“I’ll take you the long way, past some places you might want to take your tours.” Easton couldn’t resist adding, “Better to learn the backroads now. In a few months, there’s going to be several feet of snow and a lot of naked, bearded men on them.”

• • •

The top of the roadcut made a perfect place to relax for a while, taking in the town from a new point of view. Wiggling her toes in the cool morning air and munching the remains of a baggie of trail mix in her back pocket, River watched the employees of Moose Springs Resort driving to their workplace. In the distance, a partially finished luxury condominium project sat abandoned. The couple of condos that had been completed so far were as visually stunning as the Moose Springs Resort, with rich earth-toned paint palettes, lots of river rock stonework, and expensive log cabin siding. Considering the mountainside view those condos must have, River could imagine them selling easily…especially to some of the wealthier people she knew from the industry. A permanent vacation home in Moose Springs was perfect for those who loved to ski and fish or just be in this beautiful corner of the world.

Unfortunately, the project must be on a hiatus. If she squinted, River could see piles of construction material just inside the gated entry.

A familiar old truck went past with two figures inside, then a few minutes later returned, minus one occupant. The driver had good eyes. She was tucked out of the way up on her perch, but he still pulled over, walking to the base of the roadcut and peering up at her. One eyebrow rose, as if it were strange to find someone in her position.

“Why am I not surprised the person dangling dangerously over the edge is you?” Easton’s rumble sounded amused.

“I could claim that I walk on the wild side, but I really don’t want to hear Jessie snore anymore. Bree’s the dangerous one though. She almost took my eye out with her elbow.”

The eyebrow rose further. “You’re sleeping in your rental car?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, nosy, but we’re sleeping in our rental car. Haven’t you heard of the concept of a starving artist?”

“I didn’t realize film stars made a habit of going hungry,” he replied with a low chuckle. At her own raised eyebrow, Easton added, “I figured it out after I learned your name.”

River breathed out a laugh, relaxing back. “Well, I’m behind the camera now. Mostly. We’ll see if the dining options become fewer and further in between.”