Mountain Fire Read Free Page A

mountain when he’d headed out the day before, but he wasn’t bothered by the company. June Brandt’s calm and confident air appealed to him, and she seemed well-prepared for a few days away from civilization. He’d been involved in too many search and rescue operations to be lenient toward anyone who didn’t take the wilderness seriously. He was glad she wasn’t one of those.
    During the minutes they’d spent contemplating the night sky he’d been caught unaware by the possibilities swirling in the air between them, and had decided retreat was the better part of valour. He was here to do a job, quickly and efficiently. That didn’t stop him from remembering her profile, edged with moonlight: nose a hint too long, sharp chin. Scandinavian, maybe German, heritage, he speculated, especially with all that gorgeous fair hair.
    Conscious of June directly beneath him, he rolled up his sleeping mat and bag, raised the trapdoor, and stepped noiselessly down into the room below.
    She slept on, peaceful and innocent, curled up on her side with a hand beneath her cheek, bright blond hair scattered about. She breathed deep and even as he slipped past her and out the door to take care of the morning’s necessary business, and was still sleeping when he returned.
    He did his best to move silently, but couldn’t avoid the occasional creak of wood on wood, a mildly reverberating clang as he pulled off the lid of the coffee pot, the snick of a cupboard door opening and closing. June shifted restlessly, long legs twisting in the red and blue sleeping bag. Her eyes opened slowly, a frown creasing her forehead.
    “Morning,” she said, voice clogged and rough.
    “Morning. I was hoping I wouldn’t wake you, but...” he gestured with the coffee pot, “...the only thing that makes the dawn worthwhile.”
    “Dawn?” She sat up and wrapped the sleeping bag around her waist, yawning. “What time is it?”
    “Six-thirty.”
    She groaned. “Nothing like sleeping in when you’re on holiday.”
    “Ah, but I’m not. I want to find that carcass today. It’s already been almost a week since the hikers saw it.”
    Flipping back the sleeping bag, she slid her legs out. Alex caught a glimpse of strong calves and slim thighs as she snagged her shorts from the floor beside the bed, and in one swift motion pulled them on while getting to her feet. She turned to face him, smoothing her hands down the front of her T-shirt as if trying to iron out the wrinkles.
    “Will you make enough for me?” She pointed to the coffeepot.
    “Already did.”
    “Be right back, then.” Plucking a plastic zip-lock bag from her pack-sack, she headed out the door.
    She returned with her hair twisted into a loose bun at the nape of her neck and her face shiny from a cold water wash. A grumpy pout still teased the corners of her mouth. Alex hid a grin as she walked by.
    “How do you plan on finding the bear?” she asked as she tucked her bathroom bag away and tidied up her bed.
    He poured steaming coffee from the metal pot into two mugs. “I’ll follow the directions from those hikers as best I can, and keep my eyes peeled. I should be able to spot ravens or eagles scavenging.”
    He handed her a mug, and she took a cautious sip. “What’ll you do if you find it?”
    He pointed to his pack, next to the door, ready to go. “I’ve got an evidence kit in there: bags, tags, camera. I’ll get as much information as I can from the site. Anything might lead us to the people responsible.” He ripped open a high-energy protein bar and took a bite. “What are your plans for the day?”
    June opened a bag of granola and began to munch. “Footloose and fancy free.” She eased onto one of the derelict chairs, propping one foot on the other.
    “How well do you know this area?”
    “Pretty well.” She made a back and forth motion with her hand. “I have an aunt and uncle with a cabin down below, and we used to hike up once in a while when we came to visit. I