Following the Trail: Hairy's Cryptid Cafe, #4

By Jo Carey

Chaos and danger have been nipping at Everly's heels since she moved to Idaho to run Hairy's Cryptid Cafe. She's found a great guy who wants to share her life, and she's enjoying pushing outside her comfort zone, but can this southern belle survive northern forests that hide creatures and secret government labs?

Following the Trail is the fourth book in this exciting new women's adventure. Come to Hairy's Cryptid Café and see what's on special today. 117 pages

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Carey
• Release date: May 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386269496

Jo Carey

Jo Carey grew up in the Midwest but her curiosity and gypsy-spirit has kept her on the move. She's lived in eight US states and spent three years living in Ireland. She has always loved creature movies, so creatures and bugs often show up in her books. Jo, a former information security compliance guru, writes fast-paced, character-driven stories in a variety of genres from medical thrillers to space operas and cozy mysteries. Her novels are filled with humor, romance, and sometimes creatures or aliens, or maybe even all of the above. She often builds her stories around a strong female lead character surrounded by plenty of hunky male heroes. Jo's been under fire on a golf course and climbed out the roof of an elevator in the Netherlands. Life hasn't been boring. Now residing in Texas, setting often plays a huge role in her stories. Jo was intrigued by the League of Planetary Systems, a world her husband, Frank, created for his science fiction books, and she now writes mysteries and other types of tales sets in that world. Jo was bitten by a cat, a fire ant, and a snake, before succumbing to the bite of the writing bug.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Chance, are you sure about this? Really, really sure? I asked as he loaded my luggage in the back of his truck.

Babe, we've been talking about this for a couple of weeks. I want to meet your mom and Krista and see where you grew up."

She'll see this as a big deal you know.

Why shouldn't she? Do you think she'd going to expect us to get married someday?

Definitely.

Isn't that what you want?

Yeah, but... You know how much I hate it when you're right.

I know, Babe. It'll be fine.

I hoped he was right. I couldn't believe I was heading back to Georgia for Christmas. When I moved to the small town of Wilkins' Gap, Idaho a few months ago, my mother was sure I'd only last a couple of weeks, but it feels like home now. I always planned to go home for a visit at Christmas. I just didn't plan on taking Chance Munroe along.

XXX

We stopped at Hairy's Cryptid Cafe on our way out of town. My Uncle Harry left me the cafe when he passed away. That's why I moved to Idaho. Will you go up and get the bag of gifts I left on the sofa upstairs? I asked as I got out of the truck.

Sure. I'll make sure everything's locked up tight. Anything else you need from the apartment?

No, just the gifts for Hairy's.

I walked in, and all heads turned my way.

Hi, Everly, Sally said from her perch behind the register. You haven't been around much lately. Do you even live here anymore?

I'm not sure, I said honestly. It was quite an adjustment for a Southern Belle to learn to love northern Idaho, especially now that it was winter, but I knew that wasn’t what she meant.

I can't believe it's almost Christmas. It seems like I just moved here a few weeks ago not a few months.

Yeah, times flies when you're surrounded by the hottest guys in the county, Rita, my other waitress said as she took a tray of dishes back to the kitchen.

You might as well rent the apartment upstairs. You got it all painted and fixed up, but you seem to be spending all your time at Chance's house.

Chance Munroe, hunter, guide, cryptid hunter, local legend, and now, my boyfriend. I don't think I'm ready for that kind of commitment just yet. He'll be back to traveling a lot after the holidays. I'm just trying to enjoy him while he's here.

I suspect you're not finding that too tough a job, Rita quipped.

Some days are more of a challenge than others.

It was true. Chance was amazing, but he could be irritating as a swarm of skeeters on a summer night in Georgia. He enjoyed pushing me, and sometimes I appreciated it. Other times, I just... well... I did push him off a cliff once. It was an accident, but it started the chain of events that led to where we are today. We've only been dating officially for a couple of weeks, but we're also business partners.

Here you go, Chance said when he walked in. He handed me the cloth bag I'd used to gather up the Christmas gifts for my staff at Hairy's.

I made the rounds, handing out gifts and holiday wishes before we got back in the truck and headed for the airport. It was a long drive, so we had plenty of time to kill. Did you have fun with Laurie this morning? Chance asked.

Yeah. We caught up on things and talked about our holiday plans. Jim's been invited to Christmas dinner with Laurie's parents.

Sounds serious.

She hopes it is. I like Jim. You know he's been one of my closest friends since I moved to Wilkins' Gap and Laurie is my BFF so seeing them together is great.

I can hear a but in your voice?

Sometimes I still get the feeling Jim is hiding something?

Jim. The guy you convinced me to bring in on all our discussion about the location of the bigfoot family. That Jim?

I told you about my concerns before. I trust Jim. It isn't that. Something's just not right with him.

So, you trust him, but you don't believe him?

Something like that.

We talked about the fact that it had been quiet since my kidnapping just after Thanksgiving. Do you think the situation was resolved somehow?

It would be good if that were the case. I just don't know. I wish we had been able to get back to the observation point since I got the cast off, but it just wasn't possible. Remind me when we get to the hotel. I'll go into the calendar and block out time for the four of us to go between hunts. If I don't put it on the calendar, we'll never get there.

The four of us were Jim Stafford, the lawyer who handled my Uncle Harry's estate, Tom Beckett, Laurie's brother who was the local fire chief, and leader of the Wilkins' Gap search and rescue team, Chance and me. Because of some strange provisions in my Uncle's will, the four of us have become involved in something we're still trying to understand.

Our flight out was early in the morning, so we booked a room at an airport hotel for the night. I'd gotten used to spending most all my time at Chance's A-frame, I felt comfortable there, but it was nice to be with Chance away from home.

CHAPTER TWO

We parked the car in the long-term lot and waited for the shuttle. I wish we didn't have so much luggage to deal with, I said as we loaded our bags.

Remember we had to pack for multiple trips. If we were just going for Christmas, we wouldn't have so many.

I know. Are you sure you have everything for your hunting trip?

I'm good. I have done this before, Chance said as we found a seat on the shuttle. He pulled me in and gave me the kind of kiss I call a brain freeze. It takes my breath away and makes me a little light-headed. You need to stop worrying about introducing me to your mom. You said it yourself, all women love me.

It was true, but that didn't make me feel any better. I love Chance. I haven't told him that yet, because his ego is already the size of bigfoot, but I'm pretty sure he knows it. Dealing with Chance in Wilkins' Gap, I'm used to. Imagining Chance in my previous home town with friends and relatives, I haven't come to grips with yet. When I told him my holiday plans, he simply said, he was coming with me. He didn't ask. He made all the arrangements, so he could spend Christmas with me in Georgia before his first guide trip of the new year. I tried to talk him out of it. Our relationship is new, and I don't think we're at the meet the parents stage yet. I've met Chance's mom because she's the local accountant who does the books for Hairy's.

It seems in some bizarre twist of fate, Chance is sure we're destined to build a future together. I'm the one with doubts. I was sure my first husband was the love of my life, until I found him in our bed with his paralegal. Thinking of Jamison, my ex, and Chance in the same breath was strange. The two men were so different, it was like they weren't even the same species.

I was surprised when we walked up to the check in desk and the woman behind the desk said, Welcome back, Mr. Munroe. We've missed you. I shouldn't have been surprised. This had already happened at the hotel and with the shuttle driver. Chance had been a very frequent traveler until I pushed him off a cliff and broke his ankle. He hasn't been able to lead any hunting trips for the past few months because of the cast on his leg.

Hi, Rachel, I had to stick close to home for a few months, but I'm glad to be back to traveling.

It didn't bother me that everyone seemed to know Chance, and I was pretty sure most of the women would like to get to know him better. I've gotten use to that. What bothered me was that Chance wanted to travel all the time. I didn't see how we could build a life and a business in Wilkins' Gap, if he was always gone.

Why don't you take your boarding pass and carry-on and go on through security, Chance said, handing me the pass. Dealing with the guns takes a while. I'm used to it. When you get through security there's a coffee shop to your right. I'll catch up with you at the gate. He gave me a quick kiss.

I knew Chance was trying to be thoughtful. I'm not the most patient person, and he knows the process around checking his weapons. I wouldn't be any help, but I wasn't all that pleased to leave him with Rachel smiling up at him from behind the counter.

I picked up a large Earl Grey tea for me and a black coffee for Chance on my way to the gate. I found two seats together and was trying to decide whether I wanted to people watch or read when my phone rang.

Hi, Mama. I'm at the airport.

That's great, Baby Girl. I can't wait to see you. I'm cooking all your favorites. If you get here early enough, we could hit the tea room or maybe leave that for tomorrow.

We'll see how I feel when I get there. See you soon. Love you, Mama.

Love you more, Baby Girl.

I'd always been close to my mom. After my marriage broke up, I moved back home with her and, for a while, it was nice to let her take care of me, but I was looking for my own place even before I got the letter about Uncle Harry's will and the cafe. Now, I had an apartment above the cafe that I'd cleaned and painted so it felt like mine. I don't think I've slept one night there since Thanksgiving. I've been staying at Chance's A-frame. We haven't talked about living together, but I get the idea that Chance doesn't see any reason for us to be apart when we could be together. I'm not sure how things are going to work now that he's back to traveling for his business.

Sorry it took so long, Babe. It's always a hassle to travel with weapons, but it's necessary in my line of work. I'm used to it.

Was there a problem?

No. It just takes time. You OK?

Fine, I said and handed him his coffee. He flopped down in the seat beside me.

Are you getting excited to see your mom and Krista?

I guess.

What's going on, Everly? You do know the Grinch didn't really steal Christmas. That's just a story.

Cute.

Glad you noticed.

Me and Rachel, and what was the desk clerk's name at the hotel? Tiffany?

We've talked about this, Babe. I'm just being friendly. I'm not interested in any of these women. The only woman I want in my bed is you?

Do they know that?

I did consider having it put on a billboard, but I thought someone might find it offensive.

I smacked him with my boarding pass.

CHAPTER THREE

I didn't really pay attention. Chance was the one who traveled all the time, and he made the arrangements. When Chance got up to board, he pulled me up and guided me into line in front of him. When we walked down the jetway, he asked, Do you want window or aisle?

Is it two seats across or three?

Just two.

Window, unless you want it.

Chance moved in front of me as we neared the door of the plane. He stopped at the third row. Is something wrong? Did you forget something?

These are our seats, he said, putting his carry-on in the overhead compartment.

We're going first class? Isn't that really expensive?

I don't fit real well in coach, he said, and I have a lot of frequent flier miles.

Once we were settled in, Chance leaned over and gave me a kiss so hot I was embarrassed we were in public. The stewardess cleared her throat to get our attention. Can I get you a drink before we take off.

No thanks, we're good, Chance said.

Everly, why are you so nervous? He leaned over to put his lips to my ear. Are you worried that someone will follow us?

I wasn't, but I am now. The feds could definitely access our flight reservations.

Probably, but I think we're OK. We've seen nothing to indicate they were still watching us or following us. We're probably safer in the airport than anywhere.

I couldn't think of a response, so I said nothing.

"Are you nervous, because you think I'll embarrass you? I'm good enough for you in