Page 16

Chapter 1

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.

So for this one evening, she’d forget about the strict discipline she used to keep everything in order and instead enjoy herself, having finally accepted the invite to go out to the Midnight Sun Saloon. She’d listen to the band play and let the music move her instead of holding back like she usually did.

And she certainly wouldn’t let some jerk on the dance floor ruin her night.

“Hey, honey, sorry I’m late.” Montana, the handsome stranger in the navy shirt and flannel, held out a hand to her. His blue-eyed gaze locked in on her. He’d caught her earlier, blushed when she’d teased him about calling her ma’am. He had a nice Captain America vibe going on—if the Cap had come from the wilds of Montana instead of NYC.

Her hero could totally take Camo Man on with those wide shoulders, but he was trying to defuse the situation and rescue her.

She could take care of herself. But maybe for this one time it would be okay. She didn’t want to fill out a police report on her one night off.

“It’s about time, Montana. I’ve been waiting all night.” She gave him her warmest smile and was finally able to pull away, since Camo released his hold on her arm.

Even if his foul breath hadn’t been enough to warn her, she’d made enough mistakes with men to steer clear of someone like him.

Montana, on the other hand, was probably too good for the likes of her. He followed her lead to the other side of the dance floor. The music slowed.

He bent down. “I think the coast is clear. You don’t really have to dance with me. I only wanted to help.”

Yup. He was definitely out of her league.

But her mouth didn’t know better.

“I came here to enjoy the music tonight.” So what harm could it do to dance a little under the stars? Especially with a cute guy with dark hair falling in wild waves across his forehead. A guy who blushed.

Besides, he was probably another tourist passing through who she’d never see again.

“So maybe you could help me out?” she asked him.

“Of course. How?” He looked so sincere.

“Like this.” She faced him and lightly looped her arms around his shoulders. They were nice shoulders. He wasn’t big and bulky, but he was definitely fit, maybe worked out, the way his biceps bulged in the dark-blue T-shirt and flannel he wore.

He cleared his throat and dropped his head, spoke in her ear. “I, uh, I…don’t really know how to dance.”

How refreshing to find a guy who could admit he couldn’t do something. His eyes were honest and true. And that slight flush to his cheeks only made the blue-green flecks stand out.

“That’s all right. Just follow my lead.” She placed his hands on her hips, where his light touch warmed her through.

“Yes, ma’am.” He swallowed, looked her in the eye, and gave her a bit of a shy smile.

Oh, she could fall for this one. Sweet and polite. And he did, in fact, follow her lead as they swayed to the crooning from the stage with a soulful fiddle accompaniment. The kind of song made for luring people to fall in love.

But it was only for tonight. So no danger of that.

She moved a little closer to him, the solidness and heat drawing her in, a hint of amber and sandalwood wrapping her in a sweet embrace. “You’re doing great, Montana. Who said you can’t dance?”

“No one. I haven’t done it before.”

“Shall we take it up a notch?”

His eyebrow quirked up in a question. “Are you flirting with me?”

She chuckled. His honest question and lack of guile was refreshing. “Wow, you really don’t get out much, do you?”

He sucked in a breath through his teeth. “That obvious, huh?”

“Here. Hold tight to my hand. I’m gonna spin out, and then you lightly pull me back in. Nothing to it.”

“I think I can handle that.”

And he did. She twirled out, her hair dancing on the cool breeze with his strong grip anchoring her. A slight tug and she spun back into his arms, rested her hand on his chest, her fingers hitting his well-defined pectorals.

He definitely worked out.

“That wasn’t so hard, was it?” she asked.

A slow, lazy grin emerged on his face. “Not at all.”

They danced to the next slow song, Tori tucking herself against him. The crisp spring breezes swirled through the crowd but didn’t cool the air between them. The song drew to a close, the last notes floating away into the soft light of Alaskan twilight. The lead singer announced the band was going to take a little break before coming back.

“Could I…buy you a drink? Or a meal if you like?” He looked at her directly, a hint of vulnerability there. Not weakness by any means, but a hope that—dang—she wanted to realize for him. Looking around, she saw her friends Evie and Lucy talking with a couple of guys they knew.

Well, she was hungry. And it was her one night, so, “Sure, but why don’t we get a snack to go. There’s a great park by the river where we can eat.” And with plenty of tourists out and about, she didn’t have to worry about being too secluded.

She was rewarded with a handsome smile. They put in a to-go order for ribs and onion rings.

While waiting for their food, someone tapped Tori on the shoulder. She turned to find one of her regulars from work.

“Hey, Damian.” He looked different in jeans and a fitted shirt that showed off all his hard work at the gym. Tall and lean with dark-blond hair cut short and stylish, he had a cute brunette on his arm.

“Hey, Tori. This is my friend Amber. I was just telling her what a great trainer you are and that she should ask for you at the gym.”

“Aw, that’s sweet. I’m going to be gone for the summer though. But for sure come see me this fall when I’m back.”

“I’ll do that.” Amber smiled. Damian started to ask something else, but Montana was paying for their food. Tori quickly said goodbye and turned back to the bar.

“I can pay for that.” Tori started to pull out her debit card from her jeans pocket.

“No need. It’s already done.” His clear, steady gaze quieted the accusations and doubts. Maybe letting someone take care of her for a night wasn’t so bad. As long as she didn’t get used to it.

Once their food was ready, they strolled out along the main drag and headed to the riverside park.

“So, what do you do around here for work?” he asked. “Or are you on vacation?”

“I live here. But let’s not talk about work. I’ve given myself this one night to forget about jobs and responsibilities. That’s for tomorrow.”

“So you’re one of those live-in-the-moment kind of people?”

“Tonight I am.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough. So what do I call you? At least for tonight. I thought I heard someone call you Tia?”

“I’m—” For tonight, she wanted to be someone different. Someone without her past, without the bad choices weighing her down. At least with this man, who had honor written all over him, from the way he’d rescued her on the dance floor to the fact that he’d paid for her meal. “—Victoria.” She held out her hand. He shook it.

“Nice to meet you, Victoria.” His hand was calloused, the shake firm, but he didn’t squeeze like he had something to prove.

Wouldn’t that be nice?

He didn’t let go right away. “I’m Orion.”

“You’re named after the Greek hunter?”

“The constellation.”

“Ah, so you’re a star.”

“Nah, just an ordinary guy from Montana with a weird name. What about you? Are you from Alaska?”

“California.”

“So what brought you up here?”

“Regrets. A man. Take your pick.” She grabbed an onion ring and ripped it in half, popped a piece in her mouth. Shoot. Why had she said that? She sent him a playful wink to dispel any sense of pity that he might throw her way.

“But the joke’s on him. I found a career I love. A good group of friends. I stayed, and he’s gone, so…” She shrugged as she ate the rest of the o-ring. “So for now, Alaska is the closest thing I have to a home.”

Maybe someday she’d find a place where she belonged. Her sisters kept asking when she’d settle down and find a permanent address. But like they could talk. They had both moved multiple times in the last couple years, even though now they both claimed Last Chance County was home sweet home for them.

She wiped her fingers on a napkin. “What about you? What brings you here?”

“An opportunity. I love Montana, but I wanted a chance for something bigger in a place I didn’t have a history or connections. I want to be able to say I did this on my own, ya know?”

“I do. I have two older sisters that are…amazing, but also a lot. They practically raised me, so I kinda get it, but they are always checking on me like they don’t believe I can handle myself, even though I’m grown up and have been on my own for years. So, yeah, I can respect the need to be your own person, even if it means starting from scratch.”

“Exactly.” His blue eyes lit with understanding…connection.

They enjoyed the rest of their ribs and onion rings, chatted about useless things, and listened to the frogs along the river. Tourists wandered past. The sun drifted toward the horizon.

A text notification dinged from Tori’s phone. The time glared up at her from the screen. “Shoot. It’s almost midnight! I should get back.”

“Afraid your carriage will turn back to a pumpkin?” Orion stood to throw the to-go boxes away.

“No, I just have an early morning.” A morning she needed to be at her best for. She’d worked too hard for that smokejumper spot to flounder now. “I set my alarm for midnight. I have to head back.”

“I’ll walk with you.” Orion’s dark hair, longer on top, ruffled in the wind, which had picked up. “Here.” He shook off his flannel and laid it over her shoulders.

She wrapped herself up in its warmth and amber scent. She really shouldn’t let herself enjoy this.

But it wasn’t midnight yet.

They walked toward the saloon, a faster pace than they’d set on the way out. At one point, their hands brushed, and their fingers tangled up together. She didn’t pull away. His slow smile, that slight blush, was still visible under the streetlights, and the glow of the almost full moon sent a thrill through her.

Sheesh. She was like a teenager all over again. If only she’d waited back then for a man like Orion.

They reached the edge of the parking lot at the Midnight Sun Saloon, the band music still going strong though the parking lot wasn’t as full as earlier. They stopped by the road sign.

“I had a really nice night, Victoria.” He still held her hand. “Would you—” He glanced down a second and then back to her eyes, a question there she didn’t want to answer the way she needed to.

So she kissed him.

A sweet, simple kiss, lightly pressing her lips to his. But it heated her clear down to her toes.

Her smartwatch buzzed, killing the moment. Midnight.

She pulled back, untangled herself from him. “This was…amazing, but I’m sorry. I have to go.” Her night of freedom was over.

“Can I see you again?”

Oh, this was harder than she’d thought. She swallowed down a thickness in her throat. “I’m sorry, Orion, but that won’t work. I only had tonight. I have to leave, and I’ll be gone for quite a while.”

“I’m a patient guy.”

Of course he was. “No, Orion.” Why were her eyes stinging? She’d just met him. And yes, he was gentlemanly and kind, but she couldn’t afford any distractions.

And let’s be honest, when it came to men, she had horrible luck.

“I’m leaving. I’ve got…important work to do.”

“I get that, but what does that have to do with?—”

“Let’s just end on a good note, huh?” She grazed her fingers along his jaw and planted one last kiss on his cheek. Looking down, she caught the glint of something on his neck. A cross.

Well, that was a deal breaker right there. Good thing she was already leaving.

She turned and walked away. Didn’t turn back. Didn’t look.

A part of her wanted to, but there were more important things in life. Tomorrow, she would be fighting for one of the smokejumper spots, and she couldn’t let anything get in her way.

Eventually, she heard Orion’s footsteps in the gravel, heading away. He wasn’t following her.

Good. That was what she wanted.

She reached her little Honda Civic sitting on the other side of the lot. The parking lot light overhead glinted off a spiderweb of cracks on the windshield.

Tori whipped around, scanning the area for anyone lurking in the shadows. Who had done this?

A small piece of paper fluttered under her wiper blade.

You can’t escape this time.

Orion rushed down the stairs to the lobby, too late and impatient to wait for the elevator. Today was the first step to living out his dream and doing what he was born to do.

“Dude, come on!” Logan shoved a hotel coffee into Orion’s hand. “Don’t wanna be late for your first day of training.”

Right. Orion tried to shake off the memory of the mysterious and captivating Victoria from last night. A memory that tangled up in his head way more than he liked.

“You okay? You look awful.” Logan glanced over from behind the wheel of his car.

He wasn’t thrilled to have Logan following him to the Midnight Sun crew, but the guy had his own reasons for coming up here, and maybe it wouldn’t be horrible to have a friend around. As long as Orion was seen as his own person.

“I’m fine. Didn’t sleep great.”

“Nervous?”

Sure, let Logan think that was it. “Maybe.”

“You got back pretty late last night, but you’re a good firefighter, Price. You’ve got this.”

“Thanks.”

Orion sipped his coffee. Ugh. Lukewarm.

So different from Victoria. She was fire and heat. And boy, had he been burned all right.

What was his problem anyway? It had been one dance. One kiss.

But it had hooked him like an expert fisherman catching a king salmon, snagging on his heart and pulling relentlessly. No other woman had done that before.

But what did it say that she’d felt no qualms about kissing him and leaving? Obviously the moment hadn’t unraveled her as it had him. Maybe her job really was important. Or he’d simply been a distraction for her.

Whatever.

He needed his head on straight. This was his time to show everyone that he had what it took. He’d left his home, his family, everything he knew in Ember for this. He was ready to step into his legacy. And maybe redeem himself, at least a little.

They pulled into the base camp. Quonset huts, a few log-sided cabins, and a long building labeled as a mess hall all surrounded the small runway crossing through the middle of the camp. A couple of helipads and a small lot of RVs sat off to the side. The base was tucked up against foothills, out in the middle of nowhere. The crisp morning air smelled like new beginnings. Orion and Logan parked and walked into one of the open plane hangars. People milled around chatting. A small group off to the side of the room caught his eye. What in the world?—

“Hey, the Trouble Boys and Sanchez are here?” Orion asked Logan.

“Guess so.” Logan walked up and gave a fist bump to Hammer. “What are you guys doing here? Get too hot in Montana?”

“Something like that.” Hammer grinned. “We’ve been here all winter. I thought you were staying with Jude County.”

“Plans changed.” Logan pointed his thumb at Orion. “Thought I’d keep an eye on the rookie here. Thinks he wants to jump out of planes this year.”

Orion clenched his jaw tight.

Funny. Logan didn’t bring up the fact that he was here because of a woman named Jamie Winters with these guys. It was bad enough he thought he needed to watch over Orion. Now more of the Jude County crew were here? Who else had come up from Montana for the summer?

This was supposed to be his fresh start, a chance to work with people that didn’t know him. He was supposed to do this on his own.

“You wanna be a smokejumper?” Kane asked Orion. “Between the locals and the smokejumpers from Montana, I heard there aren’t many spots. We’ll be joining the hotshots.” The look on his face said he wouldn’t have minded trying out but something had stopped him.

“Guess we’ll see who gets them.” Because Orion was going to nab one of the open spots no matter what. He had to. After all he’d gone through to get his mother on board with this career—which had been no easy feat, since her own father had lost his life smokejumping—he wasn’t going to turn back now. At least he wasn’t competing with Kane, Hammer, and the others.

A sharp whistle stopped all conversation. Everyone turned to the front of the room, where a man with a clipboard and—wait. Was that Jade Ransom? Another Jude County transplant. Seriously, had the whole crew decided to follow him here?

“I’m Tucker Newman. I’m the commander this season. This is Jade Ransom. She’s jump boss, and she’s running the show if you’re here to train for smokejumping. If that’s you, head out with her. The rest of you stick here with Mitch Bronson, who will be running the hotshot crew.”

Orion and Logan and about fifteen others followed Jade out to a bay garage, doors wide open, letting the cool morning breeze in.

“Orion, good to see you.” JoJo Butcher walked over to them. She ruffled Orion’s hair. “You’re not gonna get your pretty hair messed up jumping out of planes, are ya?”

Like he needed one more person here treating him like a little kid when he was trying to prove he was his own man. He swatted her hand away. “What are you doing here?”

“Jade is from here originally. She said she was moving back and asked if I wanted to come. Sounded like fun, so I decided to join her.”

Great.

Logan gave her a fist bump. “Good to see you.”

Jade faced the group. “I’m not much of one for talking this early, so I hope you came ready to work. At the end of our training, two of you will be given a spot on my crew. Most of you have done this before, but for you newbies, this is no walk in the park. It’s brutal because you are going into one of the most dangerous situations a person can face. I will push you to your limits because wildland fires don’t care. Now, drop your stuff, grab one of the packs along this wall, and get ready to run.”

“Good luck, newbie.” Logan smirked as he grabbed one of the packs.

Orion didn’t need luck though. He was born for this, so the joke was on Logan. As they lined up, Jade checked people off on the clipboard. When she got to the end of the line, she looked around. “Anyone seen Mitchell?”

After a chorus of no s and heads shaking, Jade blew out a short breath and made a mark on the clipboard.

Tough break, Mitchell—whoever that was. But it was one less person vying for a place on the team. Orion smiled.

Just as they were about to start, a dusty Honda Civic with a broken windshield screeched as it swung into the parking lot.

“Wait!” a woman cried as she jumped out of the car.

Jade went out to meet her. What little Orion could see of the newcomer was weirdly familiar. But a baseball cap covered her hair, and the sunglasses she wore and Jade’s shadow obscured her features.

“Must be Mitchell,” Logan said. “Not a great way to make a first impression. Jade hates when people are late.”

All the better for Orion.

Jade turned back to the line. “Let’s go!” she yelled over her shoulder. “Mitchell, you have some catching up to do.”

As Jade stepped away, slanted sunlight hit the woman, brightening her features. Blonde hair streamed behind “Mitchell’s” ball cap.

Orion’s smile dimmed. A force like a fist dropped into his gut.

What in the world was Victoria doing here?

“Dude, come on!” Logan nudged Orion’s shoulder. The rest of the line was already running. Orion gave himself a shake and followed Logan. He glanced back and saw Victoria rushing to heft one of the heavy packs onto her back. By the time they reached the road, she had caught up to them, though she was huffing pretty hard.

“Important work, huh?” Orion tried to take the bite out of his words, but she’d blown him off last night. Made it sound like she was leaving town or something. And now they had to compete for one of the few smokejumper spots?

Her eyes widened. “Orion?” Victoria’s face was already flushed, and his name sounded more like a wheezy breath as they jogged up the inclined road with their packs. After a pause, she spoke again. “Well,” she said as she huffed, “it is an important job. I didn’t lie.”

“You said you were leaving town.”

“Yeah. We’re gone most of the season.” Each word was punctuated with another breath. “Kinda hard to do relationships that way. This is for the best. For both of us.”

Or it was a lousy excuse. If she really felt that way, why had she kissed him?

But whatever. At least he knew where he stood.

They weren’t dating. They weren’t even friends.

They were rivals competing for the same job. One he was determined to win.

Game on.