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Something shifted between us. Some intangible awareness.

Lane cleared his throat. “I appreciate what you’re doing.”

“It’s what I do.”

He nodded and started out, then paused. “She likes you.”

I couldn’t help but smile broader. “That goes both ways.”

Lane planted his hat on his dark head and nodded to me. After he left, I sank onto the couch and let out a slow breath.

Lane Daniels appealed to me more than any man I’d ever met. And something about the way he looked at me suggested he might feel something too.

I shook my head and stood. No sense in looking in that direction. His daughter was my patient. I’d have to send my daydreams into another direction.

Chapter 2

Lane

* * *

I lifted Remy into the truck. She didn’t really need help anymore, but I gave it anyway.

“Got it, Daddy.”

“I know you do, peanut.”

The late-afternoon sun hung low over Eagleheart, painting the mountains gold. It looked peaceful. A lot more peaceful than the night the fire jumped the ridge.

Remy buckled in and laid the manila folder carefully across her lap.

“You want me to put that somewhere safe?”

She shook her head. “It is safe. I’ll hold it.”

I almost smiled.

We drove in comfortable silence until Remy spoke.

“Miss Jo says brave people tell the truth even when it’s hard.”

My grip tightened on the wheel. “She’s right.”

“Am I brave?”

I met her eyes in the rearview mirror. “You’re one of the bravest people I know.”

Her shoulders lifted with pride, and she looked out the window. I could tell she was building up to something.

“You think the fires could come back?”

I sighed internally. Careful truth or denial? “They could. And they probably will, eventually. But not right now. The forest needs rest.”

“What if it doesn’t rain? And the trees get worse?”

I stopped at the light. I knew what she was leading up to. “Remy. If anything gets close to our house, I’ll know. That’s my job. And I’ll make sure we’re safe. And Jack will make sure we’re safe. Remember he sent out the firetruck?”

She searched my face, weighing the promise. Eventually, she nodded.