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They returned to find the lodge in chaos, with local and state police everywhere. Matt turned Bruce over to them and a couple officers took statements from Matt, Sady, and Leslie.
Harry hugged Sady and said, "We were getting ready to send out a search party."
Matt frowned. "Well, thanks for your concern! I'm just fine, no thanks to Sady."
"He's just miffed because I wouldn't let him drive," Sady said defensively.
Matt handed over the now empty gun to a nearby officer. Harry and CJ exchanged a glance, then looked at Matt. "You even need to wonder?" he asked sourly. "It's a miracle she didn't kill us all!"
"You wouldn't have found the money if not for me," Sady said with a sniff.
"Sady found the money?" Mike asked.
"After she blew a hole through the roof of the shack," Matt told them. "She was aiming at Bruce!"
"Picky, picky. I at least found the money... or what's left of the money. The animal inhabitants enjoyed expensive mattresses the last twenty years," Sady explained. "Unfortunately, they didn't keep any for a rainy day," she giggled.
Matt reached over and tugged her hair. "I'd rather smack your head, but I'm being a gentleman."
Sady ignored him and asked, "So what set Bruce off like that?"
Harry explained, "He was eavesdropping on our conversation with George and Leslie this afternoon. Leslie told us about an overgrown shack that would be in the way of the new ski run, and he got desperate. He realized if that was the right one, someone else might find the money first."
“That's why he grabbed her and ran. He knew she could take him there, even in a snowstorm. Bruce moved the ski trail markers and vandalized the lodge. His plan was to force the Hills to put their expansion on hold so he could search for the shelter in the spring. He didn't count on us being in the picture and disrupting his plans.”
"Bruce was going to abandon Leslie at the shelter today. There are still a lot of places a wanted man can hide in upper Michigan," Mike told them. "Michelle and I are so grateful for all you've done." He smiled and nodded at George who stood across the room. "I think he feels the same way." George fussed over Leslie, apparently no longer shy after her recent ordeal. They held hands.
"Aw, how cute," Sady commented. CJ rolled her eyes, and Matt looked disgusted. Harry smiled and winked at Sady.
Sady left to talk with them and came bouncing back. "Guess what?" she asked in excitement.
"They're getting married," Matt answered, sounding bored.
"They are?" Sady asked. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I could have congratulated them." She frowned at Matt and he sighed while Harry and CJ tried not to laugh.
"No, Sady, I was guessing. What's the big news?" he asked.
"Leslie and George are opening a joint business venture. Do you think anyone will really go in for nude snow skiing?"
"Not if Jenna shows up," Matt said, sounding horrified at the prospect. "What are they calling it? Bartholomew's Bare Bottom Boarding?" He grinned. "On the other hand, that would be perfect for you, Sady. No bulky clothing. How about it? Do you want to make a reservation?"
Sady looked aghast and changed the subject. "Have you heard from your brother?" she asked CJ.
"I'm afraid so," she chuckled. "He said all the good booze is gone, and to blame Amanda. I didn't ask for details."
Sady stood there for a minute, then her face turned red. She bit her lower lip and ignored Matt when he asked if she was okay. A few seconds later her eyes started to water, and she ran from the room, heading for the bar. Matt and CJ pushed Harry in her direction.
"You're the nice one," CJ reminded him. "You go find out what's wrong."
Harry entered the bar and found Sady sitting in a booth. Her forehead rested on the table and she pounded the table with both palms, her whole body shaking. Shocked, he asked, "Sady, what's wrong?"
She looked up with tears in her eyes and he saw... laughter? She pointed to the opposite bench and Harry sat, a look of bewilderment on his face. Had she lost her mind? Sady giggled for a moment, then she wiped her eyes and apologized. "I'm so glad you came and not CJ," she gasped. "Because she would kill me!"
Still puzzled Harry asked, "Do I even want to know what brought this on?"
Sady said, "I just got it!" Harry looked blank, and she continued, "No wonder CJ grew up so tough. Her last name was Barr and her parents named her Candy? That's just cruel!"
Harry's face cleared, and he grinned. "Poor CJ. Her folks were hoping she'd be a cute little moppet with a sunny disposition. That all ended when she was three years old and beat up the neighbor's five-year-old son because he called her stupid." That set Sady off again. She was still howling when Matt and CJ cautiously approached the table.
"Is everything okay?" CJ asked hesitantly. She was ready to bolt for the door if Sady was having an emotional episode.
"It's all good," Sady assured them. "I just had a mental picture of Amanda chasing your brother around your house, with your good booze in hand," she lied, with a grin at Harry.
Harry stood and took CJ's arm, pulling her from the bar. Matt took his place and said, "I'm not buying it." Sady tried to keep a straight face, but she couldn't.
"It's CJ," she confessed. "Candy Barr?"
"If you value your life you'll never mention those two names in the same sentence," Matt advised with a grin. " I learned my lesson the hard way!"
"I need something to distract me," Sady told him. His eyes lit up, and she said, "I know what you have in mind. Shame on you! Your mother will think I'm one of those kinds of girls."
"And what kind would that be?" he asked.
"The kind that doesn't shave," Sady taunted. "And in case you forget, Amanda has a picture she'd be happy to post on the internet."
"You can't blame a guy for trying," he said with no shame. "And tell Amanda, that unfortunate episode will haunt me until I die. There's no need for threats!"
Michelle passed through and stopped to say, "Hey, celebration bonfire at the skating pond tomorrow night. The storm's letting up, so we should be able to clear the ice. Do either of you skate?"
Sady raised her hand in excitement, and Matt asked, "Why am I not surprised? I thought you didn't do any dangerous sports."
"Skating's not dangerous. Unless you try do those jumps and back flips. I don't do that on skates. Although, I have this tumbling routine I did once..."
Matt interrupted her story. "We'll be there," he told Michelle.
When she left Sady teased Matt. "I didn't know you could figure skate, Matt."
"There's a lot you don't know about me," he retorted. "Like the fact that I don't figure skate. I played hockey in college, however."
"Were you a bench warmer?" she asked.
"No, I was a starter, Miss Nosy."
"I bet you spent a lot of time in the penalty box, didn't you?" she prodded.
One corner of his mouth rose. "Do you even need to ask?"
She shook her head, then challenged him to a duel on ice. "I bet I can stay on my feet longer than you, Mr. Penalty Box."
"You're on, Miss Overconfident!"
***
The next night at the pond Sady skated the pageant routine that she'd done on roller blades. "Show off," Matt complained. "I bet if they pulled out a puck and hockey sticks you'd end up with a broken nose."
"Shame on you! You're just jealous because I'm the better skater. And I'm still on my feet." The words no sooner left her mouth when someone yelled "Fore," and knocked her down. It was the guy she'd crossed on the ski hill.
"I guess that makes us even," he said apologetically. "I didn't hurt anything did I?" he asked cautiously.
Sady smiled her forgiveness. "Only my dignity."
Matt helped her to her feet and said, "You just lost the bet!"
"Oh, no way does that count," she retorted. "I didn't fall down, I got knocked down."
"That wasn't part of the rules," he reminded her.
"There were no rules!" she protested.
"Well, then I guess you lose," he grinned.
"Okay," she smiled, grabbing his upper arms. She hooked one leg behind his and gave him a shove, letting go of his arms at the same time. He went down with a crash and sat up with a scowl.
"That's not my fault," she said innocently. "No rules, remember?"
Harry stepped in to prevent a scene. "The lady is always right, Meadows. Try to remember that in the future." Sady shot Matt a huge grin. It faded quickly when Harry continued. "As for you, remember those safety lessons I mentioned? They start when we return home."
Matt thought it was funny until Harry told him he was responsible for taking Sady to the shooting range again. Matt's face turned red as he remembered the first time they'd gone.
Sady tried to protest, and CJ cut her off. "You don't have to carry a gun, Sady. You do have to know how to handle one safely. End of discussion."
"Well, there goes my sanity for the next month," Matt said bitterly.
"What do you mean for the next month?" Sady asked. "Are you implying I'm a slow learner?"
"I'm not implying anything," he snorted. "I'm simply stating the facts."
"Just for that I'm bringing Amanda," she said with narrowed eyes.
"I'm not getting paid to teach in a war zone. Taking you will be hazardous duty. Taking you and Amanda is a suicide mission."
Off to the side CJ watched Harry's smile grow. "Harry Knight, you're supposed to be the nice guy! You lit that fuse on purpose, didn't you?" she scolded.
"Yes, and I'd do it again. You have to admit it’s fun."
CJ held his arm and laughed as they watched Matt and Sady. "Now let's go sit by the fire."
Harry and CJ just found a spot when they saw Matt and Sady move toward the fire. Sady elbowed Matt and flipped her head with a grin. Harry, CJ, and Matt all turned to see why. It was Jenna.
"He's got the next move figured out," Harry said to CJ. "Watch how he maneuvers things." A short while later Matt sat with Sady in front of him and his arms around her.
"He's just using Jenna as an excuse," CJ said shaking of her head. "Maybe I should have a talk with Sady."
Harry laughed. "That girl knows exactly what she's doing. Kind of like another woman I know and love." He sat behind CJ and pulled her close. "See how this works?" he asked in her ear.
CJ relaxed in Harry's arms. The only time she ever completely let down her guard was with him. She leaned back against Harry and smiled with contentment. "That was us twenty years ago, wasn't it?" she asked.
"That's still us, except we're smarter now... and you're still the most beautiful woman I know," he replied.
"And you're still the most charming and lovable liar I know," she replied. Then she laughed when Sady turned to give Matt a dirty look. She nudged Harry and pointed. "Make it closer to twenty-five years ago. That boy still has a lot to learn!"
Harry tapped her on the shoulder and said, "Wait for it." They watched Matt lean forward and whisper something in Sady's ear that made her smile and settle back against him. "He's just a slow starter," Harry said. "He didn't have the benefit of older sisters to educate him. But he's learning."
"Okay, we'll split the difference," CJ agreed. "Twenty-two-and-a-half years. I just hope he gets it right before they're too old enjoy it."
"You can never be too old to enjoy it, Candy Jane," he teased. "I just hope they're taking the time to appreciate the journey."