Mistletoe Mischief (Falling in Mistletoe #2)

Chapter Nineteen

T his is gorgeous!” Kit said, his camera clicking rapidly as he took pictures of the mountains and trees. The sky above the group was blue, but Pike was keeping an eye on the gray clouds drifting over the mountain. It wouldn’t take long for them to get caught in a snowstorm, and although their rental SUV had four-wheel drive, Pike couldn’t guarantee that any of the Californians knew how to drive in snow.

Pike watched Ryler approach Neil, who had his cell phone out, presumably taking personal pictures to share. Ryler’s puffer coat hung open, revealing the sweatshirt underneath that read Leave me alone . He appreciated the fact that she hadn’t made things weird after witnessing his personal meltdown. Would she tell Alia? God, would that be something they included in the podcast? The last thing he needed was for her to tell Alia that Adventures in Mistletoe was rife with issues.

Although, if she was going to do something like that, wouldn’t she have cut the tour short? He’d been trying to keep up a pleasant facade and push Anthony’s betrayal from his mind, but what would happen tomorrow when he went into the store? How would he keep himself from knocking out his best friend the minute he opened his mouth?

Alia approached with Jo in her arms, holding the puppy out to him. “She went potty, although she really does not like the leash.”

“No, she doesn’t,” he said, taking the dog from her. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I didn’t mind. Keeps me busy and out of my own head. Got a lot on my mind.”

“Oh yeah? About the podcast or life?” Pike asked .

“Both, I suppose,” she said. Pike watched her profile, following the line of her vision as it passed over the lake and landed on Ryler and Neil. Alia shivered, and Pike noticed the thin pea coat she wore, frowning.

“You’ve got to be freezing in that getup.” He shrugged out of his jacket, transferring Jo from one hand to the other, and held the jacket out for her. “Here.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” she said.

“Aren’t you already not feeling good? All you need is to get worse because you weren’t dressed for the weather.”

Alia slipped her arms into Pike’s coat and gave him a grateful nod. “Thank you. It’s really warm.”

Pike shoved one hand into his sweatshirt pocket, grateful he’d decided to layer up today. Jo’s stomach was warm in the palm of his hand as he held her against his rib cage. “It’s not a problem. You’re my guest.”

“It’s nice to know that not all men are selfish jerks,” she said, and although none of the others were standing near, Pike thought that might have been a pointed comment.

“I have my moments, too, believe me.” Pike caught Ryler watching them and wondered what she thought of him. Was he just some jerk, bouncing from woman to woman?

“Hey, Pike,” Kit asked, pointing in the distance. “Is there a way to get to that waterfall?”

“Waterfall?” Ryler repeated, her smile wide. “Where?”

“We can take the trailhead there, but it’s about a four-mile hike round trip.”

“I’m good with that,” Kit said.

Ryler nodded. “Me, too.”

Alia looked over at Neil, who was nodding. “I guess I’m coming, too.”

“Just give me a minute. I need to grab something from my car.”

Pike jogged back to his trunk and set Jo inside before he removed the holster with his gun and bear mace from the lockbox inside. Although the chances of seeing a bear this time of year were slim, there was still a chance they weren’t hibernating yet. In addition, the quiet of the trails could sometimes put hikers into the path of a hungry juvenile cougar or wolves. Even a bull moose could be a danger out here. The crew would be in their territory, and after Pike had been chased by an aggressive coyote on the ski slope last year, he didn’t go hiking unarmed.

“What are you doing?” Ryler asked, coming around the backside of his car. He unzipped his sweatshirt and took it off, slipping his holster up his arms and over his shoulders. “Is that a gun?”

“Yeah, but don’t worry. I’ve got a concealed carry permit,” he said, slipping his sweatshirt back on over it.

“But why do you need a gun?”

Pike quirked an eyebrow. “Ever been hiking in the woods before?”

“Yes, in India, South America, Africa—”

“And none of those guides carried a weapon?”

“Well, yes, but that’s because there were lions and tigers and dangerous people.”

“This is Idaho, Kitten. We have mountain lions, wolves, bobcats, wolverines, and even a few dangerous characters cooking shady shit.” Pike picked up Jo and gave her a reassuring smile. “We’re going to stay on the trail, but I’m always cautious. When the tourist season dies down and hunting season is over, the critters around here aren’t used to seeing humans.”

Ryler stared at him for several seconds before taking Jo from him. “I’ll carry the baby so at least your hands are free.”

Pike closed his trunk, following her back to the group. When he stopped between Alia and Ryler, he addressed everyone. “Make sure you make noise as you walk in case there’s an animal nearby. We don’t want to spook it.”

Alia stared at Pike with wide eyes. “What exactly are we going to spook?”

Pike was surprised by her apprehension. “Like I was telling Ryler, there’s always a chance of encountering animals when we’re in the woods, especially near a water source. I just want all of us to be cautious, and if you do see an animal, make yourself large and imposing.”

Neil snorted. “You’re doomed, Alia.”

“Shut up, Neil,” Alia snapped.

“Whoa, okay, don’t make me separate you two,” Ryler joked.

“Oh, please do!” Alia said, marching back to Pike. “I’ll walk with you.”

Pike glanced toward Ryler, who held his puppy in her arms, and pushed down the disappointment in his stomach. “Alright, we’ll lead the way, but you three stay close to us. No stragglers. ”

Pike took off, Alia keeping pace beside him. The first part of the trail was relatively flat, but about halfway down, it would start to climb as they drew closer to the waterfall.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, why?”

“You’re wearing Nikes instead of a shoe with ankle stabilization and tread for hiking. I just don’t want you to roll an ankle.”

“I didn’t expect us to hike today. I thought we were going sight-seeing.”

“Fair enough,” Pike said, following behind as she pulled ahead. Pike glanced behind him, and Ryler smiled. Jo seemed perfectly content for Ryler to hold her as they walked the trail. Pike noted that Kit and Ryler wore heavy-duty hiking boots, while Neil had on simple sneakers. He must have thought the same thing as Alia.

Alia was nothing like how he’d imagined her to be after listening to her podcast for six years. He’d always assumed she’d be tough, level-headed, and personable, but she almost came across as a whiny princess. While Alia wasn’t a jerk, he’d noticed that she wasn’t as charming as he’d expected, especially when it came to people helping her. When she’d gotten up last night to grab another drink from the bar, Ricki hadn’t seemed terribly impressed. He’d overheard her telling Holly that Alia was a diva. Not exactly the description he’d expected after some of the interactions she’d described on her podcast.

“Is this where we start singing The Ants Go Marching ?” Kit called out.

Pike chuckled. “Depends on if you’ve got the voice of a dying cat or not.”

“Nah, Kit’s got the voice of an angel,” Ryler said.

“Who you talking about?” Neil asked. “’Cause I’ve been out with this man when he gets a couple beers in him, and he sounds like a cow looking for a mate.”

The group laughed, except for Alia, who continued to march ahead. Pike ended up next to Ryler and Jo, who strained toward him. He took the dog from her and held her against his chest, scruffing her ears.

“Your cousin doesn’t seem to like hiking.”

“She does,” Ryler said, brushing a hair off her forehead. “She’s just been under the weather the last few days.”

“Ah, okay.” Pike took a deep breath; the scent of pine trees and crisp, cold air was comforting. “This is what I needed today. ”

“I’m glad I could provide a distraction for you,” Ryler said, her full lips stretched into a smile.

I’d be happy to let you distract me any way you want .

Pike didn’t know where the thought had come from, but there was no way he was going to make a move on Ryler, especially given what she’d witnessed between him and Anthony. He’d said that they would keep things professional, and that was exactly what he was going to do.

The trees cleared ahead, and Pike heard the thundering of the waterfall before he saw the rocky base. A cloud of mist rose from the water, obscuring the bottom of the cascading liquid. A collection of excited reactions came from the group as they took in the sight, followed by the rapid clicking of Kit’s camera shutter.

“Let’s get some pictures,” Kit said, waving at Alia. “Come on, A, we’ll start with you.”

Alia stepped up in front of the waterfall and flashed a dazzling smile, changing up her stance with each take.

“You’d never guess she used to model.” Neil laughed.

“She did?” Pike asked.

“Mostly print stuff,” Ryler said, watching her cousin. “The business was brutal for her.”

“Really? Seems like she’s a natural at it.” Pike caught the sharp look she gave him and frowned. “Something I said?”

“She knows how to smile and pose for a camera, but the demands and the pressure really took their toll on her.”

“How long after that did she start Excursions ?” Pike asked.

“Yes, Ryler, how long after?” Neil asked.

Ryler scowled at Neil before she sent Pike a smile. “It wasn’t long. The summer after we graduated from college.”

“Alright, the rest of you get over here. You, too, Pike!”

“Oh, I don’t need to be in it—”

“Nonsense, you brought us here, and we’re going to tag Adventures in Mistletoe for taking us on this gorgeous hike,” Kit said, pulling out his phone. “Although, someone with longer arms is going to have to do the selfie.”

“Gimme that, Tiny,” Neil said, holding out his hand for the phone.

Kit placed it in his hand, muttering, “Jerk.”

Pike chuckled. “I’m the shortest in my friend group, too, man, and they never let me forget it. ”

“I think being tall is overrated.” Ryler echoed what she had told Pike the night before, stepping in next to him.

“Says the short girl,” Neil teased.

“Shut up.” She laughed.

Pike was keenly aware of Ryler’s full breasts pressed against his arm as they squeezed together to fit into the frame.

“Alright, everyone, smile.” Neil held up his hand, and the camera on the phone clicked.

When they all moved apart, Pike was still only a foot away from Ryler, so close he could see the hint of gold in her dark eyes.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” She laughed softly.

“I just—”

Alia suddenly screamed, shoving into Pike as she took off running. Pike flayed his arms, trying to stay upright, but fell backward into the freezing cold pool. The water splashed up and over him, soaking his clothes from neck to shoes.

Fuck this day.