Zack fought the urge to look back to the station again. He’d seen the woman earlier leaving the café and then exiting Deline Tsosie’s Otter. Her laughter rang in the afternoon air and stayed with him until he’d seen her again. At the station, of all places. He’d done a double take. Three times in one day. Her short curly hair, tiny feet, and beautiful smile captured his attention. What was it about her?
He shook his head. There wasn’t time for a relationship. And he didn’t have the heart. His life was too much of a disaster. Besides, no one wanted to get involved with a guy whose insatiable desire to risk it all numbed him to any and all feelings.
But as he glanced through the window one more time and caught her gaze, something in him wanted to take a chance.
David Whiteeagle, another ranger, poked him in the shoulder. “I think I need to meet this lady. You’ve smiled twice in one day. That’s got to be a record.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
His friend grinned then headed to the door.
“Don’t do it.”
“You gonna stop me?” Nobody messed with David. He was huge.
Zack growled. “Fine. Her name is Karon.”
“And?”
“That’s all I know! Other than the fact she has tiny feet and a beautiful smile.”
David smacked him on the back this time. “I knew it! You like her. Let’s get to the café for dinner and you can tell me all about it.”
“How ‘bout we just get dinner? We’ve got lots to review for the season.”
“Two incredible bachelors like us?” David jangled his keys. “Nah, your love life is way more interesting. Considering there’s never been one before.” He laughed. “Besides, I don’t want to talk shop. There are too many tourists right now, and a bunch of rich kids climbing my mountain that we’ll probably have to rescue.”
David’s grousing about the climbers on “his mountain” was a standard at the ranger station. Hearing him grump about it made people think he was in the wrong vocation. But when it came to teaching and rescuing, he was one of the best. David hated for anyone to get hurt on his mountain. “What about your love life? Why can’t we discuss that?” Zack said.
“Nice try, Taylor. I’ll make you a deal. When someone catches my attention, you have full permission to grill me.”
“Deal.” Zack’s stomach growled. “Let’s get some grub. I’m starved.”
Check-in day. Karon’s heart soared. And plunged. All at the same time.
Clint hopped out of the rented SUV and walked with her to the door of the ranger station. “You ready?” Ever since his arrival in Alaska, he’d been back to his usual supportive self. Maybe her little temper tantrum had done its job.
“As I’ll ever be. We’ve checked in our equipment with AMS; we’ve trained; we’ve prayed.” She giggled. “I’m ready to get to the mountain now.”
He opened the door for her. “I hate to admit it, but I’m really looking forward to this.”
“So you’re admitting I had a good idea?”
He grinned. “Nope. I’m just gonna beat you to the top.” Make that his usual-supportive-competitive self.
“Not a chance, you wimp.” She poked him in the side and laughed. “I’ll be the first one to—” Her face collided with a backpack before she could spit out the word summit.
Attached to the backpack was ranger Zack Taylor.
Heat flooded her cheeks.
He frowned at her and walked away.
Her heart sank. So much for the hope he found her attractive.
Missy waved from the desk. “You guys here to check in?”
Karon straightened her shoulders and attempted to banish Zack from her mind. “Yep! We’re ready for our briefing.”
“All right, follow me.” Missy led them into a conference room.
Karon sucked in a small gasp when she saw Zack leaning over the table discussing something with another ranger.
He looked up.
Missy spoke, “This is Zack and John. Two of our best mountaineering rangers. Zack is also a helicopter rescue pilot. They’ll be doing your briefing today.” She turned to leave and smiled at Karon.
“Thanks,” Karon croaked.
Zack straightened and crossed his arms. “So it’s just the two of you with your guide?”
Words wouldn’t come.
Clint cleared his throat and gave her an odd look. “Yes.” He reached out a hand to Zack. “I’m Clint Granger.”
John smiled. He shook Clint’s hand as well. “Nice to meet you.” He turned to Karon. “And you are?”
Cotton. Her mouth was filled with cotton. How did Zack hold the power to tongue-tie her every time they met? She blinked. Swallowed. “Karon.” She stuck out her hand as well. “Karon Granger.” Great. Clint’s eyes drilled holes into her. He knew. Ugh.
John turned to look at Zack and then sat down. “Well, why don’t we begin? We’ve got your paperwork. You’re registered with AMS guide service. They’ll take good care of you, but they’re not babysitters. They know their stuff, so listen to your guide carefully.”
Karon nodded. John continued to talk, but Zack drew her gaze like a magnet. Why wouldn’t he look at her? Why was he frowning?
“… I’m assuming you’ve practiced with your equipment and understand how to use the CMC?” John was looking at her.
“Um …” The CMC. Oh, right. The Clean Mountain Can.
John plopped one on the table. The green plastic container and black lid looked a little small.
Focus, Karon. All she needed was for the rangers to think she was a total nincompoop. Then she’d never realize her dream. “Yes. The CMC. We understand the ‘Leave No Trace’ policy.” She wouldn’t look at Zack again.
“Good, you’ll each be issued one at Kahiltna Base Camp.”
Fun, fun. They had to pack in and pack out everything they had. Including human waste. Karon didn’t even want to think about the equipment she’d had to purchase to help make that possible. Practicing with it was even worse. But it’d be worth it once she reached Denali’s summit. She just had to keep telling herself that.
Tuning back in, she realized they’d moved on from sanitation to other topics. Clint was talking about their equipment, the color of their tent, and type of stove.
She really needed to pay attention.
John asked about their food and fuel.
Zack continued to frown.
The senior ranger went on to talk about the route overview and various hazards they could face, camp etiquette, and the different weather conditions. “Basically, you need to be prepared for anything. This climb is unlike any other in the world.” He turned to the brewing ranger at his side. “Zack? Why don’t you take the rest.”
Zack’s frown deepened. Then he dove into the National Park Service’s regulations and medical rescue policy.
“You need to be prepared to be self-reliant and to self-rescue.” He looked straight at her. “Your husband may not be there to save you.”
So that’s what had turned him into a grouch. He thought she was married! Karon placed her palms on the table in front of her. “I’ll have you know, that my brother“—she made sure to emphasize the last word—“and I have trained long and hard for this expedition. We know how to self-rescue, and we are very self-reliant.” She shot Zack a long look.
His neck turned red. Then his face.
John chuckled.
Two and a half hours after they’d entered the conference room, Karon and Clint walked out with permits in hand.
They were cleared to climb Denali.
But even better than that? The triumphant feeling as she watched Zack’s face when he realized Clint was her brother.
A warm rush of butterflies filled her stomach. The handsome ranger was attracted to her.