TIME SEEMED TO stand still as Logan Kensington focused his camera on a magnificent buck, outlined by the first rays of sunlight. Mount Rainier rose beyond, white and majestic in the stillness. It was a fitting background to the deer, who surveyed his world with lordly arrogance.

The faint whirring sound from the camera caught the buck’s attention and it looked at the undergrowth where Logan was hidden. He kept his finger on the shutter release button to take a continuous burst of pictures.

Earlier in the year, Logan had spotted the game trail and small stream on a hike. Suspecting it would be a good place for photos, he’d returned and spent last night under cover, alert to the faintest movement and sound. Deer, a fox, raccoons, a pair of skunks, rabbits, even a snuffling bear—each of their images captured by his sensitive equipment. Now he was getting daylight shots.

A moment later the buck was gone, leaping effortlessly over the stream.

Aware that time was passing, Logan crawled from his photography blind and stretched. His clothes were damp from the rain that had come and gone over the hours he’d waited, and he needed to get back to Seattle for a meeting at the Moonlight Ventures Talent Agency. He was one of four partners who owned the agency, but so far his participation had mostly been long-distance. Once his last contract as a fashion photographer was fulfilled, he could remain in Seattle permanently instead of spending a week or two whenever he could manage. In the meantime, he’d gotten a studio apartment and an SUV to make his frequent trips to the Pacific Northwest easier.

He and his partners had bought Moonlight Ventures over a year before, and he would be the last to come on board. Nicole George was the first, followed by Adam Wilding and then Rachel Clarion, who had just gotten there. They were his closest friends, met while on photo shoots. In the early days, Adam, Rachel and Nicole had all been models, but Rachel had become a makeup artist after being injured in an accident.

Logan hiked out to where he’d left the SUV and drove back to Seattle, pleased with his night’s efforts. Despite being late for the meeting with his partners, he hurried into the Crystal Connection for a cup of coffee. The shop was located in the large building owned by Moonlight Ventures and sold a mixed bag of merchandise, from petrified wood bookends to fanciful kites. Yet Logan suspected coffee sales were their mainstay; they had a reputation for making the best around.

“Hi, Penny,” he greeted the woman behind the counter.

“Morning, Logan.” Penny Parrish had an amazing memory and had remembered his name from the beginning of their acquaintance, though he wasn’t a regular customer yet.

He studied the brews listed on the whiteboard. Some were the usual offerings, but he often got the flavor of the day. “I’ll try the Southwest Twist,” he told Penny.

“That’s one of my favorites. There’s a touch of roasted piñon nuts in the mix. It’s so popular I’m planning to make it a regular item.”

“Sounds great.”

Logan took the cup she handed him and tasted the steaming brew. He gave Penny a thumbs-up. The rich scent filled his senses and he restrained the temptation to gulp the coffee down. Even though his hiding spot on the edge of the clearing had been upwind of the game trail, he’d refrained from eating or drinking to avoid attracting attention.

Penny’s face was warm and friendly. While her eyes held the twinkle he’d enjoyed since getting to know her, he realized it couldn’t be easy keeping a positive attitude—her husband had died just a month earlier. Logan hadn’t been in Seattle at the time, though he’d sent flowers. On his visits before Eric’s death, Logan had recognized how much the couple loved each other. Their commitment had been rare, but at least they’d had fifty-plus years together. They were among the lucky few, though he couldn’t say that to Nicole or Adam, who’d both gotten engaged since moving to Seattle. Still, maybe they’d be lucky, as well.

Cup in one hand and swatting at his messy jeans with the other, Logan hurried into Moonlight Ventures. He waved at the office manager, Chelsea Masters.

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