Page 32 of Sexy Summer Flings (Bear Mountain Rescue 2)

“You two are grown-ass men, and only come back to visit a couple times a year! Why would I consult with you about what I do with my life?”

They both actually looked hurt.

“’Cause we’re family,” Wes said.

Cal nodded. “And we thought once we were out, we’d come back here and settle down. We figured you’d be here, too.”

Penny was so overcome, she couldn’t speak for several seconds. Finally, she sniffled, “That’s really sweet.”

Her brothers shifted in their seats, as though they were uncomfortable with her obvious display of emotions.

“Besides, if you sell the house then we’ll have nowhere to crash when we’re on leave,” Cal said. “And we’re too broke to afford a hotel.”

Penny laughed. “That’s what I was waiting for.”

Wes put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Joking aside, sis, it’s your decision. But this place won’t feel like home without you.”

Penny stared at the two e-mails from San Diego Zoo and Yellowstone while her finger hovered over the green Call button on her phone. After she’d talked to her brothers and heard how frustrated they were about her desire to leave, she was really having her doubts. Hell, even Allie had been disappointed to hear that Penny was considering taking a job in San Diego.

Plus, Penny knew how Hunter felt about her leaving. And Trent.

Trent was really special. He’d become this supportive, bright spot in her life. Someone who could make her smile and laugh, even when she didn’t want to. He wanted her to stay for him.

And Hunter had said that Bear Mountain wouldn’t be the same without her. That he wouldn’t be the same without her around.

But ultimately, it was up to her.

What did she really want?

Penny glanced around the room at the old pictures of her family before it had been damaged by loss.

It wasn’t beyond repair though. She and her brothers had survived. They could care about other people, even love…

She pressed the button on her screen and waited for Hunter to pick up.

It went straight to voice mail, and before she lost her nerve, she started talking.

“Hey, it’s me. I wanted to tell you that I loved all the flowers. Call me when you get a chance.”

She hung up and the next phone call was a little harder. Speaking to the director at the San Diego Zoo and giving up the position she had coveted for so long was tough, but she ended the call feeling lighter. Freer.

Who would have thought staying in Bear Mountain would have made her this happy?

Chapter 17

It seemed the summer fire season had jumped into full swing. Since Trent had left lunch with Penny and her brothers, the calls hadn’t stopped. Now, he and the rest of the Bear Mountain Fire Station pulled up outside the Dormans’ home, just after eleven at night. Smoke was billowing off the back side of the house and the flames had almost fully engulfed the lower level.

“What’s the plan here?” Trent asked. “How many inside?”

Chief Whitaker pointed toward the fire truck. “We’re getting the ladder set up, but we’re going to have to break that window. Virginia was the one to call 911. Her daughter, Molly, and she woke up to the smell of smoke and the fire alarm blaring. Virginia ran upstairs to get her, and she and Molly got stuck. Her window doesn’t open, and—”

The sound of breaking glass and something flying through the upstairs window exploded above them. Glass scattered to the ground, and Virginia stuck her head out. “Help us, please!”

Trent nodded. “Looks like it’s open now.”

The chief grunted, but Trent could have sworn he saw his lips twitch, like he was trying not to smile. “Smart-ass. Grab the ladder. Go be a hero.”

“Yes, sir.” Trent and several other firemen set up the ladder and Trent was the first one up. Once he reached the top, he called out, “Hey, Virginia, I’m going to get you out of there. Hang on.”

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