by Sable Hunter
The drive from their campsite to the lodge was just a couple of miles. “I wonder what they have in store for us today?” she asked, thinking of all the online classes they’d taken. “Whatever it is, I’m not sure I’ll be prepared for the real thing by the time this is over.”
“They’ve done these sessions before. I’m sure they know what they’re doing.”
“Yea, I guess so.” Clint looked so happy Jensen hesitated to bring it up – but what she had to say needed to be said. “If we’re going to be a team, we need to clear the air, Clint. We need to work things out.”
“Of course. I’m all for working things out.” He felt an involuntary hitch in his breathing.
“After you hear what I have to say, you might not be so…gung-ho.”
“I doubt that.”
She clasped her hands together tightly. “The task we have before us is very important.”
“I agree.”
“And if we’re assigned to work together, we need to do so to the utmost of our abilities.”
“Again. I agree.” He was afraid to guess where this conversation was heading.
“I’m afraid if we continue to…agitate one another, we won’t be able to perform our duties effectively.”
“Sounds good to me. Agitating one another is not my first choice of how we spend our time together.”
“I really like you, but…we’re just so different.” Jensen knew she was failing at this. She couldn’t tell him the truth and nothing else she could come up with made sense.
Clint was driving at a snail’s pace, his fingers gripping the steering wheel like a vise. “The ways we’re different are what I like best about you.”
Jensen shifted nervously in her seat. “I’m not denying we’re physically compatible.”
Clint snorted a laugh. “Hell, no. That’s an indisputable fact. This isn’t still about football, is it?”
“Not really. Right now, I just think we need to concentrate on the class.”
“And not each other?” Clint was beginning to get frustrated. “Until when?”
Jensen didn’t know what to say. She clutched her hands together so tightly she was digging her nails into her own skin. God, how she wanted to give in. She ached to give Clint what he wanted, what they both wanted – but at what cost?
“I’m not sure what your game is, Jensen. You run hot and then you run cold. Do you enjoy teasing me?”
“It’s not like that, Clint.” Oh, God – she was making things worse.
“It’s not? Then tell me how it is. I know you want me, and I know you feel something for me. Why are you denying it?”
She couldn’t deny it. Good thing they arrived at the lodge about that time, she didn’t have to try. “We’ll talk about this later.”
“You bet your bottom dollar we’ll talk about this. If you think you’re going to dangle heaven in front of my face like you did last night and just take it back without a good explanation, you are sadly mistaken.”
“Wait! Were you awake when you kissed me?”
“Hell, yes,” he snarled. “Of course I was awake. Do you think a red-blooded American male could sleep through something like that? And for the record, you kissed me back. You were all over me. Don’t deny it!”
“I was not all over you!” Jensen climbed out of the truck and slammed the door. “Ooooh! I should’ve known better than to try and reason with you.”
“Reason?” Clint followed her closely, trying to ignore the questioning looks the others were giving them. “You call that reasoning?”
“Hey, is there a problem?” Ten asked as he came near the quibbling duo.
“Nope.” Jensen flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I just need a shower. I need to wash something out of my hair.”
“Hey, I’ve seen the movie South Pacific and you’re not going to get rid of me that easily.” Clint almost followed her into the ladies’ bathhouse. When Ten touched his arm, he tore his gaze away from her retreating form to look at his cousin. “What?”
“Things seem a little tense between you two.”
“Yea, more than a little, I’d say,” Clint admitted. “The woman is turning me inside out.”
Ten’s face broke into a smile. “Ah, so it’s like that. I’m relieved. I thought you two just didn’t like one another.”
Clint didn’t want to explain – not when he didn’t understand anything himself. “Just a little disagreement, we’ll work things out.”
“Just don’t let it affect your training. This is serious business. We’ve spent a lot of money to get ready for next week.”
Feeling chastised, Clint nodded. “You’re right. Sorry. We’ll be at the top of our game. Promise.” After giving his kin his word, Clint found a shady place for the pet carrier, then headed to take a shower. He needed to cool off.
* * *
Once breakfast was finished, Clint and Jensen sat at their table, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife. Both realized this was not the time to discuss their situation. The group was assembled to hear Tennessee’s presentation on tracking. He taught them the basics, showing slide after slide to illustrate his points. To demonstrate, he led them out into the woods, sending each participant on a separate search for evidence of someone moving through their designated area.
As Clint studied the ground, noting partial shoeprints, bruised vegetation, or broken branches – his mind was on Jensen. He couldn’t wait to get her alone. He needed to continue their conversation.
A few dozen yards away, Jensen followed her own trail, hunting marks and signs left for her to find. Truly, this should have been easier. If only she could keep her mind on the task at hand and off the man who was driving her insane. Shaking her head, Jensen forced herself to focus. She needed to complete this task pronto. She didn’t want to be the last to finish.
“How’s it coming, Jensen?”
This question came from Joseph.
She held up her paper. “Pretty good. I’m searching for the last two markers.”
“All right. Hurry it along. Everyone else is waiting for you.”
“Great,” she whispered. Doubling down on her efforts, Jensen finished the course. “I guess my victim would’ve died before I found him,” she mumbled to herself.
After turning in her findings, she joined the others. The group stood in a circle in an open patch of ground where no grass could grow. The thick pine trees blocked the sun and the earth under foot was more rock and dust than dirt. Clint looked across the circle at his partner. All the other duos were standing next to one another, but Jensen had chosen a spot as far away from him as possible.
Joseph stepped into the middle of the circle, kicking up a cloud of dust with his cowboy boots and began to speak, “Not all rescues take place with a helicopter. Not all rescues go smoothly. Murphy’s Law. Hear my words and remember them, folks. If something can go wrong, it will go wrong. Now find your teammate.”
Clint wandered across the circle with his hands thrust into his pockets. “Hey, partner, ready to get to work?”
Jensen held her arms crossed over her chest. “I’m looking forward to it,” she murmured, dropping her hands from their defensive position.
“Gather round,” Joseph began, “Here’s the situation. You and your partner were on a flight. You’ve crash landed in a remote area. The pilot is dead and so is the radio. Your partner is gravely injured, and nobody knows where you are. Staying in one spot is not an option. After performing whatever first aid is necessary, you have to move. The circumstances are just too dangerous for you to remain where you are.” Joseph pointed to Tanner, then Bowie. “Tanner and I will demonstrate a fireman’s carry and a backpack carry. Bowie, you’re with Clint.”
Clint’s smile faded. “I’ve already got a partner.”
Bowie was walking toward him. “Yea, we’re all going to assume you can lift Jensen. Let’s see if we can make things a little more difficult for you.”
Jensen didn’t say anythin
g. She was grateful for the reprieve. Frankly, she didn’t know what she was going to say to him when they did have time to resume their talk.
Joseph demonstrated the two types of carries, first lifting Tanner up onto his shoulder, then letting his large friend climb onto his back. Each time Joseph complained about his buddy’s heft, and each time Tanner blamed any recent weight gain on the delectable culinary talents of his wife.
Jensen watched as Clint performed both moves on his partner. The muscles in his neck stood out when the football player strained to get Bowie into both positions, but once he was secured, Clint managed to carry Bowie easily.
“All right. Good.” Tennessee came over to help instruct. “Your turn, Jensen.”
“My turn?” She stared at Tennessee before turning to glare at Clint.
Seeing her discomfiture, Clint grinned. “It’s all about balance, piece of cake.”
“Right,” Ten agreed with a smirk. “You two give it a go and I’ll be back in a minute to check on you.”
As Clint’s cousin moved away, Jensen glanced around. The other groups were busy with their exercises, nobody was watching them, but that didn’t make her any more comfortable with the situation. She was half Clint’s size, there was no way Jensen could carry him. “This is impossible, and they know it. In fact, this whole situation is impossible.”
“What do you want to do, Jensen? Just quit. Walk away from what might be the best thing that ever happened to either of us?”
“I agree the SAR training is important and I don’t intend to walk away from it.”
“I wasn’t talking about the SAR training and you know it.”
“You certainly hold yourself in high esteem,” she muttered.
“No higher than I hold you,” Clint countered in a hushed, intense tone.
Misreading the reason for their quiet conversation, Bowie joined them with a smile. “Ten was just teasing you, Jensen. You don’t have to do either of those carries. There are other options more suited to your body size.”
“Thank goodness.” She turned her full attention to the instructor. “Show me, please.”
Clint stepped close to her as they awaited Bowie’s directions. He’d worked up a light sweat, and the slightly musky scent made Jensen’s head swim. At least, she’d rather think that was it, and not those damn risk reduction pills she’d taken a few minutes ago.
“Everything okay?” Bowie asked.
Jensen shook the troubling thought from her mind. “Oh. Yes. Fine. I’m ready when you are.”
“Good. On your back, Wilder,” Bowie ordered.
“Come again?” Clint asked.
“Lay on the ground. I need to show Jensen the drag method. Without a travois, this is the best way for her to move your big, corn-fed behind.”
Clint spread out on the ground, a smile on his face. “I’m at your mercy. Be my guest.”
It was Bowie who dove in, bending at the waist to hook his hands under Clint’s arms. He lifted Clint a bit off the ground and began to drag him backwards.
“Now, this will take a bit longer,” Bowie told Jensen, who walked along side while he dragged Clint. “But in a situation where you don’t have a choice, you gotta do what you gotta do.” He stopped dragging Clint and stood up. “Ready to give it a try?”
Jensen looked uncertain. Bowie seemed to struggle a bit to move the colossal running back, but she wasn’t about to give up at this stage of the game.
“Be gentle with me,” Clint muttered when she bent down and slipped her hands under his arms.
Even if Bowie couldn’t, Jensen could hear the underlying tone in Clint’s voice. He was just biding his time until they were alone. Setting aside her concern, she pulled with all her might. To Jensen’s surprise, she actually managed to move the big man a few feet. The others gathered around to watch and all cheered when they saw her progress.
“Good job.” Beau LeBlanc joined them. “Now, let me give you a few pointers, cher.” Moving down to Clint’s feet, he offered this suggestion. “Try pulling him by the ankles. Leaning back uses your own body weight as leverage, allowing you to drag him even though he’s much heavier than yourself. To reduce the risk of self-injury, don’t extend your arms more than fifteen to twenty inches. Flex your arms slowly backward, then reposition yourself before pulling again.” He demonstrated, moving Clint easily several yards. “Watch out for his head, you don’t want to bang it on a rock – or maybe you do.” he grinned.
“Ha!” Jensen let out a laugh. “I’ll give it a whirl.”
To Clint, the image of her standing at his feet was mesmerizing. He couldn’t help but imagine her crawling like a sleek panther up his body to straddle him, moving sensuously against him until they both caught fire. Pure panic gripped him when he realized he was getting excited. He’d never live it down. “Remember, I might be dying, Jensen. Best hurry up,” he snapped from his prone position.
“With that attitude, I’m not sure you deserve rescuing,” she mumbled. Nevertheless, she did as Beau instructed. To both their shock, she was able to move him a greater distance than before.
“Yes!” She celebrated, jumping up and raising her arms overhead in triumph. “I…oops.” With her strength zapped, she lost her balance and fell forward on top of his body, their faces ending up only inches apart. Inhaling a sharp breath, Jensen whispered, “Sorry. I guess I’m a bit tuckered.”
Clint fought the urge to wrap his arms around her. “Don’t be sorry. You can rest here a moment.”
“I should probably get off,” Jensen muttered, her eyes looking directly at Clint’s mouth.
Clint raised an eyebrow. “Get off?” he repeated in a heated voice. “I think you should.”
“Uh. Move. I meant I should probably move.”
Clint’s interest was growing by the second. Her moving on top of him was right out of his dreams. “Jensen?” Clint figured she should probably move before he embarrassed them both.
“You two okay?” Joseph asked when he found the duo lying on the ground together.
“Come back in five minutes,” Clint told him.
His words drew a scoff from Jensen. “No. Stay right where you are, Mr. McCoy.”
“Up you go.” Joseph offered her a hand and once she was on her feet, every fiber of Jensen’s being protested the sudden separation from the solid warmth of his body.
With a sigh, Clint rose to his feet, watching Joseph lead his partner away. “This isn’t over, beautiful.” He fully intended to work this thing out. He also couldn’t wait to have Jensen on top of him again – under even more pleasurable circumstances.
…The rest of the day passed quickly. At one point, Joseph took Clint off to one side. Taking out his wallet, he withdrew a folded check. “Give this to your Mom and tell her I’ll be over to see her as soon as this next week is over.”
Clint didn’t look at the check, he just put it away. “Thanks for doing this.”
“The money belongs to Gillian, we’re glad to do it.” After slapping his cousin affectionately on the shoulder, Joseph left Clint to participate in the remainder of the program.
As things were winding down, Tanner tied up some loose ends by giving them tips on caring for their horses on a mission and a detailed list of what they should always have in their emergency backpack. He also reviewed the procedure they would need to know to call for help or backup. There was also a demonstration on how to construct a climbing litter using a long section of rope. The last thing he went over were the assignments for the coming week. As Clint expected, they kept the teams as they’d stood for the weekend. He watched Jensen’s face to see if he could detect any disappointment, but if she felt any she hid it well.
Clint was surprised to find out how varied the missions were. Canyon and Jonah would receive further training in diving and underwater rescue close to home at Lake Travis. Zion and Adam were traveling to New Orleans to participate in a lowland search and rescue that would entail covering not only the urban area of the city but a
lso the surrounding swamps. Considering their interests, all four men were pleased with their assignments.
Lastly, Clint and Jensen found out what they’d be doing. “Okay, saving the best for last, we’ve chosen to send you two on a special adventure. You’ll be traveling to Montana. The McCoys own some property near Apgar, Montana, adjacent to Glacier National Park. Be sure to pack some warm clothes. Temps will be low in those high elevations. There could even be snow. You’ll be tracking the property foreman, Conrad Billings, through the park. You should know that he’s been instructed to make the task as difficult for you as possible.” He gave a photo of Conrad to Clint, who looked at it and held it out for Jensen to see.
“Tell him to bring it on.” Clint nodded, giving Jensen a wink. “We’ll find him.”
“I hope you do.” Tanner gave them all a salute. “It’s been fun. We will be monitoring each team and will give you some feedback once it’s over.” He began to walk around the room, passing out envelopes. “These are your itineraries, contact numbers, and anything else we could think to include. This is an all-expense paid trip, but don’t view it as a vacation. This is serious business, folks.”
Excited, Jensen looked through the information. “This is going to be interesting,” she murmured to Clint who was glancing through what he’d been given.
“Yea, looks like it.” He returned everything to the envelope, including the photo, and put it into his backpack. “So, you’re okay with this?”
Shrugging, Jensen gave him a placid smile. “Sure. We’ve made it so far without killing one another, I suspect we’ll be able to make it through one more week.”