“Don’t give me any trouble.” Quinn crossed the small distance between them until he was nearly nose to nose with the man. “I know what you were doing. I know that you were trying to let Kyle take the fall to get the attention off you and your wife.”
“All right, all right.” Max took a step back and held up his hands. “I just needed to protect what was mine. Besides, how was I supposed to know that Kyle was innocent?”
“Just tell us where they went.” Sonia’s voice cut through the tension between the two men. “Tell us now, Max, that’s all we care about. Everything else will be forgotten.”
Quinn shot her a brief look, but didn’t say anything to contradict her.
“Here.” Max held out his phone to Sonia. “The GPS app is on and already set to the missing snowmobile. It shows their location earlier today. But the signal was lost a few hours ago. You can follow it up to the last place they were. It’s very dangerous in that area at the moment.” He lowered his voice. “If that’s where they went, then it’s probably already too late.”
“What a terrible thing to say.” Sonia swatted at him.
“Hey, watch it!” Max scowled as he backed away from her.
“Sonia, don’t.” Quinn caught her hand. “The important thing right now is that we find Nikki and Kyle.”
“Yes, let’s get going. Let me just get the dogs inside.” Sonia started towards the door.
“No Sonia.” Quinn met her eyes. “You aren’t coming with me. You know that Nikki wouldn’t want you to. I need you to stay here in case she finds her way back.”
“Quinn, I—”
“The more you argue the longer they are sitting out there in the cold somewhere!” Quinn’s voice sharpened, then he frowned. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to debate.” He looked at Max. “Can you bring your dogs to help look for them?”
“No way.” Max shook his head. “There is no way I am going on that mountain, it is too dangerous.”
“Can I take the dogs then?” Quinn narrowed his eyes.
“Sorry, but no, they won’t listen to you.”
“Okay.” Quinn gritted his teeth, clearly furious. “I don’t have time to argue. I will have to take Coco then.” Quinn took Coco’s leash from Sonia. “I’m going to find them both, Sonia, I promise.”
Sonia winced as she watched him take off across the snow, with Coco in tow. She wanted more than anything to be at his side. But she knew he was right. Nikki had gone to a lot of trouble to make sure that she remained safe. As she carried Princess inside the cabin, her heart pounded. The killer had been caught, but that didn’t mean that he hadn’t already claimed the lives of two more victims. Nikki and Kyle had gone up the mountain to find the truth, she just hoped that they would be able to come back down again. She closed her eyes and leaned against the cabin door.
“Nikki, help is coming, sweetheart, just hang in there.”
Nikki’s eyes popped open. She shivered as she realized that she must have fallen asleep. She reached for her phone to check the time, and found that it wouldn’t turn on. The battery was dead.
Kyle grunted as he slammed the box into the snow.
“Kyle, you have to take a break. Come sit with me and warm up.” Nikki opened her arms to him as he slumped down to the ground beside her.
“I’m sorry, Nikki, I can’t get through.”
“It’s all right.” She patted his leg. “Everything’s going to be fine.”
“We’re not getting out of here.” Kyle shuddered. “It’s impossible.”
“We will. I know we will.” She tilted her head until she could look into his eyes. “It’s Christmas, Kyle. Later today, we’ll be sitting around a fire, with Mom and Dad, and all of this will be a memory.”
“Are you kidding, Mom and Dad are going to kill us when they find out about this.” Kyle managed a short laugh.
“Yes, well, they might. But then there will be a fire, and cookies. Lots of cookies.” Nikki closed her eyes and thought she could taste them on the tip of her tongue. “There will be Christmas music, and we’ll all be together, Kyle, just like we were supposed to be.”
“I wish I could believe that.” Kyle sighed.
“Believe it. With everything you have left in you. Believe it with me.” Nikki started to say more, when she heard a sound that made her heart skip a beat.
“Nikki, I know you’re trying—”
“Shh!” Nikki suddenly stood up and moved towards the front of the cave. “Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Kyle frowned as she started to dig at the snow. “Don’t bother, Nikki, we can’t get through.”
“It’s Coco!” Nikki gasped as she heard the familiar bark again. “Kyle, it’s Coco!”
“Nikki, you’re imagining things.” Kyle shook his head. Then suddenly he stood up. “I hear it, too! Hey!” He shouted at the wall of snow. “Hey! We’re in here!”
“Do you think anyone can hear us?” Nikki met his eyes.
“I’m sure going to try to be heard.” Kyle began to shout again.
“Help! We’re here!” Nikki joined in on the shouting.
Coco’s barking got closer. She couldn’t tell exactly where he was, but she guessed that he had stopped, because his barking seemed to come from only one direction. She heard scratching.
“He’s digging.” Nikki’s eyes filled with tears. “He’s digging, Kyle, he’s found us!”
“Good dog.” Kyle laughed and blinked back his own tears. “Come on, Coco, we’re in here.”
“Good boy, Coco.” Nikki dug at the snow from the inside.
“Coco, come away!” A muffled voice called out.
Coco barked, but the sound became distant.
“Oh no.” Nikki’s heart dropped. “Someone’s taking him away.”
“Hey!” Kyle pounded on the snow. “Come back!”
Seconds later, a loud engine whirred to life.
“They’re going to get us out!” Kyle gasped as he looked at Nikki. “They’ve got the equipment to get us out.”
Nikki threw her arms around Kyle and hugged him. As the snow began to crumble away from the opening of the cave, she felt relief more intense than she had ever experienced.
“Nikki?” Quinn’s voice carried through the now thin layer of snow. “Nikki, are you in there?”
“We’re here!” Nikki cried out as her mind spun with the realization that it was Quinn on the other side of the snow. “We’re both here.”
“Stay away from the opening, we’re coming to get you.” Quinn’s voice trembled as he spoke.
Nikki wondered if it was the cold, or the relief of finding them.
“Back farther.” Kyle guided her away from the entrance. “When they break through, more snow could slide.”
“No more snow.” Nikki gulped back a sob and a laugh at the same time. “Please, no more snow.”
Seconds later the snow packed into the entrance finally shattered. A flashlight shone into the cave.
“Nikki?” Quinn’s voice was clear now, followed by his presence as he peered into the cave.
“Quinn!” Nikki pulled away from Kyle and lunged towards him.
“Oh Nikki.” Quinn sighed as he pulled her into his arms. “Nikki, Nikki, Nikki.”
“No lectures, not now.” Nikki rested her head against his shoulder.
“This is sweet and everything, but I’m freezing, in case you forgot?” Kyle rolled his eyes. “Can we save the heartfelt reunion for later?”
“Of course, sorry.” Quinn pulled away from Nikki, smiled at Kyle, then led them both out of the cave. The trip back to the cabin was a blur for Nikki. She clung to Quinn’s waist as he drove the snowmobile down the side of the mountain. As soon as they reached the cabin, Sonia burst through the door.
“Nikki! Kyle!” Sonia ran up to them.
“Sonia, you need a coat.” Nikki climbed off the snowmobile. Coco bolted towards her as he escaped from Kyle’s grasp.
“Oh Coco, my hero.” Nikki crouched down a
nd wrapped her arms around the dog. “I love you so much.”
“I’m so glad you’re both safe.” Sonia hugged Nikki, then Kyle.
“So are we.” Nikki’s mother stepped out of the cabin, followed by her father. “But you two have a lot of explaining to do.”
“Yes, you do.” Sonia smiled as she escorted everyone back inside. “Don’t you ever take off like that without me.”
“Quinn, it’s Ken.” Nikki handed him the box with the pictures and articles. “These should help with the investigation.”
“He’s already in custody.” Quinn pulled her gloves from her hands. “Warm up in front of the fire. We’ll talk it all through in a little while.”
As the sounds of celebration surrounded her, Nikki felt the warmth of the flames, something she thought she might never get to experience again. Tears of relief slipped down her cheeks. Quinn sat down beside her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Nikki whispered as she looked up at him.
“I can’t believe you got yourself trapped in a cave by an avalanche.” Quinn raised an eyebrow as he looked into her eyes. “But we’ll have plenty of time to talk about that later.”
“I don’t ever want to talk about it. Ever.” Nikki closed her eyes, then felt Coco’s nose against her cheek. “Don’t worry, buddy, I’m okay.” She smiled as she pet the dog.
Christmas music began to play. She savored the warmth of Quinn’s arm around her, the crackling of the fire, the sounds of the voices of the people that she loved, and the magic of the miraculous moment.
The End
***
Thank you very much for reading this collection. I hope you enjoyed reading the books as much as I enjoyed writing them. The next book in the series Murder at the Dog Training Academy is available now. You can sign up for my cozy mystery newsletter to be notified of my latest releases so you don’t miss out on the special new release price at http://www.cindybellbooks.com
About the Author
Cindy Bell is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author. She is the author of the cozy mystery series Wagging Tail, Little Leaf Creek, Donut Truck, Dune House, Sage Gardens, Chocolate Centered, Macaron Patisserie, Nuts about Nuts, Bekki the Beautician, Heavenly Highland Inn and Wendy the Wedding Planner.
Cindy has always loved reading, but it is only recently that she has discovered her passion for writing romantic cozy mysteries. She loves walking along the beach thinking of the next adventure her characters can embark on.
You can sign up for her newsletter so you are notified of her latest releases at http://www.cindybellbooks.com.
Also by Cindy Bell
Wagging Tail Cozy Mysteries
Murder at Pawprint Creek (prequel)
Murder at Pooch Park
Murder at the Pet Boutique
A Merry Murder at St. Bernard Cabins
Murder at the Dog Training Academy
Murder at Corgi Country Club
A Merry Murder on Ruff Road
Murder at Poodle Place
Murder at Hound Hill
Murder at Rover Meadows
Little Leaf Creek Cozy Mysteries
Chaos in Little Leaf Creek
Dune House Cozy Mysteries
Seaside Secrets
Boats and Bad Guys
Treasured History
Hidden Hideaways
Dodgy Dealings
Suspects and Surprises
Ruffled Feathers
A Fishy Discovery
Danger in the Depths
Celebrities and Chaos
Pups, Pilots and Peril
Tides, Trails and Trouble
Racing and Robberies
Athletes and Alibis
Manuscripts and Deadly Motives
Pelicans, Pier and Poison
Sand, Sea and a Skeleton
Pianos and Prison
Sage Gardens Cozy Mysteries
Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery Series Box Set Volume 1 (Books 1 - 4)
Birthdays Can Be Deadly
Money Can Be Deadly
Trust Can Be Deadly
Ties Can Be Deadly
Rocks Can Be Deadly
Jewelry Can Be Deadly
Numbers Can Be Deadly
Memories Can Be Deadly
Paintings Can Be Deadly
Snow Can Be Deadly
Tea Can Be Deadly
Greed Can Be Deadly
Clutter Can Be Deadly
Chocolate Centered Cozy Mysteries
The Sweet Smell of Murder
A Deadly Delicious Delivery
A Bitter Sweet Murder
A Treacherous Tasty Trail
Pastry and Peril
Trouble and Treats
Fudge Films and Felonies
Custom-Made Murder
Skydiving, Soufflés and Sabotage
Christmas Chocolates and Crimes
Hot Chocolate and Homicide
Chocolate Caramels and Conmen
Picnics, Pies and Lies
Devils Food Cake and Drama
Cinnamon and a Corpse
Cherries, Berries and a Body
Christmas Cookies and Criminals
Nuts About Nuts Cozy Mysteries
A Seed of Doubt
Roasted Peanuts and Peril
Chestnuts, Camping and Culprits
Donut Truck Cozy Mysteries
Deadly Deals and Donuts
Fatal Festive Donuts
Bunny Donuts and a Body
Strawberry Donuts and Scandal
Frosted Donuts and Fatal Falls
Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mysteries
Hairspray and Homicide
A Dyed Blonde and a Dead Body
Mascara and Murder
Pageant and Poison
Conditioner and a Corpse
Mistletoe, Makeup and Murder
Hairpin, Hair Dryer and Homicide
Blush, a Bride and a Body
Shampoo and a Stiff
Cosmetics, a Cruise and a Killer
Lipstick, a Long Iron and Lifeless
Camping, Concealer and Criminals
Treated and Dyed
A Wrinkle-Free Murder
A Macaron Patisserie Cozy Mystery Series
Sifting for Suspects
Recipes and Revenge
Mansions, Macarons and Murder
Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mysteries
Murdering the Roses
Dead in the Daisies
Killing the Carnations
Drowning the Daffodils
Suffocating the Sunflowers
Books, Bullets and Blooms
A Deadly Serious Gardening Contest
A Bridal Bouquet and a Body
Digging for Dirt
Wendy the Wedding Planner Cozy Mysteries
Matrimony, Money and Murder
Chefs, Ceremonies and Crimes
Knives and Nuptials
Mice, Marriage and Murder