“I don’t know, all sorts of things. She asked me if I liked living here, what I did for a living, stuff like that. It wasn’t anything serious. I got the feeling she just wanted to relax and have a good time.”

I nudge him in the ribs with my toe. “You didn’t give her one, did you? Because I heard you say she was hot. Please tell me the two of you didn’t swap more than stories.”

Chet snatches the remote from the table and hits Pause. “Seriously? You seriously want me to talk about my sex life with my sister?”

“Did you?”

It certainly wouldn’t be the first time Chet has sweet-talked his way into some pretty girl’s panties, a tourist looking for adventure with a handsome local. He’s everything you’d look for in a town like this one—a little rugged, a little dirty, a lot charming. The female tourists love Chet, and Chet loves the female tourists.

“No. Now can we please just shut up and watch the show?”

He pushes Play and rolls onto his side. Conversation over.

We’re deep into the fifth episode when my phone rings. Gwen, and I push her to voice mail. The second and third time, too, mostly because I have no idea what I would say to her. Gwen has access to Paul’s calendar, which he updates with maniacal obsession. Whatever “work thing” I’m supposed to be using to excuse his disappearance won’t be listed on there, and Gwen would call me out on it. And it doesn’t make any sense for him to have gone anywhere with all this snow.

The phone screen lights up, and I tilt it toward my face. Gwen again, with a text this time.

SOS answer the goddamn phone!

It’s followed by another call. With a sigh, I kick off the blanket and carry the phone to the hallway.

“Where the hell is Paul?”

No “hello.” No “how are you?” Just this angry demand, one that I wish I knew the answer to.

“Scouting a property.”

What worked just fine for Sam and Micah hasn’t a chance in hell with Gwen. Gwen has worked for Paul since long before I came on the scene. She knows Paul scouts potential properties all the time, but she also knows he puts the trips on his calendar and makes sure he’s reachable by cell. And he always checks the forecast before he goes so he won’t get stuck in whatever weather is brewing between the mountaintops.

“What property? Where?”

“I don’t know. He only said he might not have service. Did you try his cell?”

“Of course I tried his cell, all day yesterday and today. It doesn’t even ring, just shoots me straight to voice mail. A scouting trip’s not on his calendar.”

“He said something about it being super top secret.”