Ava pressed her lips together. Nine times out of ten it rained on Christmas. She couldn’t count on the weather’s being clear. Snow was rarely in the holiday forecast, which was a good thing considering the winding roads and hills she’d traveled to get to the location. “I don’t know. A lot of people aren’t in town during Christmas.”

She wanted sunshine. Blue skies and warmth. Views. Cheryl joined them and took a close look at Ava’s expression. “You want it on a sunny day, don’t you?”

Ava nodded, her frustration stealing her ability to speak. She wanted to marry Mason soon.

Cheryl patted her arm. “At least we made some progress.”

Micah wondered where the man was going. He’d definitely broken his usual habits this afternoon by taking a long drive out of the city. Micah followed, a small ball of excitement growing in his stomach. The last few times the man had done something different, they’d been the most fascinating nights of Micah’s life. He sat in his car and waited for the man to come out of the shop, fighting the urge to wander in and pretend to bump into him.

They hadn’t talked for several months. Every now and then he got a polite email from the man, asking how things were going, but it felt forced and disinterested. Not like the caring and personal contact of the past. It’d been one of the reasons Micah had started his surveillance. Something had changed with the man and he wanted to know what.

Since he’d started following him, Micah had been stunned by the big changes in the man’s life. His life had grown complicated. He’d always been dedicated and worked hard, but now he seemed preoccupied. He was more concerned with fixing something that Micah wasn’t sure was broken.

He still didn’t know why the man acted as he did. Watching every unusual move made Micah wonder if the man was heading for a breakdown. No one could continue as he had and not crack. He’d need someone there for him when that time came.

Micah stuck close, knowing the opportunity would come.

The man had helped him so much. He had a feeling his time to reciprocate was getting very close.

Ava’s phone rang as she followed Mason’s vehicle back toward Portland. She hit the button on her steering wheel without taking her gaze from the road. Zander’s voice greeted her.

“Can you come back to the office tonight?”

“Ours or the task force office?” she asked.

“Task force. We’ve got some things back from trace and Nora wants everyone to take a look. Euzent is also in town. He’s spent the last twenty-four hours reading what I sent him and would like to meet.”

Ava wanted to swear. She’d been looking forward to a quiet evening at home. Mason had bought a bottle of wine at the winery, and she wanted to sit on the sofa and figure out how to solve their wedding dilemma together.

“Yes, I can be there in half an hour.”

“What did you think of the winery?” Zander asked.

“Cheryl nailed it. You should have come along. It would have been the perfect time to meet her.”

“You found the right place? Did you reserve a date?”

“Lord, no. We’ve hit another wall as far as dates go. The problem is that this place is only perfect on a beautiful sunny day.”

“Not many of those in the forecast for the next six months,” said Zander.

“Probably longer,” she admitted. Zander’s voice sounded odd. “What’s up with the evidence? Something big?” Is he holding out until I get there?

“Nothing that can’t wait.”

Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned Cheryl.

She ended the call and dialed Mason to let him know she was headed back to work instead of home. “Don’t you think Cheryl would get along well with Zander?” she asked him.

“Are you playing matchmaker?”

“Maybe.”

“They don’t seem like the same type.”

“They aren’t, but maybe that’s why it would work. She’s outgoing and he’s reserved. Sometimes reserved people appreciate being around people who bring them out.”

“Or they find them annoying as hell.”

“I still think it’s worth an introduction.”

“Zander doesn’t seem to be the type who’s looking for a girlfriend. He’s all about work,” Mason pointed out.

“He needs something in his life besides his work,” Ava argued. “If anyone knows that, it’s you. I don’t know how his wife died—do you?”

“No, he’s never brought it up. I wouldn’t have known he was previously married if you hadn’t said something.”

“He goes silent and I can feel his defenses shoot up when he thinks our conversation is going in that direction,” Ava said slowly. “It must have been very hard on him. I don’t know who he has to talk to about it. I think he talks to me more than anyone else at work.”

“You’re lucky I’m not the jealous type.”

“You’re totally the jealous type,” Ava stated. “You practically growl if someone talks to me in a bar.”

“But I’m not worried about Zander. I know he’ll respect what we have.”

Ava frowned. Mason had told her he believed Zander had feelings for her, but she’d never seen him as anything but a friend. “Of course he will.” Her phone did a double beep through the car’s speakers. Zander was calling back.

“Zander’s calling again. I’ll let you know what he says.” She ended their call and switched over.