Page 46 of The Roper & the Author

“Being up in the mountains,” Easton continued, “a wildland fire rushing toward me ...”

“Oh no, were you safe?” He had her attention now, even if she longed for Walker.

“Of course. A little fire is no match for Easton Coleville.” He gave her a cocky grin.

Marci laughed and then she stilled. She could’ve sworn she heard the shower shut off and movement.

“That fire was a beast with a mind of its own,” Easton said.

“That’s terrifying. I have to hear all about this. I’ve done series with firefighters, but never a wildland firefighter. You’re so impressive.”

“Wildland fire is intense and unpredictable. A draft can rush down a chute and we have nowhere to go. There’s no way to fight at that point. You have to humble yourself and choose whether to deploy your shelter and pray or try to outrun a hungry flame front and realize you might be making your peace with the good Lord above very soon.”

“Dios ten misericordia. How scary.” She listened to his words but had one ear cocked to hear Walker. All was quiet in Walker’s room. The shower must’ve been downstairs in Mama and Papa’s suite.

Easton said he was out doing chores. She wanted to see Walker, know what he felt and why he had to leave last night. She was going to be brave and tell him the magnetic pull she felt for him, how she admired his thoughtfulness, steadiness, and the way he seemed to appreciate her and make her feel special. He was the mountain and the family she’d dreamed about.

“Let’s walk toward Walker while you tell me more details. You were safe?” She turned to go but again Easton stopped her, his hand on her arm.

“Marci.” His gaze was intense, and he ran his hand down her forearm to wrap around her hand. It felt weird and she wanted to pull away. “The past couple of days … it was one of the most dangerous fires I’ve ever been part of. We got stuck in a narrowgorge and we had to deploy our shelters and let the fire rush over us.”

“No! Oh, Easton. I cannot imagine. I’m grateful you’re all right.”

“Thank you. I was facedown, praying my shelter wouldn’t get a small tear in it or be ripped off of me. I knew death could come any moment.” He swallowed and squeezed her hand. “All I could think about was the most special woman in the world to me.”

“First of all, I am so relieved you’re safe. Second of all, you have a special woman?Me encanto eso.I thought you were the player of the year, and Walker said neither of you have a girlfriend.”

“I used to date a lot, but now I only care about one special woman. If she’ll have me, I pray I’ll have a girlfriend soon.”

“Ah, that ismuy bueno.” She clapped her hands together. “I’ll bet she’s darling. Do I get to meet her, or would that be a breach in protecting the endangered woman protocol? I got to meet Lily yesterday, but she knows all about your family’s secrets.”

Easton laughed, but he sounded confused. “Marci. You know the woman who I want to be with.” He eased in closer, and the look in his blue eyes was off. She felt like a hunted rabbit with a wolf coming after her.

“How would I know her?” she asked, her forehead wrinkling.

“It’s you, Marci.” His voice was husky, and the words would’ve been incredible if Walker had said them.

“Oh.” She tugged her hand free and backed away. “Oh, my.” Shaking her head, she forced out an unsteady laugh. “I’m interested in Walker. I’m sorry.”

Easton paused, as if uncertain about something, then he said, “I’m sorry, Marci. If you’re interested in Walker, I will back off. But he told me he’d support me in going after you.”

“He did? When?”

“Before I left for the fire.”

Things had changed since then, but still …

“Walker had his heart broken just two weeks ago. I don’t know that he’s healed enough to move on.”

“Who broke his heart?” And why hadn’t Walker told her? It made sense now. He couldn’t lose his mind with her because he still loved someone else. Papa had said something about a heartbreak, but she’d shoved it to the back of her mind. Walker had seemed too serious and hurt at times. No. She hated that for him.

“Lily Lillywhite.”

Did he really just say … “Wait a hot minute.TheLily Lillywhite? Clint’s Lily Lillywhite?”

“Yes.”

“But that can’t be … we went hiking with them yesterday.” Horror rushed through her as the pieces clicked into place. Lily and Clint looking at each other. Walker’s awkward tenseness. The things that felt off about their story and the time spent together yesterday.

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