Page 14 of The Stranger's Code

“Huh. Interesting. Well, you know, starting over wouldn’t mean you lost out on anything…”

“Do as I say, Cam, not as I do,” Levi replied, a laugh rumbling through his chest. “I know what holding on too tight to something can do to you.”

“Is that why you don’t have anyone?” I quietly asked. “No girlfriend? No boyfriend? Because you’ve been holding on too tight to Big Sky?”

“Probably so. I haven’t really thought about it.” He hummed. “I just kind of go wherever, do whatever, when it comes to relationship stuff.”

“But no one gets to lock you down?” I shifted in my seat. “You’ve never wanted to play for keeps?”

“I never really sawkeepsas being on the table.” His eyes met mine. “What about you? Do you have anyone waiting on you to get home from the ranch?”

“Nope.” My fingers tapped alongside my mug. “I think we might have the same problem, Levi. Holding on too tight. No room for anything else in our hands.”

Levi looked like he wanted to say something but decided against it. Instead, he rose from the couch. “I should head out. There might be a client who needs me, especially with this weather.”

“I’ll walk you out,” I said, already heading towards the cabin’s front door. Levi walked beside me, something lingering in the air between us. Once we reached the doorway, I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Thanks for fixing my heater. And for hanging out with me.”

“Anytime, Cam.” Levi patted my hand, his palm warm. “I’ll see you around, okay?”

Once Levi was out the door, I sank back down on the couch. Even though I hadn’t told him who I really was, I suddenly felt so exposed. That whole conversation was like a wet towel to the face, realizing that Levi and I had so much in common. A part of me thought about just coming clean with him, letting him know that I was here for research. It didn’t feel right playing a role around Levi anymore, like I was lying to him instead of preparing for my movie.

Still, I knew that it was best to keep the truth to myself.

How would Levi even respond if I told him who I really was?

If I told him that I was studying his every move, so I could use it for my own benefit?

Something inside me crumbled as I accepted the reality of the situation.

It didn’t matter how much Levi and I connected…

There’d always be a barrier between us.

I’d always just be playing a role.

6

LEVI

My office phonehad been ringing off the hook.

It had been an otherwise calm day on the ranch, with the sky mostly clear and the weather less cold than before. Most of the calls had been potential clients returning my initial contact, wanting me to explain how things worked at Big Sky, wondering if I could guarantee their safety. It was a lot of work talking people off an invisible ledge, but I knew it’d be worth it, in the end. Nothing mattered more than building a reliable client list?—

Shit.

My phone was ringing again.

“Big Sky Rescue, how can I help you?—”

“Help! I need help!” A stranger cried on the other end of the line. “I was climbing, and I fell. I think—I think I broke my leg!”

“Where are you?”

“I’m out near the pass. There’s a river… the sky’s getting darker… I think it might rain soon…”

“Just hold on. I’m coming to get you.” I spared a look outside my office window, the sky still seeming calm. “I’m coming. Just stay where you are. Don’t try to move.”

I quickly hung up the phone, my mind already racing. If this stranger really did break their leg, I was going to need help moving them. I could move them myself, but it was always safer with two people, like most things when it came to an injured person rescue. I thought about calling Shane but remembered that he was way on the other side of town, dealing with business of his own. And Cole was hosting some out-of-town investors, their obnoxious luxury cars taking up space on the ranch.

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