Free Escape to Morning by Susan May Warren

reports had been used to fortify SAR operational defense or occasionally as evidence in a homicide case. She never enjoyed testifying, and writing a thorough report whittled down that possibility.
    She sipped her chai, letting it fortify her for her next stop—the sheriff ’s department. She hoped to print her report, file it, and escape without a verbal tar and feathering from Fadden.
    And without seeing Will.
    She heard the shop bell jangle and turned to look at the patron.
    Speak of the devil. Her heart actually jammed in her throat for a full ten seconds as she watched Will Masterson stride across the floor. He looked particularly rumpled this morning. Although dressed respectably in blue jeans and a brown corduroy shirt under his leather jacket, he had the strung-out look of a guy going on no sleep. Lines around his eyes, a take-no-prisoners step to his demeanor. If she didn’t know better, she’d recognize her friend Jim Micah in his bearing. A soldier.
    Except Will Masterson was no soldier. Unless she counted the assault on her heart, one that left her feeling more wounded than it should have.
    While he was ordering at the counter, she rushed out of the coffee shop before he could stop her and inflict round two.
    The sheriff ’s office was located at the top of the hill, overlooking Moose Bend. The king overseeing his kingdom, Dannette thought as she parked near the door.
    The office hummed with activity. Dannette strode through the lobby, nodded to the receptionist, who buzzed her into the back. She didn’t slow as she passed Fadden’s office but felt a gust of relief when she noted it was empty.
    Or that could mean Fadden was prowling the building, looking for prey.
    She cut into the office workroom and pulled out her laptop from her backpack. Connecting the laser printer to her USB port, she found the printer in her settings and sent it to print.
    She dug her cell phone out of her pocket as she waited and speed-dialed Sarah’s number.
    The phone rang over to voice mail. “Sarah, it’s Dannette. Just wondering when you’re planning on getting here. I know we’re not due to leave until Friday, but—” she swallowed— “anytime is good for me. Kelly’s mom has a few unused rooms, and I’ll book you one or you can stay with me.” She sighed. “Okay, looking forward to seeing you.”
    She clicked off, feeling slightly hollow. She had hoped that Sarah would already be here. She’d missed the paramedic’s honest friendship over the past six months. If Dannette was honest with herself, she’d label the feeling loneliness. She missed the comradery of her friends—Sarah, Andee, and two former Green Berets, Jim Micah and Conner Young—who shared her love of the outdoors and her drive to care for her fellow man. Although she felt comfortable hovering on the fringes of conversation, simply being with people who cared whether she answered the telephone and knew when to pray for her soothed the losses in her life. Thankfully, she had Missy and Sherlock to fill some of the raw places.
    Dannette tapped the telephone against her leg as she watched the report print out. She speed-dialed the next number.
    Andee picked up after two rings. “Dannette! How are you?”
    â€œGood. Just came in from a search last night. We were successful, and I think Kelly’s dog is ready for certification.”
    â€œThat’s great. Lacey and I were just talking about you, wondering how the training was going. By the way, you’re only using Missy, right? Where did you board Sherlock?”
    Dannette could picture Andee on the other end, her short curly black hair captured in a bandanna, flight suit bagging over her petite body. Although a sky jockey, Andee’s first love was mountaineering, a skill she practiced with excellence in Alaska during the summer months.
    Andee had roomed with Dannette for a year at the University of Iowa.