Ryan gazed at her provocatively across the roof of his car. “Ready to blow this pop-stand?”
She lowered her sunglasses and looked over them. “I was born ready. Can’t wait to show you how much I lov—” She stopped herself. “Um…how much I love—riding in your Mustang.” She opened the door and eased herself into the passenger seat.
This isn’t the time or place.
He climbed in beside her. “So, you love riding in this car. When you feel up to it, you should drive it.” His eyes stayed on her.
She looked at him. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“For a minute there I thought you were going to say something else.”
“Did you now.” She smiled out the side window as he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.
Soon they were on the highway heading northeast of Fairbanks. Tara leaned her head back, enjoying the sun’s warmth through the windshield. She needed time to think: Crew chief of the AFS White Mountain Hotshots, crew chief of her coveted Lolo Hotshot Crew, and crew chief of Aurora were all wonderful options. But she was too overwhelmed to make decisions right now. She was happy to finally spend time with Ryan, away from planes and fires.
“What’s in the box?” he asked, nodding at her lap.
She snapped from her thoughts. “Should I wait or open it now?”
“Why wait? Open it.”
Tara pulled off the bow and tore at the wrapping. She opened the box and lifted out a dark green piece of silky lingerie, holding it up by the spaghetti straps. “Victoria’s Secret.”
Ryan gave it a once over. “Nice. Too bad you won’t have it on long.”
She shot him a look. “That’s what Angela said.”
“Great minds think alike.” He adjusted his Ray Bans, smiling at the windshield. “I’ve always wondered what Victoria’s secret really was.”
Ryan slowed the car and turned right at a mile-marker sign. He drove a quarter of a mile and parked in front of a rectangular building, surrounded by a tall, chain-link fence, a ‘Wildlife Rescue’ sign on the gate.
“Wait here a minute.” He got out and disappeared into the building.
Tara opened her door and inhaled the cool breeze of the sunny Alaska afternoon. Fireweed abounded everywhere. The flowers held significance for her now.
He returned and took her hand. “Come on.”
A woman led them to a gate to a fenced compound next to the building. Tara heard animal noises. Most notably, howling. “Good thing you called ahead for an appointment. We close early today.” The woman led them through the gate. She entered an enclosed pen and came back out, cradling a wolf pup under each arm. “Your boyfriend thought you’d like to hold one of the wolf pups he saved.”
My boyfriend. Tara smiled and shot Ryan a happy look. “Oh yes, I would love to hold one.”
The woman held out a wriggling pup, the same gray one Ryan held on TV. He stood back, enjoying the moment, while Tara snuggled the furry male, busy licking her hand.
“They’ve almost doubled in size in just a few weeks,” said Ryan.
“This little guy eats his weight every day. Careful, they have sharp claws. We clip them, but they grow fast.” The woman gave him the other wolf pup to hold.
Tara gingerly sat on the grass, taking care with her sore back and legs. She let the male pup ramble around her, sniffing at everything. He pounced on her shoelace, snagging it with sharp teeth, and made a puppy growl. She picked him up, stroking his fur.
“You’re going back to the wild someday, you know.”
Ryan took photos and videos of her with his cell phone, while she played with the baby wolf. She held him next to her face, posing. The pup squirmed and bit her nose. “Ow, you little devil. Your teeth are sharp.”
“It’s dinnertime,” laughed the woman, offering to take the pup. “This one gets feisty if he isn’t fed on time.”
“Thank you for letting us spend time with them.” Tara smiled. Then she remembered. “Oh, how’s the squirrel from the fire?”
The woman crooked her finger. “Follow me.”
Tara followed her into a room. The squirrel was recuperating in a cage, its tail singed and a rear leg in a tiny splint. “Hey, it’s me. Remember, in the fire shelter?” Tara said to the squirrel.
Ryan stood behind her. “He hasn’t a clue what you’re saying.”
The squirrel nibbled a nut and whipped his singed tail. “I’m glad he made it without you having to give him CPR.” Tara glanced back at the gorgeous man standing behind her and noticed the woman gaping at him. Ryan was indeed a remarkable sight, all cleaned up, wearing jeans and a form-fitting shirt, accentuating his wide shoulders and muscled body.
“Thanks so much,” she said to the woman.
“You’re welcome, Miss. You were lucky from what I understand.” She turned to Ryan. “And thanks to both of you for risking your lives to protect our wildlands and for bringing us the animals,” she gushed at him.
“Here’s something to help feed the critters.” He pulled some bills from his wallet. “Thanks for staying open for us.”
Ryan deeply touched Tara by arranging this. Once in the car, she squeezed his arm. “Thank you. That was incredible.”
“I remembered you saying you wished you could hold one.” He handed her his phone.
“How on earth did you remember that?” She swiped through the photos.
“I pay attention.” He glanced at her and pulled the car onto the highway.
“That woman was crushing on you, O’Connor. Must be nice to have every woman worship at your feet.” She lifted her sunglasses at him.
“Only want one. No one else holds a candle to her.” He squeezed her thigh and a rush zoomed through her.
She had much to tell him and now was as good a time as any. “I haven’t had a chance to explain what happened with Hudson.”
“It’s a done deal now. He’s been dealt with.” Ryan’s gaze
