Free Fire Angel by Susanne Matthews

red and white striped knitted cap, scarf, and a pair of matching gloves.
    â€œI got these from Minette. I remembered you said you’d forgotten to bring some. It’s getting colder; you’re going to need them.”
    Touched by his thoughtfulness, reminiscent of the kindness he had shown her years ago, Alexis smiled, thanked him, and pulled on the tuque, wrapped the scarf around her neck, and put on the gloves. She felt warmer instantly. Jake had added a brown wool hat, scarf, and gloves to his own attire, as well as heavy-duty work boots. Alexis smiled. Obviously, he was no rookie at this and understood that stable footing was essential. She noticed that he had traded in his fancy walnut walking stick for a sturdier metal tripod one. She would ask what had happened to his leg the next time they had a moment; he had said something about being deployed earlier.
    She and Jake climbed into the back of the large Hummer emblazoned with the Paradise Police Force logo.
    â€œThis is what I should have been driving; not that silly little sports car I picked up at the airport. I could have driven right over Bullwinkle in this,” she chuckled, hoping that the joke would ease the tension that had sprung up between them.
    The police officer getting in behind the wheel laughed.
    â€œSo, you saw a moose on the way here, did you? They’ve been bad this year, but don’t kid yourself; hitting anything that large at sixty miles an hour can be disastrous. A tractor-trailer driver died in a collision with a moose calf just last month.”
    Chastised, Alexis turned to Jake and smiled weakly.
    â€œFrom her description, Pierre, she met a full grown bull,” said Jake, squeezing her hand. “She was very lucky.”
    She knew he, like her, was thinking not only of the moose but of the person who had witnessed the encounter. She relaxed, enjoying the feel of her hand in his. She was glad that the tension between them was gone. She wasn’t quite sure what had made him so angry with her, or why she had reacted the way she had. If he really had been devastated when she disappeared; shouldn’t he be glad to have her back?
    Alexis sat back enjoying the feel of her hand in Jake’s. She was not looking forward to her first trip into town, and would have preferred setting her own schedule, but sometimes fate stepped in. The lights of the town brightened the horizon.
    Paradise claimed to be the oldest settled area in the district, dating back to the days of the French fur traders and explorers. Situated on the banks of the river, its founding fathers had hoped it would become a boom town, but those dreams had faded. Other locations, along larger, more navigable rivers with access from a number of different directions, had taken over instead.
    Today, Alexis knew that the picturesque little town depended primarily on tourism for its survival. Located as close as it was to three provincial parks, its grocery stores, boutiques, and restaurants did a booming business in summer. With the recent resurgence of winter sports, specifically cross country and skate skiing, the town benefited from tourist dollars all year round.
    â€œI don’t know how they stand the noise,” said Jake referring to the sirens. “I’d go crazy if I had to listen to that every day.”
    Surprised by the anxiety in his voice, Alexis looked at him. He was very pale, and sweating.
    â€œAre you alright?” she whispered, concern evident in her voice.
    â€œYou have a problem with the dark,” he replied in the same low tone. “I have a problem with loud noises; you should see the way I come apart at firework displays.”
    She reached into the front seat and tapped Constable Howard on the shoulder. “Is there any way we can dispense with the light and sound show? It’s been a long day.”
    â€œSure. We’re off the highway now.” The siren stopped and the flashing red, white, and blue lights