Page 1 of Burning Escape (Chasing Fire: Alaska #3)

ONE

Eight weeks earlier

He’d made it. After years of dreaming, all the training, and months of planning, Orion Price was finally ready for his shot at fulfilling the heroic legacy of Grandpa Jack.

Alaska was definitely cooler than Ember, Montana.

A different ridgeline loomed in the distance rather than the mountains of the Kootenai National Forest Orion knew by heart, having grown up in their shadow.

Here, Denali’s peak soared above the neighboring summits.

Impressive, no doubt. A little intimidating…

but mostly it sparked excitement for the adventure ahead.

The adventure he’d been waiting for since he was a kid.

Orion stepped into the Midnight Sun Saloon, the smell of meat, smoky and spicy, making his mouth water.

Usually a day of traveling—flying from Bozeman to Seattle to Anchorage, plus the two-hour drive to Copper Mountain—would make for a long day, but the way adrenaline was surging through him, he was ready for a good meal and to let off a little steam. He had something to celebrate.

He must not be the only one. Live music from a band out on the patio traipsed in on the breeze through an open window.

Orion found a seat next to Logan Crawford at the bar. The woman serving took his order for wings and a beer without fuss or chitchat. Within moments, a tall lager in an iced glass was plopped down in front of him. He took a long, slow sip, savoring the cold drink.

He’d put in his time with the Jude County hotshot team.

He was ready for smokejumping. He just had to get through the training and nab one of the open rookie spots.

He glanced at Logan next to him. His buddy from Montana had snagged an open spot on the team already, showing up at the last minute before the season began.

He’d been a smokejumper in Ember and had even done a stint fighting bushfires in Australia.

While Orion had grown up at Wildlands Academy learning all about fighting wildfires, he was still pretty young.

But he knew what he wanted, and he would do whatever it took. His mom—his only family for most of his life—was finally settled and now had Charlie and Orion’s new half sister Alexis nearby. It gave him the freedom to spread his wings now, knowing she was happy and fulfilled.

This was his time. Finally.

A loud cry rose from the rowdy group at the other end of the bar as the bunch of bearded men downed shots.

They were dirty, a little scruffy, and looked like they’d stumbled out of the wilds for a good time and didn’t care much who they disturbed with their ruckus.

The tall guy in the middle of the pack threw back another shot and howled at the ceiling while his buddies laughed and slapped him on the back.

“Hey, pipe down, boys. Some of us want to hear the music,” the bartender yelled over her shoulder.

“Sure thing, Vic,” one of the guys said with a fake smile. Then he turned back to the group and rolled his eyes.

Logan chatted with a couple of women sitting on the other side of him. Orion had never been great at flirting. Might as well let Logan charm the ladies. Instead, Orion turned on his stool to take in the view of the mountains.

His eye caught a petite blonde woman walking toward one of the high-top tables and the two girls waving to her. As she skirted around another party, a guy in a hockey jersey was pushing away from his table.

Right into the woman’s path.

Orion jumped off his seat in time to catch her as her foot caught on the chair. She grabbed his arms before she could hit the ground.

She blew a strand of long blonde hair out of her face, and he caught her wide-eyed gaze.

Wow.

Talk about Alaskan beauty. She didn’t have that fake look of a lot of makeup. Just a clean glow, a smattering of freckles across her dainty nose, and wide blue eyes that reminded him of a deep mountain lake. Fathomless and gorgeous.

Her surprise quickly melted into a dazzling grin.

“You all right, ma’am?” he asked her, helping set her back on her feet.

“Ma’am? How old do you think I am?” She gave him a mock glare and then chuckled as she dusted off her jeans.

Heat rushed to his neck and cheeks. Oh, he was so bad at this. But she didn’t let go of his arm.

And he was totally okay with that.

He grimaced. “Sorry. Where I’m from, it’s a sign of respect.”

“And where’s that?” A flirty lilt in her voice drew him in. “You’re too polite to be from around here.”

Maybe he should be thanking the guy who’d tripped her.

He cleared his throat. “I’m from Montana.”

“Ry, food’s here!” Logan called from behind him. Right. Food. His job. This wasn’t the time for distractions.

“I’d better go.” He nodded to Logan and turned back to the gorgeous woman. “Don’t want him to steal my dinner.”

“Can’t have that.” She chuckled. “Thanks for the save, Montana.”

He tipped his chin. “Anytime.”

Well, okay then. Nothing quite said “Welcome to Alaska!” like a beautiful woman falling into his arms.

He could get used to this life.

Orion found his seat and dug into the steaming hot food waiting at his spot.

His wings were spicy and sweet, the fries salty and crisp, just the way he liked them.

See, this was what he’d been waiting for.

Food even tasted better in Alaska. Adventure was in the air, and tomorrow he’d start his new job. His new life.

Logan didn’t say much as they ate. Orion enjoyed his beer and scanned the crowd.

Okay, so yes, he was hoping to catch another glimpse of the blonde elfin creature with big blue eyes that had fallen into his arms. The floral, almost woodsy scent she’d carried still stuck with him.

Must be the excitement of finally stepping into his legacy.

It wasn’t like he believed in love at first sight or anything like it.

“Wanna get some fresh air? It’s getting a little warm in here.” Logan stood and dropped cash on the bar top.

“Sure.”

With a full belly and half a beer still left to enjoy, Orion followed Logan to the deck outside. Some of the crowd were using the space to dance to the country-rock band. A flash of blonde hair, and Orion found what he’d been looking for.

The woodland sprite threw her head back and laughed as she twirled to the music. Her hands clapped high above her head as she swayed her hips. A few other girls joined her, each with a drink in their hands. But their eyes were clear, no one acted tipsy. Just a bunch of friends out for a good time.

“Why don’t you go join them?” Logan bumped his shoulder. “You know you want to.”

Why? Because he’d never been the Casanova type. And he’d grown up in the wilderness. Literally.

But after working an intense fire season together last year, he and Logan knew each other pretty well.

Orion didn’t feel the need to keep up pretenses—especially with a fellow believer who might be his roommate for the summer.

“I wouldn’t know the first thing about how to do that. And I have no clue how to dance.”

“That’s all that’s stopping you? Dude, you fight wildfires. This is easy. You go out, ask the woman to dance, and feel the beat. Figure out the rest as you go.”

Orion watched them another moment. The sun glinted off the woman’s blonde hair as she spun. She was the picture of light and beauty and freedom.

“Go, Tia!” one of her friends called as she gave her a high five.

Tia.

The name fit. Confident and cute and…

My goodness, he’d just met the woman. What was wrong with him?

Okay, yes, he wanted to dance with her.

“If it’s so easy, why aren’t you out there?” He glanced at Logan.

His smirk dimmed. “That’s not why I’m here.”

“Why are you here? All winter, you never said anything when I brought up the fact that I was moving here. Then you call me up out of the blue and tell me you’re joining too.”

“I didn’t know then.”

“Know what?”

“That she was coming here.” Logan finished the last bit of his drink.

“So there’s a woman involved.”

“Isn’t there always?” Logan looked out past the patio lights at the mountains guarding the town, his usually jolly mood suddenly somber.

“What’s her name?”

“Jamie Winters.” He turned to Orion. “If you like this woman, ask her to dance. Don’t let the moment pass by. You might not get another chance.” He clapped him on the shoulder as he stood. “I’m going back to the hotel. Training starts at zero six hundred.”

But with the Alaska sun still high in the sky, no hint of setting just yet, Orion was reluctant to join him. “I’ll just finish my beer.”

Logan gave him a knowing nod and left.

After one more song and finishing his own drink, Orion still debated. Really, he should leave. He didn’t need any distractions. Not now that his goal was within reach. He stood. One more glimpse couldn’t hurt though.

There she was. Still dancing. But her friends were gone.

And the rowdy group of guys from the bar swooped in.

The big guy in woodsy camouflage, their leader, wrapped a beefy arm around the woman. “A little thing like you shouldn’t be alone on the dance floor.”

She swatted his arm away. “Get lost. I’m not alone.”

“Sure looks like it.” He moved in again. The woman pulled away, but one of the camo pack snuck behind and blocked her in.

That was it.

Orion jogged over. “Hey, honey, sorry I’m late.” He flashed a big grin and held out his hand, wanting to give her a choice.

She hesitated a moment. Looked him in the eye, almost as if she was trying to discern his worthiness as a rescuer.

A second later, a bright smile lit the whole dance floor, and her warm hand was in his.

“It’s about time, Montana. I’ve been waiting all night.”

* * *

Tori Mitchell had one night of freedom and letting loose before another intense summer, and she was going to make the most of every second of it.

This was her year. She was going to make that smokejumper team no matter what. And chances were good. She was in the best shape of her life. She’d trained all winter. Sacrificed so much.