Ryan wouldn’t ruin Tara’s joyful moment by asking her to give up her dream job to stay in Alaska. Half of the fire season remained. What a disappointment it would be if she were to return to Montana. Ryan pulled up a chair to the round poker table as a pang zinged his chest.
Silva, Liz, Rego, and Boone sat around the table playing strip poker. Rego was shitfaced. He held a cigar stump between his teeth, oblivious to cards now and then dropping from his poker hand. He had stripped down to his boxers, with only his furry chest visible above the table.
Liz sat next to him and reached over to rub her hand on his hairy chest. She looked up at Ryan and winked, her hands full of cards. “I do this for good luck.”
Rego protested. “Hey! Get out of my goodies. O’Connor, she’s harassing me.” He pointed at Liz, pretending to be offended.
Ryan couldn’t help laughing. Rego had turned out to be an okay guy.
Tara returned and seated herself next to Ryan at the poker table. She reached under it and squeezed his leg. Ryan put his arm around her.
Rego abruptly stood and another card fell from his hand. “Let’s toast Tara Waters! The best woman in fire.” He raised his beer. “You can be my crew boss anytime.”
Everyone clapped and cheered. Ryan liked how people respected and admired Tara. And she was his. I need to somehow convince her to stay.
Rego dipped into his meager coin pile and flicked one at Ryan. “O’Connor, play North to Alaska, by Johnny Horton.”
Ryan grinned at him and went to the antique jukebox. He marveled at how all the old jukeboxes with vinyl seemed to wind up in Alaska. When he returned to the table, Liz was down to jeans and a lacy bra, not the least inhibited. He chuckled, considering what else she did for a living.
Silva was also feeling no pain and employed his full arsenal to win her affection. “Liz, you’re my hero. I love you.”
“Well, puppy dog, I guess it’s okay since we don’t work together anymore.” Liz gave Silva a peck on the cheek, then caught Ryan’s eye. “What’s a girl to do?”
Yes, thought Ryan, gazing at Tara.
What was a girl to do?
Chapter 41
When Tupa and the rest of the Afi Slayers squad began the Haka, Ryan suggested that he and Tara should make their getaway. They edged their way out the door into the much quieter afternoon.
Angela caught up to them, halfway to Ryan’s Mustang. “Tara, hold up. Go on ahead, Ryan honey. I want to talk to Tara.” She waved him ahead, then pulled a gift-wrapped box with a large blue bow from behind her back.
“You won’t have this on long, but that’s the whole idea.”
Tara accepted the box and hugged her friend. “Angie, thanks. I don’t know what to say.”
“You risked your life for me. I’ll never forget it. Can’t wait for you to be our crew boss.” Angela pressed a couple of flat packets into Tara’s palm and folded her fingers over them. “Be safe.” She winked and ran back inside.
Angela’s words meant everything to Tara, yet twisted her heart, knowing the looming decision she had to make. But not now. All she could think of was spending alone time with Ryan.
Ryan had her door open and he stood next to his. “What did she give you?”
“This box.” Tara could hardly keep a straight face that Angela carried condoms. When Ryan fished for his keys, Tara jammed the packets into her skirt pocket.
Gunnar abruptly appeared as Tara was about to get in the car. “Ryno, before you go. I have an Operation Badass report.”
“What’s that?” Tara looked from Gunnar to Ryan.
Ryan shrugged and gave her an innocent look. He made his way over to Tara’s side of the car.
“I’ll explain. No, that’ll take too long.” Gunnar held up a thumb drive. “Instead I’ll tell you. This is a recorded confession of Mike Hudson. How did I get this, you may ask?”
Ryan slid on his Ray Bans and smiled.
Gunnar grinned back. “Operation Badass was a howling success. Shortly after Hudson got out of the hospital, Those-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named dangled him below an unidentified rotor aircraft, flew over a fire and threatened to toast him like a marshmallow. When they reeled him in, Those-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named made him confess. Made him retract his lies about Tara and post apologies on social media. He admitted to sabotaging Angela’s pack test and harassing women firefighters. Best of all, no fire personnel or aircraft were involved in the making of this recording.” Gunnar seemed proud of his disclaimer.
Tara stood still, her mouth hanging open.
“Nice work, Gunns.” Ryan grinned.
“Let’s put it this way,” crowed Gunnar. “That little dick won’t be on a fire ever again. Hudson’s Stepdaddy, AFS Director, Duncan Martelle, received a copy of the recording in snail mail.” Gunnar straightened, like a noble warrior. “Am I a good bro or what?”
“You’ve gone above and beyond.” Ryan glanced at Tara.
She widened her eyes at him in a what-the-hell-did-you-do look.
“Miz Waters, thou shalt not speak a word of this, but thought you should be privy,” hiccupped Gunnar.
“But won’t Hudson tell HR what they did?” Tara was incredulous. Did she really want to know the whole story?
“Hard to identify people when you’re blindfolded. No one would believe that perverted little dick anyway.”
“Gunns, you’ve outdone yourself,” laughed Ryan.
“You owe me a Denali flight, bro. And a stay at your cabin. With beer.”
“Here.” Ryan reached in his pocket and tossed Gunns some keys.
He ambled back to the driver’s side. “The place is yours for a few days. We’ll fly after season ends.” He winked at Tara. “With another seasoned passenger along.”
“You kids behave.” Gunnar pointed at them. “On second thought, don’t do that. What the hell am I saying?” Gunnar gave them an un-military salute and headed into Snowcastle.
Tara always thought Gunnar’s ego had its own zip code,
