Doctor to the Rescue

“Yeah. You’re not bailing on him, right?”

“No, actually, he’d mentioned to bring a friend if we wanted, that he’d have enough food to feed an army. Maybe we should invite Bri.” Meaning maybe Kate would take it from here.

“Great idea, Ian. Let me know what she says when you ask.”

“Wait—”

“Gotta run. Take your time shopping with Bri and have fun.” She clicked off before he could formulate a coherent response.

The way Kate urged him to take his time, Ian got the distinct impression she was matchmaking him and Bri. He needed to disabuse her of that crazy notion.

Ian sighed at Bri’s ramshackle cabins. If he was doing one a week, he needed help. “Time for backup,” he told the curious woodland creature watching from a barren branch. The squirrel skittered up the tree. Ian smiled at Tia’s depiction of trees that lose their leaves, aka pajamas, according to Tia—pj’s!

Ian instantly thought of renovation recruits. A human PJ, though, not the cotton variety. “We’re calling in air support,” he informed the sniffing, bushy-tailed squirrel. “That bank doesn’t stand a chance of leveling your home, little buddy.”

He dialed Brockton Drake, the only unmarried holdout on a pararescue jumper—aka PJ—team stationed at Eagle Point Air Base near Refuge, a town away. The special operations skydiving paramedics helped at the trauma center sometimes to keep their medic skills up between combat and civilian rescues. Brock always told Ian to call if he needed anything. Today, he did. “Hey, Brock. What are you doing today?” Ian asked the hardworking air force PJ.

* * *

Whose pretty red truck is that? Bri watched it rumble past her cabin and park near the one Ian hammered on. Pausing her organizing of books for Lem’s annual library fundraiser, she stepped onto her deck to see.

A strapping redheaded man with a bright smile and true military bearing exited the cab with construction supplies. Ian greeted him and together they unloaded wood from the truck bed.

Bri fought the urge to rush out and apologize for her shabby cabin. Yet the way the two men bantered back and forth, ribbing good-naturedly while working, suggested they didn’t consider helping her an inconvenience. Ian laughed. It was such a rare occurrence, Bri smiled. She felt bad he was strapped to her cabin today when she wasn’t watching Tia. Kate had volunteered to take her for a few hours of shopping.

The last time she’d asked Eric downstate to help her mom with the lodge so it wouldn’t have to close, he’d scoffed. Told her he didn’t have time for something so trivial.

The month away from him had made Bri see she’d be better off without him. He’d brainwashed her to believe she couldn’t find a better guy. She stared at Ian. Was he a manipulator with moodiness, too? Bri rubbed the chill off her arms. Best get busy inside.

While the guys worked, Bri continued sorting mass amounts of books for Lem’s annual library benefit. She had a hard time not cracking a book open and indulging.

Too tempted by the books, and sleepy from insomnia over worrying about Caleb, she set about sewing new curtains for each of the cabins. Seven cabins’ worth later, a knock sounded at her door.

Ian and his pal stood on her landing.

“Hi, come on in. I was about to make lunch and bring you refreshments.”

“I bragged on your tea,” Ian said. “This is Brock, a buddy of mine from the Refuge side of Eagle Point Air Base.”

“Nice to meet you, Brock.” She shook his hand. “I’m Bri.”

His dimples deepened as he smiled. “Ma’am.” He eyed the floor. “Whoa. That’s an avalanche of books.” He bent down to peer at the titles. “Who reads all these?”

“I do. Ever since I was little, I’ve had an obsession with reading.”

Ian poured tea in the two glasses she’d set down on the kitchen counter. He grabbed a third glass and filled it, too. “Join us on the deck?”

He handed her the glass and gestured. “Ladies first.”

“Nice place,” Brock commented, eyes gazing over the land.

“You should see it fixed up.” Bri settled in the farthest seat across from Ian at the outdoor table.

“I will soon,” Brock said, then passed Ian a look she couldn’t decode.

Ian captured Bri’s gaze. “You mentioned the bank’s mandate to have seven financially stable renters by Valentine’s Day. Pararescuemen on Brock’s team are partnering with local first responders in rope rescue and other advanced training and conducting survival classes.” He gestured behind her. “Those steep, silvery bluffs, deep lake, woodland terrain, caves and overgrown forests would make great training ground.”

Brock leaned in. “Your cabins would be a great time-saver and give us a base close to the training area. I talked to my C.O., and Petrowski said to get info from you about renting a couple units. He said to tell you he’d be happy to send more recruits out to expedite the renovation process, if that would help.”

Tears burned behind Bri’s eyes. Relief, yes, but she hated embarrassing thoughts that two entire towns, Refuge and Eagle Point, plus an entire elite force of special ops airmen were conducting a conspiracy of kindness to help save her lodge. Because people in close-knit communities were like that.

Bri knew of the PJs. She’d had no idea Brock was one, but the way he carried himself—now she could see it. The PJs were famous in these parts and abroad. Esteemed and well respected. Honest. Superhero strong. Brave. Benevolent. A noble breed of valiant, honorable men who’d stand by their word or die. Men of integrity. Like Mitch, and—despite his brooding—Ian.

If she agreed to this, that meant three cabins had renters. Hers, and the two Brock inquired about. Yet, she wasn’t paying. She needed to figure out how to generate more income. Kate had hinted about renting one of her cabins, but hadn’t mentioned it since.

She must’ve been silent too long. Brock stood. “Think about it, ma’am. Get back to me, or Ian, whenever you’ve had a chance to come up with numbers. Money’s not an issue for us, so charge what’s comfortable for you.”

She nodded, realizing with cautiously optimistic hope that, if things panned out right, renting the two cabins could both appease the bank and generate income to renovate the rest. Her money was quickly running out. She walked with Ian to accompany Brock to his truck despite Ian’s hard face and formidable air.

Bri waved to Brock as he left. “Hope my silence didn’t run him off.”

“No, he told me earlier he had to get ready for HALOs tonight.” Face still cast in a brooding light, Ian walked back to her deck and grabbed their glasses. He was so subdued she was compelled to help him thaw. Talk to him.

“HALOs?” She opened the kitchen door and they stepped in.

He met her attempts at conversation with a dark, pensive stare. It created such an atmosphere of danger, she took a step back. That snapped him out of it and seemed to alert him that he’d emanated a threatening impression.

He set the glasses in her sink and washed them. “High altitude, low opening. It’s a special nighttime parachute jump from so high up, they have to have oxygen.”

“Oxygen?” Her neck craned. “Nighttime?”

Ian grinned. “Yeah. Total blast.”

“Maybe for you.” She laughed cautiously, contemplating the thrill of free-falling. “I’d like to skydive someday. The normal way,” she quickly tacked on. “When oxygen isn’t required.”

He brushed a finger along her arm. “After this heals, I’ll take you. We could tandem jump until you feel safe to solo.”

Right now, solo was the only thing that felt safe.

“At your own risk. I’m liable to blow out your eardrums.”

Ian laughed. “Brock’s team leader, Joel’s wife, almost did the first time he took her.” His grin faded, face pinched. “Not...that you’re my wife—just—Caleb told me how adventurous you are.”

“Told? Or warned?” She quirked an eyebrow at him, dried the glasses that had been Mom’s and put them away, yet not memories of them standing at the lodge sink chattering over them. Lord, I miss her so much. Poor Tia. She had to miss hers, too. Chest tight, Bri drew a shaky breath.

Ian paused. Eyes went into assessment mode. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Christmas was Mom’s favorite holiday is all.”