“I like to hear you make that sound.”
Dana looked at him to find his back still remained to her. “Thank you. That was a true gift.”
He turned and smiled. “You’re easy to please. And you’re welcome.” After placing two mugs on the table, he sat. “Let’s eat.”
He said that as if his ex-wife must have been difficult to please. How sad for him. Travis deserved better.
Fifteen minutes later they were ready to go. They headed out just as the sun broke over the trees. Dana took a moment to look back at the cabin. “We did all we can to save this place if the fire makes it this far.”
“I’m sure Mr. Gunter will be glad we tried.” Travis adjusted his pack.
They were no longer following a footpath. Dana blazed their way. Trees towered high over their heads. They spoke little as they walked. She already missed their newfound camaraderie.
Thoughts swirled through her head. Travis hadn’t been exactly short with her while they ate but things had changed since they’d kissed. She felt off center around him. As if her world had shifted but she didn’t know which direction.
Had she disappointed him? Was he upset with her? Had she done something wrong?
* * *
Travis had been following Dana for a couple of hours. All of those he’d been thinking about their kiss. The one that had kept him up most of the night when he’d needed sleep. He wanted to kiss her again and again. He couldn’t remember when a woman had set him on fire like Dana had.
He’d had to go outside and take a few minutes to recover. Returning inside had been difficult. He’d wanted to pull her to that awful single bed and show her what they could be together. To make matters worse he was hyperaware of her soft breathing all night. Dawn came as a relief. He could get up and do something to keep his mind off Dana.
That had been working well for him until he heard her reaction to his gesture of warm water to wash with. That soft, sexy noise almost undid his good intentions.
She called a halt to their trek. “I need to check in with base.”
“Okay. While you do that I’m going to try to get in touch with the hospital and see how Mr. Gunter is doing.” Travis walked off far enough they both could have a conversation without interrupting each other.
While still on the phone he heard a roar of a large engine. He looked up to see a low-flying tanker plane.
“Travis,” Dana called with a note of urgency.
He looked to see her waving an arm for him to come. He ended his call and hurried to pick up his packs.
“We need to get out of range of these guys. The fly jockeys sometimes miss their mark. The last thing we need is to have all that fire-retardant chemical all over us.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Travis hustled to catch up with her.
They kept moving until they were high enough to see the sky above the trees. Dana stopped in an open area and looked back behind them. In the distance an orange-red haze hung in the air. The fire retardant floated to the ground. Farther to the north, the gray of smoke still filled the sky. The fire was still burning strong.
“What did you find out from base?” Travis asked still watching the sky.
“They’re expecting a storm late afternoon and most of the night. The hope is that there’s enough rain in it to help. Another electrical storm isn’t what we need. It would only start more fires. How’s Mr. Gunter doing?”
“Stable. He’ll need a kidney transplant when they’re able to move him to Seattle.”
Dana briefly put her hand on his upper arm, giving him a commiserating look. “You hate not being there to see about him don’t you?”
Travis’s gaze met hers. Was it that transparent or did Dana understand him that well? What he did know was that his ex-wife never “got him” as Dana did. Or had he not let her? “I do. He’s my patient.”
“We better get going. It sounds like we’re going to need to find some good shelter tonight if we don’t want to get wet.”
“Oh, to sleep in the rain.” Travis gave one last look at the sky and turned to follow her.
“Gotten soft over the years, have you, Doc?” Her tone turned lighthearted.
“More like out of practice.” Relief washed through him. At least some of the tension between them had eased. Dana hadn’t met his eyes all morning. He’d convinced himself he’d been wrong to ask to kiss her. He should’ve known better. Somehow in a weak moment he’d thought if they did, it might clear the air some. All it had done was make it thicker. He’d had no idea it would be so explosive.
“I bet it’ll come back to you.” The words were thrown over her shoulder
An hour of hard walking later, they reached a peak.
“We’ll rest here.” Dana dropped her packs and sank to the ground, her legs crossed.
Travis joined her, leaning his back against a boulder. “Where are we?”
“To the west of Skeleton Cave Trail. We may need to turn south some. The going’s harder there but we have a better chance of finding some protection from the weather.”
Travis dug into his personal pack and pulled out two granola bars. He offered her one. “Sounds like a must-see.”
Dana laughed and took the bar. “Some of these trails were named ages ago.”
Hearing her laugh was like having the sun come up just for him.
“Goodness, if I’d realized a snack bar would be that appreciated I would’ve given you one earlier.”
“I might not have been as happy to receive it then as I am now.”
He chuckled. “Point taken.” Looking up at the beauty around them, he recognized that Dana belonged here. She’d be swallowed up, and shrivel up in an office building. Her world was in nature. Had her ex-boyfriend not seen that? Or had he not cared?
Dana had a wildness to her, an untamed quality that called to him. He didn’t want to master it, just taste it and be carried along with it. That sense of who she was only added to her beauty. Her draw. His need.
“You’re staring at me again.” She took a bite of her bar. “This is the third time.”
His look didn’t leave her. “I’m sorry. I tend to do that when I’m fascinated by someone.”
Pink that had nothing to do with the effort of walking came to her cheeks. That only charmed him more. As tough as Dana acted, she could still blush.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Fascination.”
He took another bite out of his bar as he continued to watch her. “Being interested or amazed by something.”
Her lips tightened as she gave him a disgusted look. “I know the definition of fascination. I’m just wondering why you’d be fascinated by me.”
“Why wouldn’t I be? The fact that you can outwork most people I know. You jump out of airplanes. You’re so feminine yet you work in a man’s world. You’ve the most luscious lips. And you can kiss like there’s no tomorrow. Need I go on?”
There was a long pause where only the sounds of birds and the rustle of the wind could be heard.
“Why’re you sweet-talking me? I’m not what you want. I told you I’m not going to be your play thing.”
“I’m not trying to sweet-talk you. You asked me a question and I answered it. Honestly. Whether you believe that or not is up to you.”
She looked toward the forest. “What I think is you’re dumping a load of bear scat at my feet.”
That hurt. He’d meant every word he’d said. Had she heard so few compliments in her life she couldn’t believe one when it was given? “Why would you say that? Not everyone is as ignorant as the men you’ve apparently been out with. You ex-boyfriend being a prime example. Just because you haven’t been out with a good guy doesn’t mean they don’t exist.”
She shifted to hold more of her back to him. Dana wasn’t comfortable with this discussion but he wasn’t gonna let her off the
hook. She needed to know how desirable and interesting she was. To know that her kisses could turn his insides into hot liquid.
“Is this part of that bedside manner that’s required to be a doctor?” She stuffed her trash into her pocket.
“How like you to put a man in his place. I can see that sweet-talking you isn’t your thing. Maybe I need to try my caveman technique.”
She twisted to glare at him. “Don’t you dare! I have a chain saw and know how to use it.”
Travis leaned back and roared with a laughter. The birds flew out of the trees and small animals hurried to their holes. It was the first real laugh he’d had in a long time. It felt good.
“I think it’s time we get moving.” She stood and gathered her things including the chain saw.
To her back he said, “Just because you don’t want to believe something doesn’t make it not be true.”
Finally the ground leveled off enough he could walk beside her. A loud screech came from the sky. He looked up to see an eagle, wings spread wide soaring overhead. “This truly is amazing country, isn’t it?”
“It is.” Dana’s voice held a sound of awe. “But for all its beautiful, wild, breathtaking elements it can be deadly, as well.”
Too soon they reentered the woods and started downhill. At one particularly steep spot they had to hold tree saplings to keep themselves upright. When Dana slid to her side Travis grabbed the chain saw before it and she went tumbling. Bracing himself against a tree in order not to go down, he helped her to right herself.
Dana worked farther along, still using the trees as support until she could stand by leaning back against a tree. She reached for the chain saw. Travis handed it down then climbed past her. They followed the leapfrog pattern until they were on flatter ground.
He stopped beside Dana. “You okay?”
She shrugged and wiped her hands on her pants. “Scraped my hands but no big deal. I should be wearing my gloves.”
“Let me see.” He took her hands and lifted them. Both had small red marks across them.
Before he realized what he was doing he kissed one palm then the other.
“Travis...” His name was little more than a whisper across her lips.
He picked up the chain saw and started off. “Let me lead for a while.” To his astonishment she didn’t argue. She must have been as shocked as he that he’d kissed her hands.
* * *
Dana watched Travis’s back. What had that been about? Whatever it was, he left her heart fluttering in her chest. She’d had such a crush on Travis once. Was it so hard to believe that she could again? Would it be so terrible if she did? The thought took a firmer hold the more she was around him. She hurried to catch him.
The roar of water rushing over rocks grew stronger. Travis stood beside a creek by the time she joined him.
“Should we cross here or is there a better spot?”
Dana looked across the rocky area. “This is as good a place as any. It’s miles downstream before the stream calms.”
“We cross here then.” Travis picked up the saw by the handle.
“Go slow. The goal here is not only to cross but to stay dry. We can’t build a fire this time of the year to dry things out.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Travis took a wide step putting a foot on a rock with water washing around it. Using the saw as a counterbalance, he moved farther into the stream.
When he had made it halfway across, she followed using his path. They made slow progress but wearing wet clothes all day wouldn’t be fun. She concentrated on each movement of her feet. Glancing over, she saw Travis had made it to the other side. He placed the saw and his bags on the ground.
She returned her attention to what she was doing. The next step had undoubtedly been easy for Travis but was wider than she felt comfortable making. Looking around for an alternative rock, she couldn’t find one.
“Stay put,” Travis called. “I’m coming after you.”
Before she could stay anything, he’d already left the bank.
“Give me your hand.” She did and his strong one closed around hers. “Step over here to me. This rock is large enough to hold us both.”
When she teetered, his grip tightened, holding her in place before his hands came to her waist. They stood chest to chest as water rushed around them. She didn’t dare look him in the eyes for fear she’d forget they were in the center of the creek.
“The last step is wide also. I’m going to step across and swing you over. Don’t move until I have firm footing.” She did as he said. “On three.” His words brushed her ear. He lifted her with ease and soon her feet were on dry ground.
As she moved away to give him room to join her, he stepped to the bank but lost his footing when part of the bank gave way. Dana grabbed his hand and pulled. She fell to the ground hard, her breath leaving her with an oof. Travis came down on top of her. They were in a tangle of arms and legs. She worked to catch her breath.
“Dana, are you all right? Did I hurt you?” Panic filled Travis’s voice as he scrambled off her.
Pulling in enough air to speak, she said, “I’m okay.”
“You sure?” Concern darkened his eyes.
“I’m fine.”
Travis stood and reached out a hand and helped her stand. He studied her. “Are you sure you aren’t hurt?”
“I’m good. Really.” Her voice held a gruffness. Was it from the fall or having Travis so near? She adjusted her packs. “We need to keep moving.”
He picked up his belongings. “You’re sure I didn’t hurt you. You took a hard fall especially with my weight crushing you.”
“Travis, I said I’m fine. Now let’s go.” Why couldn’t he leave it alone? She wasn’t used to having someone show concern for her. Guilt ate at her. She should appreciate his worry. They hadn’t hiked far when she turned to him. “I’m sorry I made a fuss about you making sure I was all right. I’ve spent years trying to be tough enough to handle my job. Showing any weakness might affect my performance. I’m sensitive about it.”
“You’re human. You can hurt. Can show it.” Had all her life been spent proving herself worthy?
She looked away. “I know. But I don’t like to show it.”
“Hey.” He waited until her gaze returned to him. “You can let it show with me. I promise to have your back.”
“Thanks. That’s nice to hear.” She looked at the sky. It had filled with ominous low dark clouds. “We need to start looking for shelter. One of the guys I used to work with out of Bend told me about a small cave in this area. We’re going to look for it.”
“Is that with or without a bear?”
Dana grinned. “We’re going to plan for without.”
“Good. I’ve almost met my quota for an eventful day.”
“I have to admit this trip gets more interesting all the time. It sure would make a nice end to the day if we could find that cave.”
Travis slapped the side of his leg. “Then let’s go do it.”
CHAPTER SIX
TRAVIS TRAILED BEHIND DANA up and over the rocks. She didn’t seem to give up and acted as if nothing was too tough for her. He’d gotten so used to being around hothouse, needy women he’d forgotten what a truly capable woman acted like. The only issue he had with that was she worked at it too hard. As if she always had to prove herself.
With sure feet, she continued up the mountain, half pulling herself along. He made every step she did while searching the area for a cave opening. The chain saw shifted on his shoulder. Though it was cumbersome but necessary, he still wished he could leave it behind. But that wouldn’t happen. They might need it. He moved it to the other shoulder. Still a guy could dream...
They maneuvered through a narrow space between two rocks on their upward climb. Every once in a while Dana stopped and searched the outcroppings. They m
arched on as dark clouds continued to roll in and shut out the sunlight, lightning flashes within them. The air thickened. The storm now hung low over the distant tree line. It would be an angry one.
“Hey, Travis.”
“Yeah.”
“Tell me about your ex-wife.”
That came out of the blue. “What do you want to know?”
“Whatever you’ll tell me.” Dana made it sound as if they were having a casual conversation to pass the time.
“She is tall, has blond hair and likes the finer things in life.”
Dana asked over her shoulder, “Did your parents like her?”
He climbed over a rock. “I guess so.”
“Did you love her?”
Had he? Really? “I think I thought she’d be the perfect partner for the life I had envisioned. I met her in college. She’d been raised as a princess so she knew all the social ins and outs. I thought I needed that to get ahead in my profession. She dressed like a fashion plate. Wanted the house to look just so. But none of that really has anything to do with love, does it?”
Dana stopped and looked back at him. “No.”
How misguided he’d been. He’d not only done Brittney an injustice but himself, as well. He’d been so wrapped up in creating the perfect picture, he produced a nightmare. Moments later Dana’s excited call had him hurrying forward.
“I think I’ve found it.” She pointed above them. “Stay here and I’ll check it out.”
“Dana, let me go.”
With a flashlight already out, she looked at him. “I’ve got this. You don’t have to take care of me.”
“I know that, but you could let someone do it every once in a while. I’ve the caring gene. Remember? I’m a doctor.”
She’d already started up the side of the mountain. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Watch out for a bear,” he yelled.
“Will do. I promise if one’s in there you’ll know it almost as soon as I do.”
Reunited with Her Daredevil Doc Page 8