Page 41 of Cole

Janice mentally shook her head. One day, and I’m imagining something between us. But she couldn’t deny that her interest in Cole far outweighed anything she’d felt for her previous boyfriend.

"And Cole? A private word." Logan's voice held a note that Cole seemed to recognize, but Janice could only nod and step back as he took the call off speakerphone.

"I have it under control." Cole interrupted, no longer meeting Janice’s eyes.

After the call ended, Cole stood by the window for a long moment, watching snow fall through the darkening afternoon. Janice gave him a minute, then walked over next to him. He turned and looked down at her.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

"Yeah. Just processing everything.”

“If the owner of the mines has powerful political connections, he might walk away even with all our evidence."

“We can’t worry about what happens down the road to the mine or the owner.”

She blinked, jerking her head back. “What do you mean?”

“You discovered a potential problem, we gathered evidence to warrant an investigation, and you’ll send everything you have to your colleagues at the university lab. The FBI and EPA will get involved, and it’s up to them to do the real investigating, according to the law, and then to decide whether they have enough to charge him with breaking laws.”

What Cole was saying made sense, but she stupidly realized that, just because she felt as though she were in an action or spy movie, their role wouldn’t be to ensure Charles Preston paid for the crimes against the environment.

"You heard that Logan wants to know if we can stay here another day or two. Give the storm time to clear, let the team coordinate with federal investigators." Cole turned, facing her fully, and she had to lean her head back to see the shadows in his eyes. "The snow's too deep for the SUV anyway, and the miners are apparently staying in town, probably waiting out the weather."

"If we wait another day or two, we can get out," Janice stated as fact, not a question.

"Yes. The main roads will be plowed. We could take the snowmobile to meet someone who could pick us up."

She nodded slowly, processing. "I have two more months on my research contract. I can't just abandon my work."

Cole sighed heavily. "Janice⁠—"

"No." She held up a hand, stopping him. "I know what you're going to say. That my safety is more important than research. That I should leave, go back to Seattle, hide until this is resolved." Her blue eyes flashed with determination. "But if I let them intimidate me into abandoning this place, then they win. The contamination continues, the ecosystem dies, and no one speaks for the wildlife that can't speak for themselves."

"You can speak for them from Seattle just as easily as you can from here," Cole argued. "The evidence you found will go a long way to ensure this environment can recover. And I know you came here to see the effects of global warming on animals. Surely, the ten months of data will suffice. You've done your job. There's no reason to stay in an isolated cabin where Penson's people could find you."

"Except that this is where I'm supposed to be." Janice leaned forward, her voice intense. "I have obligations to the university and the grant that's funding this research. I can't just walk away because things got complicated."

Cole’s hands landed on his hips, and his chin hit his chest. “We’re not talking about a complication, Janice. We’re talking about your safety.”

Neither spoke for a moment, then he said, "We need to stay here for a few days. Let Logan and the team work on the federal investigation. Let them figure out how to protect you before you make any decisions about staying or going."

She crinkled her nose but didn't disagree. "Okay," she said finally. "A few days. Then we figure out next steps."

“Why don’t we rest? I know I’m tired and you must be, too.”

She pressed her lips together and nodded. “Yeah… I’m pooped.”

Janice grabbed his hand and dragged him to the other side of the cabin, then pushed him down to sit on the bed. “You trying to sleep sitting up on the sofa or on the floor is ridiculous. We’re two grown-ass adults, and if I trust you with my life, I can certainly trust you to be able to control base impulses. We’re both lying on the bed.”

Before he had a chance to respond, she pushed him again. He fell back, and she crawled over him to lie on the other side. She closed her eyes, and her mind filled with the image of Cole lying next to her. The unbidden thought of what it would be like to have him in bed with her every night slid through her mind. Keeping her eyes closed, she gave way to exhaustion, her last thought being how wonderful he smelled… pine, outdoors, and completely Cole.

19

Cole woke sometime later to find Janice asleep beside him, her head resting against his shoulder. The cabin had grown dark, just the glow from the wood stove providing light. When he suggested they rest, he really thought he’d just lie awake while hoping she would nap. He must have dozed off too, his body finally succumbing to the adrenaline crash.

And now he had her pressed against his side, her arm slung over his waist. He didn’t want to move, but he also didn’t want her to be embarrassed when she woke. Closing his eyes for another moment, he relished the feel of her, the soft vanilla scent of her shampoo, and the trust she gave by sharing this time with him.

He thought of the last part of his conversation with Logan, when he’d taken the call off speakerphone.