Page 23 of Burning Escape (Chasing Fire: Alaska #3)

“Got it.”

The packs were heavy, some weighing as much as she did, but the guys were good about taking the heavier ones. She hefted her load and marched with Cadee and JoJo.

“I’m beat.” JoJo munched on a granola bar.

“Packouts after a grueling day of beating out fires are just cruel.” Cadee made a face.

Tori grinned.

“What are you smiling about?” JoJo asked her.

“Nothing. I guess after being out of the game for a while, I’m glad to be here, even if it’s sweaty and tiring work.”

“Or”—Cadee stopped and adjusted her load—“you’re excited to see Orion and now have something to look forward to beyond a hot shower and decent meal.”

“Maybe.” Why bother denying it? “I hope he’s all right.”

“ I hope he made us something delicious for dinner. I could eat an elephant.” JoJo pocketed her wrapper and marched on.

After hiking three miles, then a long bus ride, it was good to see the Midnight Sun Wildland Firefighting crew sign.

When they pulled up to the equipment hangar, they unloaded gear. Tori glanced around as she dropped off her chute. No sign of Orion.

Walking over to the women’s cabin, she continued to look for him. The grassy areas surrounding the buildings and hangars hadn’t been mowed.

It wasn’t like Orion to shirk a duty like that. Tori tried to shake off the dread growing as she showered and changed. Something must’ve come up. She didn’t bother with a hair dryer, just slipped her stocking feet into her Birkies and headed to the mess hall.

Orion stood in the kitchen, his arm in a sling again. He was talking to Logan, who hefted a big pot of sloppy joe mix to the serving counter. Orion brought bags of buns in his good hand.

“What happened?” Tori took the bags from him.

“A mishap at the hardware store. I dislocated the shoulder this time.”

“But how?”

“Not sure, but I think someone is out to get me. You know those big bales of cedar shavings? A tower of them suspiciously toppled and knocked me over. I tripped over a pile of bird seed and landed on the same shoulder. It’s not as bad as it looks. It popped back in on its own.”

Like that made it better? Tori bit down hard, ready to pummel someone.

“You think it was on purpose?” Logan asked.

“Someone was there. They wouldn’t show themselves, but I heard them. The store doesn’t have cameras, so I don’t have proof.” Orion grabbed a serving spoon and jabbed a chunk of meat in the pot. “Doctor thinks I’ll need surgery, but I’m gonna put it off until the season is done.”

“You can’t possibly be thinking of fighting fires like this.” Logan nodded at the arm in a sling.

“Why not? This is why I’m here. We’re not even halfway through the season. A couple weeks, and I’ll be good enough to jump.”

Would he? This was the third time he’d injured his shoulder.

And who would want to hurt Orion? It had to be connected to her. Razor must’ve seen her out with Orion. He was always the jealous type.

And this was why she shouldn’t start anything with Orion Price. His last name said it all. He would pay for her mistakes.

The rest of the crew came in a group, rowdy and hungry. Tori waited her turn in line and sat between Cadee and JoJo at one of the tables.

“What happened to Orion?” JoJo asked.

Tori told her and promptly bit into her sloppy joe.

“Why aren’t you with him? Don’t you want to help nurse him back to health?” Cadee waggled her eyebrows.

Considering it was her fault he was in this situation to begin with, she was probably the last person Orion would want to be around.

Tori quickly changed the subject. Orion and Vince joined them at the table with their plates.

“How was the fire?” Probably Orion wanted to steer the conversation away from his injury. She would’ve.

“This one wasn’t bad. It wasn’t out completely, but the night shift will hopefully wrap it up.”

After the meal, the crew broke off into pairs and smaller groups. Tori scraped her plate and left the mess hall.

Orion was waiting for her outside. “Hey, are you okay?”

“Of course.” She glanced over at him as they walked across the runway to the firepit.

“You don’t seem okay. Did something happen while you were at the fire site?”

“Yeah. You got hurt.” She stopped, jammed her hands into the pocket of her sweatshirt.

“So you’re pushing me away now? Why?”

“Orion, do you really not know? Look at what happens to you!” She gestured to his sling.

“Hey.” He grabbed one of her hands and faced her. “None of this is your fault.”

Wasn’t it? “If it weren’t for me, you would be doing what you came here to do. Smokejumping. And…”

The wind kicked up, a stiff breeze blowing long blonde strands—now dried—across her face.

“And what?” His voice was soft, but the concern in it was strong. “Tori, please don’t shut me out. Right now…you’re the only thing going right in my life.”

“Me?” How was that possible?

“Yeah, you.” He tugged her closer, let go of her hand, and moved the hair out of her eyes. Cupped her chin. “You’re all I’ve been able to think about.”

She stepped closer, wrapped her fingers into the fabric of his fleece. She should push him away, but his gaze drew her in. “I hated going out there without you. But…I’m scared, Ry.”

“I’m not going to hurt you, Tori. I’m not like Razor or Wayne Osborne or any of those guys.”

“I know. I do, but…” She glanced down at the cross he wore on a chain.

“What if I hurt you? I have a tendency to make bad choices with men. And this time it’s not the guy who is the bad choice.

The common denominator in all those relationships was me.

What if I screw this up too? What if you’re too good for someone like me? ”

“Someone like you? If only I could be so lucky.” The tender note of his voice brought her gaze back to his eyes.

They were bright and clear, focused solely on her.

A slight blush swept across his strong cheekbones.

“I haven’t been able to escape you from the first night we met.

I don’t want to. You have this light in you that glows, Tori.

You’re strong and brave and care about others. What’s not to love?”

Love? Her breath caught.

Had he really said love?

He didn’t backpedal. His eyes stayed on hers. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, waiting.

And she didn’t want to wait any longer.

Tori pulled him in and kissed him. And this time she didn’t hold back.

Their lips met with fire and heat. Her fingers slid around his neck and tangled up in his hair.

He tightened his hold around her waist, bringing her closer.

Safer. Kissing him was like skydiving—for a moment, the heart-stopping drop, a little trepidation, and then…

sheer wonder as the chute opened and caught the wind.

She was flying. And she didn’t want to land.

Orion forged a trail of gentle kisses from her mouth, along her jaw, and up to her ear, where he whispered, “Victoria, I think I’m falling for you.”

She pulled back a moment, looking into his beautiful blue eyes. “Good.”

Because in this moment, she knew. She was too far gone now, and maybe this time it was okay since she’d finally picked the right kind of guy.

A hero.