Page 2 of Rugged Courage

Britney sighs. “Just... be careful out there, okay? And come home soon. We miss you.”

“I will,” I promise. “I love you, Brit.”

“Love you too, weirdo.”

I smile as I turn my phone off and zip it into the pocket of my parka. Opening my backpack, I choose one of the meal-in-a-bag options. It’s not glamorous, but they taste better than I expected. I only need to purify and boil some water, which makes them an easy option after a day of hiking.

As I eat, I think about my conversation with Britney. Our family is wealthy, and my mom’s schedule comprises one charity event after another. It’s good work, but…I want to do more than attend fancy luncheons or charity auctions, throwing money at problems. I want to get my hands dirty and see the impact of my work firsthand. But how?

After dinner, I clean up and settle by the fire. I think about the men Britney mentioned—the “good matches” my parents keep trying to set me up with: successful businessmen, politicians’ sons, and up-and-coming philanthropists. On paper, they’re perfect. In reality, they leave me cold.

I don’t want a business colleague or a political ally. I want a life partner, someone who challenges me, makes me laugh, and sees me for who I truly am, not just my family name or trust fund. I want someone who shares my passion for helping people, someone who does more than attend black-tie fundraisers and write checks.

Is that too much to ask?

The soundtrack of the forest changes from the daytime chirping of birds to the nighttime hooting of owls. I lean back and look up at the stars, stunned by how many I can see without a telescope. It reminds me that I’m just a speck in the universe.

When I hear the snap of wood breaking, my senses are instantly on high alert. That wasn’t a natural sound. Either there really is a bear around—a joke for my sister’s benefit—or someone is out here. My heart races as I search the tree line, but the light from my fire makes it impossible to see into the shadows.

“Hello?” I call out, my voice sounding small in the vastness of the night.

There’s no response, but now I’m certain someone else is here. I fumble for my flashlight, my fingers closing around it as a figure steps into the fading circle of firelight.

I gasp, momentarily frozen. The beam of my flashlight illuminates a man. Holy fuck. He’s a giant! I stare at the tall, broad-shouldered man who emerges from the tree line. He’s ruggedly handsome in a way that makes my breath catch.

“I’m here to rescue you.”

CHAPTER 2

DANE

You’re what?” the woman splutters, the surprise on her face replaced by annoyance.

“My name is Dane Dawkins,” I say, holding my hands up. “I’m here because a beacon was activated, and I’ve been searching for the person who activated it. I’m a tracker. I help people in trouble.”

A small tent is pitched next to a well-tended campfire, the flames casting dancing shadows on the surrounding trees. And there, standing defiantly with her hands on her hips, is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

For a moment, I forget why I’m here. Even in hiking clothes, with her blond hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, she’s stunning.

She squints against my light, one hand raised to shield her eyes. “I didn’t call for help.”

I lower the flashlight, trying to regain my professional composure. “We received a distress signal from this area. Are you alone out here?”

“Yes, I’m alone,” she says, her tone clipped. She crosses her arms over her chest and juts her chin at me. “And obviously, I’m fine. There must be some mistake.”

“Humor me for a minute, okay?” I shrug off my backpack and pull out the beacon I found a mile back. “Is this yours?”

Her eyes widen in recognition, then narrow in confusion. “It looks like mine, but it can’t be. I didn’t activate it.”

“Mind checking your gear?” I ask, keeping my voice neutral. It’s not easy to activate a beacon by mistake, but it does occasionally happen. If this isn’t her beacon, I have more searching ahead of me.

She nods curtly. I watch as she rummages through her backpack, her movements quick and efficient. After a moment, she looks up, a mix of surprise and annoyance on her face. “It’s gone,” she admits reluctantly.

I nod, unsurprised. “It probably got knocked around in your pack and activated by accident. It’s unusual, but it happens.”

She crosses her arms again, her posture defensive. “Well, mystery solved. Thanks for your concern, but as you can see, I’m fine. You can head back now.”

I shake my head, bracing myself for the argument I can see coming. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. There have been multiple mountain lion sightings in this area recently. It’s not safe for you to be out here alone.”

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