Roland was late, but she was lucky he’d agreed to come at all. She jogged in place to get warm as she watched a pair of headlights turn into the lot. His familiar SUV slid up alongside the unmarked patrol unit she’d borrowed from work. “Nice ride,” he said, joining her at the trailhead. Dressed in shorts and a long-sleeved T-shirt, he looked almost naked compared to her. In deference to the morning’s frosty weather, Allison had on two thick layers and a fleece headband that covered her ears. She rubbed her hands together. “You’re not planning to whine at me, are you?” He gave her a “get real” look. “I never whine. How many miles?” “Six.” He shook his head. “Always a slave driver. That’s what I miss about you.” He started down the trail. “Don’t you even want to stretch first?” “Stretching’s for wusses.” She caught up to him and they fell into a brisk pace. If things had gone differently, she’d be waking up in Mark’s motel room right now.
