CHAPTER THREE

      THE SMALL TOWN of Crescent Lake had been established when traders heading north had come over the mountains and found a large crescent-shaped lake nestled in a thickly wooded area. According to Mrs. Krenson at the Lakeside Inn, it had started out as a rough fur-trading town that had gradually grown into the popular tourist town it was today.

      The inn, once the local house of pleasure, had been remodeled and modernized over the years. Rising out of a picturesque forest, with mountains at its back and the lake at its feet like a small sparkling sea, it now resembled a gracious, well-preserved old lady, appearing both elegant and mysterious. At least, that’s what it said in the brochure and what Cassidy had thought when she’d arrived a few weeks before.

      Now, with dark clouds hanging over the valley, the lake was nothing like the crystal-clear mirror it resembled in the pictures and Cassidy had to wish for “sturdy” rather than mysterious.

      The day had dawned gray and wet and, standing at her bedroom window, Cassidy couldn’t help shivering as she looked up at the mountains shrouded in swirling fog, eerily beautiful and threatening. She wondered if the hikers had been found.

      And if she was thinking of a certain someone, it was only because he had no business being out there in the first place. He might be an all-weather hero, but he’d been exhausted, injured and on an edge only he could see. All it would take was one wrong move, one misstep and... And then nothing, she told herself irritably as she spun away from the window. Samuel Kellan was a big boy, a highly trained Navy SEAL. If he wanted to scour the mountains for the next week, it was what he’d been trained for. Heck, he could probably live off the land and heal himself using plants and tree bark.

      Whatever effect he’d had on her, Cassidy mused as she closed her bedroom door and headed for the bathroom at the end of the hall, it was over. She’d had the entire night to think about her reaction to him and in the early hours had come to the conclusion that she’d been suffering from low blood sugar...and maybe been a little freaked at finding herself in a jail cell. Maybe even a little awed at meeting a national hero. All perfectly logical explanations for her behavior.

      Fortunately she’d recovered, and if she saw him again she’d be the cool, level-headed professional she had a reputation for being. Besides, Samuel J. Kellan was just a man. Like any other.

      After a quick shower, she brushed her teeth and headed back to her room to dress. It was her day off and she intended playing tourist. She might have come to the Cascades to escape the mess she’d made of things in Boston, but that didn’t mean she had to bury herself in work. Crescent Lake was a beautiful town filled with friendly, curious people who’d brought her baked goodies just to welcome her to town.

      She’d read that the Lakefront Boardwalk housed a host of stores that included a few antiques shops, an art gallery selling local artwork, a quaint bookshop and, among others, a cozy coffee shop with a spectacular view of the lake and mountains.

      She hadn’t had a decent latte since leaving Boston, and according to the nurses, Just Java served a delicious Caribbean mocha latte, and the triple chocolate muffins were better than sex.

      Just what she needed, a double dose of sin.

      A soft knock on her door startled her out of her chocolate fantasy and sent her pulse skittering.

      “Dr. Mahoney?” a muffled voice called from the hallway. “Cassidy, dear? Are you awake?”

      Shrugging into her wrap, Cassidy fastened the tie and shoved damp hair off her forehead. She pulled open the door as a ball of dread settled in her belly. Her landlady wouldn’t disturb her unless there was an emergency.

      Val Krenson’s brows were pinched together over her faded blue eyes and one hand was poised to knock again. “I’m sorry to wake you, dear,” she apologized quickly. “That was the hospital. They found the hikers. How soon can you get there?”

      “Ten minutes,” Cassidy said, already morphing into emergency mode. “Fifteen at the most.” She stepped back into the room and would have shut the door but Val held out a hand to detain her.

      “John Randal is downstairs, dear. Shall I ask him to wait?”

      “That’s okay, Val,” Cassidy said with a quick shake of her head. “I’ll need my car later and I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.” The last time the deputy had driven her anywhere she’d landed up at the jail. So not going there.

      “Planning a little down time?” Val asked with a warm smile.

      “It’ll have to wait.” Cassidy sighed. “They didn’t say how serious, did they?”

      “I’m afraid not, dear. Just that you get there as soon as possible.” She leaned forward. “I’m glad you’re here to help Monty out, dear. He tires easily these days.” She shook her head. “That man should have retired years ago but not many people want to bury themselves in the mountains.”

      In some ways Cassidy could understand why. They were a couple of hours from the nearest large town and there wasn’t much in the way of nightlife that didn’t include a few bars, steakhouses and the local bar and grill, Fahrenheit’s.

      She might feel like a fish out of water, but she’d been surprised to discover she liked the close-knit community where people knew each other and exchanged gossip with their favorite recipes.

      At least here people stopped to chat when they saw you, she thought with a smile, instead of staring right through you as though you didn’t exist, or scuttling away like you were an escaped crazy. Surprisingly she was enjoying the slower pace. It was a nice change to be able to connect with the people she was treating. But long term? She didn’t know.

      “It’s a beautiful town, Val, but I’ve only got a short-term contract.”

      Val laughed and patted Cassidy’s arm. “Don’t worry, dear,” she said over her shoulder, a twinkle lighting her blue eyes. “I have a feeling you’re going to be around a long time.”

      Cassidy uttered a noncommittal “Hmm” and shut the door behind her landlady. She hunted in the closet for a clean pair of jeans, underwear, socks and a soft green long-sleeved T-shirt. Dressing quickly, she shoved her feet into the nearest pair of boots and grabbed a brush that she hurriedly pulled through her wet hair before piling it on top of her head in a loose style that would dry quickly. Foregoing makeup, she grabbed her medical bag and jacket and headed for the door.

      Fifteen minutes after closing the door behind the innkeeper, Cassidy pulled up beside the hospital’s staff entrance. Locking her car—which everyone said was unnecessary—she hurried