“But you’re worried,” Noah said. “What did Mark say?”
“Can’t get ahold of him.” Now Jacob looked truly troubled. “He’s gone dark again. Won’t answer calls, hasn’t been home in days. This security job he landed—something feels off.”
Noah’s chest tightened. He’d meant to check in with his brother. Had made a mental note of it when he’d gotten Jacob’s text about it a few days ago. And then forgot. “Defineoff.”
“Like he won’t say who his employer is.” Jacob’s phone buzzed and he glanced at the screen. “I have to get back to work.”
That was Noah’s cue to move on to the next item on his agenda today.
A surprise for Sabrina.
But now he wondered if he was overstepping. If he should be reeling things back, not charging forward.
That wasn’t who he was, how he operated. Which didn’t mean he couldn’t try to find some balance. Nothing wrong with calling a woman, with asking her out. Giving her presents. He didn’t have to fall in love with her instantly, especially not if she wasn’t looking for anything serious.
If nothing else, that was the advice he planned to take from Jacob. He’d feel her out. Scope the lay of the land, so to speak. At the end of the day, he had to try.
CHAPTER 10
Sabrina’s office chair squeaked as she double-checked her SAR application. Everything looked perfect, each box ticked, every field filled in. She had enough experience with bureaucracy to know that one mistake would bounce her application back, delaying the whole process.
She needed this win. Kirk Bonner had already put in his application for district ranger, and he’d beat her out for this job over her dead body. Sure, he had more years of service, but she had more time in the wilderness. And if she had something extra—like SAR expertise—that could only help. Right?
“Got a minute?” Marcus Reynolds stepped into her office doorway, rapping against the frame.
“Yes, sir.” She stifled the urge to click out of the application and to a more innocuous screen. It wasn’t like he’d caught her doing anything wrong, but she still wasn’t sure how she felt about the SAR application.
What if she got rejected?
Reynolds glanced at her screen, just like she’d known he would. “That your SAR application? It’s a good plan. I was going to encourage you to apply, but I see you’re already on it. Not that I’m surprised, but if I’m being honest, it felt like your interest in SAR might have a little more to do with Colton than the skill set.”
“I’m not looking to add another notch to my bedpost,” she shot back with a withering glare. Just in case the thought had crossed his mind.
The look he gave her said that she was the only one who had gone there. “That’s no one’s business but yours. And Colton’s. Just keep it out of the office.”
“SAR appeals to me. I like dogs. I like the idea of being someone who can help in emergencies. And I figured it couldn’t hurt to add to my résumé, you know, to give me an edge.”
Reynolds perched on the edge of her desk, a rare casual move from a man who normally didn’t delve into buddy-buddy routines. “If you’re worried about Bonner, don’t. He’s got seniority but lacks leadership skills. Innovation. Adaptability. SAR is a perfect example of forward thinking. The kind of thing that will look good to the selection committee.”
Wait, was he…was her boss actually saying what she thought he was? That he might be putting his weight behind her instead of Bonner, if asked?
“Plus,” he continued, “Colton’s an excellent trainer. If you’re going to do this, it’s helpful that you already have an in with him. The Coltons are good people.”
“I don’t want this to seem like I’m just getting certified for promotional advantage.” She bit her lip. The other reason—Noah—probably didn’t need to be added to the mix, not after she’d flat out denied her interest in him.
“No one is going to think that.” His smile let her know he understood her concerns though. “Anyone who’s met you understands that if you’re going to do SAR, you’ll go all in. You don’t have another speed.”
He stood, as if realizing he’d extended his usual gruff demeanor past its normal limits. “Turn in that application ASAP.”
“Yes, sir.” She watched him leave, her head spinning. Had her boss just indicated the promotion was hers to lose? Why hadn’t he said anything before?
And since when did his belief in her matter so much?
Her phone buzzed.
Sexy SAR Expert: Come over tonight? Have something to show you.
All thoughts of promotions and advancement fled. After their conversation last night, her skin had hummed for hours. Today hadn’t diminished the buzz at all.
