Page 65 of One Last Stand

Shep had nothing.

“You got her to safety, kept her alive in that chalet, and frankly, I think you’re still on that mission.”

What?“Listen, I’m here because?—”

“Love.”

“It’s not a mission to love someone.” It might be quite the declaration, but he didn’t care.

“Isn’t it? I think it takes great commitment and capacity to love someone. Especially in Laney’s line of work.”

“She’s out of that.”

“Pardon me, but wasn’t she dead for the last month?”

A breath, then, “How do you know about that?”

Her father cocked his head. “Really?”

Right. And then . . . “Wait. You were behind Colt’s asking me to watch over her in Alaska—even the invitation to bring her there?”

“I knew the moment I picked her up from summer camp. I saw it in your eyes. And it’s still there—in your eyes and your words. You love my daughter.”

Fine. “And you used that to manipulate me.”

“I used that to protect her.”

Shep’s mouth tightened.

“I called you to the mission, even if you didn’t know it. Because I could count on you.”

Shep looked away, out the window, to the city nestled under the rugged protection of the mountains.

“And I knew, given your losses, that you wouldn’t let her run off into danger.”

Shep looked at him.

“Like your sister, Jacey.”

Aw. But . . . “What do you know about that?”

Mitch held up a hand. “I’ll bet your worst nightmare is thinking of her alone, freezing to death.”

Shep stilled. “You don’t pull your punches, do you?”

“Just being honest.”

He leaned up. “Fine. Yes. That is a recurring nightmare, thank you so much.”

“And I would guess, given how close you and your sister were, that she normally didn’t ski alone.”

Shep drew in a breath. “No.” His jaw tightened. “We were supposed to go out together that day, but I had promised to fill in for another instructor at the ski school. I asked her to wait for me, but she got a free ride with a couple of other heli-skiers . . .” He ran his hand over his mouth. “She was always a little impulsive that way. Didn’t like to have to wait for anything. Or anyone.”

“I’ll bet you resented that.”

Shep glanced at him. “No. I knew that’s how she was. Like my mother. She always wanted the next new, fun thing. The next great adventure.”

“And you’re not like that?”