’s it. Nothing more.”

Charlie reached over and covered Lila’s hand. “I only want you to be happy.”

Lila lifted her eyes to Charlie and smiled. “I know you do.” She turned to Ryan. “But I have a feeling if you’re asking me about this then it’s more than mild curiosity.”

Ryan confirmed they were looking at Jason in connection to Abby’s disappearance.