Page 2 of Burning Escape

“I’d better go.” He nodded to Logan and turned back to the gorgeous woman. “Don’t want him to steal my dinner.”

“Can’t have that.” She chuckled. “Thanks for the save, Montana.”

He tipped his chin. “Anytime.”

Well, okay then. Nothing quite said “Welcome to Alaska!” like a beautiful woman falling into his arms.

He could get used to this life.

Orion found his seat and dug into the steaming hot food waiting at his spot. His wings were spicy and sweet, the fries salty and crisp, just the way he liked them. See, this was what he’d been waiting for. Food even tasted better in Alaska. Adventure was in the air, and tomorrow he’d start his new job. His new life.

Logan didn’t say much as they ate. Orion enjoyed his beer and scanned the crowd. Okay, so yes, he was hoping to catch another glimpse of the blonde elfin creature with big blue eyes that had fallen into his arms. The floral, almost woodsy scent she’d carried still stuck with him. Must be the excitement of finally stepping into his legacy. It wasn’t like he believed in love at first sight or anything like it.

“Wanna get some fresh air? It’s getting a little warm in here.” Logan stood and dropped cash on the bar top.

“Sure.”

With a full belly and half a beer still left to enjoy, Orion followed Logan to the deck outside. Some of the crowd were using the space to dance to the country-rock band. A flash of blonde hair, and Orion found what he’d been looking for.

The woodland sprite threw her head back and laughed as she twirled to the music. Her hands clapped high above her head as she swayed her hips. A few other girls joined her, each with a drink in their hands. But their eyes were clear, no one acted tipsy. Just a bunch of friends out for a good time.

“Why don’t you go join them?” Logan bumped his shoulder. “You know you want to.”

Why? Because he’d never been the Casanova type. And he’d grown up in the wilderness. Literally.

But after working an intense fire season together last year, he and Logan knew each other pretty well. Orion didn’t feel the need to keep up pretenses—especially with a fellow believer who might be his roommate for the summer. “I wouldn’t know the first thing about how to do that. And I have no clue how to dance.”

“That’s all that’s stopping you? Dude, you fight wildfires. This is easy. You go out, ask the woman to dance, and feel the beat. Figure out the rest as you go.”

Orion watched them another moment. The sun glinted off the woman’s blonde hair as she spun. She was the picture of light and beauty and freedom.

“Go, Tia!” one of her friends called as she gave her a high five.

Tia.

The name fit. Confident and cute and…

My goodness, he’d just met the woman. What was wrong with him?

Okay, yes, he wanted to dance with her.

“If it’s so easy, why aren’t you out there?” He glanced at Logan.

His smirk dimmed. “That’s not why I’m here.”

“Whyareyou here? All winter, you never said anything when I brought up the fact that I was moving here. Then you call me up out of the blue and tell me you’re joining too.”

“I didn’t know then.”

“Know what?”

“That she was coming here.” Logan finished the last bit of his drink.

“So there’s a woman involved.”

“Isn’t there always?” Logan looked out past the patio lights at the mountains guarding the town, his usually jolly mood suddenly somber.

“What’s her name?”

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