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

job?”
    Spencer shrugged. “Could be. There’s nothing pointing to that, but we’re still investigating.”
    “Let me know if I can help.” Mark almost revealed he’d been a detective in Portland, but stopped himself in time. That would create too many questions since he was working well beneath his rank and abilities this summer.
    “Thanks, but I don’t think a rookie will be much help. No offense.”
    Mark’s pulse quickened at the jab—he had at least five years of experience on the man. He shook off the comment. The chief agreed to keep his experience quiet, but the slight rankled just the same. “No offense taken, but the offer stands if you need a fresh perspective.”
    Spencer nodded and stood. “You work tomorrow?”
    “Yes.” Hopefully he’d be able to straddle the seat.
    “See you then.” Spencer hopped off the deck and sauntered across the dirt to the driveway.
    Mark frowned. He’d wanted a light workload with limited threat potential, but if his investigative skills were needed maybe he should offer his services to the chief. Then again, he’d been ordered by his boss to relax this summer. That might prove to be easier said than done if someone was burglarizing rental units. He’d need to be extra vigilant to look for suspicious behavior while he was patrolling.
    Frightened screams from the direction of the bike trail behind his rental had him leaping to his feet despite his protesting muscles. Adrenaline pumping, he jumped off the deck. Sadie scrambled after him then ran beside him as he sprinted across the dirt, littered with grasses and lava rocks. He headed toward the trail keeping watch for threats as he charged across the dry landscape. Water balloon remains littered the bike path. He looked around but didn’t spot anyone. A balloon splashed at his feet, then another exploded against his gut. He sprinted in the direction the balloon had come.
    A boy ran from behind a boulder. He looked to be about five feet tall, with brown hair a little too long to be considered clean cut. He wore jeans and a gray T-shirt.
    “Sadie, stay!” Mark sprinted, then reached out and grabbed the back of the kid’s shirt. “Hold up.”
    “Let me go! I didn’t hurt anyone.” The kid thrashed, trying to pull away.
    He gripped the boy’s shoulder. “Cool it! I’m not going to hurt you. I only want to talk.”
    The boy stilled. “What do you want?” He eyed Mark with distrust.
    “What’s your name?”
    “Connor.”
    He raised a brow at the familiar name. The boy looked around the right age. “I’m Mark. You don’t happen to have a cousin named Sarah do you?”
    Recognition shown in the boy’s suspicious eyes. “You know Sarah?”
    “We’ve met. I guess she was right about you.” He released his hold on the delinquent, convinced he’d piqued the kid’s curiosity enough he wouldn’t bolt.
    Connor crossed his arms. “What’d she say?”
    “That you’re a handful.”
    Pain dulled the eyes that suddenly dropped to study the ground. “I keep doing things that bug her. She’s not used to having a kid around, and she is so boring.” He rolled his eyes. “Plus her friends are awful! I can’t stand them. They drink and talk all night long.” He shrugged. “So I came out here to find something to do.” He pointed toward the bike path. “Is that your dog?”
    “Yes.” He patted his thigh. “Sadie, come.”
    Sadie charged at them and bounded to a stop.
    “She’s friendly. You don’t have to be afraid.”
    “I’m not afraid.” He reached out a hand to Sadie and let her sniff it. “You’re a pretty girl.” He glanced up at Mark. “How old is she?”
    “Three. You can pet her.” He couldn’t stop thinking about the boy’s words regarding the women at his house. “You mentioned your cousin’s friends drink too much. They don’t hurt you, do they?” Mark’s dad had been a mean drunk, and he had a short fuse for people who abused kids.
    “No. They leave me alone. My cousin