A Love to Treasure (Sunriver Dreams Book 1) Read Free Page A

here in Sunriver. Now that would be incredible. She’d have to check the district website and see if they were hiring. If they were, she’d be sure to apply. It would be a dream come true to live and work here.
    Sarah stared at Nicole’s shoulders. “You really need to put ointment on your shoulders. I can see the red through your cover-up.”
    “That doesn’t sound good. Maybe I should go.”
    “Wait. I have a fix for your burn. Be right back.” Sarah grabbed something from her bag and came back. “This stuff will help.” She held up a spray can. “It has aloe in it and feels soothing on a burn. You can buy your own at the grocery store in the village, but this should help until then.”
    “Thanks.” Nicole removed her cover-up and held her breath as Sarah sprayed her shoulders. “Brr. It’s freezing.”
    “Doesn’t it feel nice though?”
    “Mmm. Yes.” The cold sank through the burning hot layers of skin bringing sweet relief. She chuckled. “To think a few minutes ago I was roasting.”
    “Glad I could help.” Sarah snapped the cap back on the can.
    “I’ll be sure to get that stuff. Thanks for the tip.”
    “You’re welcome.” Sarah looked toward her friends, then back at Nicole. “I grab coffee at the Merchant Trader Café every morning. Would you like to join me tomorrow?”
    Nicole tipped her head to the side. “I’d love to. Your friends won’t mind?”
    “Nope. I jog in the mornings and then stop for coffee and a bagel at the café before walking back to my cabin. I’d love company.”
    “You’re sure your friends won’t change their mind?”
    “Trust me, they don’t get up before eleven, and my cousin sleeps late too. They’re all on vacation. I, on the other hand, am not. I took the day off to spend with them, but it’s back to work for me tomorrow. I’ll be at the café in the lodge by seven. Is that too early for you?”
    “Not at all. I’m a morning person.”
    “Good. I’ll see you then.” Sarah turned and rejoined her friends, who had sauntered back to sun themselves on the lounge chairs.
    Nicole had had more than enough heat and gathered her stuff. She needed to figure out what this key went to.
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    Mark eased into the hammock with a groan and closed his eyes. He draped his arm over the side and ran his hand along Sadie’s back. He’d recently adopted the Golden Retriever and didn’t have one regret. Talk about a good dog.
    He shifted and stifled a groan. Every muscle in his body ached. No one warned him to take it easy his first day, but they sure had a good laugh at his expense when he could barely walk after getting off the bike.
    Sadie sat up and growled.
    “What is it, girl?” Footsteps on the deck had Mark twisting to see who was approaching. The hammock tilted to one side and dumped him to the ground as Sadie darted out of the way.
    She barked at Spencer, one of his new co-workers.
    “It’s okay, girl.” Mark scrambled to standing, and every muscle in his backside screamed at him. The blasted hammock needed adjusting so that wouldn’t happen again.
    Sadie quieted and sat, never taking her gaze off the other officer.
    Spencer chuckled as he folded his six-foot frame into one of the plastic Adirondack chairs. “Nice dog.”
    “Thanks. What brings you by?”
    “Wanted to see how your day went. I had your job my rookie year, and that first week was murder.”
    Mark winced at Spencer’s choice of words, as he eased into the other Adirondack chair. Murder—he shook off the all too fresh memory, and focused on the man across from him. “Today was quiet. You have any action?”
    “I responded to a burglary and a fender bender.”
    “A burglary?” His gut tightened. Sunriver was supposed to be quiet.
    “Yeah. There’ve been a string of them this past week.”
    Mark frowned. It seemed crime wove its tentacles everywhere. “Any leads?”
    “Only that all the houses hit are part of the same rental pool.”
    “Inside