Page 19 of My Savior Valentine

"Mom!" I admonish, feeling my cheeks heat up. "It's not what you think."

But even as I say it, I feel the tears threatening to spill over again. Mom's face falls. "Willow, honey, what's wrong?"

I take a shaky breath, trying to find the words. "It's just... I like him, Mom. And I thought... I thought maybe he felt the same way. But then, when the helicopter arrived, he just... he was socold. Like none of what we'd just gone through together meant anything."

Mom's hand tightens on mine, her eyes soft with understanding. "Oh, sweetie. I'm sure it wasn't like that. He was probably trying to be professional in front of the others. It's a high-pressure situation, a rescue like that."

I nod, sniffling a little. "I guess. But it just... it hurt, you know? After everything we went through, after how close we got... to just be shut out like that."

Mom pulls me into a hug, careful of my leg. "I know, honey. But don't give up hope just yet. If what you had was real, it'll find a way."

Her words ignite a spark of determination in me. She's right. I'm not going to let this go without a fight. "Mom, can you help me with something?"

"Of course, sweetie. Anything."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "Can you help me contact Mountain Angels? I need to talk to Reid. I need to know if what we had was real."

Before my mum can even make a phone call, there's a knock at the door. To my surprise, the man introduces himself as Viggo, the head of the Mountain Angels rescue team. He's just delivered another accident victim to the hospital and heard I was here.

"Willow Jones," he says, shaking his head with a smile. "You gave us quite a scare out there."

I laugh, wincing a little as the movement jostles my leg. "Trust me, it wasn't exactly part of my plan either."

Viggo's face turns serious. "You're lucky Reid found you when he did. He's one of our best. Stubborn as a mule, but he never gives up on a rescue."

I feel a flutter at the mention of Reid's name. "Yeah, he was... he was amazing out there. I don't know what I would have done without him."

Viggo nods, a knowing look in his eye. "He's been through a lot, that one. The military, the transition back to civilian life... it's not been easy for him. But I've never seen him as focused as he was on finding you."

My heart skips a beat. "Really?"

"Oh yeah. The man was like a dog with a bone. Wouldn't rest until he knew you were safe. And then, when he got back to base after dropping you off... I've never seen him so torn up. Like he didn't know whether to punch something or cry."

I feel a lump form in my throat. So it wasn't just me. He did feel something. "I... I thought maybe... he was so distant..."

Viggo sighs, running a hand over his beard. "Hart's a complicated man. He's got a lot of walls up. But I think you might have gotten under his skin in a way he wasn't expecting."

Before I can respond, there's a movement at the door. My breath catches in my throat. It's Reid.

He's standing there, looking unsure, his eyes flickering between me and Viggo. Viggo clears his throat. "Well, I better be going. Got paperwork to do. You take care now, Willow."

He gives Reid a pointed look as he leaves, closing the door behind him. My parents follow him out, and then it’s just us—Reid and me. My heart is pounding so hard I'm sure he can hear it.

"Hi," I say softly, not quite sure where to begin.

Reid takes a step forward, then stops. "Willow, I... I'm sorry for how I acted when the rescue team arrived."

I swallow hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's okay. I understand. You were just doing your job."

He shakes his head, the frustration evident on his face. "No, it's not okay. I was a jerk. I just... I got scared. Of how I was feeling. Of what it meant."

I feel a flutter of hope in my chest. "And how were you feeling?"

He takes a deep breath, his eyes locking with mine. "Like I was falling for you. Hard and fast and completely out of control. And it terrified me."

My heart is in my throat. "Reid..."

"I'm not good at this, Willow. Relationships, emotions... it's never been my strong suit. But with you... it's different. And that scares the hell out of me."

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