“The west face in that weather must have been a nightmare,” she remarked. “Were you able to approach from the south ridge, or did you have to navigate the northern ascent?”
His eyebrows lifted in surprise. “You’re familiar with the ridge?”
“Race you to the top sometime?” The offer slipped out naturally. She wasn’t usually one to make future plans on a first date, but this was not a typical first date. At all.
His eyes sparkled with the same fierce joy she felt when tackling a challenge. “Now that’s my kind of second date.”
The server arrived with their steaks and salads, and they fell into an easy rhythm of sharing stories between bites. Noah described SAR operations that made her pulse race, while she told him about her favorite climbing routes—the ones that weren’t in any guidebook.
“No wonder you spotted our victim,” he said after she described a particularly hairy solo climb. “You know every inch of that terrain.”
“Speaking of which.” She leaned forward, dropping her voice. “What’s your take on how she ended up there? There was something off about the whole scene, and I think we both know she wasn’t hiking.”
Noah practically lit up, as if he’d been waiting for her to segue to this exact subject. “The position seemed staged, like someone wanted her to be found eventually.”
“Like a message?” Sabrina toyed with her fork, the steak forgotten as her mind raced through possibilities. “But for who? That area isn’t exactly prime hiking territory this time of year. Any time of year, really.”
“Exactly.” Noah’s intensity ratcheted up a notch, which was saying something, given that it seemed to be his default mode. “Someone chose that spot deliberately. Someone who knew the terrain well enough to understand it would be found, but not immediately.”
“By someone who regularly patrols that section.” She met his gaze. “Like me.”
“Have you worked that region long?”
“My whole career.” A thought struck her. “But Bonner tried to take that zone. He was so weird about it. Kind of underhanded, actually.”
“The guy who horned in on our conversation?” Noah’s expression sharpened with interest. “The one who questioned whether you’d actually found a body?”
“The very same.” She sat back, mind whirling. “He was so insistent about taking that search zone. I didn’t think much about it at the time—he’s always trying to weasel his way into the more challenging assignments.”
“And now we know there was actually something to find.” Noah’s knee pressed against hers, grounding her racing thoughts. “But we also know there’s more going on here than a simple case of exposure. Those clothes, that location…”
“The staging,” she finished. The energy between them had shifted, professional fascination merging with personal attraction in a heady combination. “I’ve never had someone to really talk through an odd case with before. Most of the guys I work with—”
“Aren’t interested in your theories?” His mouth quirked. “Their loss. Your instincts are spot on.”
She laughed. “Careful. Complimenting my professional skills will get you everywhere.”
“Good.” He caught her hand where it rested on the table, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “Because I have a lot more where that came from. You’re an impressive person, Officer West.”
The heat in his gaze made her lungs hitch. Among other things.
“Speaking of professional observation,” Sabrina said, hoping to take it down a few notches before she forgot they were in a public place. “I’ve never seen SAR work like what you did out there. The precision, the control. Most teams I’ve worked with aren’t nearly as methodical.”
His eyes lit with genuine pleasure at the compliment. “SAR requires a specific mindset. You’d be good at it.”
“You think?” She tilted her head, studying him. “It would look good on my résumé, actually. I need an edge for the district ranger promotion I’m gunning for. Would it be hard to get certified?”
“Not for you,” he said confidently. “You strike me as the type who excels at anything you put your mind to.”
That might be the prettiest compliment a man had ever given her. She tried not to let it go to her head, butdang. Noah Colton knew the way to a girl’s heart.
“You’re giving me lots to think about, Colton,” she said with a saucy smile. “Especially since I’m up against Bonner for the promotion. I would like nothing more than to see him crushed under my heel.”
“Now I understand why Bonner went out of his way to get in your face at Peavine.” Noah rolled his eyes, which made her grin.
“He thinks the position is his by divine right or something.” She shook her head. “But SAR certification would definitely help my chances. Especially since no one else in my unit has those skills.”
“I could put you in touch with my trainer.” The way Noah angled his whole body toward her set off sparks in her midsection. “Though I warn you, it’s intense. Long hours, complicated scenarios, complete dedication. But somehow, I don’t think that would scare you off.”
