Page 103 of Fire Peak

“Bulldog’s family is flying in,” he continued. “All this time they thought he was dead. Instead he was just insane.”

“What’s going to happen to him?”

“I’m sure some mental health professionals will have a field day. What happens when you take on the identity of someone you left to die? How mentally disturbed was he before that, and how did it affect him afterwards, living as his own victim for over forty years? I’d love to see that case study.”

Charlie shivered, and he hugged her closer to his side. She’d been through a lot today, and yet she was still standing tall. Charlie Santa Lucia was one strong woman. He hoped she knew how amazing she was.

“And then there’s April,” she murmured. “I think it was her guilt that made her devote her life to Fire Peak. She messed up everything else, but at least she could save the mountain.”

“She did try to help once she knew he had the kids. I do appreciate that. It’s not her fault there’s no service down there.”

“You know, if someone just put some cell towers out here, we’d have a lot less drama in Firelight Ridge.” A gust of cool air wafted past them, and she snuggled closer.

He laughed at that. “Admit it, you like having a break from the internet. I saw you, ready to sacrifice your laptop to a speeding bullet.”

“Survival instinct. Also, I’m changing careers so I won’t need that particular laptop. I could have shot it myself and been perfectly fine.” When he lifted his eyebrows at her, she quickly added, “After a short mourning period, of course.”

He chuckled. “So what’s this new career?”

“Maybe career is overstating it, but April asked me to run the lodge while she deals with her legal issues. She’s going to confess to her role in Vasily’s death, but I think Chadwick’s in much bigger trouble than she is. He stole Vasily’s identity, then came back here and kidnapped two kids, caused all kinds of havoc. If she testifies against him, they’ll probably go easy on her.” She smiled ruefully. “I really hope I don’t have to go back to my prison visit days.”

That Charlie sense of humor was still intact. He hugged her closer.

“Oh, did I tell you? I got a message from my father that he’s getting released from the hospital soon and wants to come visit!”

“Good. I look forward to meeting him. I have some ideas about how to get his seal of approval.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re going to help clear his name?”

“I’ll offer him the choice.”

That earned him a kiss from Charlie, quick and hot, before she pulled away. “Remember that idea I had about how to save Fire Peak?”

“The one you were yelling about while we raced down the mountain?”

“Yes, exactly. Everyone’s fighting about the perilium, right? April, Bulldog, Solomon, the Chechens. All this drama about Fire Peak, and everyone keeps forgetting something.”

“What’s that?” The golden sunset light turned her hair to pure honey. He tucked a strand away from her face, and kissed the corner of her mouth because he couldn’t resist. She closed her eyes and they sank into such a long, deep embrace that he almost forgot what they’d been talking about.

But she hadn’t.

“Fire Peak is sacred to the Ahtna,” she said when they came up for air. “Why isn’t anyone asking them what they want? I bet they can apply for some kind of cultural or religious status for Fire Peak that will guarantee the Ahtna’s wishes are respected, whatever they are. So that’ll be my project while I’m running the lodge. I’ll offer them whatever help or expertise they can use.”

“That’s a great idea. Right up your alley. Standing up to the powers that be.”

“That’s my jam.” She tilted her head back so his palm was cradling it. “Why change now?”

He hoped she never changed, because he loved her exactly as she was. On the other hand… “Are you open to a few little tweaks?”

“Like what?”

“Like me. And a step-daughter. Part-time, assuming Jill ever lets Hailey leave Arizona again.”

She laughed, then turned serious. The raw emotion on her face sent his heart into overdrive. “I do love you,” she whispered.

“Oh, so do I, my heart. So do I,” he murmured against her lips. Deliciously soft, so tempting… He was fantasizing about whisking her back to her room when the drone of a helicopter caught their attention.

They both shaded their eyes from the last rays of the midnight sun as they watched the chopper touch down on the lawn. It bore the insignia and lettering of the Alaska State Troopers. “I thought all the bad guys were dealt with? They already arrested the Chechens, didn’t they?” Charlie asked.

---