Page 2 of Flirting with the Mountain Man

His gaze lowered briefly to my body, then back to my face. “Yes but hurry it up. There will be no casualties on my watch.”

I should have kicked it into high gear at those words, but instead I stood staring at him. Casualties? I could die here?

I nodded. “Fine. I’ll be out of your way in just a few minutes.”

But even as I said the words, I knew I wasn’t going anywhere until I was sure my dad was safe. This guy didn’t have to know that, though.

Tyler narrowed his eyes at me briefly and opened his mouth to speak, but one of the firefighters behind him yelled out for him. After a lingering glance at me, he stepped back and gave a nod.

“Thanks for your cooperation, ma’am.”

As he walked away, I shut the door and headed to my bedroom, resisting the urge to sneak by the window and take one more look at him. There’d be plenty of time for that. Right now, I had to change.

2

TYLER

“Look out for my daughter.”

Those were the last words Andy Sullivan yelled at me as the ambulance doors closed. I wanted to hop in there with the guy and make sure he was okay, but tracking down his daughter was probably the best thing I could do.

The fire was contained, but the cabin was a shell of what it used to be. The good news was the building had been empty when it caught fire.

Lord knew where the owner was, but we’d notified his sister, and she could take care of getting in touch with him. One of my men collapsed on a call. That was my top priority right now.

I turned toward the cabin where Andy’s daughter lived, trying to recall our conversation. I’d been so blown away by those light green eyes and the soft dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks, it had been tough to focus on anything she’d said.

But I’d suggested the retreat center. Maybe I could find her there. That was assuming she’d jumped in her vehicle and?—

My thoughts cut off as I caught a look at the driveway next to the cabin where Andy’s truck and an unfamiliar small tan SUV had been parked. Both vehicles were still there.

Shit. Had she ignored my instructions? Had she gone down the hill anyway? Was she in that cabin peeking through the windows?

I looked both ways and crossed the street, moving over Andy’s small front yard with a quick, determined stride. With every step, I grew a little angrier.

She’d put herself in danger. Why hadn’t I looked back over my shoulder to make sure the cars were gone? If the fire had spread across the street and something had happened to that beautiful woman, I’d never forgive myself.

I lifted my knuckle, preparing to pound on the door. But then I froze, took a deep breath, and collected myself. It wouldn’t do any good to lose my temper on the woman. She was concerned about her dad. She’d no doubt stuck around to make sure he was okay.

I squeezed my eyes closed and knocked. Just three normal-strength raps on the wooden door. Then I stepped back and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

I should have stuck with my original plan to bang on it with all my might. I looked for a doorbell, saw none, then turned the doorknob, expecting it to be locked.

When the handle turned, I froze. I couldn’t just barge into someone’s house. Not when the person wasn’t in immediate danger.

I’d just open it a crack and shout for her. What was her name? Bianca. Her dad had said it multiple times. And multiple times, I’d assured him I’d evacuated her. She was safe.

I was an asshole for not double checking on that.

“Bianca?” I called out as soon as the door was open a crack.

Movement. In front of me. A blur of hot pink. It took me a second to piece together that it was Bianca, jumping to her feet, a blanket dropping from her shoulders to the floor to reveal a gray sweatshirt and matching sweatpants.

Obviously trying to figure out where she was and what was going on, she looked around. “I fell asleep,” she said. “I was just going to rest my eyes for a few seconds. Is everything okay?”

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