She released a rattling deep breath, seeking to calm her nerves. “The Green Mountain Country Store needs a website. From what I hear, they’re still living in the early-twentieth-century dark ages. My dad went to school with the majority partner, and they ran into each other at their Yale reunion. Dad told him what I do, and one thing led to another.”

“You mean one thing led to frost heaves and moose crossings.”

Despite her tension, Cameron laughed. “God, Troy, what am I doing here?”

“Taking one for the team the way you always do.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Her father was one of her weak spots, and he’d taken full advantage by all but ordering her to meet with his old friend. But since her website development company was still recovering from the economic downturn a few years back, any new business was welcome—even if it required a trek into the wilderness. “It’s so dark I can barely see where I’m going.”

“You’re talking hands-free, right?”

“Since both my hands are surgically attached to the wheel at the moment, yes.”

“I should’ve driven you up there,” he said, sounding regretful.

“You’ve got court this week.” Her friend was an up-and-coming attorney in Manhattan, and Cameron was proud of all he’d accomplished—and appreciative of the pro bono work he did for her company.

“Still, we could’ve gone up yesterday. I would’ve been back in time.”

“That’s sweet of you, but I wanted to do this on my own.”

“Had something to prove to yourself, huh?”

“Well, when was the last time I drove? Or even left Manhattan? I’m almost thirty, and until yesterday I’d never owned a car.”

“I’m proud of you, Cam. You could’ve said no or sent one of your employees. It says something about you that you decided to take this on yourself.”

Touched by what he’d said, she released a nervous laugh. “We’ll see how proud you are of me after I’m here a week and going through ugly city withdrawals.” Her eyes darted from the dark road to the GPS. “Only five more minutes. I guess I can take it from here.”

“You sure?”

“Positive. Thanks for keeping me company.”

“Anytime, kiddo. Call me tomorrow?”

“I will. Good luck in court.”

“Thanks.”

Cameron looked down long enough to end the call. When she returned her attention to the road, something large and black was in her path. A shriek escaped from her clenched jaw as she jammed on the brakes. The tiny car skidded perilously, and she was certain she’d be spiraling into the abyss at any second.

Instead she smashed straight into the immovable object, deploying the car’s airbags. That was the last thing she saw before everything went black.

***