by Vella Munn
Amber tried to concentrate as her mother dove into an explanation about something that was happening at work, but much of what she said escaped her.
“You aren’t listening.” Her mother grumbled. “I can tell. I thought you could use this example of workplace dynamics, but I’m obviously wrong. I guess you’ll have to learn on your own how important it is to keep career relationships professional.”
“I’m pretty much on my own here. No colleagues around.”
“Not in person, but you do have to communicate with them.”
“Yes. Mother, I understand professionalism.”
“I hope you do. Too many careers have been destroyed because certain lines have been crossed.”
She hadn’t told her family about Garret beyond giving a brief description of the forest rangers she shared a building with. Now that she’d spent a night in the wilderness with one of them, maybe the time had come to give her mother a hint of what was happening.
“I had an incredible experience the day before yesterday,” she said. “One of the rangers let me accompany him while he looked for grizzlies. We spotted a sow and her cub, both healthy, which is what the expedition was about.”
“You did what?”
“Took a million pictures of the biggest bear I’ve ever seen, not that I’ve seen one in the flesh before. After that Garret and I spent the night in a decommissioned fire tower.”
“Amber,” her mother said, “are you sure that’s wise? This Garret might get the impression you’re interested in something other than a professional relationship. That could backfire. You have to concentrate on making your mark on the job, you have to.”
If only you knew.
“There’s something I think you need to know,” Henry Walters said. “Hopefully nothing will come of it, that he’s just blowing off steam, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you.”
Although he was using the truck’s hands free function, Garret pulled over. He was on an abandoned logging road and hadn’t seen another vehicle since he’d left the highway, but habits were hard to dismiss. Mostly he wanted to concentrate on learning why the cabin tract president had called.
“Who are you talking about?” he asked.
“Werner Morrisey. He’s under a lot of stress. We’ve been friendly for many years. That’s how it is on the tract, people looking out for each other.”
“And treating some people like the enemy.” As soon as he’d said what he had, he wished he could take the words back. If he wasn’t careful, Henry might hang up on him, but, darn it, he was talking about Amber.
“Can you blame us for being defensive?” Henry asked. “Maybe not. Because you represent the government.”
“What about Werner?”
When Henry didn’t immediately answer, Garret wondered if the man had changed his mind about having made the call. Damn, he hoped it wasn’t that, because if whatever Werner was going through stood a chance of impacting Amber, he had to know. When he felt responsible for someone, it stayed that way.
“It’s a matter of when it rains it pours. Werner’s business—he repairs motorcycles—hasn’t done well since that RV store opened. They do repairs in house.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“He told me he doesn’t think he has a choice but to close up. I suggested he apply at the store. No question he knows what he’s doing, but he said it would be begging to the enemy. He’s pretty worried about his finances and that isn’t all.”
“What else?”
“His wife left him. They’re probably going to lose the house. The cabin’s the only thing he has left. He says he’s going to live in it year around.”
“He can’t. Regulations stipulate—”
“I know what the regulations stipulate, no year-round residences, not that most folks would want to try because of the snow.”
“Sounds like he’s in a hard place.”
“He is. Like I said, the cabin is everything to him.”
“Why are you telling me?”
“Come on. Do I have to spell it out?”
“I’m not going to tell you everything about my mother’s latest lecture,” she told Garret as she was getting ready to leave Garret’s place that evening. “Just enough that you’ll understand where she’s coming from. To her way of thinking, marriage needs to be a business decision.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
He cupped his hands over her cheeks. If not for what she’d agreed to do this evening, she would have embraced him then headed to the bedroom.
Pondering how her mother would react if she had the whole picture where Garret was concerned made Amber shake her head. She had to get her family out here so they’d maybe understand what she saw in him. They wouldn’t have much in common with him, but she couldn’t imagine them not being impressed by some of the things he’d done and the world Garret and she lived in.
That’s what she’d do she decided, as she headed for her vehicle with an armload of files. She’d send her family a copy of the article about the search Garret had been involved in. Maybe she could get him to include an explanation of why time had been a factor but asking would have to wait because she was on her way to Sweetheart for a city council meeting. With everything that had been going on, particularly the thrill of seeing Betty and her cub, she hadn’t given the meeting much thought. She intended to give a brief overview of what she was doing then open things up to questions.
Garret had offered to have dinner waiting at her place after the meeting, but because Lisa Hendrix had warned her that it could go as late as ten, she’d told him to get some rest. They’d see each other in the morning.
Tonight would be the first they’d spend apart since things had heated up between them, and it felt strange. Not long ago she’d been looking forward to having her own space, some alone time, but feeling like she did about Garret had changed a great deal.
She wasn’t sure that was good. Things were moving at a crazy speed between them with a great deal of it revolving around sex. Being assured of a mind-blowing climax every time they had sex was a hell of a rush. She was still in awe of how sexual she’d become, how free and uninhibited. If anything she was more aggressive in bed than Garret was, not that she was interested in keeping score. Inhibitions be damned. This straight-laced, formerly uptight member of the Baum family had another side, one that was free.
So free she was hard-pressed to remember there had to be more to a relationship than what took place between the sheets.
She glanced at Flathead Lake. A night alone might allow her to get perspective. When she saw Garret tomorrow she’d keep her hands to herself and her emotions in neutral as she told him about the meeting. He’d mention what he’d seen on TV. Then he’d take off for wherever his job led him and she’d head for the cabin tract.
Even though she wasn’t paying attention to the radio, she turned it off so she could concentrate on a thought. Hiking in the Missions, watching a grizzly and her cub, and spending the night with what felt like half of the wilderness spread out below her had changed her. For the first time in her life she’d been beyond the reach of nine-one-one responders. It had felt good. Granted, a first-aid expert had been with her, a man who knew the woods intimately, but it had been just the two of them. No safety net, no cell phone reception, nothing to distract her from nature’s perfection.
She’d proven herself, kept up with Garret during the taxing hike. She’d studied a grizzly without panicking, climbed steep steps with a heavy pack dragging at her. Most of all, more important than sharing the experience with Garret, the wilderness had embraced her.
Changed her.
“No more putting it off,” she said aloud. “The tract is a collection of old buildings owned by people who take pride in that ownership. They aren’t going to intimidate me, no way in hell.”
Her determination faltered a little when she spotted Werner Morrisey at the back of the room where Sweetheart’s council meetings were held. She asked Lisa Hen
drix if she knew why Werner was there.
“No,” the woman she’d met while having dinner out with Garret said. “And I wish he wasn’t. His wife Celia—I think they’re getting divorced—recently opened an accounting business in town. She started coming to the meetings when she was going through the permit process. He’d show up every time she was on the agenda and complain that we were giving her preferential treatment and insinuate she wasn’t a professional accountant. Once we had to have the police escort him out. She isn’t on the agenda tonight so I don’t know what brought him here.”
“If he still monitors what the council does, he knew I’d be talking.”
“You? What—oh, that’s right. He owns one of the cabins on forest service land. That’s how he knows you.”
“Unfortunately. Hopefully he won’t be disruptive.”
“We can hope. I’d hate to have him intimidate you.”
“I won’t let him.”
“Good for you. Celia’s the same way, calling his bluff.”
Even if Werner wasn’t bluffing, she refused to back down. She’d become stronger since the meeting at Henry Walter’s place.
“I’m sorry,” Lisa said. “I should have told you not to come until at least eight so you don’t have to sit through a bunch of budget stuff. We want to increase the tourist trade, get more visitors to come to Sweetheart and support the local merchants. You don’t have any suggestions, do you?”
“Sorry.”
“It’s all right. I was teasing.”
She’d been to council meetings before when members of her family had business with the city. Those had been massive affairs. In contrast, things were pretty casual here with the mayor and city attorney calling members of the small audience by their first names.
Werner left but returned before she could fully relax. He mostly sat slumped over, staring at the floor. He was a large man, well over six feet tall with big hands and a forehead that seemed to go on forever. The folding chair looked too small for him. He probably felt a lot more at home at his cabin.
She decided on a plan of action if it turned out he was here because he wanted to confront her. She’d deflect him by asking what he hoped to accomplish at his cabin before winter shut things down. She might even stroke his ego a little if the opportunity arose. What she wouldn’t do was let him try to convince the audience that she had no business coming to the Flathead National Forest.
She was both relieved and disappointed when Werner remained silent during her presentation. Because she was determined to connect with everyone, she occasionally met the man’s gaze. Every time she did, he unblinkingly returned her stare.
As she’d planned, she kept her description of what her role entailed as brief as possible. She was surprised by the amount of interest in the historic documentation process and enjoyed hearing about residents’ personal properties. Sweetheart had a number of Victorian houses, all of them well-maintained. A loosely organized group of Victorian homeowners had been discussing ways to promote their properties’ visual appeal as part of the larger goal of bringing more people to town. Listening to them, she grew excited and offered to prioritize historical documentation of the properties.
“I bet our guest didn’t realize she’d be adding to her workload by coming here tonight,” Lisa said into her microphone. “She’s been talking for going on an hour so what if we cut things off. I’ll put her contact information on our Facebook page. Amber, if you want, you can use Facebook to announce when you’ll be doing the actual inspections here.”
“That’s fine.” She stared at Werner. “I have a rather extensive inspection I need to do first, but once that’s over, I’m looking forward to this.”
Amber sighed in relief as she exited the building. Much as she’d enjoyed the evening, and she had, she’d never be a relaxed public speaker. It felt good to walk down the quiet, tree-studded street to her vehicle. Even though there weren’t any street lights this far from city hall, she felt no need to look over her shoulder. Werner had left once she’d finished speaking, while she’d stayed to listen to the police chief give a report.
Sweetheart was a lovely town full of residents who cared about each other and wanted the best for the community. The idea of having to leave once her job here was over threatened to knot her stomach.
What about Garret?
She was pondering what had brought her to this place in a romantic relationship so quickly when she realized someone was standing beside her SUV. She’d parked here because there hadn’t been room in the city hall lot. Had that been a mistake?
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
Werner. “Why?” She reached into her purse for the keys she might have to use as a weapon.
“We need to talk.”
“I’m coming out to the tract day after tomorrow. I’m more than happy to talk to you then.”
“I’m not waiting that long.”
This close to him, he seemed even larger. He didn’t have Garret’s powerful physique, but Garret didn’t speak through clenched teeth.
“All right.” They had the street to themselves. No one knew she was here. “What do you want?”
“For you to leave me the hell alone.”
“I’m not after you.” She debated assuming a fighter’s stance but she’d look foolish. “You heard me tonight so you know what my job entails.”
“Words.” In the dark, she couldn’t read his expression but his tone told her more than enough. “You aren’t fooling me. My cabin was the first one built. You’re going to hold it up as an example, try to tell me I can’t do a damn thing to it.”
“Werner, darn it, I’ve done everything I can to make it clear that isn’t what the agency I work for is about. Why don’t you believe me?”
He swiped at his eyes. “People lie. Tell me they’re marrying me for life through good and bad.”
“Is that what this is about, your marriage?”
“What marriage? She left me.”
Believing she understood what was behind his mood allowed her to relax a little. Not long ago she would have fled the confrontation but she wasn’t that woman any more.
“I do want to talk to you, but not here and not now. You need to read the regulations I operate under. Let me look at my schedule, see when we can meet to—”
“We’re meeting now and I’m telling you to stay the hell off my land.”
It isn’t your land. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. You need to calm down.”
“That’s what the bitch I was married to kept saying.” He stepped closer. “I’m sick of hearing it.”
She instinctively backed away. Then, feeling disconnected from what was happening, she clenched her fists. “I won’t let you intimidate me.”
“Says who?” He shook his finger in her face. “You think you—”
“That’s enough!”
Startled by the sound of Garret’s voice, she looked around. Near as she could tell, he’d been standing behind one of the largest trees.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Werner demanded.
“Making sure things don’t go further than they have. Amber, get in your car. I’ll take care of this.”
His voice was heavy with tension. Even though she could only see his outline, she had no doubt of his anger. This man who’d stormed into her life had shown up to rescue her only it wasn’t that simple.
“This is between her and me,” Werner said. “We don’t need you.”
“Tough shit. You’re getting me.” Garret stalked closer. He stopped when he was a few feet from Werner. “I’m serious, Amber. You don’t have to put up with this, not now that I’m here.”
Despite her relief, something about Garret’s words struck her as wrong.
“Tell him to leave us the hell alone.” Werner jabbed a finger at her. “Unless you’re too much of a coward.”
“This is crazy,” she said for both men’s benefit. Maybe she was talking to herself as well.
“Amber,
he’s threatening you.”
Was Werner? Because she’d never truly been confronted, she couldn’t say whether the man’s words had reached that level.
“How long have you been here?” she asked Garret.
“Long enough to hear everything. I didn’t say anything earlier because I wanted to see how far he’d go.”
“You heard me.” Werner pointed the same finger at Garret. “This is none of your damned business. My beef’s with her, not you.”
“It isn’t a beef.” She was so frustrated by Werner’s inability to hear what she’d been trying to tell him she wanted to shake him. “I don’t make the rules and regulations. I follow them.”
“Stop it,” Garret broke in. “He isn’t worthy of your time. Just leave.”
Just leave? Was that how he saw her, as if she was a child? Even as she asked the question, she knew it wasn’t that. Garret cared for her, was looking out for her safety.
But this was her battle.
“Werner,” she said, “we’re going at this wrong. You need to cool down, and I need to listen to you. Those things can’t be done tonight.”
“You’re telling me to get the hell out of your face?”
“If she isn’t, I am.” Garret planted his hands on Werner’s shoulders. “You’re out of control.”
“Don’t touch me!”
Werner tried to jerk free, but Garret held on. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Why was Garret here? How did he know Werner would confront her?
“Stop it,” she insisted. “Werner, leave.”
“That’s right.” His words came out a sob. “You’re like everyone else, telling me I don’t have a right to breathe.”
“That’s not what I said. You’re—”
“Didn’t you?” Shoulders slumped, Werner stared at the ground. He didn’t seem to realize Garret still had hold of him. “It’s all falling apart.”
“What is?”
“My life.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“He lost his job.” Garret released Werner and backed away.