Page 25 of Feelin' Pine

“For ending our time here.”

Shaking my head, I lean down. “He’s the one who ended it.” I ache to kiss him, but I don’t know where we stand, and I don’t want to do anything to make it awkward later for him with his friends.

In less than five minutes, a team of twelve hot shots invade the scene and have taken complete control of the situation. They have Daniel in a zip tie freeing Kraine, but he still maintains standing guard around him just in case. They have the sheriff on the way.

Everything’s happening so fast, and it’s like everything with Jake ends as quickly as it began.

“We need to get you off to Sunset Canyon,” Pierce tells Jake.

Fiddling with my fingers, I don’t know what to do. If they’ll let me come along or not. If I’m welcome. Lots of ifs that just seem to loom over me and my body stays still to not disrupt their flow.

It’s all about Jake right now.

The sheriff stops me. “Sheriff Dunning.” He tips his cowboy hat at me. “Sorry young lady. I’m gonna need you to hang back and answer some questions for me.” He pulls out a spiral-bound notebook and licks the end of the putt-putt pencil.

Well, that answers that.

The Hot Shots lift Jake off the ground on a stretcher and ease him toward an ambulance. Another ambulance crew collects Daniel to care for his bite marks.

“Kraine. Come here, boy.” He walks over and lays at my feet. “Good boy.” My stomach roils deep. He looks up at me with such tender love and admiration.

If they take you away from me…

“All right, miss, why don’t you start from the beginning.”

I watch Jake get loaded into the ambulance, and the sirens blare as they rush him to the hospital. I think back to the beginning and swallow, thinking it should be days ago, not thirty-six hours ago.

When I stop to think about it, I realize how exhausted I am and want to be able to sleep for a week, preferably with Jake right beside me. But that’s not what’s probably going to happen. Maybe it was just a whirlwind. Maybe this was fate telling me that you’ll be okay by myself. And yet, maybe it’s fate telling me to fight. Fight for what and who I want.

The sheriff is patient with me as I collect myself and relive everything for him. Well, minus the more intimate details. That has absolutely nothing to do with this situation.

I’m grateful Sheriff Dunning is thorough and wants to ensure he has everything accurate, but I’m even more thankful that he’s not dragging everything out. He asks a few questions for clarification, but other than that, he lets me tell him my story.

“Well, Ms. Parker, I’m sorry this all happened, but we did get your car towed before the fire got to your rental cabin when we couldn’t find you. I’m sorry when we couldn’t find you, we contacted your emergency contact— a Miss Mikaela, I believe, and that young lady’s been awfully worried. Calling me every twenty minutes, in fact.”

Freaking out, no doubt.

“But I informed her that you were in good hands if you came across Jake. I figured you would’ve since I knew he was hiking in your area.”

“Thank you, sheriff. I’ll make sure to call my sister as soon as possible.”

Kraine sits up, leans against me, and his tongue dangles out of his mouth as he pants.

The sheriff smiles at him and rubs his head. “Good dog. You’d be handy on the force. If only Jake would just take the damn job, already.”

“What job?”

“I offered him the job as sheriff. I’m not surprised he didn’t tell you. He’s stubborn as a four-day-old mule.” He rubs at his neck. “Anyway, let’s get you to your car. The cabin’s gone, I’m afraid, but the guys grabbed your computer bag.”

Groaning, I wrap my hands around my shoulders and rub my neck. My keys and phone weren’t in that bag.

I’m not fine anymore.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

MAITLYN

Black Timber Peakis a charming town, and the rustic mountain views are gorgeous once you get away from the scorched earth. This place will be perfect once the air quality improves from the smoke dissipating. I’m imagining what the winters will be like with all the snow. I bet Christmas time here is magical.

---