Haley and Lindsey returned to the creek

Trouble in the Rockies

from

The Trouble with Romance

Haley and Lindsey returned to the creek, while Celia and Jim took the upper path. To her surprise, Celia felt no tightness in her calves, and she kept up with Jim's long strides.

At the top, he stopped, brushing damp curls from his forehead. "It's almost dark. I think we ought to call it a night. She'll probably be scratching your door in an hour."

Sadness washed over Celia. "This was where we first saw her. She appeared out of nowhere, like magic, then disappeared."

He touched her arm. "She'll be fine. She's resourceful." His touch was electric and Celia gazed up at him. In the shadows of twilight, warmth glowed in his blue eyes. Her senses spun as he moved toward her. Was he going to kiss her? And then he did. A light touch, feathery and wonderful, but it sent shock waves through her that matched any passion she'd ever felt.

He pulled back. "I've wanted to do that for a while."

She drew a ragged breath. She'd wanted it too. A dark shadow appeared behind him.

"Trouble!" she cried. They both whirled, dashing up the slope, but she disappeared. Another hour of searching proved fruitless. With nightfall upon them, they stopped the search.

***

Celia barely slept that night. It was her first night alone since Trouble's arrival. Between thinking she heard the cat scratching and reliving Jim's kiss, she ended up watching the shadows of branches dance on the ceiling for hours.

At first light, she dressed and rushed out to resume the search for Trouble. The crisp morning air distressed her. The first snowfall would arrive soon. She scoured the hillside, thinking of Trouble in the cold.

Arriving at the upper path, Celia stopped, remembering Jim's tender kiss. What would happen now? There was still Candy. And as she discovered shortly after arriving home, there was still David to consider. He called while her mind was still swirling with Trouble’s disappearance.

The phone call was short, but filled with emotion. She was pleased when Sarah’s car pulled up outside the house. They’d planned on arranging dried flowers and hanging pictures. Celia wasn't in the mood for it, but anything was preferable to the discussion with David. She promised to call back and went to open the door.

“You look awful,” Sarah greeted her, thrusting a plastic bag at her.

“I’ll explain later. Would you like coffee before we start?”

She could feel her sister’s eyes on her as she made the coffee, but she said nothing. Moments later, Lindsey and Haley pounded on the back door.

"We're going to look for Trouble," Lindsey announced. "Wanna go?"

"I just came back. I'll join you later."

"Friends stick together," Lindsey said solemnly, thin lips drawing into a frown. "Remember? You don't let down your friends."

"I won't." She hesitated. "Where's your Dad?"

Lindsey cast a quick glance at Haley, then Sarah and whispered. "At Candy's. She's mad he broke a date to look for Trouble."

Celia was sorry she asked. Waves of disappointment crushed her. He was with Candy. He might have broken a date, but he'd gone to see her first thing in the morning to beg forgiveness.