“Mm hm…”
She tipped her head back and grinned with her chin on his chest. “Missed you too.” She stepped back to remove her jacket and handed it to Logan.
Logan’s father, Adam, cleared his throat from behind them.
Amanda turned around.
“You must be Amanda.” Adam reached out a hand and took hers. He twisted around to find his mate coming toward him. “I’m Logan’s father, Adam. And this is his mother, Carlie.”
Carlie shoved Adam out of the way gently and closed the distance to wrap Amanda in a hug.
Sawyer’s skin tingled at the look on his mate’s face. She was slightly overwhelmed with emotion. And rightfully so if her own parents weren’t as warm and affectionate as the Masters. Hell, when she finally got a chance to spend time with Sawyer’s mother, she would probably start crying.
Sawyer hated that Amanda’s parents had been so stifling all her life. What a waste considering what wonderful human beings they managed to raise. It rubbed him the wrong way that both Mary and Amanda would have to carry on a farce for the foreseeable future to avoid a negative confrontation with their parents.
“Welcome to the family.” Carlie held Amanda at arm’s length. “We’re so glad to meet you.” She turned toward Sharon and waved her over. “I don’t think you’ve met Sharon yet.”
“No.” Amanda shook Sharon’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Please make yourself at home. You’re a member of the family now,” Carlie continued.
“Thank you. That means a lot to me,” Amanda replied.
Adam clapped his hands together to break the emotional moment. “Okay, so we have a plan.” He glanced at Logan.
Everyone else was already there. All of the Masters siblings and several mates. Sawyer had been there while they formulated the morning plan.
“Fill me in,” Logan said, draping his jacket and Amanda’s over the rental counter.
It was eight thirty. The first group of hikers would show up at nine.
Adam continued. “Trace and Corbin are both officially at work for their respective sheriff’s offices. They’re going to lead the team that shifts and heads to the logging site. Logan, you’re with them. You’re the one who’s been there the most and knows the best angle to approach during working hours.”
“Got it.”
Adam turned toward Melinda. “Melinda. You’re also with them. If anybody’s going to get a good feel on what’s happening there, it’s you.”
Melinda nodded agreement.
“Zachary and Sharon are leading the morning hikers. I’ll stay here with Griffen to man the rental desk. Carlie will be in the office.”
“Who do you want me with?” Sawyer asked.
“Oh, right. I was thinking you might like to join the hike. That puts at least one member of your family somewhere else on the mountain in case you get a feel for something.”
“How strenuous is this hike?” Amanda asked. “Would I be able to handle it too?”
“Of course,” Carlie said. “Perfect idea. But you’re welcome to stay here with me if you’d like too. That’s up to you.”
Amanda nodded.
Sawyer knew she would be with him. And he wasn’t sorry about that. He would prefer she be with him or Logan anyway. Not that the other Masters couldn’t handle protecting her, but he hated her being anywhere but by his side.
The first hikers arrived, and the meeting split up to get started.
“Stay in touch,” Logan said as he passed Amanda and Sawyer on his way out the door. The group of them would drive closer to the logging site and then leave their car and shift. “I’ll let you know what’s happening to the south.” He winked at Amanda but didn’t reach for her in front of the guests.
Sawyer spoke softly to Zach. “If I get a call, I’ll have to bail in a hurry.”
“No problem. We can always say you have to head back, and you can shift and run the rest of the way after we clear the area.”
Sawyer nodded. It would work. He wasn’t technically permitted to be far from easy access to his car, but what his team leader didn’t know was he could run faster than a human and be exactly where he needed to be in just as much time in an emergency.
It took about twenty minutes to get everyone gathered and headed out.
Amanda spent most of that time chatting with Sharon while Zach spoke to the hikers. There were eight guests in the group, ten with Sawyer and Amanda. Twelve with Zach and Sharon.
By ten o’clock, they were two miles from the lodge enjoying the gorgeous late fall scenery when Amanda stopped in her tracks. Sawyer nearly ran into her back when she did so. “You okay?”