by Karen Foley
As she made her way toward the back of the first pen, Tyler climbed into the truck and backed it up so it was as close to the enclosure as possible. Without the underbrush and dense forest to conceal them, he could see the bunkers in each pen, barely visible above the blackened earth. He climbed out of the truck and stood with Vin and Ace, watching as Callie approached the first bunker, talking in a low, soothing voice. She pulled a hunk of raw meat out of the bucket and tossed it onto the scorched ground, and then waited.
As they watched, an animal crept out of the bunker, slinking low, with its belly close to the ground. The wolf cautiously sniffed the meat, and then made a movement as if it would snatch the food and drag it back into the safety of the bunker. But before that could happen, Callie slipped the catchpole neatly over the animal’s head. The wolf startled and tried to jerk back, and for a moment Tyler thought Callie would be pulled off her feet. But she dug in her heels and held on, and slowly walked the resistant wolf across the enclosure, until they reached the kennel truck. With surprising deftness, she put the frightened animal into one of the cages, and threw a hunk of meat in with him.
“I’m impressed,” Ace said. “Wolf-girl really knows what she’s doing.”
Vin chuckled and clapped the younger man on the shoulder. “Okay, show’s over. C’mon, tenderfoot, let me show you how to do mop-up.”
“Hey, in case you missed the memo, I don’t think I qualify as a rookie anymore,” Ace protested, as he followed Vin. “I’ve got almost two dozen jumps under my belt now.”
Tyler shifted his attention back to Callie and watched as she patiently coaxed the remaining wolves out of their dens. The lure of fresh meat and water was pretty good incentive for them to come out, but Tyler suspected she had something to do with it, too. The wolves knew her scent; they trusted her. Except for the first wolf, none of the animals resisted when she led them to the kennel truck.
Tyler scrubbed a hand over the back of his head as he watched her work. He had hung back to keep an eye on her in case any of the wolves gave her trouble. But there was another reason he remained near; he wanted to watch her because she was beautiful, and smart, and there was a quality about her that he found very appealing.
She had transferred five wolves to the kennel truck and had returned for the sixth, when he suddenly heard her cry out, and he realized he could no longer see her inside the enclosure.
“Callie?” He strode along the perimeter of the pen, trying to locate her. “Callie, answer me! Where are you?”
As he peered through the wire fencing, he finally saw her crawling on her hands and knees out of the concrete bunker. Without hesitation, he sprinted back to the gate and slipped inside, running over to where she sat, desolate, on the blackened ground.
He crouched beside her, trying to see her face. “What is it? Are you bitten? Are you hurt?”
She shook her head. “No.”
Tyler looked from her, to the entrance of the bunker, and started to climb inside.
“No!” Callie grabbed his arm and pulled him back. “Don’t go in there, at least not until I bring Kobo out.”
Tyler stared at the entrance. From deep inside the bunker, he heard a low, mournful keening. He frowned and looked back at Callie. “Is there an injured wolf in there?”
She shook her head, but when she raised her face to his, he could see tears had created pale streaks through the soot on her cheeks.
“Sorry.” She managed and dragged her sleeve across her eyes. “You’d think after all these years, I’d get used to animals reaching the end of their lives, but this one—” She made a choking sound. “This one just got to me.”
“Hey, no, don’t apologize,” Tyler said, still trying to figure out what was going on. He listened to the low wail. “Is that a wolf dying? Because I’ll help you bring it out; we can get it back to St. Mary. Maybe it’s not too late.”
“No, it’s definitely too late,” Callie confirmed. “Nina, our oldest wolf, didn’t survive. Her body is in there, and that’s her mate, Kobo, mourning her.”
Tyler rocked back on his heels as he digested this. “Okay. So we need to bring them both out.”
Her expression registered her surprise. “Yes.”
“So which would be easier? To bring Nina out first, or Kobo?”
Callie pushed herself to her feet, and Tyler rose to stand beside her. “I don’t think Kobo will let me touch her,” she said. “We’ll have to entice him out first.”
“Tell me what to do.”
“He’s hungry. I think he’ll come out if I offer him some food. Once I catch him up, could you go in and bring Nina out? I don’t think I can do it.”
“Sure.” The sadness of her expression as she talked about the wolf was almost more than he could stand. “Hey, come here.”
Before she could protest, he pulled her into his arms. For just an instant she stood stiff and awkward in his embrace, and then she relaxed against him, as if all the strength had suddenly been drained out of her. Tyler’s arms tightened reflexively, and a surge of protectiveness nearly swamped him. Her hair was silky against his chin, and he breathed in her clean fragrance.
“I’m sorry.” She repeated, her voice muffled against his shirt. “I’m not usually this emotional, but it’s been a rough week.”
“Shh, I’m here for you,” he found himself saying. “It’ll be okay.”
She nodded, and after a moment, slowly pulled away from his embrace. She didn’t meet his eyes, but he didn’t miss her heightened color.
“I’ll bring Kobo out,” she said, and turned away to retrieve the bucket of meat, and the catchpole.
As she gently enticed Kobo from the bunker, and expertly moved him to the kennel truck, Tyler couldn’t help but admire how the animals responded to her. As wild and untamed as they were, they trusted her. He felt an affinity with the wolves, recognizing that there was something special about Callie. For just a moment, he wondered if she might not be capable of domesticating him, too.
Chapter Nine
“You did a good job back there,” Tyler said, as she drove the kennel truck through the pass and back toward St. Mary. “I’m sorry about Nina.”
Callie nodded and her hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Thank you. She was very old, and the wildfire was just too much for her.” She glanced at him. “Most people think wolves are tough, but they can actually become stressed very easily.”
“Will Kobo be okay?”
Callie thought of the mournful sounds the wolf had made while watching over Nina’s body. Few people understood the strong bonds that wolves developed, or how they mourned the passing of a pack member.
“I hope so. We found a wolf sanctuary in Wyoming, willing to take the wolves in. So once he settles in and gets evaluated, he has a good chance of being placed with another female.”
Callie had called Randy as soon as she’d loaded the six wolves into the kennel truck, and he’d volunteered to make the long, eight hundred-mile drive to Cheyenne. He would leave as soon they arrived in St. Mary, in order to reduce the time the wolves would have to spend in the truck. Once they reached Cheyenne, the animals would receive a complete checkup, and be placed with their pack mates in new enclosures. Their new home would be permanent; they wouldn’t return to Montana.
Callie hadn’t been kidding when she’d told Tyler it had been a rough week. Between her father’s health, losing the ranch, and trying to find new homes for the wolves, she felt more stressed than she could ever recall. She still hadn’t told her father that all of the wolves had been placed in new homes, or that there was no chance he could reopen the sanctuary. She wasn’t sure he would forgive her.
She thought again of the spontaneous hug Tyler had given her. The gesture had been so unexpected that for a moment, she’d been too shocked to react. Then she’d become acutely conscious of how good his arms felt around her, of his scent, and his strength. Part of her wanted to press closer to him, and never leave. She wanted to lean on him; let him t
ake care of her. Of everything.
What had he said?
I’m here for you.
Realistically, she knew that wasn’t true, since he’d likely return to Glacier Creek within the next day or so, and she wouldn’t be here for any longer than absolutely necessary. But she appreciated his kindness, and told herself it was perfectly normal for her to be attracted to him—he was a rugged, good-looking man, capable of kind acts. In fact, he was pretty perfect. She’d tried to find some fault in him, but so far hadn’t come up with anything. The fact he would be leaving St. Mary soon was probably a good thing, since she suspected he was the kind of guy a girl could easily fall for.
For all she knew, he was already taken—it seemed as if all the good guys were. Callie found the thought depressing, and cast a furtive glance at his hands. He was checking his cell phone for messages, and she couldn’t help but notice how strong and capable his hands looked. He wore no rings, and she couldn’t see any telltale indent on his ring finger.
“So, you must be pretty anxious to get back to Glacier Creek,” she commented, striving for a casual tone. “I’m sure your wife worries about you when you’re gone.”
He slanted her an amused look, as if he saw through her transparent attempt for information. “No wife, no fiancée, no girlfriend,” he replied, before returning his attention to his messages. “Not yet.”
Was it her imagination, or was there an implied promise in his words? Something fluttered in Callie’s stomach. What would it be like to be Tyler Dodson’s girlfriend?
Amazing.
Overwhelming.
He was an extremely physical man, and she imagined that would extend to his intimate relationships, as well. And suddenly, she could picture it so clearly that treacherous heat unfurled low in her abdomen, rushing to her sex so she had to resist the urge to squirm in her seat. Desperate to think about something other than Tyler, naked and covering her, she grasped at the first topic that sprang to mind.
“How much of the wildfire has been contained, so far?”
“There’s going to be a public meeting tonight at the incident command center,” he replied. “But the fire is about sixty-five percent contained. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I’ve never seen a wildfire as crazy and unpredictable as this one, but I think it’s safe to say we’ll wrap up in a day or so.”
“So soon?” She blurted the words without thinking, even though she’d told herself to expect this.
He shifted his attention from the road to her, and Callie felt warm color sweep into her face. Nothing like being obvious.
“You know I can’t stay,” he said quietly.
And there it was again, the intense awareness that made her skin tingle and her stomach tighten into knots.
“I know,” she said, nodding, and dragged her attention back to the road. “It’s just that you’ve been so great, helping me with the wolves, and I feel partly responsible for you ending up in the hospital.”
Liar.
It’s just that I want you.
“Don’t. It’s a job hazard, and it won’t be the last time I overdo it during a deployment. As for the wolves, you know I’m happy to help you.”
“Still, I’d like to do something to repay you,” she insisted. “Maybe dinner at the Black Bear Grill?”
Tyler laughed. “Thanks, but I’m not exactly equipped to go anywhere civilized, especially not a restaurant.” He was quiet for a moment. “How about you come over to our base camp tonight, and I’ll grill you a couple of hotdogs? It won’t be fancy, but it’s probably better than anything the hospital cafeteria could offer. Trust me—I know.”
How did he know she’d been eating her meals at the hospital, in between visits with her father? The thought of sitting with all those smokejumpers made her nervous, but the lure of spending a little more time with Tyler was too irresistible to turn down.
“Alright,” she conceded. “I need to check on my dad, first. Are you sure I won’t be intruding?”
“Trust me,” he said drily, “you won’t be intruding. Tonight’s our only night away from the front line of the fire, to give us a chance to catch some sleep and maybe a shower. Your being there will be a welcome change from sitting around, staring at each other.”
Callie drew in a breath. “Okay, then. It’s a date.”
She instantly regretted her choice of words when Tyler’s expression remained impassive. Biting her lip, she focused on her driving, grateful when they reached the turnoff to St. Mary. She had agreed to meet Randy at the campground, and as they pulled into the field, she spotted his pickup truck.
They climbed out of the truck, and Callie saw that Randy had Sara, her father’s second assistant, with him. They had been leaning against the hood of the truck when they pulled up. They straightened and stepped away as Callie approached, but not before she saw them holding hands. She’d no idea the two were romantically involved, although it made sense. They spent a lot of time working together with the wolves. They were both in their early thirties, and while Randy looked like a lumberjack with his dark beard and powerful shoulders, Sara was his complete opposite in every way. Petite and blonde, with skintight jeans and western boots, she looked as if she would be more comfortable on the dance floor of a country-western bar. But Callie had seen her working at the sanctuary. Not only was she patient and caring with the wolves, but she had a lighthearted nature and enjoyed nothing more than teasing Randy. Now Callie introduced Tyler to them, seeing the lively interest in Sara’s eyes.
“So you’re the firefighter who helped Callie save the wolves, huh?” she asked, running her gaze over him in blatant appreciation. “Makes me wish I’d stuck around that morning.”
“I’m right here,” Randy reminded her, his tone dry.
“Yes, but this guy specializes in putting out fires,” she quipped. “You know, find ’em hot and leave ’em wet? Can you say the same?”
Callie barely contained her shocked laugh. Randy glowered at Sara, and stomped around to the driver’s side of the kennel truck. “It’s a long drive to Cheyenne; I should get going.”
Sara grinned, and reaching into the bed of Randy’s truck, withdrew a large cooler, and several jugs of water. “I’ll just grab these,” she said brightly.
Before she could muscle the cooler out of the bed, Randy was right there, taking it from her. “I’ve got it,” he said gruffly. “Are you coming with me, or would you rather stay here with the fire extinguisher?”
“Hmmm,” she said, and let her gaze slide over Tyler again, as if seriously considering it.
Callie liked Sara, but felt herself going tense as she watched the other woman size Tyler up. For his part, Tyler merely smiled politely, and reached past her for the jugs of water, lifting three in each hand as if they weighed nothing.
“Get in the truck,” Randy said to Sara, tossing the cooler and the jugs of water into the seat behind the cab.
“Randy, before you leave, can you do me a favor?” Callie asked.
“Sure, what’s up?”
Callie explained about Nina, and how they had placed her body into one of the crates. “Could you bring her over to Shayla? She’ll take care of her.”
Once the arrangements for Nina had been made, Randy and Sara left, promising to contact them once they reached Wyoming.
“Sorry about that,” Callie said. “Sara can be a little outspoken, and she likes to get Randy going, even at the expense of other people.”
“No problem,” Tyler replied, his mouth curving. “I’ve heard it all before. Where are you staying?”
Callie indicated the row of small, rustic cabins near the lake. “I’m staying there for now.”
Tyler nodded. “Do you have everything you need?”
“I didn’t bring much with me from California. Just a suitcase, and I was able to throw that into the truck before we left the sanctuary, along with some of my dad’s things.”
Beside her, Tyler stilled.
“I thought you were from
St. Mary.” His voice was cautious.
“Originally, yes. But I went to veterinary school in California, and I’ve lived in Monterey for the past eight years.” She looked at him, wondering why his expression had suddenly gone tight. “Why?”
He shrugged. “Nothing.”
But Callie had the distinct sense he’d suddenly withdrawn from her. Was it because she was from California? Had he believed that she lived in Montana? Had he hoped they might see each other after he returned to Glacier Creek? Even if she lived in St. Mary, it was easily a two-hour drive to Glacier Creek, through Glacier National Park. In the winter, when the mountain passes were closed, that drive became five hours to circle around the park, using the interstate.
“Okay.” She pushed her hands into the pockets of her jeans. “So, I guess I’ll go grab a shower, stop by the hospital, and then go over to the rescue area and check on my four-legged patients.” She hesitated. “Thanks again for all your help today, Ty. With everything. I sort of lost it a little bit, and you were really nice about it, so thank you. A lot of guys would have run in the other direction.”
“Yeah, well, those guys would be idiots. I don’t scare easily.” His manner was still remote, and his expression had lost the warmth it usually held when he looked at her. “So, I’ll see you around six? Which cabin are you in? I’ll come over and get you.”
Callie didn’t know if he really wanted to see her that night, or if he was just being polite. His whole posture had become a little bit aloof, which made her uncertain.
“You know,” she began cautiously, “if you’ve changed your mind, it’s fine. Please don’t feel as if you need to take care of me. I can grab something to eat at the hospital. Really.”
To her surprise, he stepped close to her, until she felt overwhelmed by his sheer physicality.
“Is that what you think?” he asked, his voice low and gruff. “That I’ve changed my mind?”