They stepped out onto the patio off the kitchen. The air was crisp and damp and wonderful in the aftermath of the storm. Standing there with him, Casey felt even more light-headed. What was it about this man that he’d broken down her barriers? He’d gotten to her and in such a short time. It terrified her even as goose bumps of excitement ran across her skin.
She stared up at Montana’s big sky filled with stars. It was so beautiful that it stole her breath away—just as being here with Finn on such a night made her heart beat faster.
“I’m hard-pressed to pick a favorite spot at this hotel, but this one is definitely up there, and I don’t have to climb all the way up to the tower, which is also one of my favorite places,” he said and grinned. “Especially now.”
She felt her cheeks heat with the memory of their lovemaking in the tower. Like him, she’d never think of that room without thinking of the two of them in the throes of lovemaking.
“The sky is incredible,” he said quietly.
She looked up at the black velvet studded with tiny jewels of light and wondered how many nights Finn had stared up at the stars alone. This man and this amazing night were like magic. She felt herself opening all the way to him, surrendering to him, to this night, to whatever the future held, while at the same time saying goodbye. “It is so hard to let this place go.”
He turned to her, sympathy in his gaze. “I can imagine. Hard to let go of anything you’ve loved and lost.” She could see that he knew the feeling. She felt raw with emotion. He made her ache for him, wanting more.
“You do realize that Jason was also behind all that in there with the Ouija board,” she said as she tried to rein in her emotions. “I don’t think he’s dangerous, just—”
“Just annoying?” Finn said and laughed. He had a wonderfully musical laugh. She thought she would never tire of it. “I wouldn’t be surprised to find out he sent the invitations.”
“Guess it doesn’t matter now,” she said and looked off into the distance. They were quiet for a long while, both staring up at the night sky.
“Did you see that?” he said, excitement in his voice.
She had. She’d made a wish on it—just as she had as a girl. “I haven’t seen a falling star in so long because of living in the city. I’d forgotten what the sky was like here. I’ve missed it.”
He stepped to her. “I hope you made a wish.” She didn’t move, didn’t breathe as he closed the distance between them, between their lips. He kissed her gently, only their mouths touching for a few moments before he cupped the back of her head with his hand, his fingers burrowing deep in her long hair as he drew her even closer and deepened the kiss.
She breathed him in, relishing the feel of his mouth, the taste of him on her tongue, the strong, male feel of his body molding to her own soft curves. She sighed contentedly as he slowly drew back to look at her as if he’d never seen her before.
“THE MOON,” CASEY SAID on a gasp, making him turn to look over his shoulder. A huge silver moon rose up over the black silhouette of the mountain. She sounded as if the sight had taken her breath away—just as she had when he’d kissed her.
He wanted to take a mental picture of this moment and keep it always, as he put his arm around her and they watched the moon rise from the dark depths.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, snuggling against him.
“No more beautiful than you.” He couldn’t bear the thought of letting her walk out of his life—not even temporarily. “Dang, I’m going to miss you,” he said, his voice sounding husky.
“Finn—”
“I know,” he said quickly. “You’ll be safer away from here, and I know it’s what you have to do.” He didn’t want her to go, but he had to let her. He wasn’t even sure what his plans were for the future. He now owned a hotel in Buckhorn, Montana. He still had no idea what he would do with it. Maybe give it to the town and let them do with it what they pleased. The idea appealed to him.
But tonight, he would try to make it last as long as he could. “You realize that if we don’t go look for that bottle of wine soon...”
Casey nodded as if she knew exactly what would happen. She wouldn’t have minded in the least.
“Fortunately, the night is young,” he said with a laugh. “To the wine cellar.”
They went down to the lobby. Finn watched her go through the keys.
“That’s odd. It isn’t here,” she said.
He’d already looked, so he wasn’t surprised as he followed her into the office. She used the key on the ribbon around her neck and opened a desk drawer and pulled it all the way out. A key was taped to the bottom of the drawer.
“My grandmother was always losing her keys. She had an extra made.” She shrugged. “We’re probably going to find the wine cellar empty since someone has the original key, but maybe we’ll get lucky.”
He’d already gotten lucky when this ridiculous idea of searching for Megan’s killer had led him to Casey. But as they started to venture down into the basement, Casey couldn’t get the key to work.
Frowning, she turned to face him. “Someone changed the lock.”
“Well, I guess that takes care of that,” he said.
“No. Why would someone do that? Can you bust down the door?”
He laughed. “If you’re thinking I’m going to rear back and crash into that door with my shoulder... I saw something in the kitchen. Stay here.” He returned moments later with a variety of tools, including a flashlight.
It didn’t take him long to break the lock. As the door swung open,
