Reynolds crossed his arms. “SAR certification? Is that what this is about, West? Using an active investigation to pad your résumé?”
“No, sir. Though I won’t deny the certification would look good for the district ranger position. But mainly—” she glanced at Noah, drawing her next words carefully from a heartfelt place deep inside “—I’ve seen how effective SAR teams can be. How they make a real difference. That’s something I want to be part of.”
It wasn’t until the words left her mouth that she realized how true they were.
Yes, the certification would help her career. That was the obvious reason, the first one that came to her after Noah casually dropped the suggestion in her lap during dinner. But watching him work with Dancer, seeing the strong bonds between them—it stirred something in her. A longing she hadn’t even known was there.
Reynolds studied her for a long moment. “You understand the commitment involved? SAR certification isn’t a weekend course. It’s months of intensive training.”
“I understand, sir.” What was she if not committed to her place in the world? “I’ve actually been considering joining a volunteer SAR organization.”
That got his attention. “Have you?”
“Yes, sir.” She straightened her shoulders. He didn’t have to know she’d only started thinking about the next steps after certification this morning while waiting on Noah to show up.
Reynolds’s expression shifted slightly. Was that approval? “The department has been looking to expand our K-9 capabilities. Budget’s always been the issue, but a certified volunteer handler within the ranks would be great.”
Hope fluttered in her chest. Maybe she hadn’t screwed everything up after all. And maybe her late-night research wasn’t just wishful thinking.
“I can put together a training schedule,” Noah offered. “One that won’t interfere with her regular duties.”
Reynolds nodded slowly. “Have you started the application process?”
“Not yet, sir.” Sabrina met his gaze steadily. “But I will. Today.”
“See that you do.” Reynolds’s tone carried a warning, but his eyes had softened slightly. “And, West? Next time you want to investigate something off your assigned route, clear it through proper channels first.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Reynolds walked away, Sabrina sucked in a lungful of air. Noah’s hand brushed her lower back so briefly she might have imagined it, but the warmth of that touch spread through her whole body.
“You okay?” he asked softly.
“Better than okay.” And she meant it. For the first time in her career, she felt like she was choosing a path not just to prove something but because she genuinely wanted it. “Though we should probably actually do some training now that we’ve committed to that story.”
The evidence team finished their collection, carefully bagging the cap while Noah filled out his portion of the chain of custody forms. She should probably be heading back to her regular patrol route, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to walk away.
“I have some training scenarios mapped out,” Noah said as the last police vehicle pulled away. “If you’re interested in getting started right away.”
Reynolds had drifted toward his own vehicle but still stood within earshot. Interesting that he hadn’t ordered her back to work yet.
“I’m not big on waiting once I decide to do something.” She caught Noah’s answering grin, and heat crawled up her neck.
“I’ve noticed that about you.” His voice carried that same edge that had drawn her in from the beginning. The one that said he saw right through her professional facade to the woman underneath who craved adventure as much as he did.
“When’s your next training session?” Reynolds called, his meaning clear. Get back to work, but not without sorting out the details first.
“Tomorrow morning,” Noah answered smoothly. “Assuming Officer West is available.”
“She’ll be there.” Reynolds strode to his vehicle. “Keep me updated on your progress, West.”
She watched Reynolds walk away, knowing she’d dodged a bullet. If he’d really wanted to make an issue of her overstepping into police jurisdiction, he could have written her up. The fact that he’d accepted Noah’s explanation and even supported the SAR certification idea felt like a gift she’d better not waste.
She was really doing this.
She watched Noah interact easily with his dog, her mind spinning with possibilities. The things she’d been reading about SAR work suddenly felt more real, more achievable. And the career advantages weren’t lost on her either. She mentally tallied the points in her favor—her wilderness experience, her physical conditioning, and now potentially SAR certification.
Bonner wouldn’t know what hit him when the selection committee met.
