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EIGHT

The city-girl instinct in Dani made her want to scream and run, but she kept her cool.

Somewhat.

She only stumbled twice in her adrenaline-fueled sprint down the hill, arms flailing and hair flying in the breeze.

Grizz’s laughter filled her ears. She slowed and dared to look over her shoulder at the momma black bear with her cubs, marching across the path they’d just occupied.

This up-close-and-personal-with-nature adventure was miles out of her comfort zone, yet seeing the baby bears playing and rolling across the leaves and gravel sent a thrill through her.

When would she ever get to experience something like this again?

Or share the moment with this ultimate wild tour guide?

She’d held back tears when he’d told her his story.

The loss and hurt he’d carried for so long struck a chord within her soul.

Because a similar melody had played as the backdrop of her own life.

Grizz slowed when they were a safe distance away. “That was a little too close for comfort. But we’re almost there.” He pointed through the trees to a cleared area that opened up into sprawling fields of green grass. “Welcome to Grizz Manor.”

“Yes. You and your cousin do have very different ideas about the meaning of cabin .” Dani gaped at the size of the mansion ahead of her. Acres of cleared land held a paved driveway and a house the size of a hotel.

It took another ten minutes to get down the hill and arrive at the front of the estate. Grizz punched a six-digit code into the keypad, and a gate creaked open.

“This place looks like some high-end resort. Not a summer house.” The two-story home consisted of exposed and unpainted tan wood beams, giving it a rustic vibe. But there was nothing roughing it with this cabin.

Grizz waved his hands as if to showcase the house. “Five bedrooms. A deck with breathtaking views. Oh, and a hot tub.”

After another keypad entry, Grizz opened the front door.

Dani walked through the foyer and gasped.

The spacious living room that led onto a wooden-deck balcony overlooked a lake with mountain peaks as a backdrop.

Floor-to-ceiling windows outfitted the back wall, leaving her spellbound.

Sunlight glistened off the water, helping her regain some of that fleeting peace.

“This place is amazing.” She touched a glass sconce over the brick fireplace complete with marble mantel.

Grizz snorted. “Mike doesn’t have an outhouse.”

Dani laughed. “Yeah, you’ve got him beat there. I can’t get over how beautiful this place is, inside and out. We don’t have views like this in DC.”

The wooden deck overlooked the expansive backyard and lake. A canoe lay upside down in front of the blue water. The mountain range hemmed them in, creating a postcard picture, despite the drizzly rain. The patio was covered, at least.

Dani shook her head. “I don’t know, Grizz. I kind of like your place better. This place has all of the amenities, but your place has heart.”

“Heart?”

“Yes. Character. Your cabin isn’t going to be the focus of a reality show, but it’s home. I’m just praying your crew can get that fire put out.”

“Agreed. Hopefully they’ll make it here soon,” said Grizz.

“Do you think your cousin has coffee? Would he mind me helping myself to some liquid sustenance?”

“I’m sure he won’t mind. I’ll explain it all to him. His wife likes me.” He shot her a quirky grin that made her bite her lip to keep from laughing.

The kitchen had all of the latest gadgets, not to mention two stoves and a well-stocked refrigerator.

“They must have just left. There’s plenty of food in the fridge.

I can make us some breakfast.” Grizz sat on the barstool at the kitchen island.

“They have a cleaning company that will shut the place down for the winter, so we must have arrived just in time.”

Dani opened a cabinet and found several cans of Spam. She scrunched her nose at the canned meat. “Really?” She held one of the cans out for Grizz to inspect.

“I wouldn’t have taken Mike as a Spam kind of guy, but if you find some eggs, that’s a mighty fine breakfast by my standards.”

“I guess I’m up for another Alaskan adventure then.

” She grabbed a pan and worked on cooking up the eggs, relieved to also have found some bacon in the refrigerator.

Dani dropped the spatula in her hand at the sound of the intercom buzzing.

She checked at the lit built-in screen in the wall. “It’s the front gate.”

Grizz moved to a panel and hit a few buttons. “It’s Saxon, Kane, and Sanchez.”

Grizz moved to the front door and returned with his crew.

“Don’t worry, we’ve got food for everyone.” Dani started dishing out plates. “I hope everyone likes Spam and eggs.”

“At this point, any hot meal is welcome.” Saxon sat at the countertop, his hair sticking out at all angles from his man bun.

“We managed to put out the fire.” Kane took a plate and sat next to Saxon. “But we lost the men. They retreated, however, we don’t know if they headed to their compound or went looking for you two.”

Saxon nodded. “Once we’re done eating, we’ll take turns patrolling Mike’s place to look out for signs of trouble. How far away is Rio?”

Grizz pulled out the radio and checked on Rio.

Rio responded. “I’m about two hours from arrival. I’ve had to run this mission up the chain of command and request backup. Stay where you are. I’ll be there soon.”

The radio made Dani realize that she’d had no contact with the outside world. “Does anyone have a working phone? I need to call my boss and let him know the situation.”

Kane shook his head. “Lightning took out a cell tower. Our radio is satellite. But Rio should be able to help you once he arrives.”

After eating, everyone dispersed. The men were going to rotate turns on patrol. They’d decided that Kane and Saxon would take the first shift while Grizz rested in one of Mike’s spare bedrooms.

Dani cleaned up the breakfast dishes, sticking them in the dishwasher and turning it on. Sanchez sat at the countertop bar and watched.

Time to put on her investigator hat. Maybe a little girl talk was in order. It wouldn’t hurt for Dani to find out more about the woman’s missing father. Dani couldn’t turn off her inquisitive side that easily. “How long have you worked with Grizz?”

“Cut the small talk, Dani.” Sanchez ran her fingers through her long, dark wavy hair. “What’s going on between you and Grizz? The man is a natural-born protector, but he can’t take his eyes off you. Spill.”

A full-on inferno engulfed her from head to toe. She channeled all of her energy into the cup of coffee she’d just poured herself. “There’s nothing going on between us. No more than two strangers being trapped on the side of the mountain.”

“Riiiiiight,” Sanchez said, with three extra syllables added for emphasis.

“Do you grill all the women in Grizz’s life like this?”

“What women?” Sanchez laughed. “In the time that I’ve known Grizz, he’s been the perpetual bachelor. But I have a feeling that if any woman could handle a hothead like Grizz, it’s you.”

“Handle? I’m lucky to be alive. Besides, I’m not made for the wilds of Alaska. I’m a city girl at heart.”

Sanchez shook her head. “You’re a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for. We judged you, and you proved us all wrong. You might not fight fires, but you’re no damsel in distress either. You hold your own.”

What a compliment. Sanchez was the true hero, saving lives and thriving in a predominantly male-dominated job. But this couldn’t be about Grizz.

The subject of Grizz made Dani shift from one foot to the other, and she swirled the contents of her mug. “Grizz isn’t even my type. Could you imagine me, living here in the middle of nowhere? Or him in DC?”

Sanchez watched Dani without saying anything.

Dani couldn’t hold her tongue. “I mean, he’s got a softer side than most men, not to mention he cooks and cleans. It’s surprising, really. But I couldn’t fall for a mountain man. Yes, he’s really good-looking. But my career keeps me so busy.”

Sanchez rolled her eyes.

“I’m so used to being on my own. I don’t know how to slow down, take the time to get to know someone.

Most men I meet have ulterior motives. Grizz is the first man that doesn’t expect me to be perfect.

” Dani continued. “I keep catching glimpses of a future. One where I’m not a reporter.

Where I don’t have to perform. Where I don’t have to kill myself to stay in first place.

” She sighed. “Would it hurt to slow down, let others in? It’s not a sign of quitting.

It’s more of a way to enjoy the things I have without racing to the next thing. To savor the moment.”

Dani poured more coffee—not that she needed the caffeine.

She was amped up. “I know my weakness. I don’t know when to quit.

But Grizz keeps showing up at the right time to save me from the decisions I’ve made.

So maybe I do need a partner. Someone that I know has my back.

Like your team. You’re all there for each other. I envy that.”

Sanchez opened her mouth to say something, but Dani couldn’t lose her train of thought.

“I need relationships. Not people taking up space. Not assignments or awards. I need true friendships.” She looked Sanchez in the eyes.

“Wow. I’m glad we had this conversation. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

Sanchez gave her a puzzled look. “Glad I could help.”

While a load had been lifted from Dani’s shoulders, she was still a journalist. “What’s the plan to rescue your father? I want to help.”

Sanchez’s face tightened. “All I can do is wait for Rio at the moment. And according to Kane, it’s apparently in God’s hands. I shouldn’t have tried to go out on my own last night. Who knows if my father is even still at the camp?”

God again?