Page 101 of Smoky Lake

Which meant that the New Frontiers group had struck out three times. Hopefully, they’d leave Alaska alone after this.

“Maybe some of those big-time international investors will go to prison, who knows?” Gil snorted skeptically.

“Here’s hoping. No one should be able to play with people’s lives like that. Did you know that Sergeant Thomson said they were going to sell it on the open market to whatever terrorist group or doomsday cult wanted it?”

“Fuckers. Nyx is determined to testify. So is Victor, once he finishes his detox. The Wilderness Alive group will too, and I believe two of the mercs have seen the light. Speaking of which, I came to a decision. I’m leaving the DSS. It’s time for something new. Something less paranoid.” He grinned down at her. “I’ve had enough paranoia for a lifetime.”

Delighted, she squeezed him tightly. “I’m happy for you. Now it’s time for the real Gil to step forward. Gil MacGyver McGowan.”

He laughed at that. She thought about their time in the cabin, opening cans of creamed corn, hiding in the forest, fleeing from one hotel to another, buying one Alaska junker car after another. Those experiences had bonded them together, and over the past month, that connection had only grown stronger. The time had flown by, a blur of changing leaves and interviews with various authorities and long nights snuggled in each other’s arms. After all the craziness, it felt so normal.

With all the uncertainty in their futures, she was certain of one thing. No matter what job Gil took on, or where she decided to practice, wherever they went, whether it was adventurous or ordinary, she loved him as deeply as one human being could love another. And he loved her as fiercely as only Gil McGowan the mighty protector could.

A shout from the shoreline made her turn around.

Bear was waiting for them in the little speedboat in which he’d brought them across Smoky Lake. The wind was picking up, rocking the boat back and forth on the waves. He waved at them to come aboard before it got too rough.

They headed down the slope, which was covered in blueberry bushes, the berries peeking from under cold-bitten leaves. Fall was here; they both wore thick sweaters and jackets against the crisp wind.

When they reached the shore, Gil held the boat steady for her to climb aboard. She almost made it without getting wet, but not quite. A splash of icy water made her pants cling to her legs.

Of course Gil couldn’t let that slide. As soon as he was onboard, and Bear was maneuvering the boat away from the shore, he took off his jacket and settled it over her knees. He sat next to her on the bench at the stern of the boat and hugged her close to him.

Safe. She was safe with him.

But also free. And in love.

Her heart overflowed with joy.

As the land receded, they watched the wind catch the remains of the smoke and carry it over the lake, where it mingled with the mist.

Once they were well away from land, Bear spoke. “Nick Perini just called. He’s in Blackbear and he came across some information for you two.”

“What is it?”

“He says that pilot, Kyle Cross, died from a stroke. Emily, the girl who worked for him, was pregnant. She went back to her village with her boyfriend.”

So Ani’s first instinct had been correct.

And then she realized something else. For the first time in a long time, mention of pregnancy didn’t make her heart hurt. Her future was going to be beautiful, she decided. She and Gil were going to keep doing whatever good they could do, in whatever form that took. Together.

Gil tightened his arm around her. It felt so good to nestle her head on his shoulder and know that the worst was over. They’d survived a trial by fire—and now smoke—and it had welded them together like rare metal.

Gil dropped a kiss on the top of her head. She closed her eyes in bliss, only to open them again when Gil addressed Bear.

“Thanks for bringing us out here. I know you’re a busy man.”

The big man spoke over his shoulder as he steered, standing up, his body providing a nice wind block for them. “Lila insisted. Said she had a feeling I should take you instead of just lending you the boat.”

Ani lifted her head from Gil’s shoulder. “Where is Lila now?”

“At her place. She’s on a cleaning spree. She cleans…”

“…when she gets nervous,” Ani finished for him. She’d seen it many times. In high school, Lila reorganized her closet the night before the SATs. The day before she’d broken up with her most serious boyfriend, she’d steamed off the wallpaper in her bedroom.

Then she frowned as she remembered another quirk of Lila’s. “Is she deep cleaning? On her hands and knees? With a scrub brush?”

Bear shot her a sharp look over his shoulder. “That’s what she was doing when I left her. Why?”

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