“Hey, I never claimed to know how you like your coffee. I just brought you one. I call that the River Lane special. Half hot chocolate, half coffee, and enough espresso to raise your heart rate.”

“You’re worse than Ash.” The man was brave enough to take another sip, grimace, then keep on drinking.

River gestured toward the SUV. “Okay, how do we do this?”

“We need to do an equipment check. And then afterward, I need to evaluate everyone’s skill levels. Where’s the rest of the crew?”

“Shooting B-roll.”

“Shooting who?”

Upon seeing the confused expression on his face, River had to hide her smile behind her cup. “B-roll is extra footage that can be used to fill in gaps in the documentary. We’re trying to get everything we can before we leave town. Don’t worry. I have everyone’s packs in the car.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea? You’re going to get caught. There’s an official watch out on you right now.”

River almost spit her coffee. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

“The town has a message board, and everyone posts the newest film crew sighting. They have you on high alert.”

“Show me.”

After some serious pressure, Easton finally caved and took out his phone. Sure enough, the website he pulled up showed a running list of—

“Wait. Are they calling this alien invader sightings?”

“They think Jessie kind of looks like E.T.”

“I mean…they’re not wrong.” River slumped against the truck. “Is this why Jonah shows up everywhere we are?”

“Probably.” His expression shifted from amusement to a frown. “If I’m taking everyone up, I need an accurate skill assessment of all of them.”

“We’re a skeleton crew, big guy. We all split the tasks, or we’d never get anything done. Don’t worry. They’ll get here eventually.”

Easton wasn’t happy with her answer. “Then this will have to wait.”

When River opened her mouth, Easton cut her off before she dug her heels in and forced the issue. “I understand the conflict, and I’m not disagreeing with your need for splitting tasks. I just can’t responsibly take you three up a mountain like Veil and not have an idea of your competency levels. I’ve had clients who’d never used crampons. I’ve had clients who didn’t even know how to put them on or had the wrong size for their boots. Now’s the time to be figuring this out, not after the helicopter has dropped us off on the slope.”

River perked up. “Oooh, we’re taking a helicopter?”

“Unless you want to hike miles of tundra and destroy your feet before we get there.” Easton gave her a sexy smile. “Have at it, but I’m taking the helicopter.”