“That’s great.” I infused the words with as much enthusiasm as I could muster, which probably wasn’t enough. “How is the rest of your family?”

“Everyone is happy, healthy, and ready for the new year.” He glanced between us. “You guys really need a pick-me-up though. You’re bringing my energy down. Did something happen over the weekend?”

“Nah,” Asher replied.

“We’re good.” I clapped Asher on the shoulder. Even if I didn’t like his way of trying to make a point, he meant well.

“Great. No Igor yet?” Zane asked, taking us at our word.

“I’m sure he’ll be here any moment.”

“Morning, team,” Parks said as he appeared in the doorway and scanned the three of us. “We have a hiker reported missing. She went out last night with the intention of walking to the falls. Her friends assumed she’d returned late until they checked her room this morning and discovered her bed hadn’t been slept in. Asher, I’d like you to join the search party. If they find her, she might need urgent medical attention. Liam, I’ve called in Randy from night shift to cover for you so you can join the search as well. I figure you know the forest better than Zane or Igor, and we need to keep a full staff here in case there’s an emergency. If you haven’t found her in a few hours, the rest of the team will join the search. Connor is running point. Meet him at the ranger station. Questions?”

“No, sir.” It wasn’t uncommon for us to assist in search-and-rescue operations. If people from different organizations didn’t come together, we simply wouldn’t have the manpower to cover such a large area of terrain.

“Get to it, then.”

I went to the garage and grabbed the pack we kept for these situations, shrugging it on. Inside were items such as rope, survival blankets, flashlights, a waterproof shelter, and food rations, all of which might be needed over the course of the day. Meanwhile, Asher loaded up the first aid duffel bag.

“We’ll take my truck?” I suggested, knowing there was a chance he’d want the ambulance on standby.

He hesitated for a moment. “Yeah. The trail isn’t far from here, so we can call for the ambulance later if we need to.”

I drove to the ranger station, which was housed near the beginning of the track up to Destiny Falls, behind and to the side of Destiny Fibers. Several other vehicles were already there, with a cluster of people standing outside. Connor was in front, looking distinctly uncomfortable at being the center of attention. Fortunately, we were a well-oiled machine, so he didn’t need to say much other than to give general directions.