“But I want you to know what happened.” She filled him in with details of how Hudson threatened her.
“If I’d known…” He gripped the steering wheel and blew out air like a prizefighter. “Maybe it’s a good thing you didn’t tell me. I threatened the lying scum in the hospital. That’s how I got this.” He fished her faded orange bandana from his shirt pocket and offered it to her.
“You got it back! You did that for me?” She took the grimy, worn cloth from him and clutched it with both hands. “I wanted to tell you what Hudson did when you came up to fire camp. There wasn’t time, and then hearing about Travis…” She turned toward her window. “Well, he may have cheated on me, but he didn't deserve to die.”
“I know.” Ryan rested his hand on her thigh. “But I’m proud of you for reporting Hudson. He’ll never work another fire.”
She folded the orange bandana. “I don’t need this now. Don’t have to rely on luck anymore. I’ve faced down the red monster and lived to tell the tale. Keep it for me.” She handed it back to him.
“You sure?”
She nodded.
He stuffed it back in his pocket.
“I was afraid you’d believe those awful rumors Hudson spread around,” said Tara.
“Like I have time to go on social media. Besides, you said not to believe them. So, I didn’t.”
“Does that mean you’ll always do what I say?”
He gave her a mischievous grin. “Depends. But I do have one question. What did Tupa mean when he said you have a mean knockout punch?”
Tara gave him a look of surprise. “Oh, you heard about that. That night at the Yukon Roadhouse, Hudson groped me, so I decked him. Didn’t know I had the strength to knock him across the room.”
Ryan laughed. “Oh man, I would have given anything to see that one. Waters, you continue to amaze.” He smiled out the windshield.
A half hour later, Ryan pulled into Chena Hot Springs Resort. They got out and gathered their gear. “You’re going to like this.”
“It’s beautiful.” She took in the dense birch and spruce surrounding the hotel and pool, along with hanging flower baskets of fuchsia, geranium, and purple lobelia.
“The hot springs are over there.” He dipped his chin toward an area lined with huge boulders and steam rising on the other side of the main building. “We’ll explore later.”
She took in the gently sloping mountains lush with Alpine fir and aspen trees. And no smell of fire.
Once they checked in, Ryan led her to a grand suite, a corner room he’d reserved for the next few days. When he flung open the door, she went back in time.
She loved the Alaskana décor: knotty cedar ceilings, moose silhouette lamp shades, and a glass coffee table supported with antlers. French doors opened onto a deck laden with flower baskets filled with marigolds and purple lobelia, trailing in a soft breeze. A small glass table with two chairs sat on one side of the deck. Thick, cozy throw rugs graced every room. A colorful quilt depicting sub-arctic landscapes rested on a king-size poster bed.
Felt like home.
“Nothing but the best.” Ryan moved to a round, oak table by a picture window and uncorked a bottle of Merlot. He poured two glasses.
“I had no idea Alaskan smokejumpers were so classy,” she said out the side of her mouth, grinning.
“We’re not animals. Well, except maybe on fire and…on other occasions.” He gave her a seductive look. “You may be a kickass firefighter, but you’re still a woman who deserves classy treatment.”
“I should be doing all of this for you, after what you’ve done for me.”
“Don’t go thinking you owe me for saving your life…twice now. But who’s counting?” he teased, offering her a glass of wine. “What were you about to tell me when we left Snowcastle?”
“You’re putting me on the spot.”
He gave her a wry smile. “You’re a quick study, Waters.”
“Did Angela say anything to you when…did she mention something I made her promise to tell you?” Her eyes roamed his face.
He swirled his glass and stared into it. “She did.”
Tara turned to the window, taking in the view of the mountains. “Word travels fast. Can’t believe Dolan offered me crew boss of the Lolo Hotshots. It’s what I’ve always wanted and now it’s been dumped in my lap.” A cluster of fireweed caught her eye, waving in the breeze. She stared at it. Another sign?
“You’ve been offered the same or better here in Alaska.”
She turned away from the window and faced him. “I miss my crew back home."
He took her glass and set it on the table, along with his own. “Look, I can make this decision easier.” He took her in his arms and kissed her deep, sending an aching need down low. When he finished, he nibbled his way down the side of her neck.
“Oh God. Not fair,” she whispered, her fingers in his hair. Her mind reeled. He felt so good. She wanted more.
Instead he pulled back and lifted her chin. “What’s your gut telling you? Just say it. What’s it telling you?”
She shook her head. “I need time to think.”
“No. You don't. I'll lay it out for you. When I found you not breathing and your heart stopped, the thought of losing you was unthinkable. I couldn’t let you die on me. I refused to leave that damn mountain without you. I prayed you’d come back to me—and I don’t pray.” He dropped his hands and narrowed his gaze.
“I’ve been offered my dream job," she said simply.
“Look, if you go back to Montana…” He shook his head. “Is being a Lolo Hotshot more important than where you have family? Here’s how we roll in Alaska. Most of us are apart from our Lower Forty-eight families. Friends and co-workers become our family. Tupa gave you his necklace for a reason. Family doesn’t have to be blood, Tara.”
She looked away, fingering the necklace Tupa had placed around her neck.
He stepped
