Page 8 of Flashback

The woman wrung her hands together. “They’re missing!”

TWO

Allie couldn’t believeDakota Masterson was here in the middle of the Montana wilderness. Clearly he’d succeeded in rehab. His blue eyes were clear and focused—nothing like the bloodshot, full-of-shame look they’d carried last time she’d seen him. Even in sooty pants and a loose T-shirt he looked good. Healthy.

But why he was trying to get rid of her and acting all embarrassed when obviously he should be celebrating wasn’t something she had time to figure out. Not when the mother of those two adorable boys looked like she was about to faint.

“I haven’t seen Ethan and Nolan since this morning.”

Jen sucked in a short breath. “They said they wanted to hike the Green Loop trail, right? That’s what they told you?”

Allie nodded.

“They should’ve been back by now.” Jen’s voice shook. “And Ray is ready to go, but—” She bit down on her lip like she was trying not to cry. She whipped her head around, looking in every direction, and gasped. “I can’t find them.”

Allie laid a gentle hand on Jen’s arm. “I’m sure they’re around. I’ll help you look.”

No way would Allie leave when two young boys were lost in the forest. So whatever mystery there was to solve about Dakota showing up as a firefighter—a hotshot and part of her friend Emily Micah’s crew, no less—needed to wait.

“You need to evacuate, Allie,” Dakota said. “It’s not safe here.”

“Excuse me, this is what I do. I find lost people. Remember?”

Emily gave Dakota a good glare. “Masterson, she’s right. We have work to do. We need to finish evacuating. I trust Allie will stay safe. Tho?—”

“Jen!” an angry voice yelled. “Where are they?” A bald man, stocky and tall with a bushy beard, came from behind the tent the boys had pointed out that morning. The glower on his face disappeared the moment he spotted them. He walked over with a chuckle. “Sorry to yell, babe. Didn’t realize you were visiting with folks.” He swung a beefy arm over her shoulders. “Where are the boys? It’s time to go, and I bet these firefighters want us out of the way.”

Allie watched Jen shrink. “They’re still…hiking. I think. I told them to be back by now. Ethan has his watch, but?—”

“They aren’t back?” The man, presumably Jen’s husband Ray, bristled. “We need to get home.”

Scout stood at alert, sniffing the man. Unlike he had with everyone else in the group, the Lab didn’t go right up to him. Instead, the dog stayed by Allie’s side, giving her a solid idea of the dog’s instinct about his man—and she got the same vibe.

“I know, but they’re missing.” Jen’s voice hitched.

“Missing?” He looked at Dakota and the guy with him. “You guys are firefighters. Can’t you help us find the boys?”

Emily stepped up to him. “We have to finish evacuating, but Allie is a search and rescue professional. She can help find them.” She turned to Dakota and his partner. “We better getgoing. There’s still a lot of people, and we need to clear everyone out.”

Dakota gaped. “We can’t let Allie go alone. The fire is heading right toward the trails.”

Jen gasped. “You have to help find them. We have to find them.” She looked like she would fall apart any second now.

She would be useless in the forest. This worried mother was the last person who needed to be out with Allie.

She injected as much confidence as she could into her voice. “I need you to stay here in case they come back. If you and your husband search the main campground, check the shower houses and gift shop, and stay here in the central area, I can take Scout and search the trails.”

Dakota glared at her. “You shouldn’t be out there alone.”

“I won’t be.” Couldn’t he see that? “I’ll have Scout.”

“Yeah, but the fire?—”

“Maybe you should go with her,” the other firefighter said. What did he say his name was? Kane? “Emily is right. As soon as this place is evacuated, we need to start cutting a break line to save the campgrounds. Gotta keep moving.” He nodded to Allie. “If you don’t mind, I’m leaving you in good hands.” He clapped Dakota on the shoulder and jogged away.

Emily shouted a quick goodbye and warning to be safe.

Great. Now she was stuck with Dakota. Not that she didn’t like the guy. She really thought they’d connected at one point, but now he was acting like he wanted to get rid of her. And—yes, maybe the way he’d left with barely a goodbye after that long road trip still stung. But she needed to focus on Jen before she collapsed. She would probably do better with a task. “Jen, Ray, go search those areas I mentioned. One of you stick by the tent. Do you have a phone?”

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